SLAM: What is the smallest detail of basketball that you can share with us?

Stephen Curry: Probably breathing. My skills coach Brandon Payne always talks about breathing is a skill. And I think for the young kids it’s beneficial but they can kinda get away with it just because they’re so energetic and young they don’t even need to warm up these days. They just go out there and hoop. But the deeper you get into your career being able to control your breathing, like, recovery, controlling your nerves, all those types of things. I’ve really tried to master that in the last five, six years. Nobody would really know you’re doing it while you’re doing it.

SLAM: Physical and mental at the same time?

SC: Exactly. Just connecting that. That’s an all-the time-thing. It doesn’t matter if it’s, you know, in my training sessions or training camp or preseason or regular season or Finals, whatever it is, like, it’s always a fine detail of kind of mastering the game.

SLAM: Beautiful. What have you learned from kids?

SC: It’s just a reminder of, you know, there’s a lot of different approaches to the game. You know, they’re so talented and skilled and they all have different strengths and weaknesses, but being able to put them in a position where they’re tested with the details of balance and mechanics and processing information, like, that cycle always kind of reveals itself. I keep telling them, even in my 15th year, going into my 15th year in the League, I’m still trying to perfect the stuff that I’m teaching them. And they’re probably learning for the first time. They remind you of that journey. We all started from somewhere. They’re a lot better than I was when I was their age. Just understanding, like, I still feel like I can get better, so I hope that they hear that and then watching them get bright-eyed when I tell them something like that just gives me so much juice. This game is such a beautiful game.

SLAM: It is so beautiful and I want to get back to the kids in a second. But the way that you’re talking about the game to me, it really makes me think about intention and instinct and how basketball exists on this bridge of intention and instinct. What’s the clearest way that you can illustrate where instinct takes over when you’re on the court?

SC: I mean we drill it in some of the sessions that we’ve had out there where Coach McKillop, he mentioned he wants to train players to be detailed but free and the freedom comes in being able to just make decisions and be able to see the floor and try and make it almost slow motion. Like, the way that you can process information, where your defender is, where the other 8 guys that are on the court are. Time and score, you know, the flow of the game, all that type of stuff. You could talk about it for hours. Like, examining every single game you watch on TV, how many decisions are being made on every possession. I think that’s why every play is different, every game is different. Being able to understand who you are as a player, play to your strengths, but then process information within the game… When you can master that and then the game slows down the instincts are like… it’s almost like you’re Spider-Man out there for a little bit where you can just kinda bend the game to your will a little bit. And there’s confidence that comes with that too.

SLAM: Can you run me through what your senses of sight, touch, and hear are doing in those moments where you become Spider-Man?

SC: That’s a good question. I feel like it’s one of those things where it’s hard to explain just because everything just feels in sync. You’re not really hearing the crowd, even if there’s, like, 18,000-19,000 people in the stadium, you don’t really feel it. You feel like you’re by yourself out there. There’s a little bit of inner conversation going on, almost like narrating what’s going on in real time. But the flow of the game, or I guess the flow of your senses are all just in sync. And it’s a fun space to be in when you have that much control over the game.

SLAM: Have you seen any of the kids demonstrate anything close to that?

SC: They all have their moments for sure, and I think even, like, Cooper Flagg, when he’s out there, he’s one that shows just a know-how and a confidence and a basketball I.Q. Always trying to make the right play at all times. He obviously can show his athleticism and his overall skill set, but he’s one that I’ve seen that’s never really in a hurry out there. And for the high school level that’s hard to find cause they’re so athletic, so fast, they rely on that. But he almost plays like an NBA style at, whatever he is, 16. So that like… watching that, you can see it. You can see the little difference in just his pace and his overall know-how. But, I mean, all the guys are showing it in terms of being able to make plays, show their dominance at certain times within the sessions that we run. That’s why they’re here, they’re all top notch talents. Both the boys and girls.

SLAM: Most definitely. Yeah, the girls have been killing it all weekend too. I have a very nerdy shooting question for you. I see you and Klay [Thompson] do this all the time. So depending on where your momentum is carrying you, going left, you guys will break and start to fade back to your right. Going right, you’ll carry all the way into your momentum, like, run into the shot. Why does that work?

SC: It’s something that you just drill and it just feels comfortable. Now I gotta break down why that is. I feel like… well a lot of it too is because the ball… for me, like, when you’re going to the left you’re most likely dribbling with your left hand. And so it’s really hard to take your last dribble and do a pick up–we’re getting really nerdy now–dribble the last ball, or your last dribble, pick it up and it’s coming back to the right hand at some point so that momentum almost slows your whole body down to a certain extent. And then to get power and all that you’re carrying that energy up as opposed to letting it carry you in that same direction. Conversely, on the right side if it’s the hard pound and the last dribble is with the right hand there’s not any energy going back this way cause you’re not going to throw it back over here then go that way and shoot. It’s just gonna be kinda up into the shot pocket. So you can kind of carry that energy with you a little bit easier, especially as a right-handed shooter. Because it’s all about flow, right? The ball is going to dictate where the flow and the energy is going. So going to the left is kind of coming back into your shot pocket so it’s going to slow your body down a little bit. To the right, it’s not really moving but up so your body is gonna carry it with you. And you just want to be in as much constant rhythm as possible while you’re shooting. That’s balance, I guess, in terms of mechanics.

SLAM: Which I’ve heard you talk about a million times. I’ve heard you talk about your feet a million times too. Why do you not hop on your shot anymore?

SC: I’m getting old.

SLAM: Is that the real answer? That’s for real?

SC: It’s just, uh… efficient, efficient movement. So, I think that’s really the best way to explain it. When you create space or however you’re doing it, the last thing you want to do is give up that space by unnecessary movements. So maybe just getting a little bit more efficient with getting off the ground quicker. You get deeper into your career, you’re not going to be as explosive as you once were. Even for me to say explosive, I’m not above the rim, but there’s an explosiveness in terms of short movements, quick change of pace, change of direction, all that type of stuff so, just being as efficient as possible.

SLAM: Yeah, it always bugs me out when people say you’re not athletic.

SC: There’s a lot of different definitions of that term. Athleticism, hand eye coordination, all that. I’m somewhere in there.

SLAM: Last night you got to give the kids the Curry 11 for the first time. I know you can’t share a
ton about it. What can you tell us about the Curry 11 at this moment?

SC: First off, just it being the 11th edition of your signature product is crazy, knowing
how long we’ve been on this journey. Feel like we’re continuing to get better with, not just the innovation behind the shoes and the technology we have in there, there’s more Flow which is something we’ve been doing since Curry 8. And so, we’ll continue to elevate that tech adding a couple layers on the upper that we’ll share a little bit more detail later, but it’s just the next edition of a product that has really helped me in terms of traction, in terms of change of direction and being able to have that good fit out there on the court. And then where I feel like we’ve developed in terms of the storytelling around the colorways and all that. That’s something that we want to share throughout this whole journey, so I’m looking forward to truly unveiling it come this fall.

SLAM: And is that something you can talk about, the story you gave the kids last night about being outside and loving nature?

SC: Yeah, I got a little bit of the Curry Camp swag on right now, but got to give them the
Curry 11 “Curry Camp” colorway that will be just exclusive for them as kind of a perk for being invited to this camp and this experience. But yeah, a lot of the outdoor theme, the outdoor colors, we told them we’re going camping so we wanted to bring that colorway story throughout all the products that we did for the camp this year and the one that they got it screams that. So I think they loved it.

The post Q+A: Stephen Curry on Breathing, Shooting and The Next Generation of Stars appeared first on SLAM.

“I’m not missing this game,” he says. “If it happens, it happens.”

What happened next broke the internet. Insider tweets, push notifications and jersey swap graphics flooded social media. Another superteam shaking things up and with it came the inevitable question: Can the Suns’ new Big Three of Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker win a championship?

When Beal first heard that the deal was in play, he had his own questions. “I was like, Why are they trading Book? Like there’s no way that this is happening,” Beal says. “Like, this can’t be, this isn’t right. But fast forward, he’s here, I’m here and Kevin’s here and DA [Deandre Ayton]’s here. It’s surreal and crazy to think about how the deal even came to fruition, but it’s done and I’m in an awesome situation where I can compete every single night for a chance to win.”

Bradley Beal has arrived. SLAM 245 is out now, shop here.

The future can be exciting, but with it comes letting go of the past. For Beal, that meant saying goodbye to the city he and his family have lived in for the past decade and to the organization that drafted him as the third overall pick in 2012.

The kid from St. Louis is now leaving as a 30-year-old man, a father and the second-ranked player on the Wizards’ all time scoring list. “It definitely was an emotional time for sure throughout the whole transition of the trade,” he admits. “I’ve been in DC for 11 years and that, that is, uh, a long time, and I’ve established a lot of great bonds and relationships with people in the organization and in the city itself. It was definitely a lot of emotional ties [and] a tough decision to be able to walk away from it, but it was one that was necessary. It’s a new chapter, you know. So I’m excited for it, for both parties, for us, for me moving forward, and for Washington and them moving forward. It’s bittersweet, but I’m happy that I get to move forward into another opportunity.”

Beal turned up for his birthday in DC and then flew to Phoenix the next day for his introductory
press conference with his new team while his family stayed behind to pack and move all of their
belongings out of their home. He had just landed that morning when we met up with him at the Footprint Center for his first-ever SLAM cover shoot. There are screens all over the arena, including on the jumbotron and in the lounge where we’re set up, with a picture of his face and the words, “WELCOME BRADLEY BEAL.”

“It feels like I got drafted all over again,” he says, wearing his Suns uniform for the first time. “I got drafted on my birthday at the age of 19 in 2012. And then here you go, fast forward 11 years later, the age of 30. I’m with a new team. It is definitely coming full circle. Feels surreal in some ways, but I’m definitely excited for this new journey.”

There’s a misconception about adulthood that by the time you’re 30, you’re supposed to have it all figured it out. NBA superstars aren’t the exception to that—they, too, have to deal with big life changes, career moves and saying goodbye to people they’ve spent time with. For Beal, that meant his teammates, coaches and the Wizards ownership group. “It was tough to have those conversations [and say] goodbye, but it was also encouraging. Everybody gets a chance to continue to move forward—some guys get bigger opportunities and bigger roles in DC, which [will] be great for them. And now I have a bigger and better opportunity in front of me, too.”

He can’t help but smile when he talks about how excited he is for what’s next. The respect is already there between Beal and his new teammates: he knows what KD and D. Book are about on the court, having competed against them both over the years. But there are still a lot of questions lingering around how the Suns’ Big Three can work together.

Beal has some thoughts on that, as well as where he wants to take his game next season.

SLAM: Let’s get right into it. A lot of people are wondering how so many offensive superstars can coexist. What’s your perspective on that?

Bradley Beal: In terms of our balance, we’ve talked subtly about how this thing can work. We know it won’t be easy. It’ll be a challenge, but the biggest thing is understanding [that our] one goal at the end of the day is winning. You know, we’re all gonna have our own individual goals, but I think the beauty about our group is that we’re so unselfish. And sometimes we might have to, like, yell at each other to shoot the ball or yell at each other to be aggressive because we have that mentality of deferring to the next man.

So I think it’s gonna be very fun. It won’t be easy. It’ll be a work in progress, I think. You know, it’s very hard to win in our League. I think a lot of people kind of think—they see a team, Oh, they’re gonna win. But, you know, we still have to figure it out. We still have to be blessed and be healthy throughout the year and make it work. But we’ll be a challenge. I think we have a great group that’s ready to fill their roles and accept it.

SLAM: Have you had a chance to connect with your new teammates?

BB: Yeah, my new teammates have been awesome. K [Kevin Durant], Book, D. Ayton, Cam [Cameron Payne], everybody’s been unreal in this whole transition. This is all new for me, but I’m embracing it, and these guys have all embraced me. It’s like, I’m ready to get to work, you know? This is definitely an awesome group of guys to be a part of. We’re still building on our team, but it’s been a joy so far.

SLAM: Do you guys have a group chat already?

BB: Yes, we do have a group chat already that has [been] assembled. That started ASAP.

SLAM: What have the first texts been like?

BB: It’s nothing wild. I think the first thing honestly was Book saying, like, Yo, let’s go work out. That’s what I would love to be a part of, man. I’m just super excited to be around like-minded guys who wanna push each other each and every day…To have that first text be, Let’s get in the gym. I think that’s a great message [for] the season.

SLAM: You and KD go way, way back, and you and Booker play the same position. Having competed against both of them for years, what were your first impressions?

BB: That they’re very humble, and that’s something I take [pride in]. I try to carry myself the same way, with humility at all times. We’re given so much, we’re looked at as role models and we’re blessed. To be able to just be so down to earth like these guys and be selfless, that’s what I wanna be around. That’s what I wanna surround myself with. And like-minded guys on the floor who just want to go win. Whatever that looks like, whatever it takes, that’s what they want to do.

SLAM: After averaging 23.2 points last season, what are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

BB: Oh man, it’s tough. I haven’t really thought about my own goals yet, but I would say the biggest individual piece is getting back to being one of the best two-way players in the League. Showing that I can really compete at a high level and play a meaningful game. You know, playing in the playoffs, winning in the playoffs, advancing past rounds.

Granted, I wanna get back to my All-Star level of play. I really believe that that’s who I am: All-NBA guy, All-Star guy. And I have a good group that can push me to be that every single day. So I’m excited about that opportunity. I get to be around like-minded guys and guys who will push me to make sure that I’m the best version of myself every day.

SLAM: Have you had a chance to talk to head coach Frank Vogel yet?

BB: Yes, Coach Vogel is awesome. I’ve had several instances of speaking with him. A brilliant mind in the game of basketball, NBA champion, defensive-minded coach. You know, I’m definitely excited to be able to see where he’ll take us, our team and where he’ll push us to. I’m definitely ecstatic with his knowledge of the game and his presence as a head coach.

SLAM: Looking back at your time in DC, do you have a favorite memory or defining moment that you’ll carry with you into this next chapter?

BB: I had so many great memories and so many great moments in DC. It’s really hard to pinpoint one. I think I’m just grateful for all the bonds and the relationships I’ve built. I think that’s what I’ll propel into my next chapter of life. I want this chapter to be more or less open and me not trying to control everything.

I think we, as humans, sometimes try to control our lives a little too much. I want to just let this wave kind of take me where it wants to go and let God lead the way and enjoy it every step of the way.

SLAM: What’s the legacy you hope to leave after your 11 seasons in DC?

BB: My biggest thing when it comes to legacy is always the impact I leave on people. You know, whether it’s teammates, the community, my coaches, the organization as a whole, the people that you encounter on a day to day [basis].

I just want, you know, my encounters to be great. I want you to remember me as just a great human being. I can be good at basketball. We’re all good at basketball, but, you know, what kind of person was I? I don’t want to be somebody who puts themselves above everybody else. So, I always try to say my interactions and my moments with people are always my biggest legacy. I want to leave lasting memories with them.

SLAM: With all the hype and attention on the Suns right now, what can we expect from the team next season? What type of time are y’all on?

BB: Expect a very fun team to be playing in Arizona this year. The Phoenix Suns will be hungry. We’ll be very aggressive, but it’ll be a very fun style of play that every fan will love—love to tune in to watch. So, we can’t wait. We’re excited. We have a lot of very talented guys, so we’re excited about it.

SLAM 245 Gold Metal Edition + Cover Tee are available now!

Portraits by Erik Isakson.

The post Bradley Beal’s Next Chapter: Phoenix’s New Star Opens Up About Getting Traded, His Legacy and Returning to His All-Star Form appeared first on SLAM.

February 2, 2023. Evening.     

James Harden is in his hotel room hanging out with his newly appointed agent and longtime business confidant Troy Payne. The Sixers are playing the Spurs tomorrow, and the two Cali natives find themselves in deep conversation when the news breaks. Payne looks over at Harden. He notices the NBA superstar’s body language. That’s all he needs to see to know how Harden truly feels at this very moment. Natural human emotions and passion take over. Expletives may or may not be flying around. Payne steps in and offers some words of encouragement, and a new conversation ensues. One that’s very different from the one the two were having just a couple minutes ago. This one is about the next four months, about maintaining the tunnel vision strategy for the ultimate goal at hand, and about how to use the news that just broke as ammunition for it all. 

The aforementioned news? The 2023 NBA All-Star Game reserves were just announced, and Harden, after 10 consecutive All-Star selections, was not chosen for this year’s festivities. And while other stars try to play it off cool and pretend not being selected doesn’t bother them, Harden isn’t holding back how he feels. 

A few minutes later, he pulls out his phone, taps the Instagram icon and writes on his IG Story “The disrespect.” in white text on an all-black backdrop.

“I said it already, disrespectful!” Harden tells us of the All-Star snub. “Most of the people that understand basketball get my value, but some just get bored with my numbers.”

“[We were] hanging out, talking about some stuff, and then [the news] just came out,” recalls Payne of the night in San Antonio. “And I was like, Oh shoot, here we go. He didn’t get selected…But from a brother perspective, and as his agent, I [wanted to] encourage him to use it as fuel, to go out there and just prove everybody wrong. Let’s go out there and get All-NBA. And that’s the goal—play at a high level, finish top two in the East, push for All-NBA. I think he’s playing at an All-NBA level. 

“I saw his emotion [that night], but it was more hunger than anything. He wasn’t happy about it. He felt like he should have been in the game; he felt like he did enough to play, to be selected. I think it’s more of a perspective based on the years of his success. And it kind of hurt him. We were used to seeing James score at a high clip in terms of production in the basket, but he still was contributing in a different way at the same high level, it just wasn’t talked about enough.”

SLAM 243 featuring James Harden is available now. Shop here.

When ASW came around a couple weeks later, Harden decided to spend some time in Tempe, where he got a chance to watch his alma mater Arizona State play, before returning to the home he built in Houston for a few days. There, Payne says, he watched Harden schedule out workouts…twice a day.  

Lil Baby tunes are blaring out from a nearby speaker on this Thursday afternoon in early March. We’re at the 76ers’ practice facility in Camden, NJ, for our cover shoot with The Beard. He rhythmically nods his head to the music while reciting lyrics in between shots. At one point, he takes the lead on creative direction and starts freestyling new poses, without our photographer even having to prompt him. He’s feeling it—the shoot, life, all of it.

And it’s easy to see why. This is Harden’s 14th year in the League. And yet, here he is, still putting up some of the best shooting numbers he’s ever had—yes, almost a decade and a half into his NBA career.

On the day of the shoot, Harden is shooting the best percentage he ever has from behind the arc. Last season, he had the second-best free-throw percentage of his career. And the season before that, he put up the second-best overall shooting percentage of his career. And this is despite having to deal with mid-season trades to Brooklyn and Philadelphia the previous two years. He leads the League in assists with an average of 10.8 dimes a night, as of late March. The only time he’s finished with a higher assists average was six years ago (2016-17), when he posted 11.2 assists and was second in MVP voting (and eventually won MVP the following year). 

“I’m a master of this game. This is year 14 for me—I adjust to how teams are guarding us and I pick and choose where to facilitate,” Harden tells SLAM. “My role on the Sixers is different from 2017. So yes, the approach is different, but I’m still the same player as 2017, my role just changed slightly.

“It’s a combination of the work I put in each summer, getting healthy and trusting the work when I am on the court. I have been a student of the game and have been coachable throughout my career. This season, I have been tasked to be a leader on the court and to get everyone involved and still maintain my aggression. If I said it was easy, I’d be lying, but I am committed to do whatever I need to do in order to help my team win.”  

The shooting efficiency and assist numbers are just a couple of metrics that one can utilize to measure Harden’s impressive career longevity and consistency at this stage. Even the sneakers he’s rocking on set, a blue colorway from his super well-received Harden Volume 7 collection (which, at the time, wasn’t set to debut for another month), are indicative of how good he’s been for so long. This is his signature line’s seventh model, and there have only been two other adidas athletes to ever reach that many signature sneakers in the history of the brand: Derrick Rose and Damian Lillard. That’s it. That’s the list.

I’m a master of this game.

– James Harden

“First off, I am thankful to have a signature shoe. Having a signature line is a nod to the work that I’ve put into my craft, and having 7 volumes and counting is a blessing and I don’t [take] it for granted,” says Harden. “HV7 is my favorite model to date and the response from my fans speaks volumes to me, so I am grateful for the support. I like to express myself through my fashion, so hopefully I did that with the colorways for Volume 7. This seventh shoe is up there on the milestones for sure!”

But as he says so himself, he’s been doing it for so long that people may indeed have just become “bored” with his output these days. He’s spoiled basketball fans for over a decade. The casuals only notice that he’s no longer averaging the 36 points per game he once did. (Fun fact: Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have averaged more points in a single season than James Harden. Yup, that’s the list.) 

Numbers aside, though, his influence on a cultural level is just as impactful. It transcends statistics. His signature step-back move has been a hot topic on the internet for years. A quick Google search and you’ll find articles and message boards doing deep dives on the move and whether or not it should be allowed. One thing is for sure, Harden’s creativity has paved the way to a Hall of Fame career and introduced a move that seemed unimaginable prior to his arrival.   

“Biggest innovator to play the game!” says Harden, when asked what he wants to be remembered for the most when it’s all said and done. 

While some have tried to push a particular narrative regarding Harden’s work ethic in the past, Payne says that those who are really around know what it is. Harden has built a routine around postgame workouts, something that’s always done away from the cameras and fans. Home or away, with his game uniform still on, Harden has a list of exercises he likes to check off the list, explains Payne.

“Postgame workouts have been something that’s been prevalent in the past. I know in Houston he was doing that a little bit, working out postgame, where he’s running the stairs in the arena or lifting weights with a trainer—we’ve done a lot of that. And I’ve seen James do that a lot now,” says Payne, a former hooper at Santa Clara and overseas who’s known Harden since middle school. “So, when he has time, he’s there for three hours. He will sit there and work out with the training staff and get a workout in…I started seeing him do it during his MVP run when he was in Houston. And then I didn’t see it as much in Brooklyn.

“When the game is over, they’re in the back, they’re working out—squats, working on shoulders and RDLs. They’re getting after it, like, at least 20 minutes. That’s the quick twitch muscles when your body is fatigued, just trying to make the body stronger. So that’s something that he’s implemented with [this] team. And if you go and you look at the weight room postgame, you’ll see about six to eight guys in there getting after it. So I think that’s a testament to his leadership and just trying to keep the younger guys motivated and hungry.”

“Throughout my career, I’ve been coachable on every team I’ve been a part of,” adds Harden. “Whatever is needed of me for the team to win is what I will deliver.”  

Coachable is a term that Payne also emphasizes, pointing to the time Harden was asked to take over the PG position when playing for Mike D’Antoni in Houston. On the fly adjustments, wherever, whenever. 

“Credit to D’Antoni for putting the ball in his hands when he was in Houston. He came back home one day and was like, Man, Coach wants me to run point guard. He’s like, Point guard? I ain’t about to run no point guard, man. What is he trying to do? And after two practices, he’s like, Oh my God, this is about to work!” recalls Payne. “So it’s a credit to him being coachable. And then when he gets in that situation, [he’s] figuring it out, how to make his team successful, how to make himself successful. And the rest is history.”

With so much to highlight in his long, illustrious career, we asked Harden which accomplishment or milestone he’s proud of the most. But it’s a question he doesn’t have an answer for…yet.

“The one I want,” says Harden, “hasn’t happened yet, so let’s revisit when I win a championship.”

SLAM 243 is also available in this exclusive Cover Tee and Gold Metal Edition. Tap in.

Portraits by Alex Subers.

The post James Harden Opens Up About His Legacy and Being the ‘Biggest Innovator’ of the Game appeared first on SLAM.

The Suns are currently 1-9 in their last 10 games after dropping a 30-point decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. They’ve also ended their four-game road trip with three straight losses to the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis. The losses can be attributed to the Suns being last in offense (104.6 offensive ratings) and 23rd in defense (117.2 defensive ratings).

Chris Paul, Cam Payne, Cameron Johnson, and Devin Booker have also been out for periods of time due to leg, hip, and foot injuries. Booker has been out since Dec. 17 due to a hamstring injury, and CP3 has been in and out of the Suns’ lineup due to a collection of injuries.

After their 136-106 loss to Memphis on Monday, Suns forward Josh Okogie said that Phoenix can get out of their rut by simply playing “through it.”

"Keep playing. Can't get out of it. You've got to get through it."

Josh Okogie as #Suns are 1-9 in their last 10 after Monday's loss at #Grizzlies to end 4-game road trip with three straight defeats. #MLKDay2023 pic.twitter.com/UCi07VoAKz

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 17, 2023

Okogie is also encouraged by the Suns’ culture persevering through this skid and that Phoenix’s “spirits are still high” despite the losses they’ve dealt with. Okogie believes that once the Suns get healthy, they’ll “be just fine.”

“The way we operate, the way we practice, our attention to detail, we’re still operating like we’re a top three team in the West.”

Okogie and the Suns are set to host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

The post Josh Okogie is Confident the Suns Can ‘Get Through’ Recent Skid appeared first on SLAM.

Also, if you’re not in the LeagueFits Discord yet, you gotta tap in. It’s been too much fun seeing everyone’s fit pics and latest cops.

The post WHERE DO I COP? The 11 Best Pieces Featured on LeagueFits This Week (12/2) appeared first on SLAM.

David McMenamin of ESPN recently dove into the Suns hyped up pregame festivities. There’s times they clown around with each other, while some, like Mikal Bridges, pretends he’s suiting up in Iron Man armor. There’others acting like they’re in the middle of a football play and dancing/meme-inspired gestures that the Suns find and shop around, hoping a teammate will execute it in the tunnel.

Then comes the team’s 15 players dapping up their teammates in 14 unique ways. Each handshake displays just as much muscle memory as the dazzling euro steps, fadeaway, and stepback jumpers they execute shortly afterward.

“It loosens it up a little bit,” JaVale McGee says. “Everybody doesn’t have to be 100 percent serious when they go into the game, but focused. Focused and serious are two different things.”

“We’re the circus, and we pack up and move every day,” Cam Payne added. “because it’s the greatest show on Earth.”

Once all the fun is over, the Suns gather around their veteran leader, Chris Paul, who galvanized the troops with a speech or message to the team to help them set the tone for the evening. The entertaining display of teamwork has become a welcome release for the Suns; a self-described circus show that McGee originated.

As a three-time champion, McGee knows the importance of culture, and setting a tone is just as crucial as the mundane task of setting a screen or making the proper defensive rotation. McGee reminds the Suns that they are “dogs” and the “best team in the motherf…ing world’ played a huge part in the Suns finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA.

The Suns also finished the year as the only team with top-five rankings in offensive and defensive efficiency. Coach Monty Williams was recently named Coach of the Year, Mikal Bridges finished second for Defensive Player of the Year, and Devin Booker recieved MVP buzz. According to McMenamin, the pregame ritual is the backbone of the Suns performing so well as a team and individually.

Per Deandre Ayton, the Suns have a culture that doesn’t come around too often in a professional setting.

“It feels like a college team sometimes,” Ayton says, “but we get so much money for this.”

Adds Paul: “I’ve been in this league so long that I done seen teams that don’t do anything [pregame]. If you’re on another team and you see that, you’re like, ‘Damn, we ain’t got that.’

“That right there has sort of been our little sacred space.”

When the Suns take the Mavericks o for Game 6 on the road, the culture they’ve built will help them will gather up the energy to close out this semifinal series and win Thursday’s pivotal Game 6.

The post ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’: How the Suns Pregame Tunnel Routine Hypes Them Up appeared first on SLAM.

Yes, this is how Kenny Anderson answers his phone when I call on behalf of SLAM. “I’m finishing up at Starbucks with my wife. Let’s talk in 20 minutes.”

“You got it, my guy,” I reply in kind.

The hilarious and always positive Kenny Anderson character you can follow on Twitter (@chibbs_1, though he says he’s on hiatus ’til March…more on that in a bit) is that way in real life, too.

Anderson, the 50-year-old former NBA All-Star who spent 14 years in the L and is now the head coach at NAIA Fisk University in Nashville, really just wants to do good.

“Everything is working out for me the way God planned,” Anderson says when we jump back on the phone after his standard morning Starbucks run. “I’m just here to help others. It’s not about Division I or Division II, just helping. That’s why I took this job. I love that we’re building something.” 

Even though I know the ins and outs of his career as well as anyone’s, as Kenny himself says, “The young kids don’t know me too well, but their parents do.”

So let’s review real quick.

Kenny Anderson was, literally, one of the finest prep players ever. The late, great scout Tom Konchalski called him “the greatest high school point guard of all time.”

A rail-thin six-footer who grew up in the LeFrak City housing complex in Queens, Anderson was a four-year phenom at Archbishop Molloy in Queens, leading the Stanners to two CHSAA titles and scoring a then-New-York-state-record 2,621 points in his career. As a senior, the ballhandling wizard averaged 35 ppg on 77 (!!) percent shooting from the floor en route to winning consensus National Player of the Year honors. “Mr. Chibbs,” as his family had called him since he was little, could make shots from outside, slither through the lane and score at the rim or dribble and dime as if defenders were cones. And he did it all with a smile.

“Coming up in New York I had coach Jack Curran at Molloy and my mentor, Vincent Smith [older brother to fellow Molloy product and longtime NBA player, Kenny Smith],” Anderson recalls. “And I really followed the path of those four guys that were right ahead of me—Kenny Smith, Rod Strickland, Mark Jackson and, RIP, my guy Pearl Washington.”

As good as all four of those NYC “point gods” and some others of that era were, Anderson was in a class by himself. The top recruit in the country in the high school class of 1989, he headed to Atlanta for college and starred at Georgia Tech from day one.

As a freshman, Anderson teamed with upper classmen Brian Oliver and Dennis Scott to form “Lethal Weapon 3,” a trio that won the Yellow Jackets the ACC Tournament and reached the Final Four, where they lost an epic semifinal game to the legendary UNLV team that would win the national title two nights later. 

Oliver and Scott departed after that season and, though his game was surely NBA-ready, Anderson returned to ATL for his sophomore campaign. “Going hardship” after just one season of college basketball was hardly ever done at the time. Anderson labored to carry the weight without his great teammates from the year before, at one point losing hair due to the stress of leading the team and the pending decision about turning pro. Struggles or not, Anderson still averaged 25.9 ppg that season (alongside 5.7 rpg, 5.6 apg and 3 spg) and led Tech to the second round of the tournament. And, sure enough, he did turn pro, quickly getting scooped up by the New Jersey Nets with the second pick.

 To this NYC-hoops-obsessed fan, it felt like a fairy tale, seeing Kenny paired with Derrick Coleman and Drazen Petrovic on a super-fresh Nets squad that played just over the river in New Jersey. Between injuries, the untimely death of Draz and endless front-office/ownership squabbles, however, those Nets never quite fulfilled their promise.

Maybe Kenny didn’t fulfill his individual promise all the way either, though in retrospect it’s pretty easy to attribute that to his playing for shaky coaches at shaky franchises, and frankly, a God-given body that was not exactly built for the rigors of an 82-game NBA season. Anderson still earned the start in the ’94 All-Star Game and parlayed his time in the Swamp into a seven-year, $49 million free agent contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1996, theoretically setting him up for life. All told, Anderson spent 14 seasons in the NBA (making the playoffs six times), finishing his career with averages of 13 points and six assists in 30 minutes per game. A real-ass career, in other words. He also made approximately $63 million in pre-tax salary. 

The money was enough to achieve Anderson’s main life goal—to take care of his single mother, Joan. It also brought on all sorts of off-court drama; fathering seven children with five different women ate away at the funds and led to a bankruptcy declaration in 2005. This, combined with Joan’s passing the same year, made for some hard post-NBA years.

Eventually, Anderson settled in South Florida with his new wife, Natasha, regrouped and got into coaching, first at the AAU and then high school level. He was also the subject of a 2017 documentary, Mr. Chibbs: Basketball is Easy, Life is Hard, that expounds on that tagline, a phrase Kenny utters frequently and knowingly. (Full disclosure: I proudly donated to the Kickstarter to help get that thing made.)

In 2018, then-Fisk President Kevin Rome reached out. “The president of the school went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, so he knew me from my days at Georgia Tech,” Anderson recalls. “He brought me in. I knew the school needed some work in the athletic program. I thought about my high school coach, Jack Curran, and that’s what I wanted to do. Start low, give these young men something to reach for.”

Fisk is a historically Black university (less than 1,000 students) in Nashville that was established in 1866 and is far more known for its academics than its athletics. The list of notable Fisk alums is jaw-dropping, featuring such historical figures as W.E.B. DuBois, John Hope Franklin, Nikki Giovanni and Congressman John Lewis, among many others. No famous hoopers, though. The big program in Nashville is Vanderbilt of the Power 5 SEC, where Anderson’s contemporary, Jerry Stackhouse, is head men’s basketball coach. “We can’t compete with them, of course, but I am hoping we can get a scrimmage with them in the future,” Kenny says.

Anderson succeeded Dr. Larry Glover, who is now Fisk’s Athletic Director, as head coach for the 2018-19 season. Glover was thrilled. “The president brought it to my attention that he had spoken to Kenny about coaching here,” Glover says. “We thought it was a good idea. He didn’t have the college coaching résumé, but the playing experience was enough to compensate for that over the long run. For ex-players who have played for a lot of coaches, it’s kind of innate. And when you play at the level he has played, you know the game inside and out. We thought it was a win for basketball and athletics and the school itself.”

Mentor Vincent Smith, who met Kenny when he was 9 years old and shepherded him through his amateur basketball career, is still the man Anderson turns to for advice. Smith encouraged Anderson to take the Fisk job and thinks he has the makings of a great coach. “Kenny always had a high basketball IQ,” Smith says from his home in California. “He wasn’t the guy who made it because he had a 40-inch vertical leap. He knew how to change speeds, he was the master of the midrange game and he always knew how to run a team and get people involved. Point guards know every position on the floor. The coach and the point guard have to be connected and on the same page. We knew he could be a good coach.”

All that said, a variety of unexpected hurdles make it feel like Anderson’s college coaching career is only starting in earnest this fall. In that first 2018-19 season, coaching players he didn’t recruit, Anderson’s Bulldogs went 8-17 and Chibbs was struggling. “I wasn’t eating right,” he says. “I was stressed out. Guys weren’t taking it serious enough. It was a lot of stress on me, I realized.”

On February 23, 2019, just days after the season ended, Anderson suffered a stroke while at his house in Florida. Only 48 years old at the time, he might have died were it not for his scared dog (the Instagram-famous Caleb) and daughter, Tiana, who realized what was happening. Tiana called Natasha, who got home and got Kenny to the hospital. Doctors saved his life, but months of mental and physical rehabilitation followed.

Anderson recovered pretty miraculously and was ready for the start of the ’19-20 season, albeit without having had a proper offseason of recruiting and preparation. The team struggled again as Anderson continued to recover from the stroke, finishing his second campaign with a record of 10-20. 

Shortly after that season, another shockwave hit: COVID-19. Fisk’s entire ’20-21 season was canceled.

So here we are in August, 2021, and Mr. Chibbs is healthy and ready to rock. “I’m [a patient] at Vanderbilt Medical. They’re taking care of me. I have no limitations physically, but my memory isn’t so good,” he says.

One of Fisk’s returning players is Devyn Payne, a junior PG out of Memphis. He raves about playing for Anderson. “Playing for Kenny is a lifetime dream,” Payne says on the phone from campus during the first week of the school year. “He’s a known NBA legend. He was that dude. That dog. He still has it, too. He’ll shoot the ball, toss it around his back. He’s still got the sauce.”

Glover says that Anderson’s presence at the school has meant better recruiting pipelines, more attention from alumni and more media interest. “The alumni from the ’80s and ’90s really know about his career. The players don’t know too much, but their parents do! So that helps,” Glover says. “I think this year, he really made his mark with recruiting. He’s been working some camps. We’re getting a level of player we haven’t had before.”

Fisk has had erratic conference affiliations over the years (and been an independent at times) but this year the Bulldogs are rejoining the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, which the school had previously belonged to a decade ago (other members include New Orleans-based universities Dillard and Xavier. Word to Scoop Jackson). “It’s the only NAIA league that is all HBCUs, and we’re very proud to be a part of it,” says Fisk Sports Information Director Scott Wallace.

NAIA schools do not offer traditional athletic scholarships, but can give academic scholarships to players who are also great students. Given Fisk’s academic standards, Anderson’s recruits need to clear a particularly high bar. “It’s kinda hard being so big on academics,” concedes Payne, who majors in Business Administration. “The requirements to get in are hard. Making the honor roll here means a lot. Graduating from Fisk means a lot. People know it’s tough over here. It’s good because Fisk is historic and known for academics, but it is hard for recruiting.”

“Basketball is secondary here,” Anderson confirms. “You gotta be real educated. I want to help kids get themselves a real good career.”

Adds Payne, “He is always on us about being in class, getting our schoolwork done. He talks about that a lot. He always preaches about hard work, academics and life. Then basketball. I love playing for him.”

This is absolute music to Vincent Smith’s ears. “Anytime you can help young men get better, you feel great about it. Each one, teach one. People gave a lot to Kenny and now he’s giving back,” he says.

Whatever impact Anderson is having on the young men who play for him is matched by what the experience is doing for him. Unsurprisingly, if you follow the rapid-tweeting legend, Kenny works the addictive platform into his explanation of how the job and his life are playing out.

“I’m going to be off Twitter from August 15-March 1,” says Chibbs, who had already broken his vow as of press time in the form of RTs, though he has avoided typing out any original tweets. “Everybody is going to miss me on there and it’s gonna be tough for me. But I’m gonna read novels. I’ve gotta gravitate to other things. All positive. My mother passed away and she wanted me to change my life. This job has changed me a great deal. That’s what my mother wanted.”

“Kenny’s mother would be running around and jumping up and down,” Smith co-signs with a chuckle. “She’d be so happy with what he’s doing right now.” 

Ben Osborne is a former SLAM Ed. and is now Head of Content for Just Women’s Sports.

Photos via Tamara Reynolds and Getty Images.

The post NBA Great Kenny Anderson Is Ready To Make an Impact at Fisk University appeared first on SLAM.

“Get back to work. I ain’t retiring…”

Chris Paul after losing Game 6. pic.twitter.com/exjHrES5BP

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) July 21, 2021

Now that the Finals are over, Phoenix’s offseason will be very busy working on rookie extensions for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. Suns backup point guard Cameron Payne will be a free agent as well. But Phoenix’s priorities start with the upcoming decisions of their starting point guard, Chris Paul. Paul can opt-out of $44.2 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent.

CP3’s averages of 16.4 points, 8.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds for the Suns during his All-Star season helped Phoenix end a playoff drought that lasted a decade. He now has until August 1st to decide whether to opt-in and sign an extension once the free agency moratorium is lifted on August 6th or pursue other options like requesting a sign and trade. If he signs with Phoenix, he can only extend his contract for two years due to the NBA’s “Over 38” rule.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson shared his opinions on Chris Paul’s next move on Twitter.

If Chris Paul opts out of his contract with the Suns, his first call should be from his best friend LeBron James and the Lakers.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2021

According to ESPN’s The Undefeated, the Los Angeles Lakers have been on the hunt for a replacement for Dennis Schroder and Paul is on the short list. Rumors also link Wizards star Russell Westbrook being a potential sign-and-trade deal that may include Dennis Schroder, Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker.

To get Chris Paul in a Lakers uniform, it would likely take a sign-and-trade with the Suns. The most money the Lakers can offer otherwise is a $9.5 million taxpayer midlevel exception. But the opportunity to chase his first championship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis will keep the rumors alive until August.

The post Retirement Not in Plans for Chris Paul, Reports Claim Lakers Are Interested appeared first on SLAM.

NBA team basketball executives have selected Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones as the winner of the 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award, the NBA announced today.

More https://t.co/7GYDELkuJ8 pic.twitter.com/ohf9zZ2lWy

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 20, 2021

Jones finished with 65 points, which narrowly edged second-place finisher Utah Jazz Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey’s 61 points. Both received nine of the 30 first-place votes from a panel put together by one basketball executive from each team. Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks finished in third place.

Through his leadership in the Basketball Operations department, Jones’ helped overhaul the culture of the franchise starting with the hiring of the runner-up for the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year Award in Monty Williams. Afterwards, he restructured a roster that went from a 34-39 record to the second-best record in the NBA (51-21) and the fifth-highest single-season winning percentage in two seasons. 

He did that by acquiring guard Chris Paul in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and signing forward Jae Crowder as a free agent from Miami.  Paul averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 assists this season and was an All-Star selection with fellow Suns guard Devin Booker. Crowder made a team-high 148 three-pointers this season as a solid 3 and D player.

Signing Cameron Payne, who was out of the NBA may have been Jones’ genius move of the season as the guard has exploded on the scene in the playoffs.

The award was presented to him before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Deandre Ayton was PUMPED to hear James Jones won 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year! #ThatsGame

4th quarter of Game 1 underway on ABC. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/d8XjhDuQkm

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2021

Phoenix is still competing in their NBA Playoff berth for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

The post James Jones Wins 2020-21 NBA Executive of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

In fact, just last season, he spent time playing in both China and the G League.

Heading into the Orlando bubble last year, as the NBA season returned from it’s four-month hiatus, Payne was signed by the Phoenix Suns and, since then, his career has completely turned around.

Earning more of a role with each game he played, he helped Phoenix go undefeated (8-0) in the bubble in 2019-20 and clinch the second-seed in the notoriously tough Western Conference this season. 

With the Suns 69-23 since signing Payne, it would be easy to point to the arrival of Chris Paul, the sustained dominance of Devin Booker, or the growth of Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton as the major catalysts for Phoenix’s success and rightly so.

However, per Basketball Reference, Payne has averaged 9.1 points and 4.0 assists per game on a true shooting percentage of .615 in wins this season after averaging 10.9 points and 3.0 assists per game on a true shooting percentage of .612 in the bubble.

Suffice it to say, Payne’s contributions aren’t to be ignored.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals proved that as much as any contests as, filling in for Paul, the 26-year-old propelled Phoenix to victory with 29 points and 9 assists. 

Following the game, Clippers head coach Ty Lue acknowledged that the team had “no answer” for Payne, who led his team in scoring.

“I think Cameron Payne’s speed is really hurting us,” said Lue. 

It’s always great to see a comeback story.

The post Suns’ Cameron Payne is One of the NBA’s Best Comeback Stories appeared first on SLAM.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, veteran point guard Chris Paul plans to return to the Phoenix Suns starting five after missing the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers due to health and safety protocols.

Paul, who only missed two games in the regular season due to injury, has has faced his share of adversity in the playoffs; after injuring his shoulder against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, the floor general tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated.

BREAKING: Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul intends to make his return for Game 3 of WCF against the Los Angeles Clippers barring unforeseen setback, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/UgzGxX4aaZ

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 23, 2021

Fortunately for Phoenix fans, the Suns have been excellent even without Paul, jumping out to a 2-0 series lead against the Clippers — including a jaw-dropping buzzer-beating dunk by DeAndre Ayton to win Game 2.

One of the main reasons that the Suns have continued to win has been the excellent play of backup point guard Cameron Payne, who scored 29 points and 9 assists in Game 2 and is averaging 20.0 points and 9.0 assists per game in the series.

Nonetheless, the impact of Paul’s return will be immense.

The 36-year-old floor general has excelled in Phoenix surrounded by a young core.

Paul, averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds this season, has been even better in the playoffs with averages of 25.5 points, 10.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game in the Suns’ semifinals sweep of the Denver Nuggets.

CHRIS PAUL WILL RETURN FOR GAME 3 (per @ChrisBHaynes) pic.twitter.com/pUNj3PJ26H

— Overtime (@overtime) June 23, 2021

Furthermore, Suns head coach Monty Williams noted that even though Paul has missed about a week of playing time and conditioning, it would be unlikely that Suns give him a minutes restriction. 

“ We don’t have the luxury of waiting on anybody right now. These games are so important. Every practice, every film session,” Williams said. “We certainly would see where he’s at when that time comes, but that’s hard to make that judgment just because COVID is so different. You have COVID and the playoffs, you know what I mean? It’s not COVID and the regular season.

“I’m sure if I tried to keep Chris out of the game, we’d have to square off and go toe-to-toe. So we’ll just make that assessment when the time comes,” he continued.

The post Chris Paul Set to Return for Suns in Game 3 After Clearing Protocols appeared first on SLAM.

The most influential player of a generation was a three-star recruit as a high school senior. 

The best shooter ever was a three-star recruit as a high school senior.

A two-time MVP was a three-star recruit as a high school senior.

A three-time NBA champion was a three-star recruit as a high school senior.

That’s exactly why Curry started the Underrated Tour Powered by Rakuten. He knows just as well as any high school ballplayer in the nation that rankings don’t tell the whole story. Underrated gives current three-star high school basketball players a national platform and gifts them with the same skills training that #30 does on a daily basis. 

The tour started in 2019 and was halted by the pandemic in 2020, so Curry and his team are extremely excited to get things going again for 2021. 

“It’s all about the toolkit that you can take from the Tour, take it to your school or your AAU teams, your travel teams or your school teams and and hopefully they’ll be like, ‘Yo, where’d you learn that from?’ Be like, ‘Yo, I got it from the Underrated Tour. We stay underrated around here,’” Curry tells SLAM. 

The 2021 Underrated Tour starts in Washington, DC on July 31 and August 1. It then moves on to Chicago for August 7 and August 8, Dallas for August 13 and August 14 and Los Angeles for August 21 and August 22. It wraps up in April of 2022 for the championship event in Oakland. Each stop of the tour will have the first day as a showcase for up to 75 boys and 75 girls and the second day as an invite-only setup for the top 30 boys and 30 girls based on day one performance. Curry’s longtime personal trainer, Brandon Payne, will lead the training. But the two-time MVP says that the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical side. 

“I think going into the summer of junior year, I went to a team camp at UNC Charlotte,” Curry says. “Going to that team camp, you got to see some other coaches that came out to watch. Coach K, Roy Williams, all the ACC schools were there. I thought I played well. And then I’m like, ‘Alright, cool, I’m gonna get some recruiting letters in the mail in, like, the next week. I’m gonna take that next step towards realizing the dream of playing ACC basketball, high Division I basketball.’ And… nothing. Crickets. I got some, like, Colgate, or somebody that sent me my first letter and I thought that was amazing, but I was waiting for the big schools. When it didn’t happen, obviously, you see some competitors I’ve played against and them talking about their offers and all that. I did look at the rankings and knew exactly where I was. To your question about that wasn’t gonna define me, I knew if I continued to work on my game, and kept the confidence in myself, the right opportunity would come.”

The right opportunity came when Davidson head coach Bob McKillop offered him a scholarship. Three seasons with the Wildcats resulted in being the seventh overall pick of the 2009 draft. The decade-plus after that draft will be talked about for the rest of basketball’s future. 

“I think a lot of people fall in love with the end goal,” Curry says. “Obviously, that’s nothing new, but that’s the social media era—you see the polished, finished product. And something I’ve learned over the years, and never really knew I was doing it at the time, was falling in love with the process of the work. And then you’ll wake up and that would be something that you’ll enjoy even more than where you end up. I can look at all the awards and accolades and successes… that’s amazing. And sometimes I don’t even celebrate them because I’ve already celebrated the work that goes in to it and I’ve really appreciated that. That part is much more fulfilling because it protects you from whatever the outcome is that you might not be able to control. Even if we lose every Finals or even if I never make it to the Finals, lose every game, whatever, the work that I put in, if I can enjoy that, then I’m doing something right.”

The work will come for the participants of the 2021 Underrated Tour. In April of 2022, the top eight girls and boys from each region will be flown to the Bay Area Championship, where the 64 finalists will compete for two spots in Curry Camp, according to the Tour’s press release.

But, as Curry says, that end goal isn’t the whole focus. 

“We’ve celebrated double-figure kids now that have created scholarship opportunities out of the Underrated Tour,” Curry says. “Who knows where they would’ve been without it? Part of that is such an amazing experience to see manifest itself and we’re just getting started, so that gratitude of just being able to play basketball and the doors that basketball opens and the opportunity that’s being created is pretty awesome.”

Maybe the next basketball-thought-shifting, championship-winning, all-time great will be a product of the Underrated Tour. 

The post Stephen Curry Talks About the Upcoming 2021 Underrated Tour appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down Tuesday’s matchup here. 

No. 2 Suns 104, No. 4 Clippers 103

PHX leads Series 2-0

For the third-straight series, the Clippers are down 2-0 early on. While they were able to overcome this deficit twice already in the postseason, things will be much tougher against the Suns, especially without Kawhi Leonard. In a back-and-forth game, the Suns ultimately won on a wild inbounds tip-in with less than a second remaining.

In Game 2, Cameron Payne and DeAndre Ayton carried Phoenix to the victory. Payne finished with 29 points and nine assists filling in for Chris Paul and Ayton contributed 24 points and 14 boards. The Clippers struggled to get much offensive production out of anyone besides Paul George, who led the team with 26 points on 23 shots. Game 3 will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The post Post Up: Suns Extend Series Lead Over Clippers appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down both of Sunday’s games here.

No. 2 Nets 96, No. 3 Bucks 107

Series tied 2-2

The one thing that could hold the talented Brooklyn Nets down in the postseason was injuries. After losing James Harden early in this series, Kyrie Irving’s status is now in question after leaving Game 4 with an ankle injury. The Milwaukee Bucks have taken full advantage, winning their last two games against the Nets and tying the series after being down 2-0 last week. 

Kevin Durant struggled from the field (9-for-25) but still finished with a team-high 28 points. Irving, who played just 17 minutes, was the only other member of the Nets to score in double digits. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee with 34 points and 12 rebounds while Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for 33 points and 17 assists in the win. With the series tied up, anything could happen with the Nets facing major injuries. 

No. 2 Suns 125, No. 3 Nuggets 118

PHX wins series 4-0

After making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, the Phoenix Suns have now made their way to the Western Conference Finals. After taking down the Los Angeles Lakers with ease in the first round, they swept the Denver Nuggets in round two. Behind brilliant performances from Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns made a statement to the rest of the NBA on Sunday night in the sweep. 

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Cameron Payne in the third quarter, leaving Denver without their League MVP down the stretch of Game 4. Will Barton led the Nuggets with 25 points while Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris scored 20 and 19 respectively. Booker and Paul combined for 71 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

The post Post Up: Bucks Top Injured Nets and Suns Complete Sweep appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of the Tuesday’s matchups below.

No. 2 Nets 123, No. 7 Celtics 109

BKN wins series 3-1

While it wasn’t surprising, the Brooklyn Nets were able to finish the Boston Celtics off on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the series. Without a handful of key pieces, the Celtics were just no match for the most talented team in the NBA.

Jayson Tatum continued his hot scoring streak with 32 points on the night, but was matched by James Harden who put in 34 points of his own. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant also combined for 49 points to help the Nets move to the second round with ease.

No. 3 Nuggets 147, No. 6 Trail Blazers 140

DEN leads series 3-2

In a contest that went into double overtime, Game 5 of Nuggets/Blazers was the game of the night without a doubt. In fact, it might go down as the best game of the entire first round. Damian Lillard went off for 55 points and ten assists, including two shots that sent the game into the first and second overtime periods respectively.

Nikola Jokic continued to impress and led the Nuggets with 38 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists while Monte Morris had a huge night with 28 points, 23 of which came in the second half. Michael Porter Jr. knocked down a huge three in the second overtime and finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Lillard broke the NBA playoff record for most threes made in the game with 12, but it wasn’t enough in this instant classic.

No. 2 Suns 115, No. 7 Lakers 85

PHX leads series 3-2

Without Anthony Davis on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers looked lost. LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers struggled tremendously and were out of the game early on. Down by 30 points at half, Los Angeles only scored ten points in the second quarter and never recovered.

LeBron James finished with only 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Kyle Kuzma was the only other Laker who showed up offensively, finishing with 15 points. Phoenix looked excellent, with Devin Booker leading the charge offensively with 30 points. Cameron Payne continues to be a huge spark plug off the bench, finishing with 16 to lead the reserves. If we learned anything as the Suns took the series lead, it’s that the Lakers need Anthony Davis back as soon as possible.

The post Post Up: Nets Advance While Suns Take Series Lead and Lillard Has Career Night appeared first on SLAM.

Expect Devin Booker and Chris Paul to ramp up as they acclimate to their roles alongside one another, and Phoenix’s brand new, ambitious vision.

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

Mikal Bridges	15.5p, 6.0r, 0.5a
Cameron Johnson	15.5p, 2.5r, 0.8a
Cameron Payne	9.8p, 2.8r, 5.0a
Jae Crowder	11.0p, 5.5r, 2.5a
Chris Paul	11.8p, 3.8r, 9.5a
Dario Saric	10.0p, 4.0r, 1.0a
Deandre Ayton	11.5p, 11.8r, 1.8a
Jevon Carter	1.8p, 1.3r, 0.8a
Langston Galloway	5.8p, 0.3r, 0.5a
Damian Jones	0.5p, 1.5r, 0.0a
Frank Kaminsky	4.7p, 1.7r, 0.7a
Devin Booker	19.0p, 4.8r, 3.5a
E’Twaun Moore	0.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

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

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

Biggest Questions

• Can Chris Paul stay healthy? He was able to last season in Oklahoma City which was a huge reason he was able to repair his image and earn All-NBA Second Team honors. In the past, injuries have struck Paul at the worst of times, which would be devastating if that were to happen in Phoenix.
• What is the next level for Devin Booker? He’s already one of the best players in the NBA, but playing alongside Chris Paul should take his game to a place we have never seen from him.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Phoenix Suns: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

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

Projected Roster Players

Projected Free Agents

Projected Waivers/Renouncements

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

• Room Exception – $4,767,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• Will Phoenix stay over the cap or go under? The Suns are right on the tipping point of being a cap space team with around $18.9M in cap space. That’s enough for them to add an impact player this offseason. The other option is to prioritize re-signing their own free agents and staying over the cap.
• If the Suns go the cap space route, how to fill out the big man rotation? Going for cap space would mean renouncing Aron Baynes, Dario Saric and Frank Kaminsky. All three were regular rotation players next to and behind Deandre Ayton.

Projected Team Salary

$87,521,901

Even though it’s not the best free agent class, Phoenix could be positioned to snag and impact player or two with about $18.9M in cap space. The Suns are an up-and-coming team with good young players. Several veterans could see themselves as the guy to put them over the top and into the playoffs again. For that reason, expect Phoenix to chase cap space, with re-signing their own free agents as their fallback plan. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

$18,923,169 (2^nd out of 30)

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Phoenix Suns: 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.

Suns NBA 2K21 Ratings

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

The post Phoenix Suns: NBA 2K21 Ratings appeared first on SLAM.

Nov. 20 Update: The Top 2020 NBA Free Agents Available, 24 Hours In

Rather than focus on specific rankings for players, a process limited by the fact that a given individual’s value fluctuates based on the needs of each team, I’ve broken down the league’s available free agents into general tiers.

Not all of the players that you see listed here will end up hitting the open market. Any team with (player) or (team) next to them has an option built into their contract. If that option is picked up, they’re immediately under contract for a pre-negotiated amount in 2020-21.

Players with (restricted) next to their names are restricted free agents, meaning the teams that they currently play for hold the right to match any contract that they’re able to draw from outside organizations.

The actual date for the start of NBA free agency is unknown but it stands to reason that the official negotiation period will fall after the now locked in Nov. 18, 2020 NBA Draft. Earlier this summer, the league had floated a potential Oct. 15 draft with free agency set three days later. The October dates are moot now but the three-day buffer could still apply.

While I stayed away from floating any potential contract figures for these pending free agents, the tiers were constructed under the assumption that the 2020-21 NBA salary cap would fall in line with what it was in 2019-20 ($109 million). Originally it was set to increase but the league’s economic forecast is less optimistic than it was pre-pandemic.

The exact cap number will impact how teams approach free agency but the value of the players available remains relative. Scroll through the complete list below but remember that different teams will prioritize different tiers depending on where they are as an organization.

The Pre-Packaged Superstar Tier

• Anthony Davis (declined PO)
• Brandon Ingram (restricted)

There are two players in this year’s free agent class that you could envision as the No. 1 option on an NBA playoff team. Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram are, all things being equal, players that a front office could legitimately plan their offseason strategy around. In reality, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Anthony Davis leaves the Los Angeles Lakers given the trouble he went through to get there, even if that means he turns down his player option and signs a new deal. Ingram bet on himself in 2019-20 and fortified his case for max money. If such a deal doesn’t come from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of free agency, it’ll certainly come via restricted free agent offer sheet, even if the 2020-21 salary cap remains right where it was this season.

The Established Star Tier

• DeMar DeRozan (exercised PO)
• Andre Drummond (exercised PO)
• Gordon Hayward (declined PO) -> Agreement with Charlotte
• Danilo Gallinari -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Mike Conley (declined ETO)

There won’t be too many teams lining up to poach an established star in or at the end of their prime this offseason, even if they come with the All-Star resumes and accolades that this lot comes with. Without question, these are the types of players that could make good teams great but that’s not much help if the price point isn’t feasible for the teams that need them. With a shortage of cap room around the league this year, expect most of the players in this group to exercise their player options. If they do end up on the market, as both DeMar DeRozan and Andre Drummond have at different times implied, their best bet may be to trade a pay cut in the short-term for a longer duration deal like Al Horford and Jonas Valanciunas did last season.

The Emerging Star Tier

• Fred VanVleet – > Back with TO
• Montrezl Harrell – Agreement with Lakers

Both Fred VanVleet and Montrezl Harrell have made their names providing immense value in supporting roles for teams with first-class championship aspirations. As a result, fans and opposing teams alike have no shortage of chances to see what they’re capable of. What nobody truly knows, however, is how either of these teams would fare as a primary or secondary option on another squad, the type of role that comes with max or near-max money. Both Toronto and Los Angeles are well positioned to give their guys a substantial pay raise and keep them in town but things could get complicated in a hurry if outside teams hungry for assets they can grow with start to court them. 

The Brimming with Potential Tier

• Davis Bertans -> Back to DC
• Christian Wood -> Agreement with Houston
• Malik Beasley (restricted) – > Back in Minny

In certain offseasons, teams flush with cap space would be happy to throw money at players who’ve shown the glimpses of high ceiling potential that this group has. This year though, with a shortage of spenders and much of the league’s financial outlook still uncertain, things are different. While all of these particular individuals had shown promising signs with other teams, it wasn’t until they landed on their current squads that they started to truly gain momentum as potential long-term building blocks. For that reason, any outside team eager to pluck one would likely need to spend more on a relatively unproven commodity than they’re comfortable with. That’s a risk that may seem especially hard to justify in 2020, leaving incumbent teams in prime position to bring them back.

The Proven Impact Player Tier

• Serge Ibaka
• Bogdan Bogdanovic (restricted) -> Offer from ATL expected
• Jordan Clarkson -> Back in Utah
• Goran Dragic -> Back in Miami
• Otto Porter Jr. (exercised PO)
• Carmelo Anthony – > Back with Portland
• Evan Fournier (exercised PO)
• Aron Baynes
• Derrick Favors -> Agreement with Utah
• Marc Gasol -> An “option” for Lakers
• Jerami Grant (declined PO) -> Agreement with Detroit

This group of starting caliber impact players can be one of the most interesting to monitor every offseason. None of the players will command max money or even a featured role in any new team’s offense but they can immediately tilt the scales for whichever franchise they land with. These players are safe, often nomadic, with a track record of performing consistently. If the fit and the price are right, it’s a perfect marriage with postseason implications.

The Elite Role Player Tier

• Tim Hardaway Jr. (exercised PO)
• Joe Harris –> Back with Nets
• Marcus Morris -> Back with Clippers
• Paul Millsap -> Back with Denver
• Kelly Olynyk (exercised PO)
• Dario Saric (restricted)
• Dwight Howard -> Agreement with Philly

While these players may not have the luxury of demanding heavy usage wherever they go, they’re capable of specifically thriving in certain ideal situations. Fit is key with these players and that can completely shift the narratives that follow them around for the rest of their career. There’s a thin line between heroic supporting veteran and onerous contract and it usually depends on how competitive the team ends up being after they’ve signed them.

The Re-Purposed Veteran Tier

• Tristan Thompson
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Isaiah Thomas
• Austin Rivers (declined PO)
• Enes Kanter (exercised PO)
• Jeff Teague
• Hassan Whiteside
• Bobby Portis (declined TO) – >Agreement with Milwaukee

This group of players with histories of featuring heavily into team rotations will always garner interest because of their track records but they may be forced to accept reduced roles if they’d like to play meaningful basketball come playoff time. Alternatively, they could opt instead for larger, albeit temporary, roles with developing programs in need of starters.

The High Ceiling Rotation Piece Tier

• De’Anthony Melton (restricted) -> Back with Memphis
• Harry Giles
• Jakob Poeltl (restricted) -> Back with Spurs
• Svi Mykhailiuk (exercised TO)

Teams looking to stockpile assets that they can grow and work with will always have an interest in this mid-level group. Inevitably, these players appeal more to teams with room and patience to focus on player development since there’s no guarantee that they’d be able to consistently excel on a team contending for a title. Not all will blossom into major rotation pieces down the road but they’re simultaneously capable contributors in the short-term and low-risk investment opportunities in the long term.

The Veteran Support Tier

• Jae Crowder -> Agreement with Phoenix
• Nerlens Noel -> Agreement with New York
• D.J. Augustin -> Agreement with Milwaukee
• Mason Plumlee – > Agreement with Detroit
• Nicolas Batum (exercised PO)
• Reggie Jackson
• Kyle Korver
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
• Avery Bradley (declined PO) -> Agreement with Miami

Teams less inclined to take on development projects may prefer mid-rotation pieces that they can plug into their lineup without stress. None of these players are going to move the needle for a team on a season-to-season basis but they can still make a difference from game to game. Given that they wouldn’t likely yield big contracts, they’re the perfect building blocks to slide into contending rosters to fortify already impressive lineups.

The Mystery Value Tier

• Rodney Hood (declined PO) -> Back in Portland
• Kenrich Williams (restricted)
• Josh Jackson -> Agreement with Detroit
• Jevon Carter (restricted)
• Juan Hernangomez (restricted)
• Mario Hezonja (exercised PO)
• Chris Boucher (restricted)
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
• Allonzo Trier
• Chandler Parsons

Whether a team is ready to compete now or still in the rebuilding phase, they’ll need to fill out the middle portion of their rotation with reliable players. This particular group would appeal more to teams still developing their core as the players within it have room to grow on a personal level. The fact that a young team could commit now and groom a potential long-term supporting cast member carries a lot of weight. The fact that they could settle on a contender and then blossom into something more is scary.

The Veteran Reinforcement Tier

• Andre Roberson
• Alec Burks -> Agreement with NY
• Langston Galloway
• JaVale McGee (exercised PO)
• Michael Carter-Williams ->. Agreement with ORlando
• Kent Bazemore
• Markieff Morris
• Matthew Dellavedova
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Maurice Harkless -> Agreement with Miami
• Pat Connaughton -> Back with Milwaukee
• Marco Belinelli
• Frank Kaminsky (declined TO)
• Meyers Leonard -> Back in Miami
• Justin Holiday -> Back with Indy

While unlikely to grab many headlines, these veterans are necessary components of the NBA workforce. Equally equipped to slot in as prominent bench players for contending teams or help guide a developing team through a rebuild in more of a leadership role, there’s an impressive amount of flexibility here. They’ll get minutes wherever they end up and can be some of the most affordable sources of value in the league.

The Low-Risk Gamble Tier

• Kris Dunn -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Rajon Rondo (declined PO) -> Agreement with Atlanta
• Evan Turner
• Torrey Craig
• Thon Maker
• Stanley Johnson (exercised PO)
• Bryn Forbes
• Jonah Bolden
• Dragan Bender

Teams don’t necessarily go looking for prominent contributors at the bottom of their rotation but these are players that could start there and work their way up. These players aren’t so much budding prospects as they’re veteran players capable of more if things break right. So long as the price is right, these are low-risk gambles with intriguing rewards.

The Dormant Game Changer Tier

• Shabazz Napier
• Cameron Payne (declined TO)
• JaKarr Sampson
• Anthony Tolliver
• Marvin Williams -> Retired
• Raul Neto -> Agreement with Washington
• Mike Muscala (exercised PO)
• Garrett Temple (declined TO) -> Agreement with Chicago
• Wesley Matthews (declined PO) -> Agreement with Lakers
• Bismack Biyombo
• Brandon Knight
• Robin Lopez (declined PO) -> Agreement with Washington
• J.J. Barea
• Iman Shumpert

It’s unrealistic to expect a deep rotation piece to be able to produce above their weight class consistently but any time a utility player can step up as an injury replacement or even just flex a unique skill set, it provides additional value for the team. These players may slide by undetected in the box score on most nights but are capable of much more.

The Depth on Depth Tier

• Gary Payton II
• Emmanuel Mudiay
• JaMychal Green (declined PO) -> Agreement with Denver
• DeMarre Carroll
• Jeff Green -> Agreement with Brooklyn
• Dwayne Bacon -> Agreement with Orlando
• Wilson Chandler
• Chris Chiozza
• Glenn Robinson III
• Derrick Jones Jr. -> Agreement with Portland
• Wes Iwundu -> Agreement with Dallas
• Treveon Graham
• David Nwaba (exercised TO)
• Wenyen Gabriel (restricted)
• C.J. Miles
• Dion Waiters
• James Johnson (exercised PO)
• E’Twaun Moore
• Solomon Hill
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Tim Frazier

What can make or break a season is the depth at the bottom of the roster. There are no shortage of quality hoopers in this world who can fill in at the end of the bench for an NBA squad but if those players have the skills, experience and gravitas to make the most of the fleeting action they do get, the sky is the limit. These players won’t demand consistent court time but they’re a luxury to have at the bottom of a rotation.

The Scrapping for Opportunities Tier

• Damyean Dotson (restricted)
• Skal Labissiere (restricted)
• DeAndre’ Bembry (restricted)
• Ian Mahinmi
• Corey Brewer
• Yogi Ferrell
• Caleb Swanigan
• Kyle O’Quinn
• Hamidou Diallo (exercised TO)
• Patrick Patterson -> Back with Clippers
• Willy Hernangomez
• Denzel Valentine (restricted)
• Shaquille Harrison
• Bruno Caboclo
• Alize Johnson (restricted)
• Noah Vonleh
• John Henson
• Frank Mason (restricted)
• Jahlil Okafor -> Agreement with Detroit
• Frank Jackson (restricted)
• Sterling Brown (restricted)
• Tyler Johnson
• Kadeem Allen

Securing a consistent job in the NBA is incredibly difficult, leaving this group the most susceptible to churn as 60 new rookies enter the league every offseason. These players will have their work cut out for them landing new roles and some could even spend time on the outside of the league looking in if they don’t find a good fit. We’ve seen time and time again examples of players that left the league only to return after a brief hiatus in the G League or overseas.

Update #1, Sep. 17, 2020: Post updated with new NBA Draft date, additional free agents added to existing tiers.

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

The post Top 2020 NBA Free Agents List appeared first on SLAM.

Payne hasn’t seen big league action since 2018-19 but he did play 15 G League games with the Texas Legends this season, averaging 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per contest. Prior to the G League stint, he played through training camp with the Toronto Raptors and had a stint in China.

Payne’s deal with the Suns – which has already been formally announced – is for two years, Shams Charania of The Athletic notes. It’s possible that the 2020-21 season comes with a team option.

Payne will compete for minutes in a Suns backcourt with Ricky Rubio, Elie Okobo, Jevon Carter and Ty Jerome when NBA action resumes next month. Phoenix is on the outside looking in at the postseason heading into the final eight regular season games.

The post Cameron Payne Inks Deal with Phoenix Suns appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a list of the contract types the Toronto Raptors 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.

Toronto Raptors

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

More NBA Training Camp Rosters

The post Toronto Raptors Roster Count: 2019 Training Camp appeared first on SLAM.

Having lost Kevin Durant to free agency, and fellow All-Star Klay Thompson not expected back anytime soon as he recovers from a torn ACL, Curry says the Warriors won’t change their approach.

The Dubs, who’ve reached the Finals in each of the last five years, have eight new players on their roster.

Per NBC Sports Bay Area:

“I just laugh at it,” Curry said during his second annual Warriors All-Girls basketball camp in Oakland on Monday afternoon. “Anybody can say anything about anything nowadays and it can pick up steam. So we’ve had lots of support. We’ve had a lot of criticism on the way that doesn’t change now. Just what they’re saying is different so doesn’t change how we go about our business.”

In recent weeks, Curry and the [All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell] have been working out around the Bay Area with Curry’s trainer Brandon Payne, a practice the two-time MVP believes will help during the season.

“It’s just a matter of really trying to get guys comfortable with the system, be able to highlight the different skill sets that we have and different strengths and the chemistry,” Curry said.

“It will take a little bit of time and a lot of hard work, but like I said, we have a lot of high IQ guys from our core and a lot of leadership and commitment to what we do, so starting in the training camp and beyond, you have to have a mindset that you will continue to get better as the season goes on.”

Related ‘I’m Excited’: Stephen Curry Ready to Lead New-Look Warriors

The post Stephen Curry Unfazed By Doubts of Warriors’ Title Chances appeared first on SLAM.

He most recently played summer league ball with the Dallas Mavericks.

Payne splits last season between the Bulls and the Cavaliers, averaging 8.2 points and 2.6 assists during his brief late-season run in Cleveland.

Payne will look to carve out a role for himself on a Raptors depth chart that will return All-Star Kyle Lowry and postseason standout Fred VanVleet. The first year of his two-year deal is partially guaranteed.

The post Raptors, Cameron Payne Agree To Two-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Underrated Tour powered by @RakutenUS coming soon. Check out my Underrated story below

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 9, 2019

Curry is all too familiar with being overlooked. In 2006, he was a three-star guard with minimal college interest coming out of high school before blossoming into NBA stardom.

The Underrated Tour, in partnership with Rakuten, starts in Los Angeles on Jan. 19 with six other stops in the U.S. that will go through March. The camp’s stop in Phoenix will be strictly for girls.

Curry will be in attendance in L.A. and other stops with his trainer Brandon Payne, who will be instructing on-court drills. The camps will have lessons on everything about college and NCAA eligibility as well as special guests.

Here’s Curry on how the idea of the Underrated Tour came about and the importance of putting a spotlight on the kids that don’t get the same notoriety as highly-touted prospects do:

But what about all the other kids? What about the kids who, for one reason or another, because of one perceived shortcoming or another, are getting labeled as two or three-star recruits? Now I’m not saying those kids need to be at every camp. (Honestly, man, no one does.) But if we have it set up so those kids can’t get invites to any camp?? Then I think we’ve got a problem.

Because then I think we’re putting kids — kids who love to hoop, and who should be out there exploring that love — in a situation where a bunch of limits are being placed on them by other people. A situation where the limits of what they can accomplish are being put in place before they’ve gotten to test those limits for themselves.

And so that’s the idea behind The Underrated Tour: to create a basketball camp, in partnership with Rakuten, for any unsigned high school players rated three stars and below. A camp for kids who love to hoop, and are looking for the chance to show scouts that their perceived weaknesses might actually be their secret strengths.

The post Stephen Curry Launches Underrated Tour for Unsigned HS Basketball Players appeared first on SLAM.

Holiday started in all 38 games for Chicago this season.

The Bulls began what they hope is a busy trade season a month ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline when they acquired guards MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden Jr., plus second-round picks in 2019 and 2020 from the Grizzlies for Justin Holiday.https://t.co/CtUQTZnLOZ via @KCJHoop pic.twitter.com/dhiOBNbvzs

— Chicago Sports (@ChicagoSports) January 4, 2019

Brooks is averaging 6.6 points, and Selden is putting up 5.4 points. Both guards have expiring contracts.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

The Bulls are still shopping Jabari Parker and Robin Lopez ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline. But agreeing to deal Holiday and his expiring $4.5 million contract is a start.

It will open considerable opportunity at small forward for rookie Chandler Hutchison, whose minutes have increased of late. Some of Hutchison’s increased playing time has come as the backup power forward, a role soon to be filled by Bobby Portis when he returns from a sprained right ankle.

The Bulls will have to waive a player for the trade to be finalized. Cameron Payne and Brooks are the leading candidates, a source said.

The post Bulls Trade Justin Holiday to Grizzlies for MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

When Luka Doncic pulls up to a photo studio in central Madrid on a crisp April afternoon, a scuffed and scratched basketball travels with him. The Spalding goes most places with Doncic. It lives in the trunk of his car, always at the ready. That’s not strange, though—most teenage hoopheads keep a weathered rock in the trunk. What’s different is that Doncic’s ride happens to be a metallic blue Porsche with paint so shiny the car’s surface ripples in the sunlight.

This is the dichotomy of life for Doncic, who’s only a teenager but already been a pro for years. He seems in many ways like any 19-year-old. He’s a sneakerhead who spends a lot of time playing Overwatch. He calls L.A. “amazing,” especially “the beach and the cars.” He posts frequently to Instagram—and when he does, die-hard NBA fans implore Doncic to join their favorite team.

“Come to the Suns,” they comment under his pics.

“Future Knick.”

“Come to the Lakers.”

Doncic isn’t just a kid from a country most Americans would struggle to find on a map. He’s also a 6-8, 220-pound teenager who annihilates grown men in the EuroLeague—the world’s second-best basketball circuit—for Real Madrid, one of the world’s best non-NBA teams. From Arvydas Sabonis to Kristaps Porzingis, Doncic is doing things no one his age has ever done in Europe. Now he’s projected by experts as a top pick in June’s NBA Draft. If he goes first overall, he’ll be the first European perimeter player ever to earn that distinction.

Stories and details are just beginning to trickle out as the draft approaches. His profile was boosted after helping lead underdog Slovenia to a FIBA EuroBasket title in international competition last September. But for all his success, Doncic is still primarily discussed by basketball obsessives and draft aficionados.

That’s about to change. Soon, he won’t only be a subject for the recesses of Basketball Twitter. Soon, he’ll be opinionated on by your uncle who watches First Take. Soon, Doncic will be in the thick of it. This is what happens when you’ve been tabbed as one of basketball’s next Big Things.

“Not even a little bit, I didn’t imagine that,” Doncic says, two months before the draft, about the wave of attention that’s just beginning to swell.

The future is wide open for Luka Doncic, basketball’s international man of mystery. But to fully appreciate where the young star is going and the heights he could reach, you have to understand the unprecedented path Doncic has traveled so far. You have to understand how he arrived at this moment on the verge.

II.

The story starts in a tiny country wedged between Italy, Austria and Croatia. A nation smaller geographically than New Jersey, with a smaller population than the borough of Queens. A place known mostly for picturesque landscapes and charming architecture.

It was here, in the Republic of Slovenia, that Luka was born to Mirjam Poterbin, a former hurdler and dancer, and Sasa Doncic, a longtime European pro baller. Practically from birth, Mirjam says, Luka’s obsession was “ball, ball, ball.” When he was just 1, she put up a miniature hoop in his room.

“It was always just…” Mirjam flicks her wrist and makes a whoosh-ing sound.

Before he became a teenager, a young Doncic’s talent had made him a legend in Slovenia’s basketball circles. What stood out then is what stands out now—a savant-like feel for the sport, preternatural skill level and a combination of vision, imagination and unselfishness that allows him to dictate the entire flow of a game as opposed to simply dominating as a scorer. He’s a natural point guard who can just as easily play the 2 or 3.

“He was a great kid, always smiling,” says Lojze Sisko, director of the youth program at Doncic’s childhood club in Slovenia. “Every day after practice ended, he went to the court outside and practiced more.”

Doncic was just 13 when he earned the offer that would change his life. Real Madrid—arguably the world’s most iconic sports club—wanted to sign him, move him to Spain and develop him for its senior team. The choice was not a simple one: Real Madrid was a chance for growth far surpassing anything at home, but the Spanish capital is 1,200 miles from Slovenia and everything Doncic had ever known.

“I was just a kid,” Doncic says today.

After weeks of internal debate, the 13-year-old Doncic decided to go to Madrid. The first few months were difficult. “Not just once,” Doncic says, he considered returning home. He arrived without even knowing the local language.

“All my friends, school, family—everything was in Slovenia,” he says. “But after I learned Spanish it was easier to communicate, to make new friends.”

Doncic lived with other young soccer and basketball prospects in Real Madrid residences. Eventually he settled in, and on the court he blossomed under the mentorship of veterans. By 16, Doncic was playing for Real Madrid’s senior team alongside former NBA players like Rudy Fernandez and Andres Nocioni. He was literally a boy among men, but oozed potential.

“When we recruited him when he was 15 years old,” says Quique Villalobos, a former Real Madrid player and Doncic’s agent with BDA Sports, “we already knew we had something in our hands, which was going to be very different from other players we’d had before in Spain. We weren’t 100 percent sure, but we had the feeling we had some kind of gold in our hands.”

Doncic ascended without the mixtapes and viral crossovers that accompany American prodigies. But with the benefits of hindsight and YouTube, anyone with an Internet connection can go back today and trace his rise. There he is in 2012, dominating a youth tournament in Italy. There he is a year later, age 13, throwing no-look passes and dropping 70-foot dimes for a Real Madrid junior team. There he is splashing three straight triples as a baby-faced 16-year-old going against grown men in a 2016 EuroLeague road game.

Doncic made his biggest leap as a pro this season, during which he was 18 and 19 years old. He more than doubled his scoring average, from 7.8 to 16.9 points per game, good for third in the EuroLeague. Playing 25 minutes per game, he also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists, which ranked 11th in the League. He was second in both fouls drawn and free throws attempted. And Doncic led the entire league in player efficiency—joining the likes of Sabonis and Andrei Kirilenko while becoming the first teenager ever to accomplish the feat.

Doncic says he began to truly believe he could “be something” when he started getting regular minutes with Real Madrid’s senior team two seasons ago. This season, he transformed alluring potential into elite production at Europe’s highest level. Now the next logical step—the only logical step—is the NBA.

III.

One hour before a late-April EuroLeague playoff game against the Greek club Panathinaikos, Doncic gets loose at half-speed. As Future blares and Madrid’s WiZink Center slowly begins to fill, Doncic swishes four straight three-pointers from the deep right wing. Next, he dribbles left into the lane and unspools an exaggerated one-legged floater that goes about 20 feet high before dropping through the net. Real Madrid just split the first two games of the playoff series at Panathinaikos’ raucous home court in Athens. Tonight’s is a pivotal game, but Doncic’s relaxed shooting session belies no stress.

The game’s first basket comes off a Doncic assist. Madrid then takes a 4-0 lead when Doncic uses his thick frame to back down former University of Florida star Nick Calathes before nailing a tough fadeaway. With less than 10 seconds remaining in the half, Donic blows by former Michigan State star Adreian Payne near half-court. Then he charges down the lane and spikes a one-handed poster dunk. Next to the Panathinaikos bench, Madrid’s section of purple-shirted hardcore fans—including a guy banging a large drum and two guys with megaphones—erupts. Doncic beats his chest as the dust settles.

After halftime, Doncic scores Madrid’s first bucket of the third quarter with a fast-break lay-in. A few minutes later he finds the angle on a pick-and-roll to make a beautiful bounce pass for an easy basket. Panathinaikos calls timeout. Doncic looks at the crowd and pumps his arms on his way to the bench. He finishes with a modest stat-line—7 points, 3 assists, a game-high 10 rebounds—but Madrid comes away with an 81-74 win and the series lead.

Doncic is reserved and amiable off the court, but during games he emanates an exuberant confidence. He’ll yell after big shots, hang on the rim to punctuate two-handed dunks, stare at defenders for an extra moment after scoring. There’s a flair, an edge, a hint of cockiness to his game, but Doncic shrugs off the shift in personality.

“When you go to the court, you just change,” he says. “You’re a different person.”

Anthony Randolph, a 2008 NBA lottery pick and teammate of Doncic with both Real Madrid and the Slovenian national team, says this self-belief is one of the young star’s biggest attributes.

“Even if he’s had a bad game so far, if it comes down to the last second, he’s going to take that shot,” Randolph says. “He has enough confidence not to get down on himself and just to keep playing.”

That mindset, combined with Doncic’s versatility, vision and skill, make him a special prospect. Not that he’s without weakness. If anything holds Doncic back from becoming a full-fledged star, it will likely be his lack of top-shelf explosiveness. But six years after he left Slovenia for Real Madrid, the hype around Doncic is growing for good reason.

“Talent-wise, he’s one of the best I’ve seen,” says Randolph, who spent six seasons in the NBA before going to Europe. “As long as he continues to get better and stay humble and keep working, I feel like the sky’s the limit.”

IV.

It must be surreal existing on the brink between two realities. Today, Doncic might be well-known to European basketball fans, but in a year he could be one of the NBA’s hottest names. If he struggles in a EuroLeague game, it might get micro-analyzed by a couple draft nerds, but if he hits an NBA slump, trolls and hot-takers will rip him to shreds online and on national TV. For all the promise, we have no idea what’ll actually happen.

From the outside, though, Doncic seems unbothered.

“That’s what’s really good with Luka,” Mirjam says of her son. “He’s here. He doesn’t think about the next game. He’s thinking about the game today. Also in his life he’s like this. He’s not thinking about what might happen or how it’s going to be.”

A few minutes after the April photo shoot in Madrid, after dribbling the scuffed basketball that lives in the trunk of his Porsche while cameras flash away, Doncic sits on a bench in a brightly lit studio. He says his full focus is on leading Real Madrid to a EuroLeague title, but allows that he’s excited for what will follow. He’s “here,” as Mirjam says—but also knows he’s at a special juncture.

“You’re happy and you’re sad a little bit, you know?” Doncic says. “Because I will live a new life.”

As Doncic reflects in the Spanish metropolis he moved to at 13, he wears brand new Supreme x Nike Air Force 1s on his feet. The crisp white kicks are emblazoned with the logos of various NBA teams. Phoenix Suns. Dallas Mavericks. Atlanta Hawks. On and on. Soon, he’ll be in one of these places playing for one of these teams.

Soon, the whole world will know Luka Doncic. Soon, the rest of his life will really begin.

—

Sam Laird is a freelance writer based in Spain. Follow him on Twitter @samcmlaird.

Portraits by Pablo Albacete, action photo via Getty Images

Video by Juan Barrera

The post 🗣 Luka Doncic is the Best International Prospect EVER appeared first on SLAM.

A 15-point advantage in the third quarter gave the Pistons their third win in a row as Andre Drummond recorded the fourth-ever 24-point, 23-rebound and four-assist game. Anthony Tolliver (14), Reggie Jackson (13) and Reggie Bullock also scored in double-digits.

Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 15 points.

Bulls 92 (24-51), Heat 103 (41-35)

Josh Richardson scored 22 as the Heat downed a shorthanded Bulls team without Lauri Markkanen (DNP – Tank) to hold onto the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Goran Dragic added 17.

All five Chicago starters (Noah Vonleh, David Nwaba, Roblin Lopez, Cameron Payne, Justin Holiday) and sixth man Bobby Portis scored in double-digits in the effort.

EVEN THE BASELINE CAMERA MAN BIT ON THAT FAKE (via @DefPenHoops) pic.twitter.com/EwOcBHTs32

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 30, 2018

THAT BAM BOY GOT BOUNCE (via @miamiheat) https://t.co/8l24whvQFO

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 30, 2018

Thunder 99 (44-32), Spurs 103 (44-32)

At one point it seemed like the Spurs’ season was on the brink of collapse; however, LaMarcus Aldridge’s clutch jam in the final minute of the fourth quarter secured San Antonio’s seventh win out of its last nine and moved the Spurs to fourth in the Western Conference.

Aldridge finished the night with 25 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks while Patty Mills chipped in 14.

Paul George led the Thunder with 26 points, six assists and four steals.

Pacers 106 (45-31), Kings 103 (24-52)

Victor Oladipo and Bojan Bogdanovic combined for 49 points and scored all seven of Indiana’s points in the final 30 seconds of regulation.

Buddy Hield scored 20 off the pine for the Kings.

Bucks 116 (40-15), Warriors 107 (54-21)

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 32 points spoiled Kevin Durant’s return to the Warriors’ lineup as the Bucks led by 18 after three periods of play. Khris Middleton chipped in 23 and Eric Bledsoe added another 20.

Quinn Cook led the Warriors with 30 points while Durant scored 10 in 17 minutes.

Giannis just pushed KD aside like a rag doll (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/H2ggArpb5e

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 30, 2018

‘BARI BUCKETS (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/g7KLppTugC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 30, 2018

The post Post Up: Giannis Antetokounmpo Spoils Kevin Durant’s Return to the Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Under legendary head coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State is a perennial powerhouse, churning out pro players and victories over the top programs in college basketball. The ’16-17 season was the team’s worst since 2010-11, when the Spartans went 19-15. But in April, the team and school got a dose of good news.

Miles Bridges was coming back for his sophomore year.

Bridges, a 6-7, 230 pound guard/forward who can jump out of the gym, was thought to be a one-and-done freshman. He shocked most of the basketball world when he announced his return.

“The main reason I came back was because I wrote my goals down when I was young and one of them was to win a National Championship,” Bridges says. “I didn’t want to go back on my goals. I knew we had a great team coming back and I knew I had to lead the team.”

Along with SLAM 212 cover subjects Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr and Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Miles Bridges is in the conversation to potentially be the best player in college basketball this upcoming season. As a freshman, Bridges averaged 16.9 points, 8.3 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks on 48.6 percent field-goal shooting and 38.9 percent from behind the arc. He was the first freshman to lead the Spartans in scoring since Shawn Respert did it during the 1991-92 season, was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, and was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Capable of playing in the post or on the perimeter, Bridges is at his best when he’s on the break. He had more than a few Yo, I gotta check Twitter or IG immediately to see that over and over again dunks last year, and with a crowded frontcourt that will cause him to play on the wing more this upcoming season, expect to see Bridges flying down the court and putting plenty of opponents on posters. “I had to really work on my conditioning [this offseason] because I’m going to be playing the wing spot and doing a lot of running,” he says.

The super-talented Bridges grew up in Flint, MI, before heading east to close out his high school career at West Virginia’s Huntington Prep. He grew up admiring the late-’00s and early ’10s Michigan State teams that featured Draymond Green, Kalin Lucas and Adreian Payne, but Bridges is well aware of the program’s deep history and affiliation with his hometown. The 19-year-old joins the likes of Charlie Bell, Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves (aka “The Flintstones”) as Flint hoopers who stayed local to attend MSU.

“Flint produces tough basketball players,” Bridges says. “There’s open gyms with no fouls. The reason I became as good as I am is because I used to play with older kids and get mad over fouls. They would tell me, ‘You’re not getting that call, you gotta be tougher.’

“I’m tight with Mo Pete, Charlie and all the players who went to Michigan State. I grew up watching Michigan State—that’s how I really fell in love with basketball.”

With Bridges back in the fold, the Spartans enter the season as Big Ten favorites, a top-5 team in the nation (they rank No. 2 in the SLAM NCAA men’s rankings) and will undoubtedly be in the mix for a Final Four berth. Along with Miles, the team returns guards Cassius Winston, Josh Langford and Tum Tum Nairn Jr along with big man Nick Ward, and they’re welcoming Jaren Jackson Jr, a consensus top-10 recruit and potential top-10 pick in next year’s draft. Save for Jackson, the team has been through an up-and-down season together and are as battle tested as any squad in college hoops.

“We faced a lot of adversity and I feel like it’s something that’s going to really help us for this year,” Bridges says. “The main lesson is, all the little things count. One rebound can win you a game, and a missed rebound can lose you a game. It’s the little things that count in college.”

Before he bounces for the lavish lifestyle that the NBA provides, Bridges has a chance to make his mark and become one of the best players in Michigan State history—no small feat considering the talent that has passed through the university.

“I really love Michigan State basketball, and for me to be a key piece of this program is an honor,” he says. “It’s a blessing and I give all the glory to God for that. As a young kid from Flint, I never thought that I’d be in this position. It is an honor for me.”

—

Pete Walsh is a Senior Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @peter_m_walsh.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Guess Who’s Back appeared first on SLAM.

More below from Under Armour: 

The following high school basketball players have been selected to participate this year:

• Aaron Wiggins – Greensboro, NC
• Anfernee Simons – Altamonte Springs, FL
• Bol Bol – Santa Ana, CA
• Bryan Antoine – Tinton Falls, NJ
• Cameron Reddish – Norristown, PA
• Cassius Stanley – Los Angeles, CA
• Chol Marial – Cheshire, CT
• Chris Herren Jr. – Portsmouth, RI
• Darius Garland – Brentwood, TN
• Devon Dotson – Charlotte, NC
• Elijah Weaver – Cocoa, FL
• Jahvon Quinerly – Hackensack, NJ
• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – Kansas City, KS
• Joey Baker – Fayetteville, NC
• Jontay Porter – Columbia, MO
• Josh Green – Phoenix, AZ
• Keldon Johnson – South Hill, VA
• Moses Brown – Queens, NY
• Nazreon Reid – Asbury Park, NJ
• Prentiss Hubb – Upper Marlboro, MD
• Scottie Lewis – Hazlet, NJ
• Shareef O’Neal – Los Angeles, CA
• Silvio DeSousa – Bradenton, FL

New to the camp this year is Dallas Mavericks guard, Seth Curry. Coming off of the 2017 Stephen Curry Asia Tour together, Seth will work alongside Stephen and offer players curriculum and on-court instruction. NBA skills coach Brandon Payne will guide the players as Lead Skills Trainer alongside professional basketball trainer Rob McClanaghan, in addition to basketball commentator and former college basketball coach Fran Fraschilla as Lead Coach, and Under Armour brand ambassador and longtime ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas as Lead Big Man Coach.

SC30 Select Camp is built on the foundation of arming players with the fundamentals essential to guard play by highlighting the importance of balancing growth on and off the court. The program features basketball training and competition, including four on-court sessions, four film sessions.

The post Roster for 2017 Stephen Curry Select Camp Announced appeared first on SLAM.

HoopsHype caught up with Shumpert, Jamal Crawford, Anthony Morrow and Cameron Payne to find out what it’s like to be part of a midseason trade. Shump says he initially “felt bad” that he wasn’t able to help the Knicks climb out of a hole, but after playing for the Cavs and going on a winning streak, he says Cleveland “kind of grabbed me out of hell.”

From HoopsHype:

“I was never the new kid in school or anything, so this was the closest thing for me to changing schools and going through that. For me, it would’ve been cool if [things ended differently with the Knicks]. I was hurt when I got traded, so it would’ve been cool for me if I had at least gotten to play my last games with them. I was sitting out for like a month and by the time I got traded, it was a deflating feeling, especially with that season that we were having. I felt like I didn’t get a chance to help get us out of the hole, you know what I mean? (winces) I just felt bad and felt like we had dropped a bunch of games. I felt bitter that I had to leave on such a bad note. I just remember the feeling [sucked]. It was like, ‘Ah, I’m hurt, we’ve lost a bunch of games in a row and then I’m traded.’ Then, shortly after we walk in and we get to playing with the Cavs, we go on a long winning streak. I kept thinking back to my old teammates like, ‘Damn, I was hurt and we were losing. Now I come here and I’m playing well and the energy is great.’ I just felt like they kind of grabbed me out of hell. And every game was being showcased on TV and we’re winning. It was just crazy. I was happy, but I felt bad too.”

Related
Iman Shumpert: ‘I Think LeBron Would Bust Phil Jackson’s Ass’

The post Iman Shumpert Says 2015 Trade To Cavs ‘Grabbed Me Out Of Hell’ appeared first on SLAM.

It’s time to update the highlight reel. Peep the video above to see Gibson nail the best three-pointer of his career.

Video courtesy of Ximo Pierto

The post Taj Gibson Drills Long Range Bomb appeared first on SLAM.

After being traded from Oklahoma City to Chicago, Anthony Morrow decided to wear No. 1 as his new jersey number—and was quickly met with angry comments from fans on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

https://twitter.com/Dillionaire21/status/835291298986872834

Everyone flood Anthony Morrow's Instagram with Derrick Rose. Morrow should not wear #1 https://t.co/bnppJAb9gF

— Jakob Stutz (@jakobstutz4) February 24, 2017

To side-step any lingering bad feelings, Morrow announced that he will change his jersey number.

https://twitter.com/MrAnthonyMorrow/status/835348732925329408

https://twitter.com/MrAnthonyMorrow/status/835349192629452800

It’s the second time in just five months that a Bull has changed his number from Rose’s No. 1 after experiencing fan backlash.

Michael Carter-Williams did the same in October.

RELATED:
Michael Carter-Williams Passes on Derrick Rose’s Old Number to Avoid Controversy in Chicago

The post Anthony Morrow Won’t Wear Derrick Rose’s No. 1 After Fan Backlash appeared first on SLAM.

In their first game with the Thunder, Taj Gibson scored 12 points and Doug McDermott added 8 points. (via @okcthunder) pic.twitter.com/qq0BMAAenS

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 25, 2017

Related 
Taj Gibson is a Real One

The post WATCH: Taj Gibson Gets First Bucket in OKC appeared first on SLAM.

Sources: OKC and Chicago are nearing agreement on a trade to send package centered on Cameron Payne for Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2017

OKC sending Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow, w/ CHI sending '18 second-round pick with McDermott and Gibson, sources tell @TheVertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2017

With McDermott, the Thunder add shooting to a roster that currently ranks 29th in the League in 3-point shooting percentage. McDermott is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter. For the Bulls, the addition of Cam Payne likely means that one of Michael Carter-Williams or Rajon Rondo will no longer be on the team next season. The Thunder will also receive a 2018 second-round pick.

For all news and updates on news, follow the 2017 Trade Deadline Tracker.

Related
2017 Trade Deadline Tracker

The post Bulls Trade Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson to Thunder For Cam Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a comprehensive look at the agreements made since Portland and Denver unofficially kicked things off by swapping Mason Plumlee for Jusuf Nurkic on February 12.

Let us know in the comments who you think has had the best and worst trade deadline so far!

Sunday, February 12:

Blazers Trade Mason Plumlee to Nuggets For Jusuf Nurkic

Monday, February 13:

Cavaliers Trade Chris Andersen, Cash to Hornets

Tuesday, February 14:

Magic Trade Serge Ibaka to Raptors For Terrence Ross, First-Round Pick

Sunday, February 19:

Kings Trade DeMarcus Cousins To Pelicans For Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Lanston Galloway, First-, Second-Round Picks

Tuesday, February 21:

Lakers Trade Lou Williams to Rockets For Corey Brewer

Wednesday, February 22:

Nets Trade Bojan Bogdanovic to Wizards For First-Round Pick

Sixers Trade Ersan Ilyasova to Hawks For Tiago Splitter, Second-Round Pick

Thursday, February 23:

Sixers Trade Nerlens Noel to Mavericks For Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, First-Round Pick

Rockets Trade KJ McDaniels To Nets

Bucks Trade Roy Hibbert To Nuggets

Bulls Trade Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson To Thunder For Cam Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne, Anthony Morrow, Second-Round Pick

Hawks Trade Mike Scott To Suns

Rockets Trade Tyler Ennis To Lakers For Marcelo Huertas

Suns Trade PJ Tucker To Raptors For Jared Sullinger, Second-Round Picks

The post 2017 NBA Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

Take today, for example. Up at 6:30 to watch Team Umizoomi and Blaze and the Monster Machines and other Nick Jr. shows with his 2-year-old son, Knox. Then three hours at the Clippers’ practice facility. Afterward there was a trip to the bank to deposit a check from an escrow account followed by a visit to a local bike shop to fix a busted tire on Knox’s stroller. That repair, dad was told, would take 45 minutes, which is perfect because he wanted to swing by the grocery store anyway. Knox needs more yogurt and Redick needs some ingredients for the pork tacos he plans on whipping up tonight.

When he gets home, Redick will strap Knox on to the back of his bike and pedal to the park. After that he’ll make dinner, put “my boy”—always “my boy”—to sleep, say goodnight to his wife, check out some watch websites (“I’m really into Daytonas right now”), scroll through Twitter, Business Insider and HoopsHype, prepare for an episode of his podcast that will feature former New York Times writer William C. Rhoden—a man he describes as a hero of his—clean the kitchen, put away all of Knox’s toys, perhaps give in to his OCD and rearrange his watch box or his impeccably kept closet where clothes are organized by type and color, then continue his deep dive into the world of financial markets. That started because he recently watched the History Channel documentary The Men Who Built America, which triggered a JP Morgan obsession, which led to Redick wanting to know everything he possibly could about the Federal Reserve, and now he’s reading about fixed income securities and is midway through the book The Physics of Wall Street but won’t stay up later than 9:30 reading it, or anything else, because tomorrow is another day.

“My offseason is like Groundhog Day,” Redick says. “Every day is exactly the same. I love it.”

Listening to Redick is inspiring because he makes you feel like you can do anything and everything—until you realize that you actually can’t, and that Redick is clearly some sort of alien or machine, and you’re exhausted just hearing about his schedule. He’s not only one of the world’s best shooters and an All-Star level guard, but also the type of dad and husband that other dads and husbands hate because he makes them look so bad. He’s a better podcast host than many professional broadcasters. He’s so smart and so articulate and so genuinely curious about the world around him that he’s been able to become an unofficial spokesman for athletes, and he’s done all this while making sure that the job that gave him this platform and those expensive watches and fancy clothes continues to receive ample attention.

So, what’s his secret? Also, where the hell does he get the time and energy?

“My thing is, I have a standard for myself and that’s what I’m always trying to reach,” Redick says. “I certainly fall short frequently, but my standard is my standard. I want to reach it for myself, my family and the people I love.

“I don’t do it for anyone else. I don’t give a fuck about proving doubters wrong or anything like that. I’m 32 years old, have my second kid on the way. [That second kid arrived since this interview was conducted. Congrats, JJ!—Ed.] In terms of a public image—I guess I just literally don’t care at all about what other people think.”

* * *

Once upon a time everyone hated JJ Redick. Everyone hates the preppy white shooters from Duke, right? He also had a sweet jumper and a ceaseless motor, though, and a bit of an attitude, all of which allowed him to graduate as the ACC’s leading scorer in 2006 but also transformed him into the most loathed athlete in the country.

Back then opposing fans would regularly lob verbal grenades at him. “There’s literally nothing you can say about me or any member of my family that I haven’t heard before,” Redick says. Much of the venom was unwarranted, though Redick wasn’t perfect either. “JJ could, and sometimes would, have beers the night before a game in college,” says Redick’s friend and former Duke teammate Shavlik Randolph. “And yet he’d still be the best player on the court the next day.”

Redick, by his own admission, entered the NBA brash and cocky. He and others say he was unprepared for the League, both physically and emotionally. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in June of 2006, weeks before being drafted by the Magic. He spent more time on the bench than the court in his first three professional seasons. On offense he was too easy to guard. On defense he was too easy to blow by. It took him until 2010 to find his place in the League—as a sharpshooting role player who, on defense, could use his IQ to make up for his lack of lateral quickness. In 2013 he signed a four-year, $27 million contract with the Clippers to become one of the League’s top 2-guards as well as an irreplaceable cog on a contending team.

And, yes, Redick believes the Clippers are a contender. Every offseason he has a “thing” that he works on. “I’m not trying to add lots to my game,” Redick says. “Instead I’m always looking to become a better shooter, and add one more weapon.” Last year the “thing” was runners and floaters. This year it’s shooting off the dribble, especially going left off screens. All of it, of course, is mapped out beforehand.

The day I speak with Redick, for example, is a Tuesday. Tuesdays in the offseason are catch-and-shoot days. On Wednesday the focus will be dribble hand-offs. Saturday is all about spot-ups; he has to knock down exactly 342 shots before leaving the gym.

“The way I look at it,” he says, “is if I can add one little thing to my game, and that thing gives us one or two additional wins over the course of the season—well, that means it was worth it.”

Forget basketball for a moment, though. Sure, Redick is a career 41 percent three-point shooter and coming off a season in which he drilled a career-high, League-best 48 percent of his shots from deep, even though he now draws so much attention that the majority of his looks come over outstretched arms. If you’re reading this magazine, then you’re already familiar with Redick’s picturesque stroke and basketball reinvention, so let’s move on to some things you might not know about JJ Redick.

“He’s a really good rapper,” Randolph says. “We were at Duke around the time 8 Mile came out and so we’d have battles around the dorms all the time.” Talk to Redick and his friends and you’ll quickly learn that movies play a major role in his life. In college he earned the nickname Redick and Ebert. Quotes from Swingers, The Waterboy and Wedding Crashers routinely make their way into his conversations. One of the many childhood friends whom he’s still close with, Daniel Payne, made sure to quote the latter— “true love is the soul’s recognition of its counterpoint in another”—while giving a toast at Redick’s engagement party.

“But that was before he traded in the baggy sweats for tight dark jeans and other items from the Russell Westbrook Collection,” Payne says. “If I made a speech today I’d be sure to mention his new wardrobe.” Not surprisingly, Redick’s new love for fitted pants and exotic shirts has drawn the attention of those who have known him for years.

“The jeans have definitely gotten skinnier and darker,” says Tom Hagan, another longtime friend. Adds Chris Collins, the current Northwestern head coach and former Duke assistant who recruited Redick to Durham, “It’s especially funny because he’s a kid who grew up in a log cabin in Roanoke, VA, and now he’s dressing like a model.”

For a moment, though, let’s use the new and improved wardrobe as a metaphor, one that perfectly sums up who JJ Redick is and how he’s managed to morph from borderline NBA player into Championship-team-level-starter, from despised college kid into the NBA’s equivalent of Prom King.

Think of it like this: When Yahoo! reporting wizard Adrian Wojnarowski was looking for an NBA player to host a podcast on his new network/website, The Vertical, Redick was the one he tabbed. When Bill Simmons wanted an NBA player to come on his new HBO show and talk about Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Warriors, it was Redick who garnered the invite. It’s not just high-powered media members, either. Redick’s Twitter mentions are filled with messages from former antagonists confessing that their former hatred has given way to love.

And really, who can blame them? The tabloids are littered with examples of individuals who’ve sold their souls in pursuit of riches. Redick, on the other hand, is the rare L.A.-based famous person who’s managed to successfully toe that ever-so-thin line. Think of his clothes: They might have changed over the past half-decade as both his fame and bank account have grown. But the core of the man wearing them, well, he’s still the movie-quoting, book-reading, hard-working, fun-loving person who goes to bachelor parties with childhood friends and perks up when asked about subjects like parenting and a college Anthropology class.

Of course, none of this fawning matters to Redick. He doesn’t care what we think about him. Men worthy of such praise rarely do.

—

Yaron Weitzman is a Senior Writer for SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @YaronWeitzman.

Photos via Getty Images

The post Win The Day appeared first on SLAM.

Steph Curry chronicles, Part III: longtime trainer details offseason regimen, shares playoff perspective in our Q&A https://t.co/cFpnxgspLG

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) September 23, 2016

Curry took five weeks off after his Warriors blew a 3-1 lead against Cleveland, and then spent the rest of the offseason working out with Brandon Payne.

The Curry camp refuses to make any excuses for the 28-year-old’s poor play in the championship round.

Per USA Today:

Aside from a two-week run-up after his extended break, they went “pedal to the medal.” Twice a day, six days a week, the routine interrupted briefly by Curry’s Under Armour trip to China in early September. The good news, as Payne sees it? […] “He’s the strongest he’s ever been,” he said with a smile.

 

Q: There was so much talk about Steph’s knee and the part it played in the Finals. How did you see it? How bad a shape was he in?

 

A: “You know, the injury he had, it wasn’t a bad injury. It just needed rest. That’s really all it was. It wasn’t like he was ever in jeopardy of having a procedure or anything like that. He just needed rest. So five weeks of rest was good.”

 

Q: You have a different lens than the rest of us when it comes to him. What did you see as far as his play during the Finals?

 

A: “As bad as I wanted it to be him, it wasn’t him. Yeah. We don’t like to make excuses, and we’re not going to make excuses because all that matters is what happens in the 48 minutes when you’re on the floor. I wish it was the other version of him, the version that we saw for 82 games.”

Related
Stephen Curry: ‘I Still Haven’t Gotten Over Game 7’

The post Stephen Curry’s Trainer: ‘He’s the Strongest He’s Ever Been’ appeared first on SLAM.

Current and former NBA players such as De’Andre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Rodney Hood, Josh Powell, Cameron Payne, Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Christian Wood, Lou Williams, Meta World Peace, and Andre Drummond all made appearances throughout the weekend. Eventually it was Team MMG that got a three-point W, but it was all in good fun.

“It was a good game, but ya’ll pulled it off by three points,” Luda said to Ross before a handful of media after the game. “I’m not mad at him. We did it for the charity and we did it for the people of Atlanta, Georgia.”

With a nearly sold out crowd for the basketball game and close to a dozen events going on throughout the weekend, it was truly a philanthropic event, with one hundred percent of the proceeds going to the Ludacris Foundation. The foundation’s primary focuses are leadership, education, community outreach, and living a healthy lifestyle. Blending hoops and hip-hop together, the game not only raised both capital and awareness, but it gave the people of ATL the chance to see some of their idols in the flesh.

Here are a few of the players who showed out:

Andre Drummond, 6-11, C, Detroit Pistons

The biggest name to play in the game on the NBA side didn’t look to hold anything back. Every single time he got the rock on the break, he looked to bang on someone. There were a few close calls and missed dunks, saving a few celebrities from YouTube infamy.

Christian Wood, 7-0, PF, Charlotte Hornets

One of the most talented 7-footers that you may not have heard of, Christian Wood spent last season bouncing between the 76ers and their D-League affiliate after going undrafted out of UNLV in 2015. This summer, the 20-year old showed out in Summer League and earned a two-year guaranteed deal from the Hornets. Wood showed off his legit bounce, crazy length, and perimeter game at Ludaday. He certainly needs to bulk up and continue to refine his game, but Wood has the package of size and talent that you look for  a developmental big.

Dylan Gonzalez, 6-0, SG, UNLV

While her sister Dakota led UNLV in scoring, it was Dylan who stole the show against the NBA ballers at Ludaday. By dropping a nameless defender with a spin dribble, Dylan generated a ton of buzz on the ‘net and set the gym on fire with the top play of the game. Well-known for her social media presence and musical talents, Dylan reminded everyone that she can really go on the hardwood, too.

Stephen Jackson, 6-8, SF, Free Agent

After two years out of the league, Captain Jack is attempting an NBA comeback and physically looks the part. At Ludaday, Jackson shot the lights out of the rock from well beyond the NBA arc, and still had the swagger that made him a 20 point per game scorer a few years ago. As he told us, it’s NBA or nothing, so it will be interesting to follow Jack as the start of training camps inches closer.

Lou Williams, 6-2, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

An ATL native, Lou Will has been a fixture in the game for a decade. It’s been a busy summer for Williams, who broke the AEBL scoring record and shockingly did not win another ‘chip in the A’s top summer league. He’s been training on the regular with Thunder guard Cameron Payne, not only taking him under his wing, but getting his own game right to make an even bigger impact for the Lakers this season.

Photos courtesy of David Walker

The post 2016 Ludaday Recap appeared first on SLAM.

In its relative infancy, the AEBL has grown in each of its four seasons. In a city in which hip-hop and basketball are completely intertwined, the two cross paths on the regular and this was no different. Quavo from Migos and MMG artist Stalley were a couple who popped in during finals weekend. NBA players such as Dwight Howard, Lou Williams, Cameron Payne, Adreian Payne, Jarrett Jack and Anthony Morrow made appearances throughout the season.

“It’s been really great seeing how big of an impact that we’re making in the community with our support. My squad is 22 staff members including college interns that I want to give hands on experience to. We put over 200 hours in during the summer, not including game time,” AEBL founder Jahi “Jah” Rawlings explained. “Mountain Dew really believed in the vision. Atlanta is a hotbed and everyone lives here, so we have the advantage.”

Final Four weekend brought some upsets, with Goodlife Music Group winning their first AEBL title in a 67-65 victory over 2 Commas Clothing. Here’s a look at the top performers from the Final Four:

Lorenzo Brown, 6-5, PG, Detroit Pistons

After bouncing around with a few NBA teams early in his career, Brown seems to have found a home in Detroit and is taking his game to new heights for ’16-17. The MVP of the AEBL not only led Goodlife‎ to the title, but he almost took the roof off Grady HS with his filthy behind-the-back move that nearly dropped his defender. Zo got to the rack at will, showed off his shifty handle, and made some crazy finishes at the rim. Brown needs to continue to sure up his J to take the next step in his game, but definitely has shown the talent ideal for a developing lead guard.

Lou Williams, 6-2, SG, L.A. Lakers

Just a week after setting the AEBL record by dropping a cool 54 points, Lou Williams saw himself sitting in the final four. Surprisingly, his team took an upset L and he wasn’t able to add another title to his growing list of ATL accolades. The Lakers scorer was automatic from deep, ‎got to the line with ease, and showed off a better handle than you see in the League. A staple of ATL summer hoops, don’t expect Lou to stop playing any time in the near future.

DeAndre Bray, 5-5, PG, Ball Up Streetball

The most exciting dude in the league has received notoriety for his DeAndre Jordan-esque blocks and nearly brought his team to the crown at AEBL. In his squad’s two point loss, “Mosquito” showed off his insane quickness on both ends, drew a ton of offensive fouls, and was the catalyst for 2 Commas. A fixture with Ball Up, you’ll be able to catch Mosquito when he’s on tour next.

Anthony Morrow, 6-5, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

After losing the perimeter scoring of both KD and Dion Waiters to free agency, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a huge void to fill shooting the rock. Based on his play at the AEBL, Anthony Morrow looks like he may be able to help stop that gap. He showed off effortless range well beyond the three-point line, posted smaller guards, and utilized his size on the glass. The opportunity will definitely be there for Morrow to bomb and get his scoring average back into double figures in ’16-17.

Damien Wilkins, 6-6, SF, Overseas

With his Uncle Dominique watching courtside, Damien showed the why grizzled vets like himself can do work against younger foes in pro-ams. He was killing people from the mid-post, used his size to overpower wings, and was simply craftier than any other player over the weekend. Wilkins provided the veteran leadership that GoodLife needed to take the AEBL crown.

Photos courtesy of the AEBL

The post 2016 AEBL Championship Weekend Recap appeared first on SLAM.

The foot injury is also known as a Jones fracture, the same injury that former teammate Kevin Durant suffered when in OKC. Durant played in tk games in tk-tk and needed three surgeries before finally returning to form in ’15-16.

Payne is expected to be ready for the start of the 2016-2017 NBA regular season. He was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. With the departure of Kevin Durant and Dion Waiters, Payne’s minutes and role are likely to increase this season.

Cameron Payne underwent surgery on his right foot today to repair a Jones fracture. He should be ready for training camp.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 25, 2016

The Jones fracture is the same injury Durant had three surgeries on. One thing working in Payne's favor is he doesn't have KD's alien feet.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 25, 2016

The post Report: Cameron Payne Undergoes Foot Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

Watch above and below as Kristaps Porzingis, Devin Booker, Myles Turner, Andre Drummond, Jordan Clarkson, Cameron Payne, Stanley Johnson give their thoughts on those topics as well as the biggest NBA free agency signing of the summer: Kevin Durant’s move to the Warriors. A handful of other celebs like NFL star Richard Sherman, NBA legend Julius Erving and comedian Hannibal Buress all stop by, too.

—

Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskmorgan. Videographer: William Chiang.

The post Pokemon, DMs and KD: 2016 ESPYs Red Carpet Recap (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The Cavs put another 4-game sweep in the books on Sunday, finishing off the Hawks behind 27 points from Kevin Love (including 8 threes) and 21 apiece from LeBron and Kyrie. Cleveland is absolutely rolling right now heading into the Eastern Conference Finals—and they were once again on fire from the outside against Atlanta.

The #Cavs shatter the All-Time @NBA record for 3s in a 4g playoff series w 77 v ATL.

The record they broke?

Their own..57 in 1st rd v DET.

— John Michael (@CavsJMike) May 8, 2016

Enjoy this awkward/awesome post-sweep podium exchange, as a bonus:

Unsure about a question regarding his personality, @kevinlove laughs & cares more about not missing @GameOfThroneshttps://t.co/d1rreHhH7X

— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 9, 2016

Thunder 111, Spurs 97 (Series tied 2-2)

Man, what a great f*cking basketball game this was. Kevin Durant was absolutely en fuego in the second half, during which he scored 29 of his 41 points, to tie a playoff career-high. Russell Westbrook had 15 dimes, Dion Waiters had 17 points off the pine, and the Thunder won the fourth quarter decisively, 34-16. #Mood, courtesy of CamPayne:

https://vine.co/v/iQTzxMmTYJd

After picking up four fouls in the first quarter, Tim Duncan was held scoreless in a playoff game (12 minutes) for the first time in his 19-year career. And oh yeah, Kawhi Leonard (21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 dimes) is still a freak of nature:

.@KawhiLeonard: Small Forward or Wide Receiver? https://t.co/48QFlrw5Uj

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2016

Game 5 is Tuesday night.

The post Post Up: Brooms in Atlanta appeared first on SLAM.

Then, after the Mavs won, Westbrook and Kevin Durant had some harsh words for Villanueva in the post-game presser. Durant called it “fake shit” and Westbrook basically said that type of behavior is for guys who don’t play.

Well, now it’s Villanueva’s turn to respond. He did it via this video on Twitter:

#PROcast EXCLUSIVE: “If you want to go dancing & stuff like that, go to a nightclub.” – @CVBelieve to Westbrook.https://t.co/tIHep0wsOI

— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) April 19, 2016

You can see Charlie V say, “Cameron Payne and myself, we both had the same statline,” before addressing Westbrook directly: “If you want to go dancing and stuff like that, go to a nightclub, go to a club. Go to Dancing With the Stars and be a dancer… but not in a basketball game. And plus you’re in my way, too.”

Oh, man. Game 3 is on Thursday night. Can’t wait.

The post Charlie Villanueva on Russell Westbrook: ‘If You Want to Go Dancing, Go to a Club’ (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Raymond Felton (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Dirk Nowitzki (17 points) led the way for the visitors.

What a game, shhheessssh, I think I lost all my hair, lol……… #MFFL

— Charlie Villanueva (@CVBelieve) April 19, 2016

pic.twitter.com/4nsrl4Ym4G

— PÎÊRRĘ (@JaValeMcGee34) April 19, 2016

Kevin Durant had an abysmal shooting night, missing 26 of 33 attempts from the field.

Kevin Durant scored 21 points tonight but shot 7-for-33 from the field, including 2-for-11 from three-point range. pic.twitter.com/poaA1ES9iV

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 19, 2016

Kevin Durant takes blame for the loss pic.twitter.com/dy2x0t2zgM

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 19, 2016

Per the AP:

A putback at the buzzer by Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams that would have won the game was disallowed upon review, and the Mavericks defeated the Thunder 85-84 on Monday night to even their Western Conference playoff series at one win apiece.

 

Dallas had been embarrassed 108-70 in the opener on Saturday, but the Mavericks bounced back and held Oklahoma City to 33.7 percent shooting on Monday. […] “I’m very proud of our guys and the way they responded after one of the most disappointing games in franchise history,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s a group with a lot of pride, and obviously, a lot of resilience.”

 

Kevin Durant scored 21 points for Oklahoma City, but he made just 7 of 33 shots in the worst postseason shooting performance, both by percentage and number of misses, of his career. Durant’s 26 misses were the most he’s had in 716 career games, including the regular-season and playoffs. […] “It was a bad shooting night for me,” Durant said. “It’s part of it. I wish it didn’t happen tonight, but it’s a part of it. I got some great looks all night and I just didn’t knock them down. It was just one of those nights.”

The post Dallas Mavs Stun OKC Thunder in Game 2 (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Watch the video:

Russell Westbrook on Villanueva getting in the middle of his pregame dance: “That’s for the guys that don’t play” pic.twitter.com/AbwjZsASw8

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 19, 2016

Westbrook added: “That’s for the guys that don’t play.”

Durant on Villanueva's pregame dance interruption: "That's fake sh–."

Westbrook: "That's for the guys that don't play."

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 19, 2016

The post Kevin Durant on Charlie Villanueva’s Pre-Game Antics: ‘That’s Fake Sh*t’ (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

https://vine.co/v/iFqbgBqJqKJ

https://vine.co/v/iFqMrmgTjQE

The post Justin Anderson Throws Down Huge Tip-Dunk Over Kevin Durant (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Charlie Villanueva tried to get in the way of Russell Westbrook and Cameron Payne’s pregame routine: pic.twitter.com/7zhvasINPP

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 19, 2016

Russ is having none of it, continuing to dab and dance through Charlie V’s attempt to walk in the middle of the two. Even when Justin Anderson of the Mavs bumps him, too, he keeps going. Sorry guys, there’s just no stopping Westbrook—on the court or on the dance floor. Or, in this case, both.

via @royceyoung

The post Charlie Villanueva Tried to Mess Up Russell Westbrook and Cameron Payne’s Pregame Dance Routine (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The superstar duo combined for 57 points in the 110-104 victory against the Nuggets.

The streaking Thunder have won 20 of their last 24 matchups.

Per the AP:

Durant finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Thunder, who won their fifth in a row despite hitting just 21 percent from 3-point range. […] “We got great shots tonight,” Durant said. “Cameron (Payne) missed four wide-open 3s, Dion (Waiters) missed two or three, I missed a couple, so we got great looks tonight. We can live with those.”

 

Westbrook scored 27 points and added 12 assists but fell five rebounds shy of another triple-double. He had two straight coming in and five on the season.

 

Enes Kanter had 25 points and eight rebounds, four offensive, to pick up some of the burden from Durant and Westbrook. […] “You know that KD and Westbrook are more than likely going to have good games. They’re superstars,” Denver forward Will Barton said. “But we can’t let the other guys do what they did tonight.”

The post Kevin Durant Drops 30 Points on the Nuggets (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook, per usual, provided a ton of highlight plays and made sure the viewing public didn’t miss anything by performing an instant replay of his driving euro-step.

Westbrook’s teammates greatly enjoyed his antics.

Per The Oklahoman:

The move is referred to as a Euro step. In recent years, Westbrook has added it to his deadly offensive arsenal. This particular one, done in the second quarter of the Thunder’s 112-94 Wednesday night blowout of the Grizzlies, was executed so well that Westbrook felt the need to manually replay it for himself. A Memphis timeout gave him that chance. […] So right after the whistle, Westbrook stopped and Euro stepped the air. Twice. Then he let out a smile. Kevin Durant loved it so much he started Euro stepping his way toward Westbrook. By that point, the Thunder bench had leaked onto the court for the timeout. So Mitch McGary, never one to miss out on some fun, started Euro stepping around aimlessly.

 

“I get lucky from time to time,” Westbrook said. […] “We call it the swag daddies,” Cameron Payne said. “That was a great move. We gotta sauce it up. He’s the king of it.”

 

The win bumped the Thunder’s record to 25-11, a solid mark, good enough for the West’s third seed. But despite relative success, there’s been a rocky feeling these opening few months. The losses agonize the fanbase and the wins often seem to come with a caveat. […] But not Wednesday night. There was a feel-good vibe in the arena. Durant was back from a sprained toe earlier than expected. The stars played well. The bench recovered from some recent struggles. The team seemed loose. The scoreboard reflected it.

The post WATCH: Russell Westbrook Performs Instant Replay of His Euro-Step appeared first on SLAM.

Shortly after the young star from the University of Kansas was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In a matter of weeks Wiggins went from possibly playing with the best player in the NBA, LeBron James, to being the go-to player on a rebuilding franchise.

Wiggins played in all 82 games during his rookie season, averaged 16.9 points per contest and was ultimately named the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year.

The great fortune of the Timberwolves continued when the franchise won the Draft Lottery and selected center Karl-Anthony Towns with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Wiggins now had a running mate he could grow with.

“I watched him in college and he was a great player,” Wiggins said of Towns. “I played with him once in high school so I knew what we had. He’s consistent. He’s always looking to score, be aggressive, and find the open man. He’s a great big man to have.”

The Toronto native went on to represent his country in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship—securing the bronze medal and punching Canada’s ticket to the 2016 Summer Olympics—but then tragedy struck.

Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the summer of 2015. Originally given a promising prognosis, Saunders took a surprising turn for the worst that saw him pass away prior to the start of the NBA season.

The loss of Saunders was a heavy blow to the T-Wolves franchise and its young star, Wiggins.

“I came in last year and I was very to myself on the court,” Wiggins told SLAM. “I was struggling early on.”

“I didn’t know where to score on the court and he helped me out,” Wiggins said of Saunders. “He put me in positions to be successful. The Rookie of the Year that I got last year was because he helped me. He took the time to teach me what the game of basketball is really all about.”

What the game of basketball is about is winning. In the NBA you don’t win with a roster full of young players. Flip Saunders set the table for the T-Wolves to develop and become competitive for years to come. He surrounded their young players with veterans with big-game experience and a couple of Championship rings under their belts. Kevin Garnett, Tayshaun Prince and Andre Miller are the perfect trio of veterans to tutor a young Towns and Wiggins.

“They’re players, but they’re also coaches on the floor, too,” Wiggins explained. “They teach us a lot, whether it’s offensively, defensively, or how our mindset should be. Every situation you could think of that has to do with basketball, they teach us.”

The tutelage is paying off for Wiggins who ranks 18th in the NBA in scoring with 20.4 ppg. He’s also sixth best in the league at getting to the free-throw line. Wiggins’ scoring output is on par with his Western Conference counterparts CJ McCollum, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard. Wiggins just may be headed to the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, taking place in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.

Working against Wiggins is his teams win-to-loss ratio. The Timberwolves are 11 games under .500 with as a 12-23 record. Despite their underwhelming record the T-Wolves are only 4 games out of the 8th playoff spot in the West.

Individual accolades don’t mean as much to Wiggins as does winning. His goal is to finish strong and lead his team some place they haven’t been in 12 years—the Playoffs—that’s what Flip would want.

“Right now I’m just trying to win as many games as I can with the team. As the season goes on I’ll have more to think about with my individual goals. We’re just together, playing basketball together, and we know what Flip would want.”

“I think that’s the main goal for this year—to make the Playoffs.”

The post Keep Growing appeared first on SLAM.

“James was never like, the handsome guy. He was always like the Black Swan of the bunch. Definitely not the best-dressed,” Valencia says. “All the kids used to make fun of him. He wasn’t fat, but he was a bit on the chubby side. Not athletic at all. But everyone knew him. He wasn’t the most popular, but everyone knew who he was.”

“Sometimes his braids would be half-done, and the other half not, with the ’fro. We were in L.A., so that’s how it was,” remembers Lorenzo “Zo” McCloud, another childhood friend. Zo, a year younger than the other two, eventually followed Harden and Valencia to a small local travel team, the L.A. City Wildcats, and then to Artesia High School. Bonded by the game of basketball, the three became inseparable. They’d spend the night at each other’s houses and talk about making it to the NBA. They shared long car rides listening to Jadakiss. James’ mother, Monja Willis, would cook for them after school, or Zo’s mom would buy them McDonald’s between practices.

“Everywhere we’d go,” Harden says, “we’d just want to hoop.”

In junior high, Harden camped out in the corner and shot three-pointers, almost exclusively. But to the surprise of his boys, he made Artesia’s varsity team as a 6-foot, 150-pound freshman. “Me and a couple other guys were the nice-looking kids. We’d play games with a headband on—we were the flashier players,” says Valencia, who eventually joined his best friend on varsity as a junior. “But James had a more poised game. He never got sped up, he always stayed at his pace.”

Harden seasoned his game on the summer circuit. After showing up at ABCD Camp before his junior year in 2005 a fish out of water, uncomfortable at first with the me-first style of play that often clogs things up at such HS All-Star summer camps, he got acclimated and he got busy. “The year he came back from ABCD Camp, he came back a whole ’nother player in the summer,” says McCloud. “He came back like a whole ’nother dude. That’s when I noticed like, Damn, he’s on another level.”

His averages hovering around 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, Harden led Artesia to back-to-back California state titles in his junior and senior years. In between, he earned a rep on the summer circuit. An ABCD All-Star, Harden also piloted his Pump-N-Run Elite AAU team to the 2006 Las Vegas adidas Super 64 championship, leveling competition like Michael Beasley’s DC Assault and Kevin Love’s Southern California All-Stars along the way.

A two-year stop at Arizona State, a trip to the Finals with OKC and one blockbuster trade later, Harden is the leading man on a team that finished second in the vaunted Western Conference last season. His beard has its own Twitter account. And he can scream “Swag!” at 3 a.m. out the passenger side of an SUV with tinted windows in Hollywood because fuck it, life is good.

About an hour before a mostly meaningless mid-October home pre-season game against the Pelicans, some 30 rabid Rockets fans have assembled near where the home team’s locker room lets out to the court, hoping to get some attention from their favorite superstar. When he appears, Harden signs autographs for as many of them as he can reach. One kid wearing his No. 13 jersey even takes a shoe off his foot and hangs it over the railing—without hesitation, Harden scribbles his insignia and tosses it back.

When Harden’s fans are satisfied, he begins his pre-game shooting routine. Right away, he seems a little upset. Upset, as in, he’s shooting about 75 percent instead of 100. Even so, it’s a dazzling display—a kind of “Around the World” utopia. He floats from one side of the court to the other, stopping to hoist five or six shots from each of a half-dozen spots. When he gets to the left side of the floor, Harden breaks the monotony with some creativity, planting off his right foot, jumping back, dropping the ball between his legs and flicking a floater up from the baseline off one foot. Swish. His incredibly acute dexterity even when it looks so damn awkward conjures thoughts of Dirk Nowitzki. But the way he rocks the ball back and forth, toying with defenders, it almost makes you want to utter Rafer Alston’s name, too. All that, plus he’s left-handed with prototypical shooting guard size (6-5, 220) and he’s averaged 10 free throws (aka 10 free points) per game over the last three seasons, too.

On this night, about a week before the real games begin, Harden coasts to 20 points against NOLA, watching much of the fourth quarter of Houston’s blowout win from the bench. During one timeout, he tosses t-shirts into the crowd. Later, he jumps out of his seat to break out his signature cooking dance after Jason Terry drains a three.

The next day, Harden is on the set of an adidas TV commercial shoot at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center at nearby University of St. Thomas, a Catholic school in the NAIA. The tiny campus is sleepy, save for the flurry of commotion in the gym, where bits of Drake and Future’s “Jumpman” boom out loudly each time a production assistant hurls open the metal doors. Harden didn’t make today’s playlist, but he may as well have. He mentions the #WATTBA collaborators along with Meek Mill, J. Cole and Nipsey Hussle as the most-played music in his iTunes.

As more than a dozen extras bomb threes and crack jokes during a break from filming, Harden walks from the basketball court through a narrow hallway at the south end of the gym and into a racquetball court that’s being used as a makeshift green room. Valencia gives a nod from his seat in a barber’s chair, where he’s getting a quick shape-up. Troy Payne, another longtime friend, leans against the wall next to Rob Pelinka, Harden’s agent (who also reps Kobe Bryant, among others). Aside from a small woven basket with a few snacks, two folding chairs and a clothes rack draped in more adidas gear, it’s empty. So when Harden speaks, his voice echoes through the room. He’s wearing an all-white pair of adidas Crazylight Boost 2015s, white compression tights down to his calves and a white and silver hoodie with t-shirt length cutoff sleeves. He slides his chair back a few feet, sits down and leans forward. He’s shuffling three different iPhones in his hands. If he’s overly fidgety, there’s good reason. Harden is eager, in his own words, to “get that bad taste out of my mouth from last year.”

“I feel like this year we can really win a Championship, and I’m not just talkin’,” he says of this year’s Rockets squad. “Last year, we had some really good pieces, we had a couple injuries that slowed us down. But we basically brought the same team back and added Ty Lawson, who’s another playmaker, which we struggled with in the postseason. That right there gives us more versatility, gives us better opportunities, better efficiency on offense, which is gonna help our defense out. We’ve got more depth off the bench. So we’re fully loaded. We just gotta stay healthy—that’s the main key.”

Multiple times per game during Houston home games, Dwight Howard’s voice bellows throughout the arena in a team video on the Jumbotron: “I don’t think we all came together just to make the Western Conference finals.” At every turn, it’s clear that Harden and the Rockets aren’t satisfied with the way last season ended—with their superstar guard dribbling the ball off his foot and out of bounds in a fatal Game 5 loss of the Western finals against the Warriors. After carrying the Howard-less Rockets deeper than anyone expected them to go, Harden had a total of 12 turnovers that night, and Houston was eliminated.

Looking back, Harden shrugs it off. “It’s over. We lost in the Finals and I didn’t dwell on that,” Harden says, referencing his 2012 Finals appearance with the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Then the next year I’m here in Houston. So I can’t worry about that. I had to worry about my new role and things that I had to. The summer right after you lose, it hurts. But then it’s time for you to get better and get ready for next year.

“A lot of people didn’t think we’d make it to the Western Conference finals, right? We’re not worried about what other people say or where we’re projected,” Harden continues, as he kicks off his shoes and begins unfurling his socks. “We’re not worried about that. That’s just people talking on what they think that’s gonna happen. But for us, we’re worried how can we get better and reach our potential.”

Last season, Harden posted 27.4 points, 7 assists and 5.7 rebounds a night, and he managed to maintain his efficiency despite being one of the highest usage players in the League. In 2014-15, he was the only player in the NBA to post an offensive rating over 115 and use at least 30 percent of his team’s possessions. In the last decade, LeBron and KD are the only other players to have accomplished that feat. And through the first two weeks of the 2015-16 season, Harden was already averaging career-highs in points (29.7), rebounds (5.9) and unsurprisingly, minutes (39.4, tops in the entire League). He hung 43 and 46 on the Kings and Clippers in back-to-back Rockets wins in November. Of course, for a team that won 56 games last year, no one’s getting excited until June. All offseason long, Harden asked for one thing from his teammates.

“Toughness,” says Lawson, the speedy PG whom Houston brought in to help Harden see more time off the ball in 2015-16. “We don’t want to get punked. On the offensive end or the defensive end. Just on the basketball court, period. You’ve got to be tough when you’re playing this game, when you’re down in the Finals or the Playoffs. You’ve got to be mentally tough to get through it, that’s what he’s tried to instill in everybody.”

It’s not difficult to trace the genesis of Harden’s mental toughness. When you grow up in Compton, CA, there’s only one place to really earn your stripes on the basketball court—the famed Drew League. Founded in 1973, the South Central L.A. league is the West Coast’s answer to Rucker Park (though at present, it almost inarguably has surpassed the Harlem park in cache). The first time Harden played there, he was, in Drew League terms, just a kid. To veterans of L.A.’s best summer league, he was nothing more than an anonymous high schooler.

“I was impressed with him, but to be honest with you, I wasn’t like, Wow, this is a can’t-miss guy!” says Dino Smiley, Director and Commissioner of the Drew League for 30 years. “I’ve seen them all come through the L.A. area, from Baron Davis to Paul Pierce. He didn’t have that ‘it’ factor then.”

Even after he starred at ASU and went No. 3 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft to Oklahoma City, Harden was afforded no special treatment at the Drew. That all changed during the 2011 lockout, when the NBA’s absence led to legendary exhibition showdowns across the country. The best was a surprise matchup between Harden and Bryant, the player he idolized growing up, at a packed-out Colonel Leon H. Washington Park. The crowd was so out of control, police helicopters began to hover above the gym. Here was Kobe in his prime, in East L.A., looking for a game. Harden stepped up and gave him 47 (or 44, depending on who you ask). Kobe went for 45 and the game-winner, but suddenly Harden had solidified his star status. A few months later, the lockout settled, he helped OKC beat the Lakers in a second-round Playoff series en route to the NBA Finals.

“I honestly feel that the Drew League has played a part of his style of play,” says Smiley. “Because the Drew League is a very physical league. It’s not dirty, but it’s just—you have to earn it. When guys step on the floor, they’re not in awe of James, or anything. They wanna go at him. And I think he takes that same attitude on the floor. His eyes didn’t get big when he first ran into LeBron and all these guys. He just wanted to go at them.”

More than anywhere else, basketball-wise, Harden is at home in the Drew League. There are no analytics, no trolls complaining about his penchant for drawing fouls. It’s put up or shut up. Get buckets or get booed. Just the way he likes it.

“That’s how I grew up. We’re basically in the hood. You have to prove yourself then,” says Harden, who won his first Drew League title this summer, outdueling Klay Thompson’s team in the first round of the playoffs, then leading LAUNFD past Nick Young and DeMar DeRozan in the finals on a game-winning three as Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce and Iggy Azalea sat courtside. “I’m not worried about having to prove myself because that’s how I grew up. For me, it’s just going out there and doing what I do. That’s how I was raised. That’s one of the reasons I still play in the Drew League, even though it’s my seventh year in the NBA. Because I will never forget where I came from and how I was raised to play the game. I always had to fight for what I got, I’ve always had to go get what I wanted. That’s gonna stay with me ’til I’m done with the game.

“It’s like the same mentality we have, though,” says McCloud. “When we didn’t have nothing to now. I think that’s why he’s still prospering. He didn’t change. He don’t change. His mentality is a hard worker, and it’s still there. Nothing’s changed with that.”

Beyond the fact that Harden is a cold killer between the lines, he’s also became a part of the League’s culture itself. It was Harden who convinced KD to play at the Drew in 2013. And these days, of the Drew League’s NBA regulars, Harden is by far the most celebrated. Smiley says even as a pro, before 2011 he would get recognized by the local cats, but generally James could “walk in the door by himself.”

That summer, Harden was still able to hit up his normal neighborhood spots, like Roscoe’s, and not get mobbed. This summer? It was bedlam every time he was in the zip code. “It was like a show in Vegas, man,” he says.

Harden has taken to his new stratosphere of celebrity with zest in spite of the burden it brings with it. “At first, he didn’t have paparazzi, it was just people coming up for pictures and things, but now he’s got paparazzi,” says Valencia with a laugh. “You know you made it, you doing something big, if the paparazzi is following you.”

When Harden travels internationally, hundreds of fans wait at his arrival gate. While on vacation in Australia this summer, one dude wound up stalking him for an entire afternoon, tailing Harden in a taxi everywhere he went. Then again, as Zo points out, “You can’t hide the beard.”

Perhaps the only thing harder to hide than Harden’s facial hair is his confidence. Does he think he should have won MVP last year over Stephen Curry? Yes. Does he think he’s the best player in the NBA? Yes. He’s repeated these things over and over. Like Kanye, or Donald Trump—whose private plane Harden once insisted on taking a selfie in front of for motivation—Harden refuses to bite his tongue, even if he knows the media is fishing for juicy headlines.

“It’s always been who I am. I’m not shy at all. Speaking my mind, being who I am, wearing what I want to wear, just being very confident in myself,” Harden maintains. “If you’re not confident in yourself, you’re not going to get anywhere in life.”

—

Abe Schwadron is the Managing Editor at numberFire and a former Senior Editor at SLAM.

Follow him on Twitter @abe_squad.

The post James Harden: Catch the Wave appeared first on SLAM.

“Media day is always crazy, but I’ve never experienced it as the reigning champs,” Stephen Curry says with a laugh. “As I sit on the phone right now there are 10 cameras pointed at me off the corners of the court.”

That’s what happens when you win regular-season MVP and the NBA title in the same season. You get 10 cameras in your face at all times, plus an international tour with the trophy, appearances on every late night talk show, sneaker releases, video game parties, award shows and hundreds of media requests every day. Oh, and his second daughter, Ryan, was born over the summer, too.

“From the time last August when we won the World Championship for Team USA ’til June 16 celebrating the Finals, a lot has happened,” Curry says. It’s quite the understatement. “On and off the court, expanding my family too this summer with a new daughter, so, like, all this stuff is happening at once. I just try to stay appreciative and thankful for all the good stuff that’s going on. Obviously there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it, but it’s been a special year. I’ll remember it for a long time.”

His list of life achievements both personally and professionally over the last year alone probably deserves its own book. He was the overall leading vote-getter for the 2015 All-Star Game. His jersey overtook LeBron James’ as the top seller in the NBA. High school kids worship him. Old heads respect him. An Uber driver in Baltimore told us he owns six different pairs of Curry’s Under Armour sneakers. Curry is adjusting to a new class of superstardom. The kind where NBA players call you their favorite NBA player.

A couple days before the Lakers made Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, he stopped by to chat with us. We asked him to name his favorite player.

“Steph Curry.”

OK, which current NBA player do you liken your game to?

“Steph Curry,” Russell repeated. “I don’t want people to take it the wrong way when I say Steph,” he adds quickly, in case anyone thought he was promising to win an MVP any time soon, “but when he first came into the League, he wasn’t the player he is now, and I see similar characteristics on the floor.”

OKC Thunder rook Cameron Payne called Curry his favorite, too. In fact, only LeBron, KD and Kobe got more votes for favorite player than Curry on NBA.com’s annual Rookie Survey. And it’s not just rookies, either. In September, a fan tweeted Curry’s former Warriors teammate Jordan Crawford, asking him to name his favorite player in the L. “Right now gotta be Mr. Curry,” Crawford replied, before adding with the help of a few emojis, “Steph Curry is the only player around my age when I see play he makes me want to get in the gym immediately.”

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Greivis Vasquez, who worked out with Curry a few times before the Warriors made him the No. 7 pick in the 2009 Draft, echoes Sizzle’s sentiment. “Steph has become an idol for a lot of young kids, but also for a lot of guys in the League, too. I look up to Steph,” says Vasquez, who is a year older than Curry, “because at first, people were doubting him—‘Oh, he’s got an ankle problem,’ or about what he signed for. And then all of a sudden, he made himself into the player that he is right now.”

Seriously, it seems like everyone has a Steph Curry story. Raptors first-round pick Delon Wright met Curry when his brother Dorell was playing for the Warriors. He gushes remembering when Stephen would take time to chat with him during warmups back then, and now he admits “I’ve watched so much film on this guy.” Before doing battle as Western Conference foes, fellow UA endorsee and Spurs PG Patty Mills faced off against him in what would be the final game of Curry’s illustrious collegiate career.

Fifty years from now, when your kids’ kids read about Curry’s ascension to MVP and champion, it might make sense on paper: Former NBA player’s eldest son is better than he ever was. But when you look at Stephen Curry, at 6-3 and not even 190 pounds, dominating the 21st Century cyborgs that modern-day athletic training has produced, it’s astounding. So often our basketball heroes are just that: Superheroes. LeBron, KD, Anthony Davis. They’re athletic freaks of nature, born with one-in-a-million genes. You can’t dunk like LeBron, move like Durant does at 7-feet tall or stuff a puny drive like AD. Physically, Steph won’t ever either (“I don’t know,” he says, “maybe I’m finally hitting my growth spurt!”). But it doesn’t matter.

“The one word that comes up all the time is fearlessness,” says Mills. “The stature, and his size, he’s been told a lot of times that he can’t do it, but then he comes out and gets better. It’s like a beast has been awakened.”

Word up. Over 80 regular-season games in 2014-15, Curry averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and a career-high 2.0 steals per game, shooting 49 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three-point line and 91 percent from the free- throw line (best in the League). And the Warriors won 67 games, easily the NBA’s best record. In 21 more Playoff games en route to the title, he bumped his scoring to 28.3 ppg, while his other numbers hovered around the same. In the Finals, he guided the Dubs to a 4-2 series win over LeBron and the Cavs.

To get even nerdier, Curry finished last season with a usage rate over 25 percent, an assist rate over 35 percent and an offensive rating over 120, with a true shooting percentage over 60 percent. To put that in historical terms, the only other player to put together a season like that over the last 15 years is LeBron, who did so in 2012-13. Throw in Curry’s top-5 steals rate, and it’s one of the most well-rounded seasons ever, unique to him.

So with an MVP and a ring in the bag at 27, does he keep a running checklist of career accomplishments?

“Nah,” he says. “I don’t, really. I mean, it’s about winning. Like, whatever it takes to make that happen. For me, I don’t want to lose focus on what’s important. So yeah, winning MVP was amazing and something that I’ve worked really hard for. But that wasn’t the goal, to come into the season and say, I want to win MVP. You come into the season and say you want to be better than I was the year before, be smarter than I was the year before, more consistent than I was the year before. I think that’s the motivation I need to go out and play well every single night. I’m not really putting the pressure on myself to say, I need to go out and earn an MVP award. That’s where I lose focus, so that’s my approach. I think it helps me just stay in the moment.”

Every appropriate adjective in the English language—and probably others—has been used to described Curry’s game, in the pages of this magazine and others. They range from mesmerizing to unstoppable to revolutionary. Boil it down and it’s pretty basic: No player in the game today is more fun to watch flow. Look no further than the Dubs’ first pre-season game of their title defense, when against Toronto, Steph whipped the ball behind his back twice on a fast break, swung the ball, sprinted to the opposite corner, received a cross-court pass, launched a three and turned to dap up Andre Iguodala on the bench before the ball even went through the net. (Which it did, obviously.)

With his theatrics, Curry has become not only one of the three or four best players walking the planet, but a worldwide pop culture icon. Of all the opportunities that came his way post-Championship, Stephen points to his round of golf with President Barack Obama as the highlight. Nevermind that the rest of the foursome included his pops and Ray Allen.

(Recognize, dude played golf with Obama. Which means if you don’t like Stephen Curry, you’re not only a fun-hating loser with no appreciation for the aesthetic beauty of basketball, but you’re now officially an un-American fun-hating loser with no appreciation for the aesthetic beauty of basketball.)

Hitting the links with the POTUS was oddly appropriate, since Stephen and the Currys have quickly become the First Family of Basketball. There’s his father Dell, the OG who played for five NBA teams in the ’90s. There’s his younger brother Seth, who lit up Summer League and could finally break through with Sacramento this season. There’s his daughter Riley, who has almost as many fans as her dad, and who will probably run for President some day. His wife, mother and sister can’t be shown during a TV broadcast of one of Steph’s games without a flurry of Twitter screencaps accompanied by heart-eyes emojis. Everyone wants a piece of the Curry crew.

Like in September, when Curry—in the midst of a stretch that saw him travel from New York to Baltimore and back, then New York to North Carolina and back in a half week’s time—planned what he thought would be a low-key trip back to his alma mater, Davidson College, about 25 minutes outside Charlotte. The plan was to catch up with a few of his former coaches and teammates who still live or work in the area. But when word got around that he was scheduled to be in town, the school asked if Curry would mind doing a short Q+A with some students. Of course, Stephen obliged.

The event, scheduled for 11:30 on a Thursday, wasn’t announced until the night before, in hopes of keeping hordes of his fans around the state from descending on the typically quiet college campus. By 7 a.m. the next morning, there was already a line twisting out the door of the school’s Duke Family Performance Hall. And before he could even make his way from the parking lot across campus, Curry’s presence sent things into a frenzy. Flanked by security guards, including one assigned solely to protect the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and a shrieking herd of kids peppering him with pictures, it was like something out of a One Direction tour stop.

The fireside chat was hosted by Steve Rossiter, a teammate of Curry’s on the 2008 Davidson team that captured everyone’s imagination during March Madness by making the Elite Eight as a 10-seed. Curry reminisced about his early Davidson days (like his 13-turnover collegiate debut, a win) told stories from his celebratory summer and laughed as a group of girls in the front row playfully cheered his every response. Afterward, when Rossiter and the rest of Curry’s old bball buddies headed over to an on-campus cafeteria for lunch, he says so many people wanted face time, it took Steph 45 minutes just to take a bite of his food.

Global celebrity status notwithstanding, Rossiter insists that Curry is “the same exact person that he was when I first met him.” Steph’s just, you know, a little bit busier now.

“It’s like, is he gonna respond to my text or return Obama’s call?” says Rossiter, without even a faint hint of facetiousness, despite how ridiculous it may sound to say aloud about a kid whose oversized No. 30 Davidson jersey used to look so big on his tiny frame it almost resembled a cape. “It puts it in perspective when you’re around him again. He gets pulled in so many directions, and he has all these obligations now besides basketball, with sponsors and appearances. It amazes me every single time, just how much stuff he has on his plate, and how he handles himself.”

After the Finals, Curry called his trainer in Charlotte, Brandon Payne of Accelerate Basketball. Knowing the kind of summer he was about to endure, Curry told Payne he needed him to move out to the Bay for the offseason. So Payne packed up and headed west, tasked with keeping Steph’s basketball schedule on point throughout all the craziness that was to come.

“Sometimes I don’t even know how we fit them in. But we always find the time,” says Payne of the off-season workouts, which the pair have been doing together since linking up during the lockout in 2011. “Sometimes that’s at 6 o’clock in the morning, sometimes that’s at 10 o’clock at night. We find time to get on the court, to get in the weight room, no matter where we are.”

Payne even sent Curry detailed workouts to complete during his five-day UA promo trip in Asia. At times the workout plans are atypical, designed to include neuromuscular or cognitive benefits, because Payne says, Steph is too good at normal basketball drills.

“I have to come up with things to keep him engaged, because he masters things so quickly,” Payne admits. “It’s difficult to come up with enough things to keep him stimulated.

“With him, there really are no boundaries,” he adds, speaking in particular about his scoring ability. “He has such tremendous shooting mechanics and he has great balance, his hips are always in the right place. So for him it’s just really about trying to find that extra six inches to a foot to get an even cleaner look off, and doing it in different ways that defenders haven’t seen before.”

At one point during his visit to Davidson, he was asked about the single most creative play from his historic 2014-15 season, when he careened through traffic against the Clippers, dribbled backward, turned and fired what for any other player breathing would be as ill-advised a three-pointer as you can chuck up with plenty of time left on the shot clock. For Curry, it was pure cash. ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy called it “the greatest move I’ve ever seen.”

Curry re-traced his steps for the crowd but couldn’t explain the shot choice other than to say simply, “creativity got the best of me.”

It’s hard to contain the MVP’s creativity. That’s the terrifyingly fucked-up part for his opponents: Stephen Curry is going to get even better. Keep in mind, dude doesn’t even have a go-to move yet. But maybe he likes it better that way.

“I have some things that I do well, like a stepback and you know, pull-up threes and behind-the-backs, all that stuff, but I don’t really know if I have a signature move like, Alright give me the ball, I’m going to do this move. It’s all about just being creative,” says Steph. “You can always get creative, and I don’t know exactly what that will mean once I get out on the floor, what might come out.”

And like any supremely gifted artist at work, Curry is always drawing inspiration from others.

“I’m a fan of the game, so I watch everybody. I pulled a move from a high school kid that came to my camp this summer,” Curry says. “I’m always learning.”

That high school kid was Dennis Smith Jr, a five-star Class of 2016 NC State commit who attended Curry and Under Armour’s SC30 Select Camp. During 1-on-1 drills, Smith pulled a move combo that finished with a dunk so ferocious that Curry looked up from his phone, jumped off his perch on the baseline bleachers and demanded to see a replay from a nearby cameraman. A few weeks later, Steph busted out a series of mind-boggling new moves at Team USA Camp in Vegas—including a between-the-opponent’s legs dribble into a stepback jumper that he cannot be seriously thinking about busting out in an NBA game—and acknowledged they were inspired by Smith.

“It’s just little stuff like that,” Curry says. “Watching basketball, I can always pick up something, no matter who it is.”

This year, of course, all eyes will be on Curry and his Golden State teammates. Given the absurdity of his summer, Steph can’t wait. “I’m looking forward to the season to kind of slow down and be back in the grind of the day-to-day schedule of the League, practice and stuff like that,” he says. “I know there is going to be pressure. But my mentality doesn’t change, nor does my team’s mentality change. It’s not going to be easy, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot as the Champs. We’re sitting where everybody wants to be, so we have to keep that hunger and just take everything in stride this year. It’s not going to be a perfect journey, we know that.”

—

Abe Schwadron is the Managing Editor at numberFire and a former Senior Editor at SLAM.

Follow him on Twitter @abe_squad.

The post Stephen Curry: What A Time To Be Alive appeared first on SLAM.

The tenth annual LudaDay Weekend popped off this past Labor Day in Atlanta and lived up to its well-earned rep. The five-day event brought concerts, a block party, and countless promotional events, culminating with the LudaDay X Celebrity Basketball Game. In front of a sold-out crowd at Georgia State, the DJ kept the atmosphere live with hot tracks and once the game started, the amount of NBA talent on the court could vie for the ‘chip against just about anyone.

John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Victor Oladipo, Cameron Payne, Iman Shumpert, Terrence Jones, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nick Young, Kenneth Faried, Josh Powell, Jarrett Jack, Cameron Payne, Quinn Cook, Reggie Evans, and KJ McDaniels were amongst the NBA ballers in the game. Chris Brown, Trinidad James, Dej Loaf, and Omarion were a few of the musical artists who laced ’em up. Ultimately, it was Team Luda that walked away with a 121-117 win over Team Breezy in a dope event that benefited The Ludacris Foundation.

Here are a few of the names who stood out in the relaxed LudaDay X Celebrity Basketball Game:

John Wall, 6-4, PG, Washington Wizards

After what was a breakout season, John Wall appears to be in great shape and while he wasn’t going full go, he still showed his ridiculous burners a time or two throughout the game. A regular at the LudaDay festivities throughout the past few years, the Wizards star was the biggest name amongst the NBA players and ended his birthday evening with a party at ATL’s Gold Room, where he was given a $20,000 painting of himself.

Lou Williams, 6-1, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

The League’s reigning sixth man of the year has been a permanent bucket-getter over the years at the LudaDay games. Able to bomb from 30 feet and finish above the rim, Lou is the type of guy who can easily drop 50 in these types of games. While he’s used to coming in and being an electric scorer with the ultimate green light, one has to wonder if he’s going to be given that same freedom playing with Kobe in LA.

Chris Brown, 6-1

Playing in the Drew League over the years, it was always known that Breezy could go a little bit on the hardwood. Running the point with the Oreo IVs on, he showed off a slick crossover and hit 6 three-pointers in his squad’s narrow defeat. While putting out hit records is what has made him a multi-millionaire, he certainly showed that he is likely one of the better-hooping R&B singers out there against a myriad of NBA players.

Victor Oladipo, 6-5, SG, Orlando Magic

While most players went through the game at less than half-speed, that was not possible for Victor Oladipo. A guy known for his insane work ethic, he looked to rip the rim off virtually every time he got the rock in transition. Oladipo nearly sent Georgia State into a frenzy when he back-rimmed an eastbay during the game, showing off the explosive athleticism that has made him one of the league’s emerging young guards.

Nick Young, 6-7, SG, LA Lakers

Fresh off of battling James Harden at the Drew League, Swaggy P made it to ATL to run with some of the League’s best. He was Iggy-less, but still showed off his handle and bombed a flurry of deep threes. With Kobe pack and the Lakers offseason acquisition of Lou Williams, it’s going to be interesting to see what type of role the ’15-16 season will bring.

Josh Powell, 6-10, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

Making one of the more interesting career transitions, Powell went from the hardwood in 13-14 to an assistant coach with the Rockets for the 14-15 campaign. Fast-forward a year and the 6-10 big man still has that itch to hoop, signing last week with the Milwaukee Bucks. A seasoned vet, Powell looked to be in great shape and should provide the same interior toughness to an emerging Milwaukee squad that he used to help the Lakers win two rings.

Big thanks to David Walker for all photos

The post LudaDay X Celebrity Basketball Game Recap appeared first on SLAM.

It’s official: the Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The Kentucky big man is off the board.

Every pick of the first round is below. Thoughts???

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

2. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

3. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

4. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

5. Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic

6. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

7. Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets

8. Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

9. Frank Kaminsky, Charlotte Hornets

10. Justise Winslow, Miami Heat

11. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

12. Trey Lyles, Utah Jazz

13. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

14. Cameron Payne, Oklahoma City Thunder

15. Kelly Oubre, Atlanta Hawks (traded to Washington Wizards)

16. Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics

17. Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee Bucks

18. Sam Dekker, Houston Rockets

19. Jerian Grant, Washington Wizards (traded to New York Knicks)

20. Delon Wright, Toronto Raptors

21. Justin Anderson, Dallas Mavericks

22. Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls

23. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Portland Trail Blazers

24. Tyus Jones, Cleveland Cavaliers (traded to Minnesota Timberwolves)

25. Jarell Martin, Memphis Grizzlies

26. Nikola Milutinov, San Antonio Spurs

27. Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers

28. RJ Hunter, Boston Celtics

29. Chris McCullough, Brooklyn Nets

30. Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors

The post Timberwolves Select Towns With No. 1 Pick appeared first on SLAM.

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
D’Angelo Russell
Sam Dekker
Justise Winslow
Myles Turner
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Cameron Payne Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
D’Angelo Russell
Sam Dekker
Justise Winslow
Myles Turner
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Karl-Anthony Towns Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
D’Angelo Russell
Sam Dekker
Justise Winslow
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Myles Turner Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
D’Angelo Russell
Sam Dekker
Myles Turner
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Justise Winslow Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

https://youtu.be/AU8D42jh_OQ

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
D’Angelo Russell
Justise Winslow
Myles Turner
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Sam Dekker Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-TYodrciy0

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

Emmanuel Mudiay
Sam Dekker
Justise Winslow
Myles Turner
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post D’Angelo Russell Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky

I’m taking Towns first, and I’m not thinking twice about it. He’s got great size, elite athleticism and a phenomenal shooting touch (peep the the free-throw percentages!!). He’s also got a self-confidence that will work well as a pro. Pair Karl up with my man Andrew Wiggins and just hope Flip doesn’t mess things up.—Ben Osborne

https://youtu.be/n4WxG1gIFI4

2. L.A. Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, Duke

Control the boards, control the game. The forceful front-court combo of Okafor and a healthy Julius Randle creates a big core L.A. can build a future around and begin restoring Purple & Gold dominance.—Terrence Watson

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State

Russell’s three-point shooting and playmaking ability make him an easy choice for the Sixers. He gives the worst offensive team in the League an ideal floor spacer and distributor for its big man duo of Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.—Brett Weisband

https://youtu.be/m-TYodrciy0

4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)

If the Knicks are serious about winning now, their best option is to trade the pick for a veteran big man. But for mock draft’s sake, New York takes the Draft’s most interesting man at No. 4. It’s a point guard’s league and after losing out on the No.1 pick at the lottery to top off a year’s worth of bad luck, the Knicks finally get the pendulum swinging in their favor with a big, strong PG who will get minutes right away. Questions will arise as to whether Mudiay is a fit for the Triangle, but with a roster in desperate need of good players the front office has to worry about talent over fit with this pick. This is the franchise’s most important night in nearly two decades and Mudiay will either be the KONY or set the organization back another few years. No pressure, kid.—Peter Walsh

https://youtu.be/TGinR7SIk4M

5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis, Baloncesto Sevilla (ACB)

Orlando has focused so much on defense over the last few years that it desperately needs someone who can be a game-changer on offense. Porzingis is an insanely skilled big man who can step in immediately and provide a huge offensive spark with his dynamic inside-out game.—Bill DiFilippo

6. Sacramento Kings: Justise Winslow, Duke

Not exactly positive if Justise is the best fit for the Kings considering they’ve already got a few guards they’re hoping to develop—Stauskus, McLemore—but this looks like unquestionably the best talent remaining on the board, so it seems wise to snatch the Duke product here and hope he meshes well with Sacramento’s (actually kind of promising?) clusterfuck of up-and-comers.—Adam Figman

https://youtu.be/3pnyJ7NLNMU

7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, Barcelona (ACB)

Given who’s left on the board, this pick, it would seem, would come down to Hezona and Willie Cauley-Stein. Hezonja, a 6-8 Croatian wing, is the better fit for the Nuggets, who already have the gigantic Jusuf Nurkic manning the middle. Hezonja can shoot and put the ball on the floor, and he’s also athletic. He could be the player the Nuggets thought they were getting when they traded for Danilo Gallinari.—Yaron Weitzman

8. Detroit Pistons: Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky

The Pistons acquired Ersan Ilyasova from the Milwaukee Bucks, signaling that Greg Monroe’s days in Motown are done. This move gives the Pistons a forward who can stretch the defense offensively. Detroit may entertain suitors for the pick with the thought that its two biggest needs coming into next season are small forward and an offensive minded guard off the bench. Sticking at the No. 8 spot, the logical selection is Cauley-Stein. His ability to protect the rim and flexibility to guard all five positions are proven NBA assets. He can also contribute on the glass. With Illyasova and WCS in fold, Detroit continues to mold into a Playoff contender.—Leigh Klein

9. Charlotte Hornets: Stanley Johnson, Arizona

On a roster stacked with power forwards but bereft of perimeter firepower, Johnson would be a good fit in Charlotte. Equipped with an NBA body (6-6, 225 pounds), high motor and explosive athleticism, Johnson can be Charlotte’s ace defender, finish above the rim in transition, and space the floor with an underrated shooting stroke (Johnson shot 44 percent on jumpers last season). Most importantly, the four-time state high school champion will engender a competitive culture that will help accelerate the growth of Charlotte’s young core.—Eldon Khorshidi

10. Miami Heat: Kelly Oubre, Kansas

Oubre is a great fit for the Heat on the wing with good size, length and athleticism. He slides in well next to Whiteside, Bosh and a declining Wade, and could turn into a lockdown defender while stretching defenses with the three as soon as this season.—Dan Hanna

11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

The Pacers roster has tons of holes that need to be filled, and Kaminsky is the most skilled and versatile big left on the board who can make the most immediate impact. Cameron Payne and Trey Lyles were also heavily considered, but Kaminsky’s inside-out ability can help boost the Pacers’ front-court depth and take a little pressure off Paul George when they share the court.—Danny Hazan

12. Utah Jazz: Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

The Jazz have nice young core in the frontcourt, but are still figuring out who will play alongside Gordon Heyward on the wing. Dekker has good size and can defend multiple positions. Sam may not be great at anything but is good at a lot of things. A jack of all trades is exactly what the Jazz needs next to Gordon.—Christian Mordi

https://youtu.be/AU8D42jh_OQ

13. Phoenix Suns: Cameron Payne, Murray State

The Suns have gone through a major overhaul with their guards over the last year. Now they have some stability with Eric Bledsoe and the best available player in the Draft, Payne.—Russell Simon

https://youtu.be/B4XbB_qvNB8

14. OKC Thunder: Bobby Portis, Arkansas

Last month at the Draft Combine in Chicago, Portis told reporters, “18, 19 years from now, when you look at this Draft, they’re going to say that Bobby Portis was the best player in this Draft.” Whether or not you agree, you’ve gotta love the confidence. Portis averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 boards and 1.4 blocks (he also shot 53.6 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from deep) during his sophomore season at Arkansas—and he could end up being the 6-11 glue guy OKC thought they found in Perry Jones three years ago.—Eli Schwadron

https://youtu.be/9eIEmJqyQyA

15. Atlanta Hawks: Myles Turner, Texas

Seeing as how it was Tristan Thompson, a long, rebound-hogging former Texas Longhorn, who exposed the Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt weaknesses in the East finals, it only makes sense that they would go after a long, rebound-hogging former Texas Longhorn for help in the paint.—DeMarco Williams

16. Boston Celtics: Kevon Looney, UCLA

The Celtics’ future at the power forward position remains uncertain with Brandon Bass a free agent and Jared Sullinger nearing the end of his rookie contract. Sully was also called out by GM Danny Ainge for being out of shape, so who knows if he’ll want to stay in green. Looney address the Celts’ PF needs while adding tremendous rebounding ability on both sides of the floor, which the undersized team desperately needs.—Michael Reiner

https://youtu.be/cwji24aGuG0

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Devin Booker, Kentucky

Touted by many as the best shooter in the class, analysts have already begun drawing up Klay Thompson comparisons. Having shot 41.1 percent from behind the arc last season for the Kentucky Wildcats in a platoon system that presumably made it tougher for bench players to get into a rhythm, Booker can provide the Bucks with much needed help at the 2-guard position.—Franklyn Calle

https://youtu.be/umg129WdoC8

18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, Duke

Final Four Most Outstanding Player. NCAA Champion. Stone-cold killer on the court. That’s Jones’ curriculum vitae in just one year at Duke, which is enough to warrant serious consideration for the No. 18 spot held by the Rockets, who basically had to turn to the “point guard by committee” strategy when Patrick Beverley went down.—Maurice Bobb

19. Washington Wizards: Trey Lyles, Kentucky

Ernie Grunfeld should sprint to the podium with this pick. Lyles is smooth and athletic despite a huge 6-10, 241-pound frame. His stats from one season at UK aren’t eye-popping, but that’s a product of playing with six other pros. Oh, and he’s 19 years old. John Wall: Meet your stretch-4 of the future.—Abe Schwadron

https://youtu.be/UkAy_dzJuI0

20. Toronto Raptors: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

Harrell’s motor is without question. He’s active, aggressive and athletic with a pride for defense and filling the lanes. He provides a lot of intangibles the Raptors lack.—Duane Watson

21. Dallas Mavericks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona

The Mavericks lacked defense in many areas last season, especially on the perimeter. With Cuban still in “win-now” mode during Dirk Nowitzki’s final years, Dallas drafting Hollis-Jefferson would give the team a player with an NBA-ready build and wingspan. He has the lateral quickness to guard multiple positions, and could add depth behind Chandler Parsons.—Jay Wallis

22. Chicago Bulls: Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Forget that the Grant lineage is part of the Bulls’ Championship history. Grant is an NBA-ready playmaker who ran the nation’s best offense last season. He’s a high-character guy who can play both guard positions.—Ryne Nelson

https://youtu.be/wsz04csIVhc

23. Portland Trail Blazers: RJ Hunter, Georgia State

Hunter is a knockdown shooter. He plays with aggression and could easily step in and bolster an already strong Portland bench with touch and playmaking ability.—Max Resetar

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Terry Rozier, Louisville

Rozier is a point guard who can create for himself and others. He would fill a need for the Cavaliers in the backcourt behind Kyrie Irving while also being able to play alongside a guard like Matthew Dellavedova in the second unit. The fact that he’s a hometown kid from Cleveland doesn’t hurt either.—Brendan Bowers

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Rashad Vaughn, UNLV

Vaughn declared for the Draft after just one underwhelming season that was cut short by a meniscus tear in February, but the UNLV product can shoot the lights out and looked spry in the Combine. He drained threes at a 38 percent clip last year, and the Grizzlies desperately need shooters. They land one of the Draft’s youngest prospects with a high ceiling and scorer’s instinct.—Steven Goldstein

26. San Antonio Spurs: Delon Wright, Utah

With Tony Parker on the decline, and Cory Joseph likely headed out in free agency, the Spurs may look to add a solid back-up guard who can contribute on both ends. Delon Wright has great size for a PG (6-5) and with an improved perimeter game, can definitely play alongside Parker or Patty Mills. And let’s face it, an unselfish, fantastic passer who dictates the pace and defends at a high level just sounds like a Spur.—Alex Squadron

27. L.A. Lakers: Chris McCullough, Syracuse

Drafting McCullough creates a young big-man rotation the Lakers can build around and makes Jordan Hill (and his contract) more expendable than Jason Statham. He brings a needed defensive presence (2.1 bpg at ‘Cuse) and won’t have to log major minutes right away behind Julius Randle, so no need to worry (too much) about him re-injuring his ACL.—TW

28. Boston Celtics: Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse

Christmas could be a steal at No. 28 for the Celtics. An established center who has banged with the best in the ACC, RC could definitely fill the Celtic’s void in the front court. Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller have the ability to run the floor reasonably well, but don’t provide much shot blocking and altering—specifically where Christmas could help the green.—MR

29. Brooklyn Nets: Jarell Martin, LSU

The Nets really need some young talent, and would do well to snag Martin here. He’d be a jolt of energy for an uninspiring bench or, perhaps, a ready-made replacement for free agent Thaddeus Young. Realistically, though, acquiring anybody under 36 would be a triumph for Brooklyn.—Leo Sepkowitz

30. Golden State Warriors: Justin Anderson, Virginia

There isn’t much the 2015 NBA Champion Warriors desperately need, but Anderson will touch-up the roster in those spots that could use a level up. As a 6-6 forward off-the-bench who can drain from long range and provide a defensive edge, the former UVA Cavalier will fit in quite nicely with Dub Nation’s squad.—Habeeba Husain

The post 2015 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Then check out our “Rapid Fire” round with Mudiay below, in which he reveals his favorite current NBA player, the first NBA jersey he ever owned, his favorite emoji and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGinR7SIk4M

Watch more Draft Suite interviews:

D’Angelo Russell
Sam Dekker
Justise Winslow
Myles Turner
Karl-Anthony Towns
Devin Booker
Cameron Payne
Trey Lyles
Kristaps Porzingis
Bobby Portis
Dakari Johnson
Rakeem Christmas

The post Emmanuel Mudiay Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite Interview (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Cameron Payne suffered a non-displaced fracture in the ring finger of his right (off) hand in a workout in Denver on Monday. After seeing a hand specialist in New York, it was determined that Payne suffered a clean fracture which will not require surgery, and will sit out the next three weeks as a precautionary measure. His hand is currently in a splint, not a cast.

 

Cam continued to work out even after suffering the injury in Denver, and he could probably play in a meaningful game tomorrow if he needed to,” his agent Travis King told us, adding that the precise timetable for his return will be set after an additional visit with a specialist next week.

Payne was seen wearing a soft cast on Wednesday during a meeting with Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge.

Danny Ainge met with prospect Cameron Payne on Wednesday. They talked basketball over food. (Pics via @OuttaBoston) pic.twitter.com/vNdRPExUw2

— CelticsBlog (@celticsblog) June 20, 2015

Payne is currently projected to go in the late Lottery of next week’s Draft, and the injury isn’t expected to significantly alter his draft stock.

The post Cameron Payne Fractures Finger in Pre-Draft Workout appeared first on SLAM.

The dream he’s living is perfect considering the advice the fast-rising point guard received when he declared for the Draft, following a stellar sophomore campaign.

Don’t wake up.

“I’m dreaming and I can’t wake up,” he says, laughing during a recent phone interview. “I’m just sleeping really good right now, everything has been a dream.”

After being overlooked as a legitimate hoop prospect since his early childhood days in Memphis, TN, you can excuse his prolonged slumber. You can also forgive him for obsessing over the latest mock drafts, and the various online media reports that have Payne’s stock skyrocketing into the lottery conversation leading up to this month’s Draft.

“You know why I look at all of the mock drafts? It’s because I wasn’t on any of them up until right now,” Payne says. “Now that I’m on them and my name is on them, I’m definitely going to follow them [laughs].”

The once non-existent chatter around Payne is now full-blown hoopla, as his current Draft trajectory is suddenly being compared to the sudden rise of other note-worthy mid-major point guards Damian Lillard and Elfrid Payton.

“The fact that people are talking about me so much right now must mean that I’m doing something right,” he says with a sudden excitement to his voice. “I definitely want people and the NBA teams to be comfortable with me. That’s very important. When people really get the opportunity to meet with me, and talk with me, a lot of good is going to come out of it.”

That much has been true, as Payne has already worked out for the Indiana Pacers—who hold the 11th overall pick. Payne also has upcoming workouts scheduled with the Los Angeles Lakers (2nd pick), the New York Knicks (4th) and the Sacramento Kings (6th). The gap seems to be closing fast between Payne and D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mundiay in the battle of this Draft’s best point guard.

There have been national media reports and several mock drafts suggesting that the Oklahoma City Thunder are eyeing Payne at No. 14, but with the way things are trending right now, Payne could be gone by the time Commissioner Adam Silver announces that the Thunder are on the clock.

So just how did things turn so drastically in such a short amount of time?

You can partly attribute that to the gaudy numbers Payne put up this season for the Racers: 20.2 ppg, 6.0 apg and a PER of 30—ranking him in the top 15 in the NCAA in all three categories. He helped lead his team through the Ohio Valley regular season undefeated, including a 25-game winning streak—the eighth-longest winning streak in college basketball since 2002, a trip to the NIT, and topped it off by being named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year.

You can fully attribute his growth and ascension as a big-time player to the enormous chip on his shoulder that he’s played with since he started getting serious about basketball. This comes from not being heavily recruited during his peak high school years or while at the AAU level. Payne also notes that there were some previous and lingering doubts about his still developing slight frame and the level of mid-major competition.

Those who watched him closely and carefully, though, saw a sweet-shooting, crafty, left-handed point guard from the Memphis suburb of Bartlett, who willed and worked his way into becoming a team leader who is on the verge of playing professionally.

“Obviously, he’s from my hometown of Memphis, so I’ve been closely watching him develop as a player since he was a kid,” says Payne’s agent, Travis King, of Relativity Sports.

King also helped prep Utah Jazz’s 2014 first-round pick, Rodney Hood, for the same pre-draft process.

“I really thought he had a good chance since about the 11th grade,” King says of Payne. “I didn’t know it would happen this fast for him, but he had a great season this year, and now he’s really working hard with his training and improving his game. I really believe that over time Cam will be the best pure PG in this Draft class, and that he can become a special player at the NBA level.”

Before coming to Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine in May, Payne added nine pounds of muscle to his body, as most draft analysts had questioned his strength and ability to get into the paint. At the Combine, Payne recalls how he was hanging out with all of the more heralded names, from the bigger programs who were seen frequently on national TV all season long. The players that didn’t elicit a “who? ” after their names were being mentioned like Payne before now.

“It was definitely a big difference,” Payne says of the Draft Combine. “I’ve played against some of them guys, but the players I had on my (AAU) team, they all went to those big Top-100 type camps. I didn’t go. Honestly, the Combine is something that you really have to go through yourself, because it’s a great atmosphere and it’s a one-time thing. So you know you just have to do the best you can. It was a great time.”

Since finishing his sophomore year and declaring for the Draft, Payne has been working out and training daily at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Other NBA Draft prospects like UNC’s JP Tokoto, IMG’s Satnam Singh and Florida’s Chris Walker have also been participating in the intense pre-Draft training and nutrition program.

Current NBA players such as Hood, Orlando Magic forward Moe Harkless and Dallas Mavs forward Dwight Powell also regularly workout at IMG during the offseason. Payne’s focus has mostly been on increasing his strength and conditioning and extending his three-point range to the NBA distance while fine-tuning other aspects of his game, like his ball handling and footwork. Payne also spends time studying current NBA players such as Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo.

“Honestly, everything has been moving pretty slow to me,” Payne said. “I’m so anxious for the Draft and to just get started. Everything isn’t moving as fast as I would want it to be, but everything has been great. I couldn’t be any happier.”

In between his team workouts and keeping up with the latest buzz surrounding the Draft, Payne has been content to just relax while spending some of his downtime playing the only video game that he plays, NBA 2K15.

“I’ve being a big fan of the game and franchise for so long,” he says. He can’t wait to play as himself once the 2K16 edition rolls around—of course with some modification for a player that’s been overlooked for so long.

“I’m going to make sure that I am starting in the game,” Payne laughs. “I’m going to give myself my real attributes, what I feel I should be and I’m going to start off my Franchise Mode with myself [laughs]. We’re going to get it rocking. I’m definitely going to put myself at an 83 or an 85, but I’m not going to overdo it and give myself a 99. I’m just going to have fun with it and give myself a good solid rating.”

Giving how fast everything is happening to a player that’s never been handed anything, Payne doesn’t ever hesitate to remind himself of the fire that has fueled him up until this point. It’s the same motivation that he says won’t be diminished with the riches of a new NBA contract and from playing at the highest level.

“The chip on my shoulder is going to stay there forever,” he says. “Me being overlooked, it helps me. When people have criticized me, it just makes me go harder. It’s just my knack for being so competitive, being a leader and not wanting to lose and to all the people that didn’t think I was very good. That chip is not going anywhere because when I make it to the NBA, I’m back at the bottom as a rookie, so I have to keep that chip on my shoulder. I’ll be the low guy on the totem pole again next year and I’ll have to work my way back up in the league. I haven’t done anything yet.”

Payne will travel to New York in a few weeks for Draft night and will be sitting in the same Green Room as the other big-name, highly recruited players that are now his peers.

He won’t be hard to notice.

Bright smile, clean new suit, his family nearby, and finally waking up to his dream come true.

The post Dream Come True appeared first on SLAM.

The launch event consisted of four games from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, MD. The DC market’s eight teams—each vying for a spot in the national championship in August—consist primarily of former college and overseas players.

The highlight of the day was Game 2 between the Drew All-Stars and Team Lincoln Park. Corey Allmond, who played his college ball at Sam Houston State before stints with Fort Wayne and Maine in the D-League, dropped 18 points for Drew in the first half thanks to a lethal jumper.

His hot shooting continued in the second half, keeping Drew neck-and-neck with Lincoln Park as time wound down in regulation. Lincoln Park fouled Allmond on a three-pointer with 8 seconds on the clock, and he hit two of three to put Drew up by a single bucket. Dele Ojo responded immediately by drawing a foul and sinking two free throws of his own to send the game to OT.

The additional five minutes played out similarly to the previous 40, with Drew and Lincoln Park trading baskets; the former failing to contain Ojo (25 points) and Deontay Twyman (26 points), the latter failing to contain Allmond (31 points). Finally, Lincoln Park broke the stalemate by splitting a pair of free throws with 9 ticks left.

Everyone in the building knew the rock was going to Allmond—the only question was whether he would put the exclamation point on an outstanding individual performance. Allmond used his quick first step to penetrate and float the ball over two defenders’ outstretched hands; however, it hit the back rim and fell out of the cup.

Lincoln Park won 80-79 in its first matchup of the summer. Aside from Allmond, Christian Jackson (15 points) and Jamarl Glen (14 points) were bright spots for Drew in the loss.

While Game 2 was the day’s most thrilling affair, all four games were close. In Game 1, the Wiz Kids overcame a halftime deficit to beat Team Madness, 83-80. Tre Kelley, former South Carolina Gamecock and current guard for Sigma Barcellona, drove relentlessly en route to a game-high 29 points for the Wiz. His free throws iced the game. Teammate Dennis Edwards chipped in with 17 points.

For the losing squad, Andrew Washington (better known as “Spongebob” on the DMV streetball courts) posted 23 points, while big man Augustus Gilchrist dropped 18 points and grabbed 7 boards.

In Game 3, Team Trouble took care of Team Baltimore, 78-73. Brian Chase led the way for Team Trouble with 19 points, and Koby Hicks, Jeff Allen and Derick Payne added 13 apiece. Velar Coleman (18 points) and Darnell Hopins (15 points) got theirs for Team Baltimore, but it wasn’t enough to garner win number one of the summer.

The first three games were fairly low-scoring, but the final game was a shoot-out. Jamahl Brown, Dwayne Jackson and Jimmy Kenkins combined for 87 points in a 108-102 Showstoppers’ win over Team PITS. Brown, a Clinton, MD, native and former West Virginia State guard, set the high mark for Saturday with 38 points.

Team PITS’ Rodney Clark (20 points), Wally Judge (20 points) and Armond Hill (14 points) kept pace for a while, but the Showstoppers’ three-headed monster would not be denied, as PITS fell to 0-1 to start the Summer Challenge.

Big shouts to the entire Ball Up team on a successful Summer Challenge launch. Largo HS was packed for the event—attendance reached 1,400 by the end of Game 4. A local barber gave out free ‘cuts next to the court throughout the day. DMV native and freshly crowned National Champion Quinn Cook made an appearance.

Related:
Ball Up Million Dollar Challenge: Los Angeles Week 1

Learn more about the Ball Up Million Dollar Summer Challenge here. The DC teams will return to Upper Marlboro on Sunday for their second week of games.

Photos courtesy of Ball Up

The post Ball Up Million Dollar Challenge: Washington, DC, Week 1 appeared first on SLAM.

A total of 91 players—48 players from colleges/post-graduate institutions and 43 international players—have filed as early entry candidates for the 2015 NBA Draft.

The full list of players is below:

Cliff Alexander Kansas
Justin Anderson Virginia
Brandon Ashley Arizona
Devin Booker Kentucky
Willie Cauley-Stein Kentucky
Sam Dekker Wisconsin
Michael Frazier II Florida
Olivier Hanlan Boston College
Montrezl Harrell Louisville
Aaron Harrison Kentucky
Andrew Harrison Kentucky
Tyler Harvey Eastern Washington
Jerome Hill Gardner-Webb
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Arizona
RJ Hunter Georgia State
Vince Hunter UTEP
Charles Jackson Tennessee Tech
Dakari Johnson Kentucky
Stanley Johnson Arizona
Tyus Jones Duke
Trevor Lacey North Carolina State
Kevon Looney UCLA
Trey Lyles Kentucky
Jarell Martin LSU
Chris McCullough Syracuse
Jordan Mickey LSU
Jahlil Okafor Duke
Ashton Pankey Manhattan
Cameron Payne Murray State
Terran Petteway Nebraska
Walter Pitchford Nebraska
Bobby Portis Arkansas
Michael Qualls Arkansas
Terry Rozier Louisville
D’Angelo Russell Ohio State
Satnam Singh IMG Academy
Jherrod Stiggers Houston
Deonta Stocks West Georgia
Aaron Thomas Florida State
JP Tokoto North Carolina
Karl-Anthony Towns Kentucky
Myles Turner Texas
Robert Upshaw Washington
Rashad Vaughn UNLV
Chris Walker Florida
Justise Winslow Duke
Christian Wood UNLV

The following is the list of international players who have applied for early entry into the 2015 NBA Draft:

Alberto Abalde Joventut (Spain)
Dimitrios Agravanis Olympiacos (Greece)
Wael Arakji Al Riyadi (Lebanon)
Eleftherios Bochoridis Panathinaikos (Greece)
Beka Burjanadze Coruna (Spain)
Nedim Buza Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)
Alexandre Chassang ASVEL (France)
George de Paula Pinheiros (Brazil)
Andrey Desyatnikov Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia)
Moussa Diagne Fuenlabrada (Spain)
Lucas Dias Silva Pinheiros (Brazil)
Ognjen Dobric FMP Beograd (Serbia)
Simone Fontecchio Granarolo (Italy)
Danilo Fuzaro Minas (Brazil)
Marc Garcia Manresa (Spain)
Humberto Gomes Pinheiros (Brazil)
Kevin Harley Poitiers (France)
Guillermo Hernangomez Sevilla (Spain)
Juan Alberto Hernangomez Estudiantes (Spain)
Mario Hezonja Barcelona (Spain)
Mouhammadou Jaiteh Nanterre (France)
Alpha Kaba Pau Orthez (France)
Vladislav Korenyuk Dnipro (Ukraine)
Dusan Kutlesic Metalac (Serbia)
Jonghyun Lee Korea University (Korea)
Timothe Luwawu Antibes (France)
Nikola Milutinov Partizan (Serbia)
Aleksej Nikolic Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)
Cedi Osman Anadolu Efes (Turkey)
Miroslav Pasajlic Uzice (Serbia)
Anzejs Pasecniks VEF Riga (Latvia)
Oriol Pauli Gran Canaria (Spain)
Kristaps Porzingis Sevilla (Spain)
Nikola Radicevic Sevilla (Spain)
Djoko Salic Spars Sarajevo (Bosnia)
Marko Tejic Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Juan Pablo Vaulet Bahia Basket (Argentina)
Aleksandar Vezenkov Aris (Greece)
Adin Vrabac Trier (Germany)
Rade Zagorac Mega Leks (Serbia)
Sergiy Zagreba Dnipro (Ukraine)
Alexandr Zhigulin Penas Huesca (Spain)
Paul Zipser Bayern Munich (Germany)

The post NBA Announces Early Entry Candidates For 2015 Draft appeared first on SLAM.

This was actually a two-point game entering the fourth before the Cavs caught fire and ran away with a road W.

LeBron put in his boring 28, 10, 6 and 5 steals, while JR Smith hit 8/11 shots for 23 points. Cleveland’s starting to make the regular season look pretty easy.

Milwaukee got 19 points from Michael Carter-Williams in the loss. One of the League’s nicest early-season stories, the Bucks have now dropped nine of eleven games.

Thunder (40-30) 93, Heat (32-37) 75

Nobody’s rooting for Serge Ibaka and/or Kevin Durant to miss the postseason… but I wouldn’t mind watching Russell Westbrook try to win a series in his current unstoppable state, flanked by the scorching hot Enes Kanter.

Last night, Westbrook triple-doubled again, handing out 17 assists to go with his 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kanter added 27 and 12 in the easy win.

Miami’s high-man was Hassan Whiteside with just 13. Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic combined for just 24 points on 25 shots.

Spurs (44-25) 114, Hawks (53-17) 95

The Spurs jumped out ahead early and cruised to a surprisingly smooth win in Atlanta last night.

Tiago Splitter blew up for 23 and 8, while Kawhi Leonard posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Tim Duncan added 12, 7, 7 and 4 rejections.

Paul Millsap showed up for Atlanta (22 and 7), but his buddies didn’t. Al Horford (8), Jeff Teague (8) and Kyle Korver (6) were uncharacteristically quiet. Dennis Schroder did put in 18 off the bench.

Clippers (46-25) 107, Pelicans (37-33) 100

Los Angeles managed to hold off the Pelicans last night to hang on for a tight win.

Chris Paul (11 assists, 2 turnovers) and Blake Griffin each dropped a team-high 23 for LA. JJ Redick added 20, and DeAndre Jordan double-doubled with 12 and 16 (2/7 from the line).

Anthony Davis was typically sharp for New Orleans, scoring 26 points (11/13) with 12 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of blocks. Eric Gordon came off the bench to knock down five threes and finish with 23.

Raptors (42-28) 106, Knicks (14-56) 89

While New York fans were busy scouting Jahlil Okafor, their Knicks got smoked once again.

DeMar DeRozan led Toronto in scoring with 23 last night, while Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Tyler Hansbrough (18) had nice games as well.

Meanwhile… New York’s starting five of Lance Thomas (24), Andrea Bargnani (16), Alexey Shved, Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson against undefeated Kentucky — who ya got?

Kings (24-45) 109, Wizards (40-30) 86

The Wizards just had nothing working last night. John Wall finished with 9 points and 4 turnovers in 33 minutes, his fellow starters struggled (save for Brad Beal) and the bench was of little help.

Meanwhile, Sacramento got 26 from Rudy Gay, 20 from DeMarcus Cousins and 17 from Ben McLemore as they rolled to a win.

Pistons (26-44) 105, Celtics (30-39) 97

The Pistons forced OT with a huge defensive stop last night before erupting in overtime. They managed 17 points in the extra five minutes.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went off for 27, while Andre Drummond posted 18 and 22. Reggie Jackson nearly triple-doubled with 17 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.

Evan Turner led the Celtics in scoring with 23, and Jae Crowder added 19 in the loss.

Hornets (30-38) 109, T-Wolves (15-54) 98

Minnesota was within four with three minutes remaining last night, but Al Jefferson and the Hornets managed to hold ’em off.

Jefferson posted 18 and 11 in the win, while Mo Williams made his much-anticipated return to Minnesota with 24 points off the bench. He’s been an incredible pickup for Charlotte.

Minnesota only had eight guys play, and each of them finished with between 9 and 16 points. Gorgui Dieng was the high-scorer and added 8 rebounds. Adreian Payne scored 13 with 9 rebounds.

Nuggets (27-44) 119, Magic (22-50) 100

Danilo Gallinari dropped forty on the Magic last night. He hit 12/21 shots from the floor and 10/11 from the line in the career night. He’s been playing real well since the All-Star break.

Victor Oladipo (21, 5 and 5) and Nikola Vucevic (20 and 8) had nice games for Orlando in the blowout loss. Elfrid Payton struggled from the floor (3/9), but managed 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.

Suns (38-33) 98, Mavericks (44-27) 92

Dallas erupted for 33 third-quarter points to erase a huge deficit before fizzling in the fourth last night.

Phoenix got nice contributions from a handful of guys — Markieff Morris (19 and 12), Marcus Morris (11, 11 and 7), Eric Bledsoe (18 and 9), PJ Tucker (15) and more.

Chandler Parsons led Dallas in scoring with 19. Dirk Nowitzki was held to 11, while Monta Ellis had one of his worst games of the season — 11 points on 4/22 shooting.

Lakers (18-50) 101, Sixers (17-53) 87

JaKarr Sampson, Jason Richardson, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Ish Smith, Nerlens Noel, Tarik Black, Wes Johnson, Jordan Hill, Jordan Clarkson and Wayne Ellington started this game on the floor.

Philly had four fourth-quarter points eight and a half minutes into the period.

Jeremy Lin dominated with 29 points on 10/16 shooting.

The post Post Up: Gallo Goes Off appeared first on SLAM.

The Charlotte Hornets were on the search for their sixth win in a row last night at home, as they prepped to host the Washington Wizards. In the first quarter though, John Wall and his Wiz ensured a home team win wasn’t about to come easily. Wall (15 points, 9 assists) and Marcin Gortat (20 points, 7 rebounds) combined for 21 points in the opening 12 minutes—the same amount of points the entire Hornets team put up.

The Wiz shot 51.8 percent on the night, while holding the Hornets to just 32.5 percent. They kept the Hornets limited to a mere 23 points in the entire second half, and beat them in rebounding (49-37), fast break points (20-0), and points in the paint (54-24).

Mo Williams led the Hornets with 19 points and 7 assists in the loss, and Cody Zeller was responsible for this mean block:

But in the end, the Hornets’ win streak couldn’t hold up against the Wiz.

Hawks 130 (50-13), Kings 105 (21-41)

With a season-high 130 points from the Atlanta Hawks last night, the top team in the East became the first to hit 50 wins. (Golden State also hit the 50-point mark last night, but they’re in the West, so). The Hawks also hit 20 shots from the arc (a franchise record) on 55.6 shooting from long range.

After a 33-point first quarter, and a 43-point second quarter, the Hawks led 76-54 heading into the locker room. The Kings simply couldn’t make up the deficit in the second half.

Seven Hawks finished in double-figures, including DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver with 20 points apiece and Jeff Teague with 18 points, 13 assists, 5 boards, and 2 steals.

Celtics 100 (26-36), Heat 90 (28-35)

Even with 34 from Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat lost the game at home last night to Isaiah Thomas (25 points) and his visiting Boston Celtics. The game stayed relatively close, with no lead exceeding 11 points. In the first quarter, Brandon Bass (14 points, 9 boards) played with one shoe on his foot and the other in his hand:

Later in the game, Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk were getting at it. Whiteside was hit with a Flagrant 2 and an ejection after this happened:

Grizzlies 101 (45-18), Bulls 91 (39-26)

In the Battle of the Bros last night in Chicago, little sib Marc Gasol came out the winner.

Marc finished with 23 points (15 in the third quarter) to lead his Grizz to the win. Pau Gasol put up some respectable numbers too—13 points and 11 rebounds—his 43rd double-double this season, a League-best. Mike Conley (9 points, 9 assists) and Tony Allen (11 points) connected for this pretty play down the stretch that put Memphis up 101-91, which was the final box score.

.@mconley11 w/the steal to @aa000G9 w/ the dunk! pic.twitter.com/AJ56iMt7Y2

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 10, 2015

Pelicans 114 (35-29), Bucks 103 (33-30)

Okay, Anthony Davis. Okay.

Anthony Davis’ dominance since his return: • 39 Pts, 13 Reb, 8 Blk • 29 Pts, 14 Reb, 3 Blk • 23 Pts, 10 Reb, 5 Blk • 43 Pts, 10 Reb, 2 Blk — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 10, 2015

That last bullet point is part of AD’s stat line from yesterday night’s game. He also had 6 assists and a steal. With those 43 points, Davis tied his career-high.

He scored those 43 points on 17-23 shooting, btdubs.

Anthony Davis was locked in! Ties his career-high with 43 points as he shoots 17-of-23 in the @PelicansNBA win v. MIL pic.twitter.com/SNptRkvcqN

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) March 10, 2015

Giannis Antetokounmpo set his career-high last night too, with 29 points at home in the loss.

Nuggets 106 (23-41), Knicks 78 (12-50)

Congratulations!! The New York Knicks became the first team to 50 losses last night! In their visit to Denver, the Knicks were simply blown out. After the all-even first quarter, the hometown Nuggets outscored the Knicks by 15 in the second quarter. They continued to pour on the points after halftime, with Kenneth Faried (19 points, 11 rebounds), Wilson Chandler (17 points, 6 rebounds), and Will Barton (17 points, 3 assists) leading the way. Also, this happened:

Warriors 98 (50-12), Suns (33-32)

Skip the first 25 seconds in the video below, and then enjoy the Stephen Curry show:

So that’s 36 points from Curry, including seven 3-pointers, after he’d gone 1-5 from the arc in the first half.

. @StephenCurry30 was 1-for-5 on 3s in the first half. He’s since gone 6-for-8 from distance. — Golden St. Warriors (@warriors) March 10, 2015

Fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson added in 25 as the Dubs rolled to their 50th win of the year. Eric Bledsoe led Phoenix with 19, and Brandon Knight added in 13…but Curry’s fire clearly outshined the Suns in Oakland.

Clippers 89 (41-23), Timberwolves 76 (14-48)

The Los Angeles Clippers avoided losing their third in a row as they played host to the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday. JJ Redick finished with a game-high 26 points, and DeAndre Jordan added 20 points and 17 boards. Oh, and DJ did this too off a lob from trusted PG Chris Paul (15 assists):

The Wolves struggled from the floor, shooting 37.3 percent. They were down by as many as 21 points. But rookie Adreian Payne collected a noteworthy double-double of 16 points and 15 boards.

The post Post Up: Stronger Than Yesterday appeared first on SLAM.

Head coach and acting GM Mike Budenholzer said Ferry’s comments were of the past. The second-year head coach was already looking ahead to training camp and building off of last season’s playoff appearance.

Currently, the Hawks have seven guards vying for a spot in the rotation. Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague will start at guard, but it’s a toss up who will be the first off the bench in the backcourt. Shelvin Mack will probably back up Teague, but if Dennis Schröder can break out at training camp, then the tables can turn. Coach Budenholzer spoke highly of Schröder during media day, saying, “Dennis had a good summer, he’s maturing every day and learning how to get his teammates involved more. We expect him to come in and compete this year.”

As for John Jenkins, who sat out last year season due to injury, he said he’s in the best shape of his career and ready to compete. New additions Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore are very versatile players in size and skillset.

Entering his eighth season as a Hawk, Al Horford has not be cleared to participate in training camp. While the franchise is hoping Horford will be ready by opening night, behind Horford lies Pero Antic and Elton Brand. Antic logged more minutes than planned last season, but has good basketball knowledge and fits well into the Hawks offense. Brand resigned with Atlanta on September 23 and is expected to play a minimal role for the Hawks.

For the power forwards, the attention is focused heavily on what first-round draft pick, Adreian Payne, will bring to Atlanta. Payne, a 6-10, 245-pounder, is probably one of the most physical guys on the team. He is able to shoot the ball, run the floor and compete on both ends. Payne fits perfectly into Budenholzer’s system of “pace and space.”

Paul Millsap, who is in his final year of his contract, said he’s completely focused on taking the Hawks back to the Playoffs. The emoji man himself, Mike Scott, enjoyed a breakout ’13-14 season. He plays with tremendous energy on defense and is an accurate three-point shooter.

The small forward position most likely belongs to DeMarre Carroll, who says, “I want to be the African-American Kyle Korver.” Carroll said he focused on his shot, running the pick-and-roll and improving defensively this summer. Though depth at the small forward position has also been a struggle, veteran Sefolosha certainly will help.

The Hawks are looking like a very talented group as they head to the University of Georgia for training camp on Tuesday. If they can put the turmoil of Danny Ferry’s comments to rest, they’re sure to succeed.

The post 2014 Atlanta Hawks Media Day (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Budenholzer was busted on a DUI last year at around the same time that Hawks ownership was dissolved and general management was sequestered. This only adds uncertainty to the return of Al Horford—who’s recovering from a season-ending pectoral injury and hasn’t yet been cleared for contact as training camp begins.

The Atlanta Hawks were three games above average when Horford went down last December, his second chest injury in three years, but the team finished below .500 without him and still made the Playoffs as a long-shot, nearly out-running the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

At the time of his injury, Horford was leading his team with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in the 29 games he played and his .588 true shooting percentage was a career high that provided glimpses of how the Dominican powerhouse fits into Budenholzer’s dynamic and highly nuanced offensive system. The second-year coach cut his teeth in San Antonio and his offense is geared toward creating space for the open scoring opportunities that come off pick and rolls and pops as well as in transition, where Horford’s agility gives him a decided advantage over many of his opponents.

Despite his injuries, Horford has worked hard at extending his shooting range and can now spot up on the elbow like Tim Duncan and hit open mid-range shots that would come off the hand-offs, pin-downs and side screens of Budenholzer’s schemes.

The extension of range gives Horford more leverage on isolations, but for him to be effective like Duncan in the new system he needs to develop his post game even more. He’s great at shaking his opponent with the pump fake, but when that doesn’t work he lacks the secondary counter moves of the Big Fundamental.

Horford’s good on pick and pops, but he could use some more work on his pick and roll. He has the pedigree of a champion—and as such, the will and determination of an elite competitor—so he’ll get better without a doubt because Budenholzer’s multifarious system works. It worked in the Playoffs against the Pacers and it ultimately won the chip against Miami, but it remains to be seen how effectively it works from within and changes the culture of an underachieving organization that’s rotted to the core.

The Hawks got lucky at the end of last season, but this season they’ll have no such luck even if Horford is back at a hundred now that Charlotte and Washington have emerged and Chicago and Cleveland are favorites. Budenholzer, who’s in the driver’s seat, said Horford’s made great strides in his recovery over the summer and is nearly back to full strength and will be ready to go opening night. He’ll be in training camp but not participating in full-on contact as a precaution, but he’ll be ready to go.

 
Rankings are based on expected contribution in ’14-15—to players’ team, the NBA and the game.

The post #SLAMTop50: Al Horford, no. 36 appeared first on SLAM.

“I just realized I had to wait my turn,” Millsap told me back in 2011… Wait, 2011?! Yep, even when he was a Utah Jazz forward playing second fiddle to Al Jefferson, Paul knew that more was in store for him. “This is about opportunity and being patient. I was patient for years, and when the opportunity came… Well, I’m happy now.”

Three years ago, during a so-so Jazz season where the San Antonio Spurs swept Utah in the first round, Millsap had the opportunity to open some eyes. Night after night, folks around the NBA began realizing the dude was more than a big, agile body. He was smart. He was versatile. He was decent from 15 feet out. Of course, he knew all of this. Salt Lake City was up on it, too. It’s just that the rest of the world had some catching up to do.

After a 2012-13 campaign that saw Millsap’s numbers take a slight dip (14.6/7 from 16.6/8.8 the year before) and his team not even qualify for the postseason, another opportunity came Paul’s way—free agency. Atlanta seemed like a good fit for a host of reasons: an up-and-coming roster, a solid PG in Jeff Teague and a frontcourt mate, Al Horford, with a similar skill set. Things were perfect—until Christmas. On December 26, Horford’s right pectoral muscle gave out, subsequently putting the weight of the team on Millsap’s shoulders. Funny how stuff works out like that.

Last season was the first professional one where Millsap had to be the guy. Yeah, he had been the centerpiece at Louisiana Tech in the mid 2000s—Paul is the only person to lead the NCAAs in rebounding for three consecutive seasons—but bangin’ with the Boise State Broncos is a lot different than the Boston Celtics. Think Millsap twitched in the national spotlight? Not hardly. Paul essentially had another coming-out party for everybody who didn’t get the original invite in 2011. He dropped nearly 18 points, pulled down 8.5 rebounds, made his first All-Star appearance and proved the cornerstone of an Atlanta Hawks team that should have beaten the Indiana Pacers in the Playoffs.

The 29-year-old Paul Millsap doesn’t operate off should-haves, though. And he’ll prove that with another stellar performance. For starters, he’s got Horford back in the mix. Though his center’s still not 100 percent yet, early indicators show that Al’s body will be ready by the regular season’s tip. Having Horford in the paint will only do wonders for Millsap. With another All-Star on the court, the attention to Paul can’t help but tone down a notch, giving him a chance to improve on career-low shooting (46 percent from the field in 2013-14) and get even more comfortable beyond the arc (he averaged at least one three-point attempt per game for the first time).

And second, look at the other forwards on the Hawks roster—DeMarre Carroll, Mike Scott, Adreian Payne and Thabo Sefolosha. None of these are household names, but ask around the League and teams will tell you that crew is pesky as hell. No matter who’s on the court, there will be no let up. Carroll and Sefolosha are headaches on D. Scott has a respectable offensive game that demands attention. And Payne is just an all-around athlete who won’t be denied. Should everyone play their parts and stay relatively healthy, all the bumps, bruises and brutal double-teams reserved for Millsap a year ago will be cut down tremendously.

“Anything can happen,” Millsap told me. “It’s a long season. If things are going good, you try to continue for them to go good.”

Remember, Paul Millsap said those words back in 2011. We’re almost certain he feels similarly about 2014’s prospects. If things are going well for the Hawks, they’ll shake off the franchise’s black-eye of an offseason and make a deep run in the Playoffs. But if you think Millsap will be edgy about squaring off with Chicago or Cleveland in the postseason, you probably need to start this story over from the top.

 
Rankings are based on expected contribution in ’14-15—to players’ team, the NBA and the game.

The post #SLAMTop50: Paul Millsap, no. 39 appeared first on SLAM.

Atlanta Hawks F Adreian Payne has officially signed an endorsement deal with German basketball brand K1X. Payne, the 15th pick in this year’s NBA Draft, will exclusively wear K1X footwear in all of his games for the Atlanta Hawks, starting with the current Anti-Gravity model. AP has already been spotted in a silver version of the K1X Anti-Gravity during the NBA’s rookie photo shoot in New York in August.

 

“We are extremely excited to be back in the NBA and announce our partnership with Adreian Payne,” says K1X CEO Chris Grosse. “AP is not only a great person but also an extremely hard worker with a relentless pursuit of his goal on and off the court. He is the perfect fit to represent our “Play hard – don’t embarrass our products” philosophy on the NBA hardwood and his dynamic style of play will be represented very nicely in our Anti-Gravity shoes.”

 

Payne has travelled to the K1X Headquarter in Munich, Germany last week to sign his official endorsement deal with the brand. The deal was put together by Conor Sammartin of Priority Sports & Entertainment. Returning from Europe in preparation for training camp with the Hawks, the 23-year-old forward is thrilled about the new opportunities that lie ahead: “The trip to Germany was great. I had the opportunity to meet the entire team and we took the first steps in what will be a very successful partnership. I am excited about playing in the Anti-Gravity shoe and am looking forward to the upcoming season with the Hawks and with K1X.”

The post Hawks Rookie Adreian Payne Signs Endorsement Deal With K1X appeared first on SLAM.

Wiggins played his one season of college basketball at Kansas, which wears Adidas jerseys.

 

In April, Adidas announced a deal with incoming rookie Dante Exum, the No. 5 pick in the draft by the Utah Jazz. Wiggins joins a list of Adidas basketball clients that includes former No. 1 picks Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and John Wall as well as stars Damian Lillard, Joakim Noah and WNBA MVP Candace Parker.

 

Sources with knowledge of the signing say the contract is a multiyear deal that comes with a guarantee of at least $2 million annually.

UPDATE: adidas Hoops confirmed the news via Twitter on Wednesday morning:

Welcome to the family, @22wiggins. #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/qcPD5ghogl

— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) July 9, 2014

And Wiggins posted this photo to Instagram with the caption “Been waiting for this day. Happy to be joining the @adidashoops fam! #teamadidas”

adidas also sent along this official press release, welcoming Wiggins to the adi team:

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 9, 2014) – adidas today announced an unprecedented partnership with Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 19-year-old, 6-foot-8-inch wing out of The University of Kansas is expected to make an immediate impact in the NBA with his superior athleticism, smooth transition game and strong ability to drive the lane.

 

“Joining the adidas family is a blessing and an honor and I am extremely excited for what lies ahead. Knowing that this elite brand is welcoming me into the family with such esteem gives me a great deal of pride. Our collaboration couldn’t be more organic both personally and professionally and I look forward to moving to the next level with the brand,” Wiggins said.

 

Wiggins, a Toronto, Canada native, racked up an impressive list of accolades during his freshman campaign at Kansas. The highly anticipated NBA prospect was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Conference and second-team All-American. During the 2013-14 season, Wiggins averaged 17.1 points per game, the highest scoring average ever for a Jayhawk freshman. Prior to his career at Kansas, Wiggins earned 2013 Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American honors. Elite athleticism runs in Wiggins’ family, his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, was a two-time silver medalist sprinter for Canada in 1984 and his father, Mitchell Wiggins, was a first-round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft.

 

“Partnering with an elite talent of Andrew’s caliber continues our momentum and investment to the future of adidas,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “With our recent partnership success with first-time NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard and John Wall, and cultural icons Kanye West and Pharrell Williams joining the brand, we’re excited to welcome Andrew to the adidas family and we look forward to him contributing to our brand’s success for years to come.”

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2014 NBA Draft: First Round Selections

Cavaliers, No. 1: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas

Bucks, No. 2: Jabari Parker, Duke

76ers, No. 3: Joel Embiid, Kansas

Magic, No. 4: Aaron Gordon, Arizona

Jazz, No. 5: Dante Exum, Australia

Celtics, No. 6: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma

Lakers, No. 7: Julius Randle, Kentucky

Kings, No. 8: Nik Stauskas, Michigan

Hornets, No. 9: Noah Vonleh, Indiana

76ers, No. 10: Elfrid Payton, UL Lafayette (traded to Magic)

Nuggets, No. 11: Doug McDermott, Creighton (traded to Bulls)

Magic: No. 12: Dario Saric, Croatia (traded to 76ers)

Timberwolves, No.13: Zach LaVine, UCLA

Suns, No. 14: T.J. Warren, N.C. State

Hawks, No. 15: Adreian Payne, Michigan State

Bulls, No. 16: Jusuf Nurkic, Croatia

Celtics, No. 17: James Young, Kentucky

Suns, No. 18: Tyler Ennis, Syracuse

Bulls, No. 19: Gary Harris, Michigan State

Raptors, No. 20: Bruno Caboclo, Brazil

Thunder, No. 21: Mitch McGary, Michigan

Grizzlies, No. 22: Jordan Adams, UCLA

Jazz, No. 23: Rodney Hood, Duke

Hornets, No. 24: Shabazz Napier, UConn (traded to Heat)

Rockets, No. 25: Clint Capela, France

Heat, No. 26: P.J. Hairston, D-League (traded to Hornets)

Suns, No. 27: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia

Clippers, No. 28: C.J. Wilcox, Washington

Thunders, No. 29: Josh Huestis, Stanford

Spurs, No. 30: Kyle Anderson, UCLA

2nd Round

Bucks, No. 31: Damien Inglis, France

76ers, No. 32: K.J. McDaniels, Clemson

Cavaliers, No. 33: Joe Harris, Virginia

Knicks, No. 34: Cleanthony Early, Wichita State

Jazz, No. 35: Jarnell Stokes, Tennessee

Bucks, No. 36: Johnny O’Bryant, LSU

Raptors, No. 37: Deandre Daniels, UConn

Pistons, No. 38: Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado

76ers, No. 39: Jeremi Grant, Syracuse

Timberwolves, No. 40: Glenn Robinson III, Michigan

Nuggets, No. 41: Nikola Jokic, Serbia

Rockets, No. 42: Nick Johnson, Arizona

Nets, No. 43: Walter Tavares, Spain

Timberwolves, No. 44: Markel Brown, Oklahoma State

Hornets, No. 45: Dwight Powell, Stanford

Wizards, No. 46: Jordan Clarkson, Missouri

76ers, No. 47: Russ Smith, Louisville

Bucks, No. 48: Lamar Patterson,Pittsburg

Bulls, No. 49: Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico

Suns, No. 50: Alec Brown, Green Bay

Knicks, No. 51: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, D-League

76ers, No. 52: Vasilije Micic, Serbia 

Timberwolves, No. 53: Alessandro Gentile, Italy

76ers, No. 54: Nemanja Dangubic, Serbia

Heat, No. 55: Semaj Christon, Xavier

Nuggets, No. 56: Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa

Pacers, No. 57: Louis Labeyrie, France

Spurs, No. 58: Jordan McRae, Tennessee

Raptors, No. 59: Xavier Thames, San Diego State

Spurs, No. 60: Cory Jefferson, Baylor

The post Andrew Wiggins Selected No. 1 in NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

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About 150 players showed up to the open tryouts on the blacktop of Helen Bernstein HS in Hollywood, CA at 11 a.m. to showcase their skills and prove they had what it took to be one of the lucky 10.

“This year, we anticipate some of the toughest competition that Ball Up has faced, especially with the first stop in Los Angeles,” said Demetrius Spencer, CEO of Ball Up. “The level of skill and talent we find each year grows exponentially and we always look forward to discovering new talent on the court.”

And some of the best competition was in the building—from quick and crafty guards, to lights out shooters and high-flying wings ready to put anyone who came in their way on a poster.

With the cameras rolling, members of the Ball Up squad sitting courtside and celebrity judges and coaches James Harden and Gilbert Areans getting ready to choose their squad, it was go time. Players’ skills were put to the test with various drills from 3-man weaves, 3-on-3, king of the court and even a dunk contest.

As the clock ticked and the temperature rose, so did the intensity. One player even collided with a camera guy shattering the lens while going for a loose ball. Players were getting shoved, scratched, held and you definitely needed to have the will as much as you had the skill to survive. And what’s streetball without some trash talking?

Unfortunately, some players’ dreams of becoming the next streetball superstar were shattered in the first few minutes of the tryout. But for those whose names were called for the next round, their dream of being on the big stage was one step closer to reality.

And if one person knows the feeling of turning his dream into a reality and seizing opportunities, it’s Ball Up’s own G. Smith. The 6-6 forward from Phoenix, AZ is known to put his defenders on highlight reels and was in the same exact position when he was on the other side of the fence trying out for Ball Up just two years ago.

“I’ve actually been on the other side and getting to see the process from a comfortable seat is a blessing,” said Smith. “A lot of exposure and a lot of opportunities outside of basketball open up for you. I’ve been involved in everything from commercials to hosting events and getting a great opportunity of making an impact in the community. I’m very fortunate.”

G. Smith also had some advice for the players trying out: “Always push yourself to the front of the line. Be the guy who’s going to take initiative. Being relentless and everything that you’re doing and not sitting back taking a break because those are the types of things that me and a lot of these guys are here to watch.”

As 1 p.m. came, and the last 15 were standing, Arenas and Harden made their choice on which players they wanted on their team.

“It was a lot of types—some athletic, some got handle,” Harden said. “It’s tough to play outside, you know, but you see the form and guys could shoot the basketball. A lot of good talent out here today. I’m going to have to put my Gregg Popovich stunt out and try to get the win today.”

Among one of the 10 selected was Glenn “The Bandit” Payne, who only lasted a few rounds before getting cut during his first tryout back in 2012.

“I’m just happy to be out here, man,” said Payne. “Hopefully I get farther this time around. Last time I didn’t get picked to go to Vegas, so this time I’m going to try and do my job out there.”

With the tryouts over and the team already made, Salman Chaudry, from Italy who was staying with a friend in Houston, TX, for the week and made the 22-hour drive to L.A., handed Arenas a crumbled $500 check and challenged him to a game of one-on-one in hopes of getting a spot on the team since he couldn’t make the tryouts due to a flat tire.

“I didn’t get a chance to tryout so I had to make statement somehow to see if he could play me and maybe I could make the team,” said Chaudry. “I thought he might do it ‘cause he’s a hooper so that’s what they do, right?”

After Arenas denied Chaudry, he made sure to tell Arenas he wasn’t about that life and walked off the court.

The players were then given a two-hour break and reported to L.A. Live at 4:30 p.m. to get ready for the big game.

Downtown L.A. was jumping. The venue was dead center at the Nokia Center at L.A. Live and was the only venue of the tour that featured an open court game.

“This is Los Angeles. We’re just now hitting the summer time and the outdoor area is great,” said Spencer. “I built the L.A. arena outside to almost give it that outdoor L.A. feel.”

Music was playing, seats started filling up and some local stars even came out. Cedric the Entertainer, Jordan McLaughlin, and Ray J were some on the notable faces sitting courtside.

And with Duke Tango ready to go with the mic in his hand, it was game time.

The Ball Up squad started the game off sloppy trying to embarrass Team LA that resulted in turnovers and Team LA capitalized to take an early lead.

But as the game went on, both teams kept battling and the Ball Up team took the momentum when G. Smith gathered up and put Team LA center Devon Phillip on a poster causing the place to erupt.

“I do the same thing everywhere I go,” said Smith.

Gary Rogers and Robbie Robinson were trying to keep Team LA alive, but there was no answer for the Ball Up squad. Team LA trailed going into halftime, 64-52.

After LMFAO’s RedFoo took the stage, the Ball Up team came back out in the second half to make a statement and prove it was just another day at the office.

Streetball veteran Sik Wit It came out and put on a show for his homecoming. During pre-game warm-ups, he promised bringing the entertainment and throwing a few alley-oops, and he stuck to his word. After a left-to-right crossover, he threw a lob that Air Up There and G. Smith both caught and dunked.

Backcourt play by The Professor and Bone Collector was on another level when the two got hot in the 3^rd quarter putting on a dribbling clinic that had the crowd going nuts.

“It was a blast. Any time I get to play here—because I’ve lived here for seven years—it’s a blessing,” said Professor. “We travel eight months out of the year, so to be able to be at home around all my people and the sponsors is awesome.”

A few moments later, Professor and G. Smith connected on a between-the-legs off-the-backboard alley-oop that sealed the deal in the 4^th quarter.

The Ball Up team took the W over Team LA, 107-96.

Lousiville, KY, is the next stop for the Ball Up tour on 6/28. For more information regarding tryouts and event info, head over to Ballup.com

Photos by Drew Ruiz

The post Ball Up Open Tryouts and Game Recap appeared first on SLAM.

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A year ago, Spencer Dinwiddie was representing the USA in Kazan, Russia at the World University Games, leading the team in assists and steals. Dinwiddie was fresh off a 15 point per game campaign that garnered him second team All-Pac-12 honors. Playing for USA Basketball “was a dream come true” recalled Spencer, who keeps in close contact with former teammates Doug McDermott and Adreian Payne as they compare notes from the cities they visit for their pre-Draft workout tour.

There were many who thought a year ago that Dinwiddie had great value in the 2013 Draft and after a strong showing in the World University Games, the pre-season Pac-12 First-Team selection was poised to cement himself as a first round selection. After 16 games this season, Dinwiddie showed improvement in his three-point percentage and improved his assist-to-turnover ratio while leading his team to a 14-2 record and a No. 15 national ranking.

But on January 12 at the University of Washington, Dinwiddie injured his knee.

“At first they weren’t 100 percent sure that it was torn, so it kept some hope alive,” Dinwiddie recalled. “I called my parents and they could hear my disappointment over the phone. My dad took it hard and my mom said, ‘I’ll be in Boulder tonight.’

“There I was reexamined and it was confirmed that I tore my ACL and that I would be done for the season,” he continued. “My mom was like, ‘OK, now what are we going to do?’ The doctor’s first reaction was that it will take three weeks before we could have surgery. I said, Adrian Peterson did it in six days, so they said, get the swelling out and then we could do the surgery. Eight days later they operated on my knee. After the surgery, the first few weeks were tough, laying in bed, thinking a lot, it’s hard to not dwell on why me. Big credit goes to my mom to keep me forward thinking, that the injury didn’t matter, it didn’t change our goals or our challenge. After that we just went to work and we weren’t going to treat it as a setback.”

We caught up with Dinwiddie to see where he is now with his rehab and his thoughts about the upcoming Draft:

SLAM: How do you compare yourself to the other point guards?

Spencer Dinwiddie: I stand by my statement that I think I’m the best point guard in the Draft. It was well-documented at the Combine. I’m the biggest of the point guards (height, weight and length), I’m the best three-point shooter and outside of Shabazz [Napier], no other guard has a bigger effect on their team winning.

SLAM: Physically, where are you now in your recovery?

SD: I’m currently at 75 percent with no restrictions. I have no swelling, no structural issues and appear to be ready and cleared for contact well before training camp. I don’t have my burst back yet (only five months since surgery) but everyone is happy with where I am at with my recovery.

SLAM: Was there a why me moment?

SD: The way it happened, at first—devastated, then a little hope, then the doctor crushed it confirming the tear. My mom said, “We aren’t going to feel sorry for ourselves, we are not giving up, your dream is still right there.”

SLAM: If you had it over again, would you have declared last June for the Draft?

SD: It’s hard to say, probably….you never know. I did get to be on the USA team last summer and that was a dream come true. Hindsight is 20/20, maybe I would have made more money. I don’t know if my draft status would have been significantly better. I’m viewed as highly skilled, so my draft stock stayed pretty much the same but since the class last year wasn’t as strong. I probably would have moved up through the workouts.

SLAM: Take us the decision to enter the Draft?

SD: I didn’t know I was going to leave until days before the announcement. Initially they (the medical staff) thought my recovery would take 10 months. If that was the case, I would have returned to Colorado. I loved my time at Colorado. But then I was told that I’d be perfectly fine for the season. My dream was always to make it to the NBA.

SLAM: What are you doing to prepare for the Draft?

SD: I’m working everything except contact drills. Ball handling, shooting, it feels great to work on my game again.

SLAM: Do you appreciate the game more now, after seeing it taken away from you?

SD: Definitely, I appreciate it more now. I missed practice. It’s something I always have known, it was such a big part of my life, when it was taken away, you miss it and appreciate it more.

SLAM: What do you think you can do on the floor for an NBA team?

SD: I’ve shown I’m effective, I have good size, I bring defensive versatility. I can spot up and shoot as well as run a team. I win. Depending on the team’s need, I’m focused on doing what I can to help the team.

SLAM: Any player you try to emulate your game after?

SD: I like watching Rajon Rondo’s IQ, Jrue Holiday’s pace and change of speed, Stephen Curry’s release. My body type and versatility is more like a Shaun Livingston or a Penny Hardaway, so I try to incorporate a dose of each into my game.

SLAM: Toughest player you have faced?

SD: Kyrie Irving (in high school).

SLAM: Best player you have played with?

SD: I’ve been blessed to play with quite a few great players. DeAndre [Daniels], Josh Scott, Doug McDermott, Adreian Payne

SLAM: Any message for those trying to follow in your footsteps?

SD: Never stop believing in yourself and who you are. If you put in the work, you will have a chance. People thought I was small and not very good. With the support of my uncle and godbrother, we got after it and we’ve been able to do a lot of great things. When you have a hiccup, you cast some doubt but then when you get through it, it confirms that you can do it.

The post Remember Me appeared first on SLAM.

Wait, slow down a minute. First, the scene must be set.

The Santa Clara women’s basketball team has made the quick trip north to McKeon Pavilion to take on rival Saint Mary’s in a late-season West Coast Conference tilt. The Broncos haven’t won here in five years. And there’s this guard wearing SCU burgundy with this ponytail swishing as she shuttles about the perimeter, knocking down jumpers with consummate ease.

To Ricki Radanovich, a win here would mean a whole helluva lot.

Three years and 50 weeks before, on this very court, Radanovich (ra-DON-o-vich) fractured her right forearm. As she’ll put it months later, and only partly in jest, “I hate playing there.” Three years and 50 weeks before, Radanovich was a high school senior keen on leading Carondelet High to a state championship. There was feeling that this was the strongest team in her four years. The year before, they’d lost in the state finals to Brea Olinda. This year, they’ll likely have to go through Mater Dei, the No. 1 team in the nation.

But things are looking good against Northgate in the fourth quarter of the North Coast Section final, one of the precursors to a state run. A seventh NCS title in eight years seems a mere formality. Carondelet is up by 20 points with just over four minutes to play. Head coach Margaret Gartner is preparing to switch her starters with subs, to see this thing out.But then Radanovich launches out on a fast-break.

Carondelet sophomore guard Hannah Huffman is trailing behind when she sees Radanovich go skidding into the stanchion. Hard. A Northgate defender had fouled her. Radanovich recalls getting shoved from behind. Everything was happening so fast, and her right forearm was suddenly a blur of bone and skin. Huffman remembers coming upon the scene and seeing two snaps, the bones breaking through skin. “The girl that broke it was just absolutely devastated,” says Radanovich’s mother Laurie, who was sitting in the stands with Radanovich’s father Bo. “It was,” says Gartner, “a horrific blow.”

Radanovich was rushed to John Muir Health Center, about eight miles away in Walnut Creek. She had surgery that night. When she awoke, 14 screws and two plates had been inserted into her right forearm. “Ricki’s senior year had been so idyllic before that happened,” says Laurie. “It was just devastating.”

The next morning, Gartner came to visit her fallen leader. “She told Ricki, ‘I know this isn’t the way you envisioned your season ending, but we want you on that bench going forward. We see you as a coach, helping us.’ It made Ricki feel so much better.”

Says Radanovich, “I still wanted that state championship, whether I was on the court or not.”

“It was so hard for her to go back to that first practice, not playing, and knowing her high school career was over,” says Laurie, “but Margaret made her being on that bench feel just as important for the team. It was probably the most support she’s ever felt in her whole life.”

Huffman remembers the first time Radanovich returned to practice after her surgery. “She was more calm than any of us were. We were flustered, but she sat us down and told us that the goals hadn’t changed. We had to use what had happened as motivation, not as an excuse. If we were going to do this, new players needed to step up. “Huffman, who now plays for Notre Dame, took over one of the lead guard roles. “She’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met, so I wanted to make sure that along with her competitiveness, she was still leading the team,” says Radanovich. “She did a really good job.”

Radanovich, who calls Huffman one of her best friends, drew upon her own experience to bolster her leadership. In her first year at Carondelet, Radanovich had been the lone freshman on the Cougars varsity team. It could have been terrifying going toe to toe with older girls who’d won state championships.

But the environment was a welcoming one. Radanovich could talk to Gartner whenever she needed help. “She was an incredible support system,” Radanovich says. “She’d stay after practice and talk with me. She had this soothing, quiet demeanor. I loved playing for her.”

Says Laurie, “Coming in as this little freshman the year after (former Stanford and current WNBA star) Jayne Appel graduated, with this team that had accomplished so much, Margaret just took Ricki under her wing. She didn’t care if she went 0-6 in a first half. Right out of the gate, she told Ricki to start shooting No. 7 like she hadn’t missed a shot beforehand.”

Radanovich’s goal had been to win a state title. That she might not be on the court in no way stanched her competitive spirit. She threw herself into helping her teammates prepare for their games. She was going to do everything she could to maximize this team’s chances.

It became an emotional journey. Huffman and the rest of the Cougars wanted to win for their fallen friend. Carondelet rattled off three consecutive victories, including a grinding 40-38 battle over Archbishop Mitty in the NorCal championship game. Radanovich was a calming presence in the huddles. Huffman provided incandescent play. They met Mater Dei in the state final, and came up just short against one of the better high school teams in recent memory.The 58-43 loss still burns, but Radanovich adds a sprinkle of stoicism. “I mean, we were playing against the No. 1 team in the nation, so if you’re going to lose one game…”

Now, back to that doggone court at McKeon, with so many painful memories still festering among the rafters, waiting to be released in a grand gust of victory.

On this February afternoon, Radanovich is helping Santa Clara to that win. She’s hit threes from different spots, darting this way and that about the perimeter. That’s her calling card—has been since she began torching nets in the East Bay Area with that compact motion punctuated by a quick trigger. The right arm looks fine, but she’s wearing a black brace that extends midway up her left forearm, with white tape underneath.

No…another injury?

More on that later.

As was the case at Carondelet, a shot from Ricki is a pretty good bet, and her Broncos teammates often oblige her. Throughout her time at Santa Clara, she’s worked fastidiously to implement new weapons into her offensive arsenal, but perimeter shooting remains her bread and butter. Seventy percent of her shots in 2013-14 came from beyond the arc.In fact, there was a home game against BYU this past February when Radanovich shirked her defender and drove to the hoop, where she missed a layup.

Several offensive trips later, she got to the foul line, only to hear a voice in the Leavey Center crowd call out—in jest—”Ricki, go back outside the three-point line! It’s OK! You’re more comfortable there!”

Radanovich couldn’t help but laugh. After all, it was kind of true!

Against the Gaels, she offers the faintest sliver of a smile when play gets a bit chippy. Ask anyone who knows Ricki: Sarcasm is as synonymous as her shooting. “I think you have to love that about her,” says Laurie. “She doesn’t like to take anything too seriously. If there’s, say, a brutal practice, she’d rather joke than complain about how hard it is. She just has a lightness about things.”

Late in the game, she grabbed a huge steal with the Broncos nursing a 76-69 lead. With 30 seconds left, she snatched an inbounds pass and fired a pass for a layup that seals it.The Broncos won 89-83. Radanovich finished with 8 points (2-2 from three.) Junior dynamo Nici Gilday pours in 23—including a clutch banked three—and freshman Montana Walters ends with a game- and career-high 26, including 5 three-pointers. It was the Broncos’ first win over the Gaels since the 2008-09 season.

Whenever Radanovich played at Saint Mary’s, she’d have these horrible flashbacks. That layup in Norcals, that fall, the rush to the hospital in agonizing pain. This was the game she’d circled on her calendar. And to do it on the Gaels’ Senior Day…Radanovich offered a sly smile. “I’d never beat them there,” she says.

Laurie and Bo were in the McKeon Pavilion stands, just as they’d been four years earlier. “I think that win was so great for her senior year,” says Laurie. “That team had just beaten up on them for four years. It was probably the biggest win of her career.”

It turned out to be a welcome respite in what had been, according to Santa Clara head coach Jennifer Mountain, “a roller-coaster ride of a season.”

That might have applied most readily to Radanovich.

***

When Mountain took the Santa Clara job in 2008, she’d been told by the athletic department to “go get local talent.” And there was this sharp-shooting guard just a quick drive up the interstate that played for one of the most prestigious high school basketball programs in the country.

Radanovich’s grandfather, Bob, played for the 1956-57 University of San Francisco team that cracked the Final Four (the Dons lost to Kansas, but defeated Michigan State in the third-place game.) He was a teammate of Bill Russell during the Dons’ heyday.Radanovich began playing in second grade, and quickly fell in love with the sport. Before long, she was working with a shooting coach three to four times a week, hoisting 300 to 500 shots in a single session. “It was something she really liked to do,” says Laurie. “She was happy to put in the time. It was a lot of work, but she was fully committed.” .

As college recruiting heated up at Carondelet, Radanovich leaned heavily toward Princeton. Before her junior year, she hadn’t even considered Santa Clara.

But a sea change occurred once Mountain took the Broncos job. Radanovich attended one of her first camps at the Leavey Center, and from the first time she set foot on the campus, she felt at home. Leigh Gregory, an SCU assistant, had attended and played basketball at Carondelet, and was an assistant coach on girl’s varsity when Radanovich played as a freshman. Everything seemed to fall into place.

“Ricki wanted to commit immediately to Santa Clara, and (Bo and I) asked her to hold off,” says Laurie. “We wanted her to look at what’s out there. There were five or six schools that were very interested in her. She did what we asked, she went on visits, but nothing compared to what she felt at Santa Clara. It just felt like the coaches really respected her and loved her, and the academics were so strong. It had the whole package.”

Radanovich quickly bonded with Mountain, who embraced her sarcasm and even dished out a healthy dose of her own. Mountain couldn’t get enough of her marksmanship. “Her shooting stood out as a prospect,” Mountain says. “She’s got range…like really, really deep range, probably the most of any player I’ve coached.”Radanovich made an immediate impact for the Broncos. She started the final 25 games of her freshman season, and finished with 54 three-pointers, fifth-best in conference for 2010-11. As a sophomore, she helped the Broncos to 12 wins. In 2012-13, Radanovich averaged 2.3 three-point field goals per game, which led the WCC. Santa Clara finished 14-16, the most wins of Mountain’s tenure.

The Broncos had built steadily, and though there was a heavy helping of youth on the 2013-14 team—three freshmen became starters—Radanovich was confident the five seniors could help spark something. This team wanted a crack at a post-season tournament.

But remember that roller coaster Mountain spoke of, and the black sleeve on Radanovich’s left wrist? The Broncos had been sent for a loop before the season had ever really gotten going.Two days after Santa Clara’s second game in November, Radanovich took part in a fast-break, full-court press drill during practice. Standard stuff. Then, she went to block one of her teammate’s layups. She got up in the air…and lost control.

She slammed down to the floor. Her left wrist became trapped underneath her. Lightning had struck twice. “It was very graceful,” Radanovich says now, laughing.

Trainers rushed to Radanovich’s side. As Mountain approached to observe the damage and console her player, they turned to her and said, “She’s done.”

In high school, it had been a clean break to her right forearm. Her left wrist, however, was a jumble of floating bones, and had to be set before surgery.”I went to the doctor’s office—I should’ve gone to the hospital—and I wasn’t allowed any painkillers, and they had to set my wrist because it was broken into a bunch of pieces, and it took a couple of minutes…without painkillers…so there was a lot of yelling going on in that room,” Radanovich says. “Then they set it, wrapped it up and said, ‘See you in a day and a half.’ That was when I went back in for the surgery.”

Now, Radanovich had eight screws and a plate in her left forearm. Another severe injury during a senior year. Again, the timing could not have been crueler. She’d poured herself into strengthening her game in the offseason. Her handle felt tighter, and she was adding different elements to her offensive arsenal. Now, she had a choice to make: redshirt or rehab. But there were further wrinkles complicating the decision.

Over the summer, Radanovich had worked for eight weeks in the San Jose office of Deloitte, a firm that specializes in audit, financial advisory, tax and consulting areas. There were 5:30 a.m. wakeups, followed by workouts at Santa Clara. Then, she was off to Deloitte for a 9-6 workday before returning to campus for more conditioning, weights and pick-up runs.

Deloitte had offered her a full-time job, beginning this September. At Santa Clara, Radanovich lived with four other senior athletes who were also moving to San Francisco to start jobs. After careful decision, she decided to keep her post-school plans intact and throw herself into recovery.

“It was a really hard decision,” she says. “I’d just been made senior captain, I was the returning leading scorer…I had so many ideas of what I thought this year was going to be, and it wasn’t.”But Radanovich refused to mope. She wanted to help lead this young team on the court. She wanted to reclaim as much of her senior year as she could. She hoisted endless series of one-handed jumpers. Before long, trainers were in sync with her sarcasm.

Though she couldn’t do any cardio—there were worries of complications with blood flow into her wrist—she attended practice and worked to become a better leader.

The injury pulled her out of herself. “I learned a lot about leadership, how when you’re part of a team, it’s not about you,” Radanovich says.

She made the quickest recovery from that type of injury the Santa Clara training staff had ever seen. Mountain says she’d never seen anything like it. Says Laurie, “The day she broke her left wrist…and [Bo and I] thought maybe that was it for her career…she told us, ‘This will not be my last game.’ If I cannot get back on the court this year, I’m coming back next year.'”

Radanovich returned for a January 11 conference game against Pacific, and scored 11 points on 4-6 shooting, 2-4 from three. She followed that up with 13 points and 5 rebounds against Portland. Along with 3 threes, she had 2 steals, a block and an assist.

Radanovich started the final seven games of the season, including that Saint Mary’s game. There was no chance she was going to miss it.

When it gets cold—see: conference trips to Spokane, Wash. or Provo, Utah in the dead of winter—the metal in her arms cools and tenses up. “It just makes my bones, like, ache,” Radanovich says.

Strength remained an issue, after such an accelerated recovery.

“When I was playing, and my wrist got hit, I just wanted to scream,” Radanovich says. “But the hardest part was getting the feel of the game back. Like on the defensive end, not being so reactive to anything. This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

***

To be a great shooter is to forget your last miss, and Radanovich excels at being continually present. Her only thought is that the next shot is going in. Gartner, her high school coach, has a number of stories that burnish this mentality. There was that game in the Norcal playoffs in Radanovich’s junior year at Carondelet when she hit 10 threes and poured in 35 points. Or the one when the Cougars tripped to Deer Valley in the West Coast Jamboree.

Radanovich started 0-15 from the field against the Wolverines. With the final seconds ticking down, the game hung in the balance. There was no question who was taking the last shot for the Cougars. (She sank it.) “I still had the confidence in her,” Gartner says. “And she still won the game for us. I have stories like that I can tell my younger shooters. You have to believe that every shot is going in. You can’t remember the misses.”

“I think that’s why her shot was so consistent in high school,” says Laurie. “Her coach and teammates had complete confidence in her. They wanted her to fire at will.”

Humor is a marker of intelligence, says Gartner, and there’s a sense that Radanovich’s fabled handle on the stuff, with just enough of a sarcastic kick to spice things up, has helped her weather any protracted shooting slumps. When she was immersed in her rehab this season, she joked around with the training staff. It made the endless series of exercises more manageable. Says Gilday, “Ricki’s just fun to be around. She’ll always make light of different situations. Obviously she has her game face on when she takes the court, but when funny things happen, she’ll definitely throw in a one-liner. It’s nice to have that personality thrown in there.”

On Senior Day against Pepperdine, Radanovich scored the first points of the game with a three at the top of the key. She hit her next attempt, another three, then missed her next three shots. But she remained active in the Broncos’ full-court press. She drove and gets to the line, where she hits four free throws. After she hit a three on the right wing, with just under two minutes until halftime, she had 13 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals.

It was a marker of what might have been, sans injury. She showed glimpses of the work she put in, using a crossover to get past a defender at the top of the key ahead of a smooth left-handed floater.

Four days later, the Broncos played the Waves in the first round of the WCC tournament, in Las Vegas. This time, they lost. Pepperdine played its best game, Santa Clara, one of its worst. Radanovich headed with Mountain and Gilday to answer some questions from the media on a podium in a room, and then it was done. A 10-20 season (6-12 WCC) was in the books.

A few days later, reports surfaced that Mountain’s contract would not be renewed for next season. Radanovich and her teammates hadn’t been focusing on their coach’s job status, but it hurt to see the way the season had gone. Santa Clara lost five games by six points or less, and dropped three games in overtime. If they’d come out on top in some of those…

Radanovich shot just 29.2 percent from the field, and 28.5 percent from three. She never made a full recovery, never quite got in gear. Still, when she was on the court, defenses had to adjust. She’d earned that level of respect over the years.

Had she not suffered the injury, there’s a great likelihood she would have become the 22nd 1,000-point scorer in program history. But she refuses to focus upon that.

She’d rather talk about where Santa Clara is headed. JR Payne was hired in mid-April after five years spent building Southern Utah into one of the surprise stories in ’13-14.

It’s been a fun reunion for them. It was Payne who’d first begun recruiting Radanovich to Santa Clara. She spent just one season on Mountain’s staff, in ’08-09, but it was enough to convince Radanovich to commit midway through her junior year of high school.

It began in earnest during the ’08 July evaluation period. “We were looking for people that could come in and make an impact,” Payne says. “Ricki was a great shooter, and even though she had a slight build, she had this experience and toughness. She was really competitive, and she played with an edge.”

As she shuttled to different tournaments around the country, Payne made a point to watch the East Bay Xplosion, Radanovich’s club team. She frequently bumped into Bo and Laurie at these events and Payne, who was eight months pregnant at this time, laughs when she recalls Laurie exclaiming, “You’re getting bigger!”

“We had that joke at all the tournaments,” Payne says.

She couldn’t get enough of Radanovich’s shooting ability. “The way I’d describe Ricki, is she’s in range from the minute she steps inside the gym. Some would call it parking-lot range,” says Payne. “And the best thing is, she’s extremely confident. She’s definitely one of the best shooters the WCC has seen in this era.”

Radanovich loves the way Payne sees the game. Next season, Gilday, coming off one of the best seasons in recent Broncos history (she averaged 17.1 points), will be a senior. The talented four-person class of incoming freshmen that Mountain had recruited will reportedly remain intact. Radanovich raves about these “youngsters.” A foundation has been poured. The future holds promise.

And yet, it’s juxtaposed by change. Mountain is gone from SCU. Then, in early April, Gartner stepped down as head coach at Carondelet. She’s getting married and looking to start a family. Radanovich knew that she had been mulling this decision for several years now.

Gartner remembers when Radanovich did the 180 in her recruitment, eyes that had once been set solely upon Princeton turning irrevocably toward Santa Clara. The vision of the new coaching staff played a vital role in that decision. So did family.

Senior Day provided a manifestation of those ties: Radanovich’s 99-year-old great-grandfather was in attendance, sitting alongside her parents for her final game at the Leavey Center. Bo and Laurie, who’ve gone to almost every one of her games, could celebrate Ricki’s accomplishments. She ends her Broncos career ranked in the top-five for three-point field goals and attempts. Over four years, she hit 80 percent of her free throws.

This September, the next chapter begins. Radanovich will begin her job with Deloitte. She’s thankful she found an agency that not only accommodated her athletic commitments last summer, but encouraged them. She’s always wanted to work in San Francisco’s Financial District. Her manager is already recruiting her to join the company basketball team.”That’s what you want for your players, to go on and have a positive experience and keep growing as a person,” says Gartner. “And if you don’t have to leave San Francisco, why would you?”

Those 22 holes in her arms, with screws and plates interspersed, serve as vestigial imprints of her operations. Doctors say that if the holes become painful, they can remove them, but Radanovich isn’t rushing to do that.

“I never want to have surgery again,” she says.

Radanovich will miss the competition inherent in DI basketball, but there’s something she’ll miss even more. The bonds that develop over the course of three-a-day workouts in spring and pre-season conditioning in fall. “That’s the one thing I reflect upon the most,” she says. “I’ll miss my teammates.”

A few weeks ago, Radanovich attended a dinner that celebrated the departing Santa Clara student-athletes. Payne was in attendance, and she sat at the same table as the Radanoviches. As the evening wore on, old friends reconnected. “They’re so welcoming. It was like I’d never really left. I was there at the beginning of Ricki’s career, and now I’m sort of there at the end. It’s unique, and pretty neat,” Payne says.

Graduation is just two weeks away. The days to come will be filled with that unforgettable bustle, freighted by that ever-so-poignant sense of an ending. There was a hint of it following the win over Pepperdine on Senior Day on that first day of March. Outside the Leavey Center, winter clung in the form of swirling, biting gusts. The game was over, and underneath the far basket, an interview ended. Radanovich chatted with teammates, then headed off with her parents. She toted signs that had been made for her to commemorate the occasion. Some flowers, too. Then, she pushed through the doors and stepped outside. Possibilities abounded.

And isn’t that a fun way to begin.

Images courtesy of SCU athletics

The post Emotional Journey appeared first on SLAM.

The second round is often littered with “draft and stash” selections. Teams claim the rights for players who are not quite NBA ready and who will more than likely play next season overseas (added bonus that these players can develop on some one else’s payroll). Those players will make a very good living being paid toward the top of their league’s respective pay scale until they are considered NBA ready.

In this regard, the American college player in many ways is at a disadvantage with the current system, if that player is drafted, they either make the team or are waived. It’s boom or bust when you consider the only other domestic league, the D-League, has an average salary right around $17,000.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the No. 15 pick in the 2013 Draft, would be picked first if they redrafted the players knowing now what they did not know last June. The Bucks banked on his potential and he was the lone bright spot in their lost season.

We huddled up with Carl Berman and the guys from Net Scouts to get the skinny on the best import prospects for the upcoming Draft. This list includes three members of last summer’s FIBA U19 World Championship All-Tournament team. All three are projected in this year’s lottery:

Dante Exum, 6-6, 18 years old, Guard, Australian Institute of Sport

He is the son of Cecil Exum, a member of the University of North Carolina 1982 championship team. Exum is projected to be a top-10 pick and there is serious consideration for him in the top five. Scouts like his athleticism and while he is more of a combo guard presently than a point, there is confidence that he can make the adjustment to run a NBA team. Exum shoots it well; however, he will need to improve in this area. His strengths are his size (wingspan of 6-9.5) and body control. The choice will be Exum or Marcus Smart for the first guard selected. He has been shielded from criticism, having not played on a big stage since last summer’s world championships. As other players such as those in college have been scrutinized and put under the microscope, Exum has climbed up the draft boards with the potential upside of a Russell Westbrook.

Dario Saric, 6-10, 20 years old, Power Forward, Croatia

Impressed last summer for Croatia. Saric utilized a strong basketball IQ to maximize his talents. A point forward that has good vision and a quality skill set. He is a better than average shooter, rebounder, ball handler and passer. The concerns will be is current lack of athleticism and strength. If all goes well, scouts are hoping for Saric to develop into a Chandler Parsons-type player. Late lottery selection.

Jusif Nurcic, 6-11, 19 years old, Center, Bosnia

Nurcic was a PER machine in the Adriatic league as he steadily improved his conditioning. A true post candidate who is big (7-2 wingspan, strong with proficiency around the basket. He’s second on most team’s draft boards at the center position. Concerns remain regarding his athleticism, but the projection for some is for a prospect such as Nikola Pekovic.

Clint Capela, 6-11, 20 years old, Power Forward, Switzerland

Capela is a productive player in the professional league in France. He was a beneficiary of transition baskets and close range conversions. His shot doesn’t look bad but it hasn’t been consistent. He will compete with Adreian Payne for draft position. Upside may project to be like Serge Ibaka. Draft position in the late-first to early second round range.

Kristaps Porzingis, 7-0, 18 years old, Forward, Latvia

Porzingis is skilled away from the basket, offensively playing more like a small forward than a post player. He needs time to develop and embrace the physicality of the NBA. Some will view and project him similar to Isaiah Austin in regards to his offensive (play the 3) and defensive (guard the 5) matchup. Quality draft and stash candidate who should fall somewhere near Capela on most draft boards but who could one day evolve into a Dirk Nowitzki-type player.

Walter Tavares, 7-3, 22 years old, Center, Gran Canaria

Really big and athletic, Tavares is another quality long-term play for the Draft. Currently he has no real offensive game, but he looks like a player and there is confidence it can develop. It’s expected that he’s among the first picks in the second round.

Bogdan Boganovic, 6-6, 21 years old, Shooting Guard, Serbia

Battle tested through high level competition, scoring 14-15 points per game in the Euroleague. He is an improved shooter who can play some point. He is athletic and incredibly long (nearly a 7-foot wingspan). He reminds scouts of Russian star Alexey Shevd who is playing with the Timberwolves. Expected to be in the late first round to early second round range.

Vasillije Micic, 6-5, 20 years old, Point Guard, Serbia

Micic was one of the best point guards in the Adriatic League. He has been one of the diamonds in the Serbian development system having represented the U16 then U18 and U19 teams. He’s surprisingly athletic and looks to transition smoother to the NBA game than the other born-European players. He’s not a stranger to high level competition. Anticipated to be drafted in the early to middle second round range. He could be the next Tony Parker.

Nikola Jokic, 6-11, 19 years old, Center, Serbia

Yet another Serbian prospect, not bad for a country of 7 million people. Streaky shooter that when hot, hits threes in bunches. High basketball IQ, he does have some limits athletically. He has good potential and could be a late mover into the first round.

Artem Klimenko, 7-1, 20 years old, Center, Russia

He has played quality minutes against good competition. Currently he is more of a space eater than a shot blocker. He has limits with his length and athleticism but clearly can make a roster as a backup center. Likely second round selection.

Leigh Klein was formerly on staff at Texas and Rhode Island and now owns fivestarbasketball.com, the nation’s top basketball camp. He contributes to SLAM’s coverage of college basketball and the NBA Draft and is a frequent national radio guest. Klein can be followed at @leighalanklein.

The post NBA Draft Index: International Player Edition appeared first on SLAM.

by Bill DiFilippo

By now, you may have heard the story of Lacey Holsworth, the 8-year-old girl with a fetal-nerve cell cancer called neuroblastoma who came into the public eye because of her friendship with star Michigan State center Adreian Payne (if you haven’t watched the video, take six minutes and check it out).

Holsworth passed away on late Tuesday night, and Michigan State students held a vigil in her honor the next day on campus. One of the many people who made their way to the vigil to pay their respects was head coach Tom Izzo, who then gave a speech to the crowd that touched on Lacey, her family and how proud he was of everyone for coming out to pay their respects, among other things.

The full speech is about eight minutes long, and you can check it out above. Just make sure you grab a bunch of tissues and accept the fact that you’re going to sob like a baby.

The post Tom Izzo Speaks at Vigil for Lacey Holsworth (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33

College basketball is almost at its halfway point, which means that the sport’s various midseason award watch lists are starting to be released.

Today, the Wooden Award, which is given annually to college basketball’s top player, released its midseason award watch list, which features 25 of college basketball’s top players. Here is the full list:

Kyle Anderson, UCLA; Keith Appling, Michigan State; Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico; Jordan Clarkson, Missouri; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Sam Dekker, Wisconsin; Cleanthony Early, Wichita State; Tyler Ennis, Syracuse; C.J. Fair, Syracuse; Aaron Gordon, Arizona; Rodney Hood, Duke; Nick Johnson, Arizona; DeAndre Kane, Iowa State; Doug McDermott, Creighton; Shabazz Napier, UConn; Jabari Parker, Duke; Adreian Payne, Michigan State; Casey Prather, Florida; Julius Randle, Kentucky; Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State; Russ Smith, Louisville; T.J. Warren, N.C. State; Andrew Wiggins, Kansas; Chaz Williams, UMass; Joseph Young, Oregon

While the list does have some notable names missing, such as star Kansas big man Joel Embiid, it is worth noting that this list is merely a watch list and not a list of finalists. The full list of 15 finalists will be released on March 8.

The post Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List Released appeared first on SLAM.

by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33

It’s weird to say that a team with the history and tradition of North Carolina upset anyone, but on Wednesday night in East Lansing, the unranked Tar Heels took down the No. 1 team in the country, Michigan State, 79-65.

The game was one of the night’s marquee contests in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and was the second time in three games that North Carolina took down a top-three team, as Roy Williams & Co. beat then-third ranked Louisville last Sunday.

UNC got major contributions from its bench, as Kennedy Meeks and Bryce Johnson combined to score 29 points and grab 13 rebounds. The Tar Heels also had major contributions from Marcus Paige (13 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds), Nate Britt (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), and JP Tokoto (12 points, 10 rebounds).

As for the Spartans, their 1-2 punch of Adreian Payne and Gary Harris had their usual big games, with Payne going for 16 points and 8 rebounds while Harris had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. However, those two, along with Keith Appling (13 points), were the only Spartan players to register double-digit scoring.

North Carolina came out hot, and led the Spartans by as many as 12 points during the first half. While Michigan State was able to fight back, the Spartans were unable to take the lead from the Tar Heels, and UNC was able to knock off the No. 1 team in America with a wire-to-wire victory.

From The Daily Tar Heel:

“It’s amazing,” said forward Brice Johnson, who finished with 14 points. “It’s the best feeling, knowing that you can silence the crowd when they’re so hyped up, knowing you’re the underdog.”

Coach Roy Williams, who now holds a 7-1 record against Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, talked to reporters after the game, smiling and refraining, “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know.”

“We’re as happy as we can possibly be,” he said. “We’re 179 degrees away from where we were at the UAB game.”

The win was the latest in what has been a strange season for North Carolina: despite beating two top-three squads, the Tar Heels have lost games to Belmont and UAB this season.

The post North Carolina Upsets No. 1 Michigan State appeared first on SLAM.

by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33

It’s not often that college basketball has its marquee night during the season’s first week, but due to State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago, four of the top five teams in America will play tonight. No. 1 Kentucky (2-0) will take on No. 2 Michigan State (1-0) at 7:30 p.m., followed by No. 4 Duke (1-0) vs. No. 5 Kansas (1-0) at 9:30 p.m.

The first matchup will be the first time February 24, 2008, when No. 2 Tennessee defeated No. 1 Memphis, who was ironically coached by Kentucky head man John Calipari, 66-62. The two teams haven’t played since 2005, when Michigan State knocked Kentucky out of the NCAA Tournament, 94-88 in two overtimes.

Beyond the fact that John Calipari vs. Tom Izzo could be college basketball’s best coaching matchup this year, it’s quite possible that we’re seeing several future NBA All-Stars in this game. Michigan State’s Adreian Payne and Gary Harris will almost certainly play in the League next year, while Kentucky has its usual bevy of freshmen NBA prospects, headlined by potential top-three pick Julius Randle, James Young, Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison.

Both teams have been dominant so far this season. Kentucky has trounced UNC-Asheville and Northern Kentucky, 89-57 and 93-63, respectively. The Wildcats are led by Randle, who has been a monster this year, averaging a team-high 22.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. As for the Spartans, they looked fantastic in their matchup with McNeese State, winning 98-56 behind 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists from Harris.

The night’s second game features another marquee coaching matchup, with Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski facing off against Kansas’s Bill Self. However, all eyes are on the matchup between two freshmen who have been both labeled as (possibly) the next LeBron James—Duke’s Jabari Parker and Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins.

Parker, a 6-8 forward from Chicago, shined in Duke’s 111-77 obliteration of Davidson on Friday night, putting up 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 80 percent shooting for the Blue Devils. Wiggins, a 6-7 guard from Ontario, wasn’t as impressive in the Jayhawks’ 80-63 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, but he did put up a very respectable 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

The two teams haven’t played since November 23, 2011 at the Maui Invitational. Duke, led by 17 points from both Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee, overcame a double-double from Thomas Robinson to defeat the Jayhawks, 68-61.

Tonight will almost certainly shape the course of the rest of the college basketball season, and could possibly have an impact on the 2014 NBA Draft. Get ready, because tonight is one of college basketball’s biggest regular-season nights of all time.

The post Kentucky-Michigan State and Duke-Kansas to Face Off in Chicago Tonight appeared first on SLAM.

by Michael Bradley

So you think it’s all settled, do you? Coach Cal has another big-time collection of freshmen talent that’s good enough to beat the Sixers two out of three, and that means a National Championship is all but guaranteed?

The folks in East Lansing disagree. So do the defending champs, across the state of Kentucky. Michigan State has talent and depth inside and out, while Louisville boasts Russ Smith and a pile of talent. The Wildcats will be fun to watch, but kids don’t always get what they want. While the rest of us try to keep up with all the transfers, UK has some folks interested in keeping it away from instant glory.

1. Michigan State

Key Players: Keith Appling, Branden Dawson, Gary Harris, Adreian Payne

The Skinny: The Spartans will always play nasty defense but should score more this year thanks to Harris on the wing and Payne on the inside. It won’t always be pretty, but MSU will be highly effective.

2. Louisville

Key Players: Wayne Blackshear, Luke Hancock, Montrezl  Harrell, Russ Smith

The Skinny: Think the champs can’t do it again? Wrong. If either freshman Terry Rozier or JC newcomer Chris Jones locks down the point, the Cards will again be Final Four material, with Russdiculous and Harrell leading the way.

3. Kentucky

Key Players: Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Alex Poythress, Julius Randle, James Young

The Skinny: Here we go again. The Cats were freshmen-packed last year, but it didn’t go so well. This season’s crop of newcomers could be the best ever and features talent at every position. It’s up to John Calipari to make it all work—just like two years ago.

4. Duke

Key Players: Quinn Cook, Rodney Hood, Jabari Parker, Rasheed Sulaimon

The Skinny: The Devils lost a lot of firepower, but the arrivals of Parker and Hood should make them formidable up front. If Cook and Sulaimon step up, it’s Final Four time in Durham.

5. Kansas

Key Players: Tarik Black, Perry Ellis, Andrew Wiggins

The Skinny: The Jayhawks weren’t going to sniff the top 10…until Wiggins announced he was coming and started dunking on everybody. Memphis transfer Black will provide heft inside.

6. Arizona

Key Players: Brandon Ashley, Aaron Gordon, Nick Johnson, TJ McConnell, Kaleb Tarczewski

The Skinny: Zona’s younger players surged forward last year, and it will be up to the sophs and Gordon to work with Duquesne transfer McConnell and the athletic Johnson to rule the Pac-12.

7. Ohio State

Key Players: Aaron Craft, LaQuinton Ross, Shannon Scott, Lenzelle Smith

The Skinny: The pain of that Wichita State Elite 8 loss is still hanging around Columbus, but the Buckeyes have plenty to get past that, particularly if Ross becomes the scoring weapon Coach Thad Matta thinks he can.

8. Syracuse

Key Players: Rakeem Christmas, Tyler Ennis, CJ Fair, Jerami Grant

The Skinny: The Orange sustained some big losses, but Fair is a multi-purpose terror, the inside has plenty of heft and Ennis is on board to run the show. Oh, and don’t forget that nasty zone defense, because opponents can’t.

9. Michigan

Key Players: Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, Nik Stauskas, Derrick Walton

The Skinny: The encore to Michigan’s Final Four appearance could be special, especially with the sophomore triumvirate back in business. But the Wolverines need help at the point, and that means more from title game hero Spike Albrecht or a big debut by Walton.

10. Oklahoma State

Key Players: Markel Brown, Phil Forte, Le’Bryan Nash, Marcus Smart

The Skinny: Smart’s decision to return was one of the most surprising in recent college hoops history. The outstanding point man leads an experienced team with plenty of firepower and some pretty good depth. Big things are possible.

11. North Carolina

Key Players: PJ Hairston, Isaiah Hicks, James Michael McAdoo, Marcus Paige

The Skinny: McAdoo’s return is a big boost, but Hairston’s status after his arrests could make some trouble, at least early. The Heels aren’t back to their previous top-five status, but they are climbing.

12. Florida

Key Players: Eli Carter, Kasey Hill, Patric Young

The Skinny: It doesn’t matter that the Gators lost their top three scorers from last year, Young’s return is big, and transfer Carter was Rutgers’ top scorer last year. If high-flying frosh Chris Walker gets eligible, then UF should be even better.

13. Virginia Commonwealth

Key Players: Rob Brandenberg, Treveon Graham, Juvonte Reddic, Briante Weber

The Skinny: Havoc strikes again, and this time in a watered-down Atlantic 10 that should be the Rams’ province. The question is whether VCU can make some national noise or whether it gets smoked like it did last year in the NCAA Tourney.

14. Memphis

Key Players: Chris Crawford, Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson, Austin Nichols

The Skinny: The Tigers could have the nation’s best backcourt, particularly since Missouri transfer Michael Dixon is eligible right away, but the front line’s development determines if Memphis is a powerhouse.

15. Wichita State

Key Players: Ron Baker, Tekele Cotton, Cleanthony Early, Fred Van Vleet

The Skinny: With Creighton gone, the Shockers are the class of the Missouri Valley. In order to come close to last year’s Final Four run, though, they need the supporting cast to step up.

16. New Mexico

Key Players: Cameron Bairstow, Hugh Greenwood, Alex Kirk, Kendall Williams

The Skinny: After declaring his eternal loyalty to the Lobos, Steve Alford bolted for UCLA. He leaves behind a deep team that needs another scorer to emerge to become top-10 caliber.

17. Creighton

Key Players: Austin Chatman, Grant Gibbs, Doug McDermott, Ethan Wragge

The Skinny: The Bluejays step up in class this year but do so with one of the nation’s best in McDermott and a fine distributor in Gibbs. Any real success will depend on how well the big men perform.

18. Connecticut

Key Players: Ryan Boatright, Omar Calhoun, DeAndre Daniels, Shabazz Napier

The Skinny: Now free of NCAA sanctions, the Huskies can be full post-season participants, and Napier, one of the nation’s best guards, can lead them deep in the Dance.

19. Marquette

Key Players: Davante Gardner, Chris Otule, Derrick Wilson, Jamil Wilson

The Skinny: The Golden Eagles suffered some losses, but they have a rock-solid front line and one of the toughest defenses around. If their point guards settle in, they will be the best of the Big East and a pain in the neck come March.

20. Iowa

Key Players: Mike Gesell, Roy Devyn Marble, Jarrod Uthoff, Aaron White

The Skinny: The Hawkeyes are loaded with returnees and welcome Wisconsin transfer Uthoff to the party. Iowa won’t be at the top of the Big Ten, but none of the big boys will want to play the Hawks, either.

The post Men’s NCAA Preview appeared first on SLAM.

From our friends at USA Basketball:

After five days of training camp that began with 26 players on June 24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball today named the official, 12-man roster for the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s World University Games Team.

Training camp will continue in Colorado Springs through June 30, and the team departs for Russia on July 1.

Representing the USA at the 2013 World University Games men’s basketball competition that will be played July 7-16 in Kazan, Russia, will be: Spencer Dinwiddie (Colorado/Woodland Hills, Calif.); Yogi Ferrell (Indiana/Indianapolis, Ind.); Treveon Graham (Virginia Commonwealth/Temple Hills, Md.); Luke Hancock (Louisville/ Roanoke, Va.); Tyler Haws (BYU/Alpine, Utah); Cory Jefferson (Baylor/ Killeen, Texas); Sean Kilpatrick (Cincinnati/Yonkers, N.Y.); Alex Kirk (New Mexico/Los Alamos, N.M.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa); Adreian Payne (Michigan State/Dayton, Ohio); Will Sheehey (Indiana/Stuart, Fla.); and Aaron White (Iowa/Strongsville, Ohio).

“Clearly versatility, we have guys that can play more than one position, that’s one of the great strengths we have,” said USA head coach Bob McKillop (Davidson College). “I think we shoot the ball particularly well from a number of positions, and we’ve got guys who want to be teammates. Those two things, to me, are the biggest advantages that we have, or the biggest strengths for our team.”

“Clearly versatility, we have guys that can play more than one position, that’s one of the great strengths we have,” said USA head coach Bob McKillop (Davidson College). “I think we shoot the ball particularly well from a number of positions, and we’ve got guys who want to be teammates. Those two things, to me, are the biggest advantages that we have, or the biggest strengths for our team.”

Assisting McKillop on the USA sideline are John Beilein of the University of Michigan and Frank Martin of the University of South Carolina.

McDermott is the only USA Basketball veteran on the team, and he was a member of the 2011 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team that finished in fifth place with a 7-2 record in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia.

Eleven players took home end of the year conference honors, including McDermott, who was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and an all-conference first-team selection. Additionally, Kirk listed on the Mountain West Conference All-Defensive team, Ferrell was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team and Sheehey earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year.

Also taking home first-team recognition were Dinwiddie (Pac-12) and Haws (West Coast Conference). Named to all-conference second teams were: Graham (Atlantic-10 Conference), Kilpatrick (Big East), Kirk (Mountain West) and Payne (Big Ten). White earned All-Big Ten third team, and honorable mentions included Jefferson (Big 12) and Ferrell (Big Ten).

Additionally, Hancock earned 2013 Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

After departing on July 1, the USA will practice on July 3-6 in Kazan, Russia, including scrimmages on July 4 against Russian basketball club UNICS and on July 5 against the Russia World University Games Team before beginning World University Games play on July 7.

The USA has drawn preliminary round Group C for the 2013 World University Games men’s basketball competition, along with Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Sweden and United Arab Emirates. Playing in Group A are Estonia, Germany, Oman, Russia, Ukraine and South Korea. Playing in Group B are Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Romania and Serbia. Group D includes Brazil, Chile, China, Finland, Lithuania and Norway.

The USA will take on UAE at 6:30 p.m. (times listed are local; Kazan, Russia, is +8 hours from EDT) on July 7; followed by Czech Republic at 1 p.m. on July 8; and Sweden at 9 p.m. on July 10; Australia at 6:30 p.m. on July 11; and Canada at 1 p.m. on July 12.

Following the preliminary round, the first and second-placed teams in each of the four pools advance to the medal quarterfinals on July 14 to compete for first through eighth places; while the remaining teams will play out for ninth to 24th places. The semifinals will be played on July 15, and the finals will be contested on July 16.

The players were selected by the 2013-16 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee. Chaired by Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), the committee includes NCAA appointees McKillop, Matt Painter (Purdue University) and Lorenzo Romar (University of Washington), as well as athlete representative Curtis Sumpter, a member of the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team and the 2004 USA U20 National Team.

The post 2013 USA Men’s World University Games Team Roster Announced appeared first on SLAM.

by Franklyn Calle / @FrankieC7

The Decision finally happened, except this one wasn’t televised. The most talked about high school player since LeBron James made his college choice at about at 12:09pm today. It has sort of become a ritual of passage for top recruits to make their college announcement by holding press conferences that are usually televised on ESPNU or other networks. But when it was Wiggins’ turn, he handled it different. There were no television cameras, room full of reporters, or hats in front of him to choose from. Just teammates, friends and family. If you read our cover story on him in SLAM 167 then you already known he is different from the average five-star recruit.

“Andrew is not like the other guys,” Huntington Prep assistant coach David Meddings told SLAMonline over the phone about 30 minutes before Wiggins revealed his choice. “He’s humbled and a great kid. He wanted to share this moment with his family, coaches and teammates. It’s very Andrew like to be this tight fit and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As to how he was able to keep his choice from leaking in an era where bloggers seem to be ahead of it all: “He [did] not let anyone know so who knows when he made up his mind,” added Meddings.

The final list of suitors: Kentucky, Florida State, North Carolina and Kansas. Florida State was believed to have a very good chance all along since both of his parents attended and starred as athletes there. His mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins went on to win two Olympic medals for Canada in track, while his father, Mitchell, went on to play in the NBA–most notably for his years with the Houston Rockets.

Kentucky, who many have anointed as having the best in-coming freshman class in college basketball history, was also always in the mix. Come on, it’s John Calipari we’re talking about here. North Carolina always seemed like a great fit and the roster seemed to perfectly complement Wiggins. Plus, word was that Roy Williams had built a good relationship with him. Kansas seemed to have just of a good chance as the other three, but seemed to be the dark horse.

When it was time for the answer, Wiggins wanted to rock chalk as a Jayhawk. “He loved Bill Self and feels it was the best fit for him and future,” said Meddings moments after the announcement. “We are proud of him.”

Coincidentally, the day we announced the Wiggins cover on our website, I reached out to Mitchell to confirm his address so we could send him some copies of the new issue. He called me back that Tuesday night from the airport, having just gotten back from visiting Kansas with Andrew and Marita. He referred to the visit as going ‘well’ and ‘nice’. Who would have ever thought that it’d marked the start of Wiggins’ road to Kansas?

Let the new era begin.

The post Andrew Wiggins Will Attend Kansas appeared first on SLAM.

by Franklyn Calle / portraits by Trevor Paulhus

There isn’t a soul on the streets of Springfield, MA, on a frigid Sunday night in January, but inside the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place hotel, a pack of anxious basketball fans hoping to catch a glimpse of history are bubbling over. On the 11th floor of the hotel’s atrium, above the crowd, a disappointed preteen can be overheard speaking with her father.

“I don’t think he’s coming,” she says, despondent. “They said he’d be back by 9:30.”

She’s not the only one getting antsy. Down in the lobby, a handful of people well past their teenage years linger with basketballs, posters and other memorabilia in their hands. This being the home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, it’s not unusual for hoops legends to visit. Thing is, though, the crowd clogging the lobby isn’t waiting for a star of years’ past or even a current NBA player; they’re waiting for 17-year-old (18 when you read this) wunderkinds Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins.

In case you’re not up to speed on the prep stars—and a lot of people already are, based on the number of their Twitter followers and the non-stop buzz surrounding their college choices—let us give you a quick primer. Parker, who hails from Chicago, and Wiggins, from Toronto, have at different times each been labeled the most prolific high school prospect since LeBron James. With that scouting report in mind, both are understandably viewed as program changers in college and potential franchise players in the League. Coincidently, both also happen to be sons of former NBA players, both are listed at 6-8, and both wear No. 22 for their high school teams—Chicago (IL) Simeon and Huntington (WV) Prep, respectively.

Parker and Wiggins are in Springfield on this mid-winter weekend for the Spalding Hoophall Classic, one of the premier invitationals on the high school calendar. Earlier in the day, we brought these players together for a historic cover shoot. Despite all their ties, our shoot is the first time the two prodigies have actually had the chance to hang out with one another.

***

Parker’s dad, Sonny, was taken by the Golden State Warriors with the 17th pick in the 1976 NBA Draft. Jabari’s first basketball memory is when, at 6 years old, he was trying to get shots up at halftime of games in his dad’s AAU summer league, the Sonny Parker Youth Foundation. Being around his father is what Jabari credits for fueling his early passion for the game. Not too long after, his skill set began matching that passion. “I think when he was in the fourth grade, he made the eighth grade basketball team, but they wouldn’t let him play because of liabilities and his age,” says Sonny. “He played with my sixth grade AAU team when he was in the first or second grade. He was pretty much bigger than those other kids.”

In the summer of ’06, Sonny took 11-year-old Jabari to Simeon to an open gym. Simeon had a senior point guard named Derrick Rose at the time. Young Jabari was unfazed by the older guys and cruised through the session. “It was big—to see just how skilled he was,” remembers Simeon head coach Robert Smith. “He had a high IQ; he was really skilled at an early age. He was doing things out there that some high school players couldn’t do at the time.”

Until ’09, Simeon had never allowed a freshman to play on its varsity team—not even Rose. It was a rule that Smith’s predecessor, the iconic Bob Hambric, had implemented. But according to Smith, allowing Jabari to play varsity as a freshman wasn’t a hard decision at all. “We needed to make sure we challenged him,” says Smith, “the whole time.”

The passion for basketball that Jabari got from his father was nearly matched by a spirituality imparted by his mother, Lola, a Mormon who raised Jabari and his siblings in the religion. Jabari’s commitment to the religion crossed into hoops last year when he made it clear that BYU—a private university run by Mormons—was on the short list of colleges he would consider.

Fast forward to today and Jabari has won three straight Illinois Class 4A titles and is hungry for a fourth. “Coming in as a freshman, that was my biggest goal,” he says. “I wanted to win four straight state championships.”

Parker’s work ethic has given him more than just state trophies. He was named the Gatorade National POY in 2012, making him just the fourth underclassman after Greg Oden, LeBron James and Brandon Knight to be so honored. And while many kids Jabari’s age would love the public hoopla his success has created, Jabari is still a little uncomfortable with it. He recognizes he’s going to have to deal with it for years to come, though. “It comes with the territory,” Parker acknowledges. “We chose this life. It’s something you have to deal with if you want to play at the highest level.”

Comparisons also come with the territory. In Jabari’s case, people have invoked everyone from Carmelo Anthony to Paul Pierce in addition to King James. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Parker’s future coach at Duke, has said he sees the forward as a mixture of Kobe Bryant and Grant Hill.

“If you’re real good at that age, of course they want to compare you to somebody that’s doing big things,” Parker says. “It was hard at first, but now I know where I need to aim at. I need to aim high… and that’s the only way, because LeBron is at the top.”

Heading into last summer, Jabari was ranked as the top player in his class. Then, a fractured foot injury kept him out of play for most of the summer. Meanwhile, as Parker recovered, Wiggins posted one strong showing after another. And once Wiggins officially reclassified to the Class of 2013, most rankings (including the one I write for SLAMonline) moved him to the head of the class. Jabari admits that the small drop provided fresh motivation. “It brought me beneath earth,” says Parker. “Everybody is putting you down, kicking you to the curb. That’s when you figure out, where is your motivation going to be from? I’m hungry because I’m playing catch-up. Can I ever make it to where I was at first? And can I do better? That’s my whole mentality.”

This past fall, within minutes of declaring his intention to attend Duke, Jabari says he was getting thousands of hateful messages tweeted at him. Still, Parker—whose Twitter bio quotes John Wooden: “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s weakness to get caught up in either one”—brushes off the hate.

“It just gave me a sign that I’m almost there,” he says. “I’m almost at the big leagues because you see Kobe and LeBron, they face a lot of scrutiny. So I just say it’s almost time for me to be in that glare, if all goes right.”

While the comparisons to James seem off to us in a purely athletic sense, Parker can also do just about everything on the floor. He can handle the ball and post up. He can unleash his smooth jumper from far or create space to get it off inside. Most notably, he’s never overzealous, rarely forcing a shot. In that regard, Parker, who is averaging 18.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.4 bpg as we go to press, plays differently than most preps. He’s a throwback, which might be explained by the fact that his favorite player, as well as his father’s, is Oscar Robertson.

Says Parker, “The Big O, he’s kind of the foundation for me because he kind of evolved the game for what a small forward is—playing everywhere on the floor. The old school guys, I have so much passion for them because they did it so smooth. They had so much more fundamentals than our bigs. We are a little bit stronger and faster, but the skill back then was better.”

The post Fame Game appeared first on SLAM.

This past weekend in Memphis, some of the best high school players in the state of Tennessee put on a show in the first-ever 10aC Elite Showcase. The event was stockpiled with high-major recruits from the Class of 2013, ’14 and ’15, and as you would expect, the outstanding collection of talent made for an exciting weekend of hoops.

From top to bottom, Tennessee has an unusually deep high school roster. The 2013 group features six unanimous “top-100” players, and at least 10 other kids who undoubtedly belong in that conversation. There’s the “known” guys—the Memphis-bound triumvirate of Austin Nichols, Markel Crawford and Nick King; explosive shooting guard Robert Hubbs (Tennessee); versatile swingman Shannon Hale (Alabama); JaJuan Johnson (Marquette); and Johnathan Williams III (Missouri).

But the list just gets deeper. There’s VCU-bound PG JeQuan Lewis, Richmond-bound Josh Jones, Miami-bound Corn Elder, Wichita State-bound DJ Bowles and Murray State-bound Cameron Payne. And that’s without including guys like Demetrius Dyson and 7-footer Sam Edwards—gifted recruits who are still searching for the right college fit.

The 2014 class? Plentiful. Forwards Leron Black and Jalen Lindsey will, in my estimation, be All-Americans next season, while guys like Marcanvis Hymon, CJ Anderson, Chris Chiozza, Fattod Lewis and Ladarius Chester have a chance to be special. In the sophomore ranks, 6-10 combo forward Skal Labissiere already has an offer from Kentucky, and with steady development, 6-4 guard Donte Fitzpatrick has the tools to make noise nationally.

If none of these names ring a bell, don’t fret—you’re not alone. The talent in Tennessee isn’t covered as heavily as, say, the talent in New York or California or Texas, but make no mistake about it: These boys can play with anybody in the country. I’m not saying Tennessee is breeding the next NBA superstar, but I am saying that as a collective entity, these boys would give other groups a run for their money.

Organized by Left Hand Right Hand, LLC (the same group that organized the Big Strick Classic), the showcase commenced Friday night at Hickory Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where players of all age groups ran through a series of drills to sharpen their basketball skills and acumen. Led by coach and workout guru Sam Clark, the players worked through a series of dribbling, shooting and rebounding exercises. After an hour or so of workouts, the players got their first lick at each other in a 30-minute scrimmage.

The following afternoon, crowds of spectators and family members gathered in the gymnasium of Southwest Tennessee Community College for the main event.

Before the game, a number of players took part in a three-point contest to showcase their shooting abilities. In the finals, future Crimson Tide swingman Shannon Hale took home the crown, defeating junior CJ Anderson.

The showcase pitted the players against one another, in what quickly turned into a fast-paced highlight factory. The teams were split into “Red” and “Blue” teams. In a high-scoring game that could’ve gone either way, junior Jalen Lindsey paced the Blue team to a 145-140 victory. The jack-of-all-trades forward scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while junior point guard Ladarius Chester contributed with 21 points and sophomore Donte Fitzpatrick chipped in 19. For the Red team, Leron Black had the most profound impact of all players, scoring 35 points to go along with 22 rebounds, while Hale contributed 26 points and 8 rebounds, including four three-pointers.

After the game wrapped up, the excitement in the gym reached a climax. This was, of course, because the Dunk Contest was next.

The contestants included Black, Chester and ETSU commit AJ Merriweather. All three were freakishly athletic, getting eye-level with the rim on every dunk, but in the end the 6-1 Chester took home a well-deserved victory. Fittingly, the Dunk Contest was the final scene of a memorable weekend in Memphis.

10aC Elite Showcase

Blue defeats Red, 145-140.

MVPs: Blue — Jalen Lindsey (24 pts, 15 rebs); Red — Shannon Hale (26 points, 8 rebs)

Most Outstanding Player: Leron Black (35 pts, 22 rebs)

Scouting Report: Notable Players

Leron Black (Memphis, TN/White Station HS)

2014, SF/PF, 6-7, 215

Initially committed to Baylor; de-committed in January 2013. Offers from UConn, Illinois, Florida, Ohio State and others

One of the top rated juniors in the country, Black was the most impressive player in Tennessee, finishing with 35 points and 22 rebounds. At 6-7, 215 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare because he’s too agile and quick for bigger defenders, and too massive for smaller defenders. Black can set up anywhere on the court and go to work; he has great mobility and athleticism to flourish in transition (Black is a legitimate one-man fast break) and has an arsenal of moves in the half-court. On defense, he’s athletic enough to guard three positions.

What’s scary is that most of Black’s 35 points came off second-chance opportunities, as he attacked the boards and finished with at least four put-back dunks. Black’s motor is remarkable, his competitiveness is relentless and he’s attacks the paint—both on scoring and rebounding opportunities—with a vengeance. In terms of his motor, think Michael Kidd-Gilchrist; while his peers are grasping for air in the fourth quarter, Black seemingly gains energy as the game goes on.

At this point, Black has a good chance to be a top-5 player in his class. He’s the complete package—an inside-outside threat that impacts the game with or without the basketball. To give you an idea: In a three-play series during the third quarter, Black first completed a one-man fast break, then backed down his defender for a turn-around tear drop, and then nailed a pull-up three the next play. If Black wants to take his game to the next level, he’ll need to continue to fill out his frame and develop his ball handling, because he’ll likely be playing more on the wing in college. Still, Black is an elite player whose upside is through the roof.

Jalen Lindsey (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

2014, SF, 6-7, 185

Offers from Florida, Louisville, Ohio State, Tennessee and others

Lindsey is a rare breed: He’s a cerebral player with freakish athleticism. He operates smoothly on the wing, is an effective slasher and explodes to the rim with even the slightest inch of separation. He has great length, plays with an infectious energy and can shoot out to 20 feet. What’s fascinating about Lindsey is that although he’s right handed, he prefers to go left, which keeps defenders on their toes. He can explode off either foot, knows how to space the floor, and attacks the boards with bunny-like bounce. Lindsey doesn’t’ waste dribbles, and understands how to gain position on drives by lowering his shoulder and sinking into his defender.

At this point, Lindsey needs to shore up his handle to consistently create his own shot, but he has all the tools to do so. Picture CJ Leslie with strong fundamentals and extended range.

Shannon Hale (Christ School)

2013, SF, 6-8, 210

Committed to Alabama

Hale committed to Alabama during his sophomore season, and it’s safe to say Anthony Grant is getting a real good player next year. Hale seems to be improving every time he steps on the court, and has a great feel for the game. He’s automatic from mid-range, and showcased strong shooting mechanics from long range as well. He has soft touch inside, and overall has the tools to make a big impact on the college level.

Hale is versatile enough to guard three positions—he’s long, can block shots and gets way above the rim to grab rebounds and slam home put-backs. He’s a big-time rising prospect with unusual basketball IQ, and is also a delightful young man. In other words, Alabama got a good one in Shannon Hale.

Skal Labissiere (Evangelical Christian School)

2015, PF/C, 6-10, 200

Offer from Kentucky; Interest pick up from several high-major schools

A native of Haiti, Labissieri is very advanced for his age. He has great length, a vast arsenal of moves in the low post—jump hooks with either hand, turn-around and step-black jumpers, etc—and at 6-10 has range out to 18 feet. His defensive instincts are already there, and he’s a point guard’s best friend in transition. When watching Skal, it was evident this kid has the potential to be a future pro. He needs to gain weight, but as far as under-the-radar sophomores go, there aren’t many better than Labissieri. He’s a silky-smooth big man with next-level mobility and the footwork of a college player. There’s a reason Kentucky has already offered.

Chris Chiozza (White Station HS)

2014, PG, 5-10, 160

Offer from Missouri; Interest from Florida, Richmond and others

A 5-10 lead guard, Chiozza had the best handles at the event. He’s lightning quick with the ball, can change direction on a dime and has an unteachable feel for setting up his teammates. Chiozza is faster with the ball in his hands than without it—think Phil Pressey—and he consistently draws in defenders to set up his teammates for easy baskets. At the scrimmage on Friday, Chiozza beautifully set up his teammates first, and then when the defense was on their heels, he knocked down four three-pointers in a row. He’s undersized, but what he lacks in size he makes up in speed and court vision. Chiozza uses his handle and quickness to penetrate the defense and create open lanes for cutters.

Ladarius Chester (Melrose HS)

2014, PG, 6-1

Under-the-radar junior

Chester could be the best junior you’ve never heard of. Only 6-1, he’s an electric PG with next-level athleticism (check the dunk contest, above) and a massive chip on his shoulder. He showed flashes of Russell Westbrook-type athleticism and body control.

Chester is a bully. He has broad, wide shoulders, and uses his strong frame to finish through contact at the rim. He plays with a mean streak, and the overall level of play automatically rises when Chester is on the court. The next step for him is learning how to run an offense—namely, the pick and roll—but if I were a college coach, I’d be very intrigued by the thought of acquiring Chester. He’s a fearless competitor who digs into his opponent every game.

Marlon Hunter (Melrose HS)

2015, SG, 6-4

Hunter is an aggressive scorer who had one of the more impressive showings on the weekend. His jumpshot was near-automatic all afternoon and he got to the cup in transition, finishing with 20 points on the day. Hunter’s stock has been rising since late last year, and it was evident why. He can score from all over the floor, has a tight handle and good athleticism. With two years of high school remaining, Hunter’s is definitely worth keeping tabs on.

Josh Jones (Memphis Central HS)

2013, SF, 6-4

Committed to Richmond

Jones is a bouncy athlete with good range on his jumpshot and high versatility on the defensive end. Right now he’s more of a small forward, but if he develops his handle to deal with pressure he can make a seamless transition to shooting guard. He’s a smart player who can be highly effective without forcing the issue. Earlier this year, Jones scored 52 points vs Leron Black and the rest of the White Station crew, and he has a chance to immediately start at Richmond.

Marcanvis Hymon (Whitehaven HS)

2014, SF, 6-6, 185

Offers from Mississippi, Cincinnati, Missouri, Arkansas and others

Hymon is one of the most skilled juniors in the country. The combo forward has strong hands, and he’s an automatic basket when he receives the ball in the mid or high post. He has good length and athleticism, enabling him to make an impact on both defense and the glass, and also cleans up nicely in transition. Going forward, Hymon needs to be more assertive and demand the ball in the post. That being said, Hymon has all the tools of a high-major prospect, and could garner even more attention this summer.

Demetrius Dyson (Covington HS)

2013, SG/SF, 6-5

De-committed from Lipscomb in March 2013; Interest picking up

A lengthy 6-5 shooting guard, Dyson showcased lots of skill off the dribble, and when given space he knocked down a number of outside shots. He digs into his man on defense, using length and lateral quickness to deflect passes and disrupt shots. He’s athletic enough to defend either guard position, and there’s no question he has mid-major abilities. It will be very interesting to see which schools offer him a scholarship this late in the game. Dyson said he’s recently heard from La Salle, Tennessee and UMass.

Donte Fitzpatrick (Melrose HS)

2015, SG, 6-4, 175

Fast-rising sophomore

Fitzpatrick is a skilled shooting guard with a vast offensive arsenal. He uses a strong crossover to get to the rim, and can also stop on a dime for a pull-up jumpshot. He has a great feel for the game, and can adjust speeds on cue. Fitzpatrick is an effective rebounder from the wing, and if he can develop his jumpshot, he could rise up the charts as an upperclassman.

Sam Edwards (Oakhaven HS)

2013, C, 7-0, 260

Reported offers from Arkansas, Memphis, Nebraska and others

Regardless of skill set or mental make up, you can’t teach 7-feet, 260 pounds. Edwards has a long ways to go in terms of skill, polish, shooting ability and footwork, but he was the most noticeable player on the court and has the physical tools to make an impact. It’ll be a long shot—a year of prep school or JUCO wouldn’t hurt—but Edwards is certainly worth keeping tabs on.

CJ Anderson (Arlington HS)

2014, SG, 6-4, 180

Offers from VCU, Arizona State; Interest from Georgia Tech, LSU and others

Anderson is a wiry guard who flourishes in a fast-paced setting. He’s a pest on defense, gets up the floor quickly and can get to the rim, but he’ll need to shore up his jumpshot and ball handling to deal with pressure and have a more significant impact. Still, Anderson is raw and the potential is there.

Rob Marberry (Franklin Road Academy)

2014, PF, 6-7, 195

In terms of playing style, Marberry reminded me of Josh McRoberts. The lefty has a strong build, fights to get rebounds on the interior and can also knock down the three-pointer in transition. Marberry was once a scrapper, but now, with a variety of over the shoulder and step-back moves, is a threat to contribute on offense.

AJ Merriweather (South Side HS)

2013, SF, 6-4, 195

Committed to East Tennessee State

Merriweather does a lot of things at a “good” level, but not much at an elite level. He’s a good athlete who has shown the ability to knock down three-pointers, and can also defend both guard positions. He has the physical tools to succeed; he just needs to stay in the gym and keep working.­

Khalil Spencer (Mitchell HS)

2015, G, 6-4, 180

Coming off a serious knee injury, Spencer was just easing his way back into things at the 10aC Elite Showcase, but he showed why he’s one of the top sophomores in the state. He has a high motor, can rebound from the wing and has the ability to score in bunches. As he regains his strength in his knee and gets more comfortable, Spencer could emerge as a consistent impact player.

Damon Cox (Germantown Academy)

2013, PG, 5-10

Although undersized, Cox has a strong basketball IQ and knocked down two straight jumpers to open the game. He picked and choosed his spots wisely, and made the defense respect his shot all afternoon.

Wray Fuller (South Side HS)

2013, G, 6-2

Fuller scored 14 points, including three 3-pointers, and scored key baskets in crunch time to help the blue team secure victory. He was kind of like a silent assassin— he won’t blow you away with elite skills or athleticism, but he understands how to make the correct basketball play and was a difference maker down the stretch.

Fattod Lewis (Raleigh-Egypt HS)

2014, SF/PF, 6-6

Offer from Missouri; Interest from Auburn, Memphis, Tennessee and others

Like Anderson, Lewis competes on both ends of the floor but is waiting for his skill level to catch up with his athleticism. Lewis embraces contact down low and attacks the glass. If he can get a few go-to moves on the interior, and then refine a mid-range jumpshot, Lewis will become a major threat. The future looks bright.

The post 10aC Elite Showcase Recap appeared first on SLAM.

by Matt Caputo / portraits Dermot Cleary

On the second day of the Nike Global Challenge in Alexandria, VA, Andrew Wiggins is the first player in the gym for an 8 p.m. game between his Canadian team and China. He’s so early, in fact, there are still more than two minutes left in the preceding game between USA-East and Brazil. With time to burn, Wiggins parks his lanky frame in the doorway of the gym and watches wide-eyed as Brazil upsets the Americans.

In the same gym hours earlier, Wiggins put on a show that coaches from nearly every major college program—Coach Cal from Kentucky, Rick Pitino from Louisville and Roy Williams from UNC, to name a few—witnessed. He led Canada in an upset of the same USA-East squad that he’s now watching lose to Brazil. In that game, Wiggins scored 23 points, added 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and a steal in 39 minutes. He didn’t play perfectly, but the promise he showed was enough to reinforce what scouts already know: Andrew Wiggins is probably one of the most gifted prep players in North America, and he already possesses NBA-ready tools and physique.

What the college coaches and several NBA scouts in the gym don’t know about Andrew Wiggins is that he won’t be playing tonight. His shoes are tied and his jersey is tucked in, but he won’t check into the game.

Wiggins travels the layup line normally, dunking once or twice just because the opportunity is there. He stands for the national anthems—Canada and the USA—and then takes the last seat on the bench. Midway through the first quarter, he taps his foot impatiently. In the stands, despite him not getting any burn, the conversations among the coaches and scouts are all about Wiggins. “Just look at the kid, he’s got an NBA body already,” says one NBA scout, observing Wiggins’ 6-7, 205-pound frame in a folding chair. “He’s only going to get stronger.”

As the game continues and Wiggins still languishes on the pine, the video guys—there to capture dunks and crosses for highlight videos they hope go viral—realize what’s up and head out. But many of the coaches present, who are there as much to be seen by Wiggins as they are to see him, stay, even if seasonal NCAA rules prevent them from speaking with him. They stay, even if they can only watch him on the bench. “All he needs to do is straighten out the jump shot and he’ll be alright,” one DI head coach says into an Android phone. “He’ll get there.”

***

It makes sense that Andrew Wiggins is the son of world-class athletes. His father, Mitchell Wiggins, starred at Florida State before embarking on a nearly 20-year pro career that included being the first-round pick of the Pacers in ’83, playing in the NBA Finals with the Rockets in ’86 and—after serving a suspension for testing positive for cocaine—averaging 15.5 ppg for Houston in ’89-90. His mother, Marita Payne, won two Silver medals for Canada in track and field at the ’84 Olympics.

Andrew was born in February of ’95 while his father was still playing professionally overseas. He’s the fourth of his parents’ six children, all of whom play ball. Andrew’s older brothers both stand over 6-5; Mitch Jr, 22, has two years of college eligibility left, and Nick, 21, recently signed with Wichita State. The oldest daughter, Stephanie, 20, also played growing up. The final two Wiggins children, girls Taya, 12, and Angelica, 15, are described as “very good players” by one Canadian coach.

When Andrew was in, as Canadians say, grade seven, he followed his oldest brothers on Mitch Jr’s recruiting visit to Florida State University, where their dad had averaged 23 points per game as a senior in ’83. The brothers found themselves shooting around in the Tucker Center. Andrew connected on an alley-oop from his older brother Nick and dunked for the first time in his life.

He grew into the type of player who commanded the court from every angle. Even now, his leaping ability jumps out at people.

“We were working a pretty advanced drill at a camp and Andrew might have been 13 years old, but didn’t look 13,” says Greg Francis, an assistant coach for Canada’s men’s national team who once led Fairfield to a near upset of North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. “Andrew tried this spin move and tripped, lost his balance and then jumped and had to move his head away from hitting the rim. You could tell how much potential he had even by watching his mistakes.”

Over the summer, at the LeBron James Skills Academy, Wiggins earned praise in a game attended by the camp’s namesake. On one play, he drove down the baseline and released a hawk-like leap, reaching so high from an odd angle that the attempt prompted LBJ to rise from his seat in recognition. Wiggins missed the dunk by a mile, but it was another instance where he left a good impression even while making a mistake.

Wiggins played at Christian Faith Center in North Carolina in eighth grade—his first schooling stint in the States—then bolted back up north for two years before returning to the US in the fall of 2011. At West Virginia’s Huntington Prep, Wiggins fit in right away with the squad of elite level basketball players. He averaged 24.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 blocks per game, helping coach Rob Fulford’s  Express to a 28-2 record.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one great game, he’d have 6 or 7 points in a spurt, not score for a couple minutes and then go on another run, end of the game he’s got 30,” says Fulford, recounting Wiggins’ performance last year. “It’s kind of like what Jordan used to do.”

When Wiggins plans to go to college—as opposed to where he’ll choose to go—is the biggest question surrounding the 17-year-old. He’s listed in the Class of 2014, but over the summer, rumors flew that he might reclassify to be eligible for college next fall.

Some speculate that he may go to Kentucky and play for John Calipari, who has coached three of the last five first overall NBA Draft picks. Others say that he might choose Florida State, his father’s alma mater. Those close to Wiggins say that where he goes to school isn’t important.

“It doesn’t really matter where he goes, to be honest with you,” says Mike George, an assistant coach with Canada’s Global Challenge team and co-director of CIA Bounce, a Canadian AAU outfit. “He’s at a level where he can play whether you push the ball or play more in the half court. His athletic ability helps him create for his teammates; it’s a characteristic like LeBron has.”

One thing that makes Wiggins’ situation dissimilar to LeBron’s is that Wiggins has to go to college, while LBJ had the luxury of being able to skip school. He’s already Canada’s most celebrated schoolboy baller ever and doesn’t even go to school there anymore. He ranked at the top of most major rankings for the Class of 2014, and many goes as far as to call him the best player in high school, period.

“It’s impressive to see that he filled out a little bit, he was very skinny,” says Francis, who watched Wiggins at Canada’s Junior National Team tryouts. “He’s quicker and he’s doing things off the dribble that I didn’t see him doing a couple of years ago.”

By all accounts, he’s on pace—maybe slightly ahead of schedule—to be NBA-ready whenever he graduates high school. And that day may come sooner than expected.

***

The last day of the Global Challenge takes place at the DC Armory, closer to the heart of the nation’s capital. The building is showered with Nike swooshes and equipped with several stations designed for fans to test their vertical leap. Bobbito Garcia DJs as local hoops diehards stroll in, eager to see future NBA talent, perhaps from the invited countries.

Guys in polo shirts and khaki shorts holding cell phones and iPads crowd the sidelines and baselines. The number of college coaches and NBA scouts in attendance has multiplied profoundly since Canada’s last game. They’ve spent another long day in the gym by the time Wiggins reaches the court for the title tilt against USA-Midwest at 2 p.m.

The ball goes directly to Wiggins on Canada’s first possession, but neither he nor his teammates find a groove. There’s a hand in Wiggins’ face most of the game and his jumper is pretty streaky. Still, he scores 24 points, collects 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and despite 2 turnovers, he doesn’t get called for one personal foul.

“He looks like a pogo stick out there,” says one assistant coach and ex-NBA player, watching Wiggins from the baseline.

The game runs past the official cutoff time (5 p.m.) for NCAA recruiting during April/July evaluation periods. In compliance, all coaches in attendance make a mass exodus and the baseline that had just been mobbed stands empty.

Wiggins performs solidly in a 100-86 defeat but doesn’t overachieve. In the eyes of those watching him develop closely, Wiggins showed signs of improvement even if he couldn’t capitalize on winning the Global Challenge for Canada. “He was more vocal and he’s competing at a higher level,” says George, Wiggins’ coach since grade nine. “He’s responded to challenges and is taking them personal.”

He emerges from the constructed locker room/backstage area. Waiting reporters occupy a dark corner and faces are hard to see, but distant flashing lights shine on Wiggins’ friendly, honest smile.

“I struggled here, but I shot the ball well in the EYBL, Hoop Summit and during school,” Wiggins says. “It wasn’t my best weekend.”

Even so, he’s not discouraged in the slightest. In the dark, Wiggins says he’s set on graduating with the Class of ’14. Fulford says Wiggins is still undecided on his classification.

As the games end, LeBron James is brought out to half-court at the Armory, causing hysteria in the crowd. On the baseline, Wiggins stands alone and awestruck, staring at his favorite player. At 17, he’s the most naturally gifted kid in basketball, but he’s still working off his childhood. He’s into video games, girls, hitting the movies and the mall.

It’s a reminder that, when he’s ready—when he reaches the point where it all comes together—the basketball world will be waiting to watch him.

The post Let’s Go appeared first on SLAM.

Originally published in SLAM 150

by Rodger Bohn / @rodgerbohn

Two NBA GMs walk into the Joe Craft Center in Lexington early one March morning to see arguably the SEC’s top NBA Draft prospect work out. University of Kentucky freshman phenoms Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones [see sidebar] just put on a show in a thriller over Vanderbilt the night before, and while both are likely Lottery picks, the NBA brass isn’t here to see them. They’re here to evaluate a foreign-born freshman who didn’t play a minute against Vanderbilt, a player who didn’t even suit up once this past season after the NCAA declared him ineligible last September. They’re here in Big Blue Nation to see 6-11, 265-pound Turkish import Enes Kanter.

On this morning, with UK assistant and former first-round pick Kenny Payne leading the 18-year-old Kanter (he’ll be 19 when you read this) through an assortment of one-on-none drills, it’s easy to see where, despite not having played organized ball in almost a year, the hype comes from. Boasting a body like Blake Griffin’s and incredibly long arms, Kanter’s more in the mold of a center than a power forward at this point. Completely comfortable swooshing effortless jump hooks with either hand, in glimpses—when he effortlessly cashes 18-footers after annihilating a UK manager repeatedly on a simulated screen—it’s evident how good Kanter can eventually become as a pick-and-roll player. Though Kentucky head coach John Calipari wasn’t in the gym for the workout, he boasts later, “If you’re using him in the pick and roll, I don’t know how you can get by the screen. When he screens you, you’re getting hit and then he can step out and shoot it. He’s as good as they get.”

Kanter continues his workout by shooting NBA threes Channing Frye-style off of simulated pick and rolls, albeit with mixed results. The man adored by UK fans and nicknamed “The UnderKanter” acknowledges the so-so long-ball showing, saying he “has the potential to be a good three-point shooter with work.” Due to the nature of the workout, Kanter’s best skill, his rebounding, can’t be shown, but one GM states, “If there’s one thing that we know this kid can do, it’s rebound the hell out of the ball.”

After the grueling workout wraps, Enes raps with those present about how he feels about never being able to play for Kentucky, yet how much the fans still adore and support him. The entire time he speaks he wears an almost eerie grin on his face. Asked why he’s still so upbeat about everything, Kanter responds, “My life hasn’t even started yet. If I give up now, I will not make it. If I want to be a franchise player, I have to keep working hard, smiling and stay positive. They made me ineligible, but it’s not the end of the world. I have to show people that I’m not a bad guy, I’m a good guy. I have to show Fenerbahce, American people and Kentucky’s fans.”

—

Enes Kanter’s journey to Kentucky, to ineligibility and eventually, to being on the cusp of the NBA, began in his early teens, began in earnest when he dominated the ’08 Jordan Brand Classic International Game (22 points, 17 rebounds) and the U-18 European Championships (14.6 rpg). After those showings, despite being two years younger than the youngest of the comp, his team Fenerbahce Ulker, the top team in Turkey, bumped the adolescent up to the club’s senior team.

“I really felt special,” Kanter says about playing at such a high level at such a young age. “It was so weird at first because I was guarding players who I was the same age as their sons. But after a few minutes on the court, I knew I had to prove myself.”

After losing to heated rival Efes Pilsen in the Turkish Basketball League finals, a then 17-year-old Kanter killed it at the European U-18 Championships yet again and was named MVP. Making the decision that Enes was ready to come over and do his thing in the States, his family informed Fenerbahce that their son would not be returning to their club and began searching for a place for Enes to spend his senior year of high school. After brief stops at both Findlay Prep (NV) and Mountain State (WV), Kanter settled in at Stoneridge Prep in Simi Valley, CA—not exactly a hoops powerhouse.

Still a relatively unknown commodity, Kanter became a bit of a legend on recruiting message boards, as tales of the big Turk averaging 50 and 25 in one tourney in
Vegas gained steam (we spoke to two opposing coaches from the tourney; it happened). Over the course of a few winter months, the talented Turk would commit and then un-commit to the University of Washington. At that point, sometime in February, Kanter wasn’t sure where he wanted to go to college. Then, after watching five minutes of a Kentucky-Tennessee game, he knew exactly what school he wanted to attend.

“After I saw that game, I knew that this was the place for me. Coach Cal gives you the freedom to play your game, and that’s why I came here,” Kanter says.

Coach Cal has a different story, though. “I got a call from his coach saying that [Kanter] was interested in us, and I didn’t know who he was,” Cal recalls. “I went out to watch them practice at an L.A. Fitness (Stoneridge didn’t have its own gym) and was like, Wow!”

Despite having played pro ball in Turkey a year prior to his commitment to UK, Kanter’s father, Mehmet, had taken steps he thought were necessary—he insisted on no contract ever being signed—to maintain his son’s amateur status. The NCAA disagreed.

On September 7, 2010, months after Kanter spurned the Turkish national team to attend summer school in Lexington, Fenerbahce GM Nedim Karakas told the New York Times that the young center had received benefits in excess of what the NCAA allows while playing for Fenerbahce. A brief scuffle between the Kanters and the NCAA ensued, but ultimately Enes was stripped of his amateur status and deemed ineligible to play for the Wildcats.

Coach Cal is still sore about how all the events transpired. “Enes comes from a family where the father did everything he was supposed to do to make sure that this young man could play, and the NCAA made its decision early on that this kid was never going to play,” Calipari says. “We jumped through all kinds of hoops, but the NCAA had its mind set that Enes was never going to play.”

—

Since the conclusion of UK’s season—despite being ineligible, Kanter stayed at UK, supporting teammates he never got the chance to suit up with through their Final Four run in the NCAA Tournament—Enes has been spending his time in Chicago, working out at Attack Athletics with famed trainer Tim Grover.

With Grover saying that Kanter “is definitely ready to go pro” and “will be able to play right away, both from a physical and skill standpoint,” Kanter aspires to land in the top five of the 2011 Draft, with dream destinations of Washington and New Jersey.

While college didn’t work out for Kanter the way he would have liked, Coach Calipari ultimately thinks everything will fall into place for the pro-bound center.

“This is going to work out for this kid,” Cal says. “The only people that were cheated were our fans in the United States and the fans in Turkey who would’ve loved to see him play. He’s still going to be part of our family, he’s still going to practice where pro scouts can see him, and he’s still going to go where he should have in the Draft. At the end of the day, this all played out perfectly.”

The post Yes He Can appeared first on SLAM.

by Thomas Golianopoulos

Manute Bol sent word in advance of his final visit to his homeland, the Republic of the Sudan. This gave the elders in his home village of Turalei time to prepare a house and to arrange the killing of a cow, a Sudanese tradition for important visits. When Bol arrived in late-November, 2009, children and adults flocked to the 7-7 former NBA star. “It was almost [like] a worshipping attitude,” says Robert  McFarlane, a former national security advisor to former president Ronald Reagan, who traveled with Bol. “He was somewhat able to lift the next generation and give them a sense of purpose and hope for a better future.”

Since its independence in 1956, Sudan has intermittently been mired in civil war, and Manute Bol, the most famous Sudanese man in the world, was there to celebrate construction of a school in his home village. It’s the first of 41 schools Bol planned to build with the group Sudan Sunrise. (Why 41 schools? Bol admired the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush.) The schools would be open to students of all religions—Islam, Christianity and Animism.

Bol’s journey home got off to an inauspicious start. When Bol flew from the capital, Khartoum, to Turalei, he had to leave one bag behind because of too much weight on the flight. It was the bag with his kidney medication. “It wasn’t crucial [to his health],” says Reverend Tom Prichard, Executive Director of Sudan Sunrise. “But it didn’t help.” Bol was due back in the United States months later for some major fundraisers. The Miami Heat planned on recognizing his work, as did the Washington Wizards. He was even supposed to meet with George H.W. Bush. But Bol delayed his return. He wanted to remain in  Sudan through the April elections.

His health, however, was failing. At one point, Bol even traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, for treatment, and suffered a bad reaction to medication. While hospitalized, he heard that the government in Khartoum was bribing villagers for their votes, so he returned to Turalei. Bol’s message to the villagers was simple: Take the bribe, but don’t give them your vote. “He was so weak,” Prichard said. “People had to carry him from his car. But when he got up in front of everybody he was joking and animated.”

He returned to the United States in May and was quickly admitted to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville with acute kidney failure and complications from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a painful skin disease. But it was too late. Manute Bol died on June 19, 2010. He was 47.

—–

Manute Bol lost approximately 250 relatives in the civil war, gave away all his money, was nearly crippled by a drunk driver in an ’04 car accident and, ultimately, died way too young. Still, his story isn’t a sad one. It’s a story about a freakishly tall, freakishly charismatic man and his convictions. It’s a story about celebrity. It’s a story about basketball. It’s a story about bad people and the bad things that they do. It’s also a story of purpose and hope.

Bol grew up in southern Sudan as a cattle-herding member of the Dinka tribe. He was going to be a farmer like his father but moved to Khartoum as a teenager to play basketball. It was there in 1982 that Fairleigh Dickinson basketball coach Don Feeley discovered him and recommended that Bol come to the US. Bol entered the ’83 NBA Draft and was selected by the then-San Diego Clippers, but he was ruled ineligible and eventually enrolled at the University of Bridgeport, a DII school in Connecticut. He was an instant star.

“Before, we played in front of a couple hundred people,” says John J. O’Reilly, a teammate at Bridgeport. “But when Manute came, we got huge crowds and the same reaction everywhere we went: There was a collective gasp when we came out of the locker room.”

During his one season at Bridgeport, Bol averaged 22.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 7.1 blocks per game, and foiled a mugger. “Some guy tried to rob us,” O’Reilly says. “Manute was like, ‘What are you trying to do?’ He started to lecture the guy. He tried to talk some sense into him like, ‘You have to get yourself together.’ We weren’t robbed. Manute’s personality and ability to communicate settled the situation and made it a non-event.”

After showing even more potential with the Rhode Island Gulls of the fledgling spring-time minor-league USBL (he blocked 16 shots in the league’s first-ever game), Bol was drafted in the second round of the 1985 NBA Draft by the then-Washington Bullets. “The biggest thing was getting him used to this culture,” says Bob Ferry, then-Bullets General Manager. “He didn’t have a place to live. He had to buy clothes. We had to find a car he could sit in and drive. We had to teach him how to eat healthy.”

The responsibility fell to a 23-year-old member of Washington’s front office, Chuck Douglas. “Everything was so new to him,” Douglas remembers. “It was like being with an 8-year-old boy. We could have had our own reality show. He was still learning the language and would misuse words. Some of it was hilarious.”

Bol called a fly swatter a “fly spear.” When he had a stuffy nose, he said that his “left nose was broken.” A vacuum cleaner was a “train for his rug.” And he perfected his  English watching daytime television. The Price is Right was a favorite. Learning to drive was also an adventure, especially since Bol had become a NASCAR fan.

Like in college, Bol was an attraction in every NBA city. He was a guest of David  Letterman’s on TV and got swarmed in public. He even found a way to deal with his newfound celebrity. “He was so intelligent,” says Bullets teammate Jeff Ruland. “When people bothered him for his autograph, he would say, ‘I don’t speak English,’ and sign ‘X.’”

He also adjusted to the NBA after being thrust into the lineup when Ruland injured his knee. “People wondered if he could hold up for the entire 82 games,” says teammate Dan Roundfield of Bol’s frame. “When he got going, he was tougher than everyone thought.”

Bol blocked an NBA-leading 397 shots during his rookie season—the most ever for a rookie and the second-highest single-season total for any NBA player—and created havoc on the defensive end. “He was so tall, seldom ever got faked out of position and had wonderful timing,” Ferry says. “He affected the game more than any player then.” He also made teammates better defenders. “He allowed you to be aggressive, pressure, play passing lanes and go for steals,” says Hersey Hawkins, Bol’s Philadelphia 76ers teammate in later years. “We knew that if we got beat [off the dribble], we had Manute behind us.”

As disruptive as he was on defense, Bol’s offensive skills were severely limited. But after landing on the Golden State Warriors in ’88, he debuted an awkward, not-exactly-effective-but-definitely-crowd-pleasing three-point shot. Later, as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Bol shot 6-13 from behind the arc in a blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 3, 1993. “Every time he made one, we were like, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Dan Majerle says.

For his 10-year career, Bol—who also lead the L in blocks in ’88-89—averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game (second all time to Mark Eaton’s 3.5).

The post The Fighter appeared first on SLAM.

Judgment for a decade’s definitive and most memorable athletes (/cinematic releases) falls under a different scrutiny than that of any individual calendar year. For the decade review, we need to ask broader but far more probing questions.

Below are 100 (no, better make that three dozen… with a lot of filler) transcendent seasons, taken from all levels of play (well, U.S. domestic play only, otherwise you have to open up a global can of worms – and that’s to expansive for this blogger). The hierarchy for these rankings is based on the logic that states high school basketball is easier to dominate than college, which in turn is easier than the pros (given the obvious funneling of talent at each stage. I know you know this but it kind of feels like it needs to be said anyway).

As a self-confessed film fanatic, I’ve married each of these respective hoop seasons with the 100 best movies of the decade (which far more accurate and easier to calculate). Why? Because it’s an interesting grouping that retains a high level of mass appeal without appearing contrived (fingers crossed). It also helps demonstrate excellence (in both fields) because cinematic distinction is much like basketball brilliance in that both fields have their respective All-Stars, both evolve around a level of team play; both thrive in star aligned situation; both have their share of politics and reliance on timing/hype; both include the need for accurate ground work and above all else, both are endless pursuits of quality that subsequently reveals talent and character.

Note: Any coloration between the film and the athlete is purely coincidental, unless of course it’s intentional. Enjoy.

100 BEST BASKETBALL SEASONS/FILMS OF THE DECADE

100
Player: Lamar Odom – NBA (Los Angeles Lakers). 2008.
Film: The Fog Of War – Errol Morris (2003)

099
Player: Courtney Paris – NCAA (Oklahoma Sooners). 2006.
Film: Mystic River – Clint Eastwood (2003)

098
Player: Rashard Lewis – NBA (Orlando Magic). 2009.
Film: Knocked Up – Judd Apatow (2005)

097
Player: Katie Smith – WNBA (Minnesota Lynx). 2003.
Film: Donnie Darko – Richard Kelly (2001)

096
Player: Kemba Walker – Playground (NYC). 2007.
Film: Munich – Steven Spielberg (2005)

095
Player: Brad Miller – NBA (Sacramento Kings). 2004.
Film: Somersault – Cate Shortland (2004)

094
Player: Stephen Jackson – NBA (Golden State Warriors). 2008.
Film: American Psycho – Mary Harron (2000)

093
Player: Natalie Williams – WNBA (Utah Starzz). 2000.
Film: Vals Im Bashir (Waltz With Bashir) – Ari Folman (2008)

092
Player: Antawn Jamison – NBA (Washington Wizards). 2008.
Film: Monster – Patty Jenkins (2003)

091
Player: Michael Finley – NBA (Dallas Mavericks). 2000.
Film: Dogtown and Z Boys – Stacy Peralta (2001)

090
Player: David West – NBA (New Orleans Hornets). 2008.
Film: Irréversible – Gaspar Noé (2002)

089
Player: Jamal Mashburn – NBA (New Orleans Hornets). 2003.
Film: Dig! – Ondi Timoner (2004)

088
Player: Dikembe Mutombo – NBA (Philadelphia 76ers). 2001.
Film: Meet The Parents – Jay Roach (2000)

087
Player: Caron Butler – NBA (Washington Wizards). 2008.
Film: The Proposition – John Hillcoat (2005)

086
Player: Cynthia Cooper – WNBA (Houston Comets). 2000.
Film: Burn After Reading – Joel and Ethan Coen (2008)

085
Player: Danny Granger – NBA (Indiana Pacers). 2009.
Film: X2: X-Men United – Bryan Singer (2002)

084
Player: Brandon Roy – NBA (Portland Trail Blazers). 2009.
Film: Tigerland – Joel Schumacher (2000)

083
Player: Derrick Rose – NBA (Chicago Bulls). 2009.
Film: Erin Brockovich – Steven Soderbergh (2000)

082
Player: Marcus Camby – NBA (Denver Nuggets). 2007.
Film: Sen To Chihiro No Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) – Hayao Miyazaki (2001)

081
Player: Joe Johnson – NBA (Atlanta Hawks). 2008.
Film: District 9 – Neill Blomkamp (2009)

080
Player: Becky Hammon – WNBA (San Antonio Silver Stars). 2007.
Film: Apocalypto – Mel Gibson (2006)

079
Player: Pau Gasol – NBA (Memphis Grizzlies). 2006.
Film: Grizzly Man – Werner Herzog (2005)

078
Player: Allan Houston – NBA (New York Knicks). 2003.
Film: Superbad – Greg Mottola (2007)

077
Player: Seimone Augustus – WNBA (Minnesota Lynx). 2007.
Film: Road to Perdition – Sam Mendes (2002)

076
Player: Deron Williams – NBA (Utah Jazz). 2008.
Film: The Wrestler – Darren Aronofsky (2008)

075
Player: Carlos Boozer – NBA (Utah Jazz). 2007.
Film: The Royal Tenenbaums – Wes Anderson (2001)

074
Player: Yolanda Griffith – WNBA (Sacramento Monarchs). 2006.
Film: The Pianist – Roman Polanski (2002)

073
Player: Michael Jordan – NBA (Washington Wizards). 2002.
Film: Best In Show – Christopher Guest (2000)

072
Player: Rasheed Wallace – NBA (Portland Trail Blazers). 2002.
Film: Ocean’s Eleven – Steven Soderbergh (2001)

071
Player: Stephen Curry – NCAA (Davidson College). 2009.
Film: Memento – Christopher Nolan (2000)

070
Player: Drew Gooden – NCAA (Kansas Jayhawks). 2002.
Film: Monsters, Inc. – David Silverman, Lee Unkrich, Peter Docter (2001)

069
Player: Chauncey Billups – NBA (Detroit Pistons). 2006.
Film: The Orphanage – Juan Antonio Bayona (2008)

068
Player: Richard Hamilton – NBA (Detroit Pistons). 2006.
Film: Little Miss Sunshine – Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris (2006)

067
Player: Michael Redd – NBA (Milwaukee Bucks). 2006.
Film: Y Tu Mama Tambien – Alfonso Cuaron (2001)

066
Player: Chris Bosh – NBA (Toronto Raptors). 2007.
Film: The Aviator – Martin Scorsese (2004)

065
Player: Tina Thompson – WNBA (Houston Comets). 2004.
Film: Mulholland Drive – David Lynch (2001)

064
Player: Tony Parker – NBA. (San Antonio Spurs). 2009.
Film: Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgandy – Adam McKay (2001)

063
Player: Sam Cassell – NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves). 2004.
Film: Cidade De Deus (City Of God) – Fernando Meirelles (2002)

062
Player: Andrei Kirilenko – NBA (Utah Jazz). 2006.
Film: Grindhouse – Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino (2007)

061
Player: Manu Ginobili – NBA (San Antonio Spurs). 2008.
Film: Ghost World – Terry Zwigoff (2001)

060
Player: Karl Malone – NBA (Utah Jazz). 2000.

Film: The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford – Andrew Dominik (2007)

059
Player: Baron Davis – NBA (New Orleans Hornets). 2004.
Film: (500) Days Of Summer – Marc Webb (2009)

058
Player: Amar’e Stoudemire – NBA (Phoenix Suns). 2005.
Film: Låt Den Rätte Komma In (Let The Right One In) – Tomas Alfredson (2008)

057
Player: Eddie Jones – NBA (Charlotte Hornets). 2000.
Film: Downfall – Oliver Hirschbiegel (2004)

056
Player: Stephon Marbury – NBA (New York Knicks). 2004.
Film: Oldboy – Chan-wook Park (2003)

055
Player: Jalen Rose – NBA (Indiana Pacers). 2001.
Film: Murderball – Henry Alex Rubin & Dana Adam Shaprio (2005)

054
Player: Andrew Bogut – NCAA (Utah Utes). 2005.
Film: Before Night Falls – Julian Schnabel (2000)

053
Player: Tyler Hansbrough – NCAA (North Carolina Tar Heels) 2008.
Film: Lost In Translation – Sofia Coppola (2003)

052
Player: Tamika Catchings – WNBA (Indiana Fever). 2005.
Film: American Splendor – Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (2003)

051
Player: Joakim Noah – NCAA (Florida Gators). 2006.
Film: Milk – Gus Van Sant (2008)

050
Player: Shawn Marion – NBA (Phoenix Suns). 2006.
Film: The Incredibles – Brad Bird (2004)

049
Player: Juan Dixon – NCAA (Maryland Terrapins). 2002.
Film: Standard Operating Procedure – Errol Morris (2008)

048
Player: Jerry Stackhouse – NBA (Detroit Pistons). 2001.
Film: Infernal Affairs – Wai-keung Lau & Siu Fai Mak (2002)

047
Player: Jermaine O’Neal – NBA (Indiana Pacers). 2003.
Film: The Squid And The Whale – Noah Baumbach (2005)

046
Player: Grant Hill – NBA (Orlando Magic). 2000.
Film: 25th Hour – Spike Lee (2003)

045
Player: Steve Francis – NBA (Houston Rockets). 2002.
Film: Brokeback Mountain – Ang Lee (2005)

044
Player: Elton Brand – NBA (Los Angeles Clippers). 2006.
Film: Casino Royale – Martin Campbell (2006)

043
Player: Gary Payton – NBA (Seattle SuperSonics). 2000.
Film: Changeling – Clint Eastwood (2008)

042
Player: Antoine Walker – NBA (Boston Celtics). 2001.
Film: Capturing The Friedmans – Andrew Jarecki (2004)

041
Player: JJ Redick – NCAA (Duke Blue Devils). 2006.
Film: Hable Con Ella (Talk To Her) – Pedro Almodovar (2002)

040
Player: Shane Battier – NCAA (Duke Blue Devils). 2001.
Film: Kenny – Clayton Jacobson (2006)

039
Player: Alonzo Mourning – NBA (Miami Heat). 2000.
Film: Dawn Of The Dead – Zach Synder (2004)

038
Player: Emeka Okafor – NCAA (Connecticut Huskies). 2004.
Film: About Schmidt – Alexander Payne (2002)

037
Player: Paul Pierce – NBA (Boston Celtics). 2002.
Film: Match Point – Woody Allen (2005)

036
Player: Adam Morrison – NCAA (Gonzaga Bulldogs). 2006.
Film: The Bourne Ultimatum – Paul Greengrass (2007)

035
Player: Ron Artest – NBA (Indiana Pacers) 2004.
Film: Babel – Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (2006)

034
Player: Peja Stojakovic – NBA (Sacramento Kings). 2004.
Film: Sin City – Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez with Quentin Tarantino (2005)

033
Player: T.J. Ford – NCAA (Texas Longhorns). 2003.
Film: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Peter Jackson (2002)

032
Player: Yao Ming – NBA (Houston Rockets). 2008.
Film: Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan – Larry Charles (2006)

031
Player: Ray Allen – NBA (Milwaukee Bucks). 2001.
Film: Juno – Jason Reitman (2007)

030
Player: Dirk Nowitzki – NBA (Dallas Mavericks) 2006.
Film: Kill Bill – Quentin Tarantino (2003)

029
Player: Maya Moore – NCAA (Connecticut Huskies). 2009.
Film: Traffic – Steven Soderbergh (2000)

028
Player: Blake Griffin – NCAA (Oklahoma Sooners). 2009.
Film: The Pledge – Sean Penn (2001)

027
Player: Vince Carter – NBA (Toronto Raptors). 2001.
Film: Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amélie Poulain (Amelie) – Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001)

026
Player: Lisa Leslie – WNBA (Los Angeles Sparks) 2001.
Film: Fahrenheit 9/11 – Michael Moore (2004)

025
Player: Chris Webber – NBA (Sacramento Kings) 2001.
Film: Volver – Pedro Almodovar (2006)

024
Player: Ben Wallace – NBA (Detroit Pistons). 2003.
Film: El Labirinto Del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) – Guillermo del Toro (2006)

023
Player: Jay Williams – NCAA (Duke Blue Devils). 2001.
Film: Into The Wild – Sean Penn (2007)

022
Player: Sheryl Swoopes – WNBA (Houston Comets). 2005.
Film: The Lives of Others – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2006)

021
Player: Gilbert Arenas – NBA (Washington Wizards) 2006.
Film: Zodiac – David Fincher (2007)

020
Player: Dwight Howard – NBA (Orlando Magic). 2008.
Film: 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days – Christian Mungiu (2007)

019
Player: Jameer Nelson – NCAA (St Joseph’s Hawks). 2004.
Film: Almost Famous – Cameron Crowe (2000)

018
Player: Jason Kidd – NBA (New Jersey Nets). 2003.
Film: Finding Nemo – Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich (2003)

017
Player: Sue Bird – NCAA (Connecticut Huskies). 2002.
Film: Hunger – Steve McQueen (2008)

016
Player: Michael Beasley – NCAA (Kansas State Wildcats). 2008.
Film: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind – Michel Gondry (2004)

015
Player: Lauren Jackson – WNBA (Seattle Storm). 2007.
Film: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Peter Jackson (2003)

014
Player: Dwyane Wade – NBA (Miami Heat). 2009.
Film: Good Night, And Good Luck – George Clooney (2005)

013
Player: Kevin Durant. NCAA (Texas Longhorns). 2007.
Film: Man On Wire – James Marsh (2008)

012
Player: Carmelo Anthony – NCAA (Syracuse Orangeman). 2003.
Film: Team America: World Police – Trey Parker & Matt Stone (2004)

011
Player: Candace Parker – WNBA (Los Angeles Sparks). 2008.
Film: Requiem For A Dream – Darren Aronofsky (2000)

010
Player: Tim Duncan – NBA (San Antonio Spurs). 2003.
Film: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring – Peter Jackson (2001)

009
Player: Steve Nash – NBA (Phoenix Suns). 2007.
Film: Chopper – Andrew Dominik (2000)

008
Player: Tracy McGrady – NBA (Orlando Magic). 2003.
Film: United 93 – Paul Greengrass (2006)

007
Player: Diana Taurasi – WNBA (Phoenix Mercury). 2009.
Film: No Country For Old Men – Joel and Ethan Coen (2007)

006
Player: Chris Paul – NBA (New Orleans Hornets). 2008.
Film: WALL-E – Andrew Stanton (2008)

005
Player: Kevin Garnett – NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves). 2004.
Film: The 40 Year Old Virgin – Judd Apatow (2005)

004
Player: Allen Iverson – NBA (Philadelphia 76ers). 2001.
Film: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Ang Lee (2000)

003
Player: Shaquille O’Neal – NBA (Los Angeles Lakers). 2000.
Film: The Dark Knight – Christopher Nolan (2008)

002
Player: LeBron James – NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers). 2009.
Film: Million Dollar Baby – Clint Eastwood (2004)

001
Player: Kobe Bryant – NBA (Los Angeles Lakers). 2006.
Film: There Will Be Blood – Paul Thomas Anderson (2007)

*****

FIVE CINEMATIC DECADE DEFINING TRENDS/GENRES

What does the following have to do with basketball you might ask? Short answer: almost nothing, unless of course you read the Documentary film section. Given the extensive work and time that went into compiling the 100 best films of the decade, I discovered the following trends and figured it best to share this with you all, just in case your love of the motion picture runs as deeply as mine. Enjoy.

1. Animation

Just how big was Animation this decade? Big enough that the Academy was forced to introduce Animation as it’s own category, invariable due to its popularity/consistent excellence. Rolling out more often than celebrity sex tapes, the Animated features won over audiences of all ages (and both genders) this decade with Hollywood heavyweights happily offering their unique and recognizable voices at every turn.

Disney’s golden (step) child, Pixar Animation Studios became the decade’s definition of commercial success while defining cinematic ingenuity. Their run of Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007), Wall-E (2008) and Up (2009) reshaped the landscape and altered perceptions in the process. Thanks to Pixar, it became cool for adults to drag their children along to animated features whenever school holiday’s rolled around.

Dreamworks’ Animation Studio try and de-throne Pixar with their much loved anti-fable Shrek. It’s sequels, Shrek 2 and Shrek: The Third, helped the series become the most successful animated trilogy in US Box Office History.

20th Century Fox’s Animation Studio struck their own oil field with the loveable trilogy Ice Age (which spawned sequels The Meltdown and Dawn Of The Dinosaurs). Other noteworthy animated features included the Oscar winning Happy Feet by Australian Director George Miller; as well as the near classic Kung Fu Panda. There was Horton Hears A Who!, The Emperor’s New Groove, The Simpson’s Movie, Chicken Run, Monster House and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

There was the pain staking/time consuming claymation films: Mary & Max; Wallace And Gromit: The Curse Of The Were Rabbit; Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and the extraordinary feature Coraline – which along with motion capture features Beowulf and Pixar’s Up, respectively, ushered in the newest (and coolest) tool to hang from the animation belt, 3-D. This extra dimensional venture also became part of the cinematic experience’s need to separate itself from the ever improving digital home entertainment market.

The decade also witnessed a slew of run of the mill animated features including Surf’s Up; Monsters vs. Aliens; Madagascar (and it’s sequel Madagascar: Back 2 Africa); Over The Hedge; Chicken Little; Robots; Open Season; Bee Movie; Bolt; Space Chimps; Igor; Flushed Away and Brother Bear. Not without its stinkers, the decade also gave us the terrible Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, The Polar Express and Shark Tale.

Proving it’s not just a family phenomenon, mature and foreign language animated features like the magnetic Triplets of Belleville; the disturbing and graphic Princess; the powerful Waltz With Bashir; the delightful Persepolis, and Richard Linklater’s excellent thought provoking duo, A Scanner Darkly and Waking/Life, all found their respective audiences.

Cinema patrons were also allowed to enjoy new Asian based animated features thanks to the highly successful Spirited Away, which opened the gates for Steamboy, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and others from the famed Miyazaki stable. Even contemporary auteur Quentin Tarrantino aptly called upon Animation to tell the most violent portion of O’Ren Ishii’s back story early on in his fourth feature, Kill Bill.

While Animation maestro Brad Bird maintains that animation is simply a technique of filmmaking and not a genre, one can’t ignore or dismiss the power that animated features showcased this decade, regardless of whether or not they’re viewed as serious adult cinema.

2. The Rise (and Rise) of the Comic Book Film

From the highly stylized (and almost literal page to screen translation) that was Frank Miller’s Sin City to the more somber and teen angst ridden real world inspired graphic novel turned silver screen feature Ghost World, the Naughties witnessed an unprecedented roll out of comic book themed films.

Falling over themselves to green light the next big comic book franchise, Studios released more than 20 different comic book franchises this decade… with the promise of more to come.

The decade began with Marvel Studios most popular comic book title of all time, X-Men, finally receiving it’s long awaited big screen depiction. With Hollywood golden boy Bryan Singer at the helm, the ruggedly dreamy Hugh Jackman in the lead and veteran Ian McKellan adding credibility, it didn’t take long for other established directors (and serious actors) to try their hand at a “Comic Book” film.