There was a time when every hooper wanted to rap, and every rapper wanted to hoop.

Hip-hop and hoops is a marriage that can’t be divorced. In its truest essence, they’ve been partners since the musical genre was first created in the early 1970s. Hip-hop’s rhythm resonated from the Bronx and cascaded over hardwood surfaces and blacktops across the globe. It’s a dance that moves through crowds and invites participants to sing along to the melody of its hook.

This inseparable union is why Shaq featured Biggie, why AI sparked a dress code, why Kobe took Brandy to the prom. It’s Funk Flex DJing the Dunk Contest. It’s Drake’s commitment to the Raptors games. It’s LeBron throwing up the Roc. It’s The Knuckleheads. It’s Stephon Marbury. It’s Jigga bringing the Nets to Brooklyn. It’s an AND1 Mixtape. It’s the Knickstape. It’s why SLAM exists.

It’s why a young rapper named Dame D.O.L.L.A. would raise the bar by rocking a throwback Bill Walton Blazers jersey and a mic around his neck for SLAM 205. It was 2017, and at just one album deep (another would drop later that year), he had proven that music was more than a mere hobby. It had started from childhood when his cousin drove from New York to Dame’s boyhood home in Oakland in the early ’90s, bringing hip-hop with him. Dame just wanted to be in the car. Another family member and gifted MC, Brookfield Duece, would demonstrate that music was in his blood. It would never leave.

Although Drake had broken new ground by joining Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan on a SLAM cover the year before, SLAM 205 was the first time that we’d ever had a solo cover with a rapper front and center. It was “The Music Issue,” a momentous celebration of the basketball/music crossover that was executed with an intentionality that had only been alluded to previously.

Following this introduction to the basketball universe, Dame D.O.L.L.A. would go on to release four more albums and gain ongoing respect in his field. He would work with the likes of Jadakiss, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne. He would contribute to the soundtrack of NBA 2K and enjoy recognition on the indie album charts. And he shows no signs of putting the mic down.

There was a time when every hooper wanted to rap, and every rapper wanted to hoop. Dame is pretty good at both.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 205 Featuring Damian Lillard From March of 2017 appeared first on SLAM.

This story and so much more sneaker coverage is included in latest issue of SLAM KICKS 27. Grab your copy now.

First Team

DeMar DeRozan

No one else has the range that DeMar possesses when it comes to Kobes. This has been firmly established, especially on our page. And if we’re being real, DeMar’s collection on its own is enough to make this list year after year. The 1s, 6s and 9s all made their expected appearances, but it was seeing the Kobe 10 Elite HTM and the return of the Kobe A.D. from his Spurs days that cemented his status, yet again.

P.J. Tucker

In a reality where the grails of 10 years ago are being re-released every few months, P.J. Tucker remains pulling up to arenas with unspeakable colorways in tow. Nike KD 4 samples and Off-White Kobe customs should paint the range that the man displayed night after night. 

Devin Booker

A storyteller, a tastemaker and a sneaker historian. Devin Booker proved to be all those and more with the debut of his first signature sneaker. Colorways honored the Beaverton brand’s past icons and Booker’s own memories. Appearances were mapped out with a thematic-level of care. Documented and televised, the Nike Book 1 not only laid the foundation for Booker’s line, it set the standard mad high. 

Stephen Curry

When you’ve spent 11 years with one brand like Stephen Curry has, you get to dip back into the archives as much as you want to. Especially when all of your models have been updated so you’re floating on Flow cushioning. From headlining the Curry 11 to the Anatomix Spawn FloTro and the Curry 4 FloTro, the 2023-24 season saw the best shooter on the planet merge the stories of today with the silhouettes of years past.

Tyrese Maxey

The tides of opportunity turned to Tyrese Maxey all season long as the 76ers point guard of the future. But it was his diverse rotation of New Balance TWO WXY v4 colorways that cemented Mad Max’s first-ever First Team selection. From dollar bills with his face to revealing his own logo, the Boston brand isn’t pulling any punches with the rising star.

SECOND TEAM

LeBron James

The LeBron 21 got funky when it came to colorways. Shaggy suedes, pearlescent oranges, glossy metallics; even a second layer to the silhouette was revealed in clad grey. The extent of the experimentation culminated in the return of Deion Sanders’ Nike Air DT Max ’96, revealing a hybrid sneaker slashed by the football trainer’s iconic claw marks. The sandbox remains full of opportunity.

Paul George

When one door closes, another opens. In Paul George’s case, at least a dozen did. A stream of Kobe 4s, 8s, PG 1s and 2s all flowed through in his second season removed from his signature deal with Nike. And if you thought we saw the “Philly” Kobe 4 a lot last year, just wait until 2024-25 season.

Malik Monk

When you have an arsenal of Kobes like Malik Monk, balance might be the last thing on your mind. But the Kings guard has proven to be tasteful in his on-court output, shifting between his own PEs, original colorways and the recently updated run of Protros without leaning too far one way or the other. 

Jayson Tatum

From “Taco Jay” and flavored lemonades to wavy denim treatments, Jayson Tatum already has a thoroughly thought-out roster of colorways. The Jordan Tatum 2 extended the efforts of his first signature and established a lengthy connection to the brand’s wider athletes, from the WNBA to the League’s rising stars.

Trey Lyles

Let’s be real, no other big man in the L is putting it on like Trey Lyles. The Kobe aficionado has been well recorded on our socials and his collection of 4s through 9s remained in peak form this season. Toss in a duo of Yeezy and Mambacurial-inspired customs and you’ve got a second-straight Second Team selection for the Sacramento forward. 

MVP: P.J. Tucker

We’ve been over it before and we’ll say it again, P.J. Tucker is not the sneaker king, but he is the MVP of the 2023-24 SLAM KICKS Awards. Kicking it in the Nike Kobe 3 and Mookie Betts’ Air Jordan 11 PEs puts him in a tier of his own. But it’s the stories behind the likes of his own Nike Air Flight ’89 and exclusive Nike Book 1 colorways that remain at the heart of P.J.’s continued sneaker excellence. 

Most Improved Player: Devin Booker

After years featuring an assortment of sleek, Suns-appropriate Kobe PEs, Devin Booker was handed the keys to his own signature series. He’s not just the face of the silhouette, he spearheaded every part of the process, from its shape and color blocking to the eventual releases. An exclusive rotation of orange, black, purples and greys shifted to reach every corner of the color palette as tasteful colorways arrived in droves from October to April.

Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

The Nike Air Zoom GT Run was Wemby’s running mate all season long. Block after block, one jaw-dropping display of indescribable basketball artistry after another, the alien moniker has become more than fitting. Self-drawn extraterrestrial doodles served as his stamp of expression until the arrival of his own GT Hustle colorway at NBA All-Star Weekend. Sporting a sea of galactic imagery, the Swoosh doubled down with the reveal of Wemby’s own logo chiseled into a corn field. If anything, this is just the beginning of Wemby’s ascension in the sneaker space.  

Photos via Getty Images.

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20. Jason Richardson

Don’t let those epic dunk contests—and they were definitely epic—in the early 2000s distract you from the bigger picture: Jason Richardson was an all-around hooper who had an incredibly productive 13-year NBA career. The Michigan native was the fifth overall pick in the 2001 Draft and made an immediate impact for the Warriors, posting 14.4 ppg as a rookie. For the next nine seasons, his scoring average never dipped below 15 and rose as high as 23.2 in 2005-06. Perhaps the most telling stat about J-Rich? Of the 857 games he appeared in, he started 842 of them.

19. Richard Jefferson

Kids, listen up: Before Richard Jefferson was on TV talking about the game, the man could flat out ball. The versatile forward out of Arizona played for eight teams over a 17-year NBA career. He was a key piece of a notable New Jersey Nets squad that reached the Finals twice, falling short to the Lakers in 2002 and the Spurs in 2003. RJ would finally get his ring as a veteran in 2016, coming off the bench for the Cavaliers when they overcame a 3-1 deficit to topple the Warriors.

18. Lamar Odom

A 6-10 point forward from Queens, NY, Lamar Odom’s game was extremely unique and made him extremely difficult to contain. He could handle the ball, initiate fastbreaks and orchestrate the offense. He had outstanding court vision and knew how to make plays for his teammates. As he once told SLAM, “Since New York City basketball is mainly a guard’s game, I learned how to be a guard.” He could control the post, isolate on the wing and work off the ball. That versatile skill set led L.O. to become a 2x NBA Champion and the 2011 Sixth Man of the Year. From 1999-2011, he averaged 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4 assists. 

17. Rajon Rondo

Shortly after 4x All-Star and 2x Champion Rajon Rondo, who ranks 15^th on the NBA’s all-time assist list, made his retirement official back in April, LeBron James said this about his former teammate: “One of the best players I ever played with. Obviously, his IQ was out of this world. I was very lucky to get to team up with him…’Do always talked about if he ever teamed up with me, he knew we could win a championship. And we did that.” When you earn praise like that from one of the greatest to ever do it, nothing else needs to be said. Rondo returned to camp as a participant in the Top 100 coaching program, paying it forward to the next generation of basketball greats. 

16. Joe Johnson

It didn’t matter what uniform he was wearing or what arena he was hooping in or who was guarding him, you could always count on Iso Joe to take over in crunch time. The man had ice in his veins. During his 18 years in the League, Johnson hit an absurd amount of clutch shots and game-winners. His best years were spent with the Hawks, but the talented guard also got buckets for the Suns and Nets. He scored over 20,000 points for his career, made seven All-Star teams and delivered countless unforgettable moments.

15. LaMarcus Aldridge 

He was one of the top high school prospects in the nation, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while at Texas, the second overall pick in 2006 and a 7x NBA All-Star. And still, LaMarcus Aldridge’s career tends to be underrated. From 2008-20, the big man averaged 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds. During that stretch, when LMA caught it on the low post, it was game over. He was a maestro in the mid-range, and his touch around the basket was always money. Just ask Trail Blazers’ and Spurs’ fans about Aldridge—they’ll have a lot of fond memories of watching this dude ball.

14. Jermaine O’Neal

A superstar at Eau Claire High School in Columbia, SC, O’Neal jumped straight to the NBA in 1996, drafted with the 17^th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. It would take several years and a trade to the Indiana Pacers for J.O. to unlock his full potential in the League, but when he finally did, the big man was a serious problem. He won the Most Improved Player award in 2001-02 and appeared in six straight All-Star Games from 2002-07. Overall, he spent 18 seasons in the NBA with seven different franchises, but that run with the Pacers was definitely the most memorable. And in a full circle moment, his son, Jermaine O’Neal Jr., is attending this year’s camp. 

13. Trae Young

A lot of crazy crossovers and nutmegs and lobs and deep threes come to mind when you think of Trae Young, and rightfully so. But the image that stands out the most? The Atlanta Hawks guard at Madison Square Garden, holding a finger to his lips after silencing the crowd with a game-winning floater during a first-round playoff matchup against the Knicks in 2021. Shhhh. That moment perfectly captured Young: a fiery, fearless, trash-talking competitor with the ridiculous talent to back it up. There’s a reason they call him Ice Trae.

12. Jaylen Brown

Here’s how Kemba Walker described Jaylen Brown to SLAM back in 2020, when the two were teammates: “He’s a guy who’s worked extremely hard at his game. He can do it all. He can score, he can pass, he can rebound, he can shoot. He’s fearless. He’s a competitor.” Brown was Georgia’s Mr. Basketball in 2015 and played one season at the University of California, Berkeley, before being drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in 2016. The athletic forward has blossomed into a star for the Cs, helping them contend in the Eastern Conference year after year after year. Since attending Top 100, Brown has stayed involved with the NBPA, becoming one of the youngest players elected to the NBPA Executive Committee in 2019.

11. DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan’s journey has brought him from the West Coast (Compton and Los Angeles) to the North (Toronto) to the South (San Antonio) to the Midwest (Chicago). Along the way, he’s been a McDonald’s All-American, a Pac-10 Tournament MVP, a lottery pick in 2009 and a 6x NBA All-Star. He spent the first nine years of his NBA career in The 6, where he became the Raptors’ all-time leading scorer and reached the playoffs five times. He’s had more standout moments since, including averaging a career-high 27.9 points with the Bulls in 2021-22. Salute to a real one.

Action photo via Getty Images.

The post NBPA Top 100 Camp Top 30 Players: 20-11 appeared first on SLAM.

Rooks starts off hot. But then she forgets to pace herself. The final result? She comes in second to last in the race.

I’m never doing this again, she says to herself as she goes up to her parents, who are anticipating an emotional Rooks to be very upset after the loss. Failing at the 400 isn’t what necessarily led her to pursue a career in sports media, but the lessons she did learn growing up and running track, as well as volleyball, soccer and tennis, did help guide her in that direction.

“I knew I was not going to be like Serena,” she says on hoop(ish), a new show by SLAM and LeagueFits. “I was like, I either want to be the greatest to ever play or I’m not gonna do this. And I knew I wasn’t going to be the best.”

Today, Rooks is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant interviewers and media personalities. Not only does she know the game but she really knows the athletes, too, so much so that she’s gotten players like DeMar DeRozan to open up like never before. Her ability to resonate with her subjects also stems from her upbringing and being raised in a sports family: her dad was a running back at the University of Illinois, her late-uncle, Lou Brock, was a Hall of Famer with the Cardinals and her other uncle, Marv Woodson played for the Steelers and the Saints. She was also raised by “one of the biggest sports fans you will ever meet,” she says of her mother, who got her into playing fantasy football and watching the games alongside her dad.

It’s their influence, as well as her own experiences, that have shaped the way she holds her own in the industry.

“I think that knowing so personally how difficult it is to be an athlete, kind of makes me not be like the kind of person that thinks I know more about playing the sport than them,” she tells hosts Ian and Sway, later adding: “My style is: I know what I’m talking about. I watch the game, I know the personnel, I know the players. I understand the things that make them tick, what they are interested in. And that is how I try to approach the way I discuss sports.”

And that’s what’s set her apart. In an age where everyone can have an opinion—and post about it all over social media—Rooks’ conversational nature and humanistic approach gives her subjects the space to open up, and be heard. She’s always been fascinated by people and the way they interact, and almost ended up minoring in sociology while studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“I’m very much so a people person,” she tells us. “I like to get to know others. I like to learn about them. I like having conversations. And I don’t know if people are always trying to genuinely get to know other people, but I enjoy that aspect of life. I think that bleeds into the work, too.”

When she was little, Rooks loved to watch the news and was fascinated by how newscasters sounded and the cadence of their voices. She’d sit with her mother and watch news anchors like Monica Kaufman Pearson in awe, “enamored by how it was her job to tell everybody what happened.” Then there was pioneers like Oprah, who inspired her by not only how she captivated audiences, but “had a voice that held weight” amongst culture and society.

Young Taylor would set up her camcorder and interview herself, just like the women she saw on television. She’d pretend to be someone different every time, whether it be a singer, actor, or a tennis player and go back and forth asking “ridiculous questions.” When asked what her younger self would think of her now, seeing that she’s interviewing not only the biggest names in sports, but music legends like Lil Wayne and more, Rooks keeps it real:

“I say this very genuinely: I think that little Taylor would not be surprised. I have had an idea of what I want in my life to be for a really long time, and I have always tried to take the steps for my life to look like that. There was never a time that I thought I wouldn’t be able to accomplish all of the things that I set out to. So a lot of the time when I’m doing things, I’m saying this is what was supposed to happen because this is what I worked for.”

As her career continues to reach new heights, Rooks has also emerged into her own bonafide star in her own right. While others stick to the script, Rooks challenges the traditional notion that journalist are supposed to be just “flies on the wall” by being front and center: she can interview your favorite player or rapper, appear in commercials and cover the biggest events, including this year’s highly anticipated NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. She’s built an audience that cares just as much about breaking news as they do her on-air fits, hair care routine and what books she’s reading.

In an ever-changing industry, Rooks is showing aspiring creatives and Black women in sports that they, too, can create their own lane. All the while, she’s still solidifying herself as the best in the game.

“That’s really what I want to be known as,” she says. “I want to be the person that if you wanted to sit and have a real conversation about the game, about yourself, about your why, about your what [then] you say, okay, I want to sit down with Taylor. That is the kind of environment that I try to foster when I’m doing the interviews, and not just because I think that it is very true to myself, I also think it is more interesting.

I always say, of course I care about, like, why you missed the last shot or why you’re not making your free throws, or why you didn’t win the big game. But I’m really interested in what it was like feeling those feelings alone and at home and how you bounce back from those. And like that to me is is more interesting because anyone can sit and talk about the X’s and O’s, um, and what the coach did wrong and the bad defense on the play. But I don’t know if everyone can get the other person to discuss those things…I think that is a very specific specialty that isn’t always relevant or paramount in the space. I feel like it fills a need.”

Get to know Taylor in the first episode of hoop(ish). Stream here.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post How Taylor Rooks Perfected the Art of Interviewing and Created Her Own Lane in Sports appeared first on SLAM.

This story and so much more is featured in the latest issue of KICKS 26. Get your copy here.

First Team

P.J. Tucker

As sure as the sun rises in the eastern sky, P.J. Tucker is back on our First Team. There’s nobody in the League more versed, more versatile and more willing to play in any pair. He cemented himself long ago on this list, yet he keeps on proving himself over and over.

James Harden

James Harden is a fairly uncommon human being in general. He did, after all, help to rewrite the NBA rule book with his singular style of play. His seventh signature silhouette, the best of the 2022-23 campaign, is particularly exceptional. It’s got a funky shape, it’s got an upper that looks like a puffer jacket, it’s full of the best tech the Stripes has to offer and it had incredibly hard colorways throughout the season. 

DeMar DeRozan

It’s not a shot at P.J. to say with confidence that DeMar DeRozan has the best Kobe collection in the League. As has been printed in these pages many times, he’s played in every Nike Kobe silhouette throughout his career and continues to add Kobe PEs that look more like art pieces than sneakers to his collection.

Ja Morant

Before his signature sneaker debuted on Christmas Day 2022, Ja Morant had been hooping in high quality Kobes and original versions of the early Kyries. Then he stomped into the signature game with a handful of unique colorways. And because he moves differently than just about everybody in the League, there’ll be more originality in his future.

Stephen Curry

The best shooter ever had variety in 2022-23. Curry 10s, FloTros of the 1 and 2, some sprinkling of the 4 FloTro all got court time with No. 30. There aren’t many others who tell stories with their footwear like Stephen. His nonstop commitment to the underrated and underrepresented often gets communicated through his footwear. 

Second Team

LeBron James

Flavor after flavor after flavor. LeBron James’ 20th season will be remembered for the multitude of colorways he played in. Both the Nike LeBron 20 and the Nike LeBron NXXT Gen appeared under the bright lights in equally subtle and outrageous makeups, night after night. 

Paul George

Even though his signature line has wrapped up, Paul George didn’t miss a step. Each game brought a new chance for him to show off his unexpected appreciation for basketball sneakers, like, for example, wearing the “All-Star” Nike Kobe 6 while playing in the City of Angels. You get the connection?

Malik Monk

Malik Monk very much understands how to properly apply hues to footwear. All of his Kobe PEs, be it 5s or 6s, are consistently fire. None of them are really that similar, either. There’s a ton of variation from pair to pair, with browns and blues and purples and blacks and pinks
showing up throughout his stable. 

Trey Lyles

Look, let’s be honest here, yeah? Kobes are this generation’s Jordans. Trey Lyles has a stockpile of rare heat that he’s amassed over the years and most of them aren’t protros. He’s on this list because he consistently hoops in heavy hitters from the game’s most cherished line, oftentimes reminding people about pairs or colorways they’d previously forgotten. 

Jayson Tatum

Another visual storyteller, Jayson Tatum started the season with many versions of the Air Jordan 37 and Air Jordan 38 Low that let the public in on what matters most to him. Once ASW rolled around and he got to unveil his first signature with Jordan Brand, the storytelling door flew clean off the hinges. Tatum tells us a whole lot about himself without ever saying a word. 

MVP: P.J. Tucker

LeBron James only has four MVPs. Michael Jordan only has five MVPs. What in the hell is good with that? That’s not the truth. Both deserve a minimum of 10. In the context of basketball sneakers, P.J. Tucker is LeBron. He is MJ. In our pages, he will continue to get his shine until he hangs up his sneakers for good.

We’ve called him a lot of things over the years, like the Michael Jordan of wearing Jordans. We’ve compared his conquering of basketball footwear to passages in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Now that we’ve finally gotten him on the cover and had a chance to listen to him speak openly about sneakers, he’s the MVP because he loves it all more than anyone else. We hear you, P.J. 

Rookie of the Year: Jalen Williams

The list of Stripes silhouettes that Jalen Williams played in is mighty long. It includes the Harden Vol. 7s, Crazy 97s, Dame 5s, Top 10 2000s, D.O.N. 4s, Agent Gils, Harden Vol. 4s, D Rose 1.5s and Dame 8s. 

Williams maintained a steady rotation throughout the season, varied with many colors. He seems to be a student of the sneaker game. He joined the likes of Tracy McGrady, Nick Young and Jaylen Brown when he rocked mismatched adi joints. The young star popped out to All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City with one white Harden Vol. 7 and one pink Harden Vol. 7. His name will most definitely show up again in these pages next year.

Most Improved Player: Paul George

The Swoosh decided to end Paul George’s signature line at the PG6. It went out with a bang, concluding after the drop of his collab with Hot Wheels. 

The ending of one thing is the beginning of another. Freed up from being required to play in his latest signature model, PG hit the ground running by wearing Kobe 4s, Kobe 5s and Kobe 6s. He dug into the closet for the return of the PG1, the PG2 and the PG2.5. Strategically, he secured this spot when he played in the “Draft Day” Kobe 4s in Charlotte. That was a wakeup call signifying there was another knowledgeable sneakerhead ready to show out. 

LeagueFits Arrival Sneaker of the Year: Russell Westbrook

Michael Jordan’s retirement in 1998 gave the first class of Brand Jordan athletes the full sneaker spotlight. They were getting to play in retro colorways made just for them. Guys like Ray Allen, Derek Anderson, Vin Baker, Eddie Jones and Michael Finley are the reason every sneakerhead knows what PE (player exclusive) stands for. Retro PEs continued for the next couple of Jordan athlete generations, with guys like Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson gaining fame for their heat. 

But Jordan Brand changed up the overall thought process a few years back. Retro PEs are far more rare now. 

Their scarcity is why Russell Westbrook’s Air Jordan III colorway is getting the nod for the LeagueFits Arrival Sneaker of the Year. Seeing these IIIs in the wild is like seeing the Loch Ness Monster finally reveal itself. 

Best of the Brands:

Curry 10

adidas Harden Vol. 7

Jordan Tatum 1

New Balance TWO WXY v3

Nike LeBron 20

PUMA MB.02

READ MORE: KICKS, NBA, WNBA

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The post The 2022-23 KICKS Awards: First Team, MVP and MORE! appeared first on SLAM.

The question is a rhetorical one. Many people—the media, casual basketball fans, diehard Pacers/Thunder/Clippers fans—know of him as just an NBA superstar.

He’s an eight-time All-Star, won Most Improved in 2013 and has made All-NBA, All-Defensive and All-Rookie Teams throughout his 13 years in the League so far. Long before that, he was known for being the highest draft pick in Fresno State history when he was selected in the first round back in 2010. Then, in 2014, he decided to switch things up by changing his jersey number from No. 24 to No. 13, which also inspired a new nickname: PG-13. He bought all his old jerseys and donated them to his high school. 

“The whole thing behind PG-13 is just coming into my own,” he told Vigilant Sports back then. “I feel like I’m at that stage where I’m ready to embrace everything that comes with being one of the young stars in this League. Everyone knows PG-13 is related to television, so the whole thing is being able to enjoy the show and being fun to watch.”

In Indiana, PG turned heads. By his third season, he’d emerged as the Pacers’ go-to option, and helped lead them to the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons from 2012-14. After seven years in Indy and multiple occasions where he battled through injury—including a compound fracture in his leg, which he suffered during the offseason in 2014 that caused him to miss a majority of the upcoming regular season—he was traded to the OKC Thunder in 2017. He tried to redefine himself again, this time as “Playoff P,” a nickname which he gave himself that season, right before the Thunder played the Jazz in the first round. When asked about guarding then-rookie Donovan Mitchell, he clarified to ESPN that “Playoff P” is “a fun guy to watch. It’s an out-of-body person where I just lock in and put myself in a different zone.” 

Then, in 2020, Game 7 against the Nuggets happened. Playoff P only scored 10 points on 25 percent shooting and went scoreless in the fourth. The internet ruthlessly decided “Pandemic P” was a more fitting title for the star’s performance at the time. Since then, George has missed extensive time due to injury, including the end of the 2022-23 regular season because of a knee injury.

But that was then, and this is now. At 33 years old, George has seen the highs and the lows of being a professional athlete—the injuries, the losses and the wins. While the opinions of others can help shift and shape narratives, what matters most is how athletes view themselves. And that’s what we went out to California in late-August to find out: Who exactly is Paul George? 

“I think I’m a pretty funny person, but I’m also a very introverted person,” George tells us. “I kind of keep to myself and I think that’s why people don’t, or haven’t learned much about me through my time through the NBA. But I’m actually a pretty fun, outgoing person. Love to laugh, love to joke. And, I mean, I’m not sure if that will surprise many people but for the people that don’t really know me, it can be surprising. At least that’s what it seems when we read comments [saying], He’s actually funny. He’s actually a good dude. So, I think the more I just show [my] personality and show who I am, [the] more people have just gravitated toward it.”

Paul George Covers SLAM 246. Get your copy now.

The man himself is sitting in a well-lit lounge at the Proactive Sports Performance, wearing his L.A. Clippers uniform. He was just training and working out in the weight room moments prior—the lounge that we’re in right now is on the second floor and looks out onto the training facility and court. Down below, we’ve got an entire photo shoot set up, which is where we’ll shoot George for his third SLAM cover. 

But first, interview time. Initially, PG’s demeanor is more low-key as the cameras start rolling. He’s not overly energetic or giving monotone answers, with “honestly” being one of the first words he uses when asked how his summer has been going. It’s a good sign that, hopefully, he’ll keep it real for the rest of the conversation. After all, he’s done countless interviews and magazine covers, including with us, before, and has been asked plenty of questions about his career, getting to that championship-level, playing alongside Kawhi Leonard…

If you listen—really, actually listen—to what he has to say, you’ll start to understand that there’s a lot more to Paul George. He’s introverted, yes, but he has also been discovering another side of himself. He’s creative, and pretty introspective and honest: while the next generation of standouts—Brandon Miller, Kiyan Anthony—consider him their GOAT, his own measurement of success comes down to one tangible thing: winning a championship.

When he mentioned on his Twitch livestream recently that he fully intends to be on his “bully shit” this upcoming season, that wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.

Here, Paul George elaborates more on what we can expect from him this season, his approach to his offseason training and how he’s discovered his voice—and himself—on the court, in the podcast studio and everywhere in between.

SLAM: How are you doing? How has the summer been and what have you been up to aside from training?

PAUL GEORGE: Good. Honestly, [it’s] summertime, being a father, it’s mostly family time. When the season’s done, kids are out of school. [It’s a] great opportunity to kind of just be at home with the family, be with my wife, my kids. But that’s about it. Apart from that I’m training and, you know, I’m taking my usual summer trips to Europe and vacation. But outside of that, [I’m] putting one foot forward and getting ready for the next season.

SLAM: Where in Europe did you visit?

PG: I was out in Serbia, where my wife is from. I was in Montenegro and Greece.

SLAM: What’s it like to be home and able to fully focus on the fam? Can you describe how you go about transitioning from the season into summer?

PG: It’s great having the kids home full-time, keeping them active [and] being able to take them to their camps, take them to their practices, their hobbies. It’s just great to be a little bit more hands-on and you really find what their interests are once you’re with them for longer periods. 

So it’s been fun—it’s been fun since the season has been done to rekindle that. You get so riled up and caught up with how the season is going that you tend to lose out on stuff, just being on the road and traveling so much. So that’s really the great part about having those summers.

SLAM: You’ve mentioned they’re pretty creative—were you the same way as a kid  growing up?

PG: Yeah, I was. I think that’s why the bond between my oldest and myself is so strong, because I was the same way. My imagination was very strong. I can draw, create, color—you name it. If I can think of it, I could draw it. So I was pretty good. I wasn’t the greatest at drawing, not a portraits person, but I could draw pretty good as a kid. I see a lot of me [in] her.

SLAM: That’s fire. In terms of your offseason workouts and training, did you start getting into it immediately after the season ended? 

PG: I took, like, two weeks off just because I was rehabbing. When the season ended, [I had] a nasty leg injury. And when the season was over, there was no point obviously for me to be in the best shape possible. So I took two weeks off to kind of get away from basketball, get away from the facility, get away from training. I thought that just helped me approach when I went back to training a lot better. It helped my mental, it helped my focus and that’s about the norm for me at this point in my career—take about two weeks away, go travel, just get out, get away and then I’ll come back and go hit it hard again.

SLAM: Has that been your approach in the past? To take time away? 

PG: Yeah, I would say probably the last couple years. Before then I used to, when the season was done, I [would] be right back in the gym the next day. But now as I’ve gotten older, I kind of enjoy splitting the two—being in season-mode and then being in offseason-mode. The younger me didn’t have a family or kids, so the older me kind of knows to separate that, enjoy family time and get after it when I’m ready.

SLAM: Looking back, how would you describe your younger self, especially when you first came into the League.

PG: My younger self was just hungry. He was passionate, he had just the warrior mentality. And fearless. I still have some of those qualities, but it’s definitely stronger as a youngin’ coming into the League. Now I would say my older self is a little bit more focused, knowing what I want and how to approach it, how to get there. Now it’s just [about] trying to stay healthy. That’s the biggest key. 

But yeah, that’s the separation between myself—where I’m at now and the younger me. I just had that passion to want to be the best and destroy any and everything in front of me.

SLAM: What have you been focusing on specifically this offseason in your training? What are your goals going into next season?

PG: Just focusing on the mentality. For me, it’s just the mentality. I work extremely hard on improving and getting better, but for me, it’s just the mentality—going back to having that 22, 23-year-old mentality at 33 of, every time I’m on the floor, I’m there to dominate and just be the best player on the floor at all times. So that’s the mentality I’m going into it [with]. That’s how I’m approaching this summer. At the end of the day, I love where I’ll finish because if I have that mentality, I know I’m giving it everything I have, and I can live with those results.

SLAM: Is that what you meant when you said on that Twitch livestream that you’re going to be on your “bully shit” this season?

PG: One hundred percent. One hundred percent. That’s exactly what I meant. I gotta hold myself accountable to that… Every night I’m on the floor, I’m there to dominate. Whether it’s [being] more physical, or going right at whoever I gotta go at, you’re gonna feel me. I’m having that approach of every time I’m on the floor, I’m there to dominate and destroy you.

SLAM: When you said that on your livestream, what pushed you to that point? Did you feel like it was something that needed to be said? Was that something that was going through your head already?

PG: Yeah, I mean, it was just a lot of unnecessary talk going around the League of, you know, guys feeling themselves and directing comments toward me that haven’t done anything as well. You know, this is the last couple years of my career, so it’s all about legacy for me as well. And that’s just my approach—I got to finish strong and go back to loving the game and loving to dominate. And again, that’s just how I got to approach it. [If] I come up short, that’s on me. But that’s how I gotta approach it.

SLAM: You used the words “go back to loving the game and loving to dominate.” Was there a time when you didn’t necessarily feel that way?

PG: Just through injuries, you doubt yourself. At times, you doubt what you’re able to do. But at this point—I had a fluke injury to end the rest of my season last year—but up until that point, I was starting to get stronger, I was starting to feel better, problems that I was having midseason were starting to go away. And that was the best I was feeling. And so, I was coming into my stride, ready to get back into that. But for a stretch, I didn’t feel [like] myself just because injuries and stuff was aching and popping up. But I feel like I’ve been starting to address that every summer, little by little, to where I’m in a great place right now.

SLAM: What does Paul George being on his “bully shit” look like?

PG: Honestly [laughs]…I can’t tell you what that looks like. I’ve been a pretty consistent scorer, been a high-level player for many years. But for me, it’s just getting to a level of consistency. And, again, not backing down and destroying whatever I have to [to] get to where I need to get to. So I think it’ll be noticeable by the way I play this year.

SLAM: Do you feel like there was a time or I guess a defining moment during your career where you really felt like you were really on your “bully shit”? 

PG: I had that approach of guarding everyone tough, of trying to be the number one option and score on the best player every night while shutting the best player down every night. You know, I just had a mean mentality when I was younger. And that was just how I approached the game. I think I fell away a little bit from that mentality. And so again, all of it is just trying to be back, centered [and] to where I was when I came into this League.

SLAM: When you were referring to guys in the League, or in general, having things to say about you, what was running through your head? 

PG: I mean, everybody has their right to say what they want to say. Everyone at this point in time has an opinion. That doesn’t bother me, but the way you go about it, and the way you approach it, I’m gonna have to have something to say about the way things are handled at some point. And that’s just where it’s gotten, so, you know, it’s just about having—I don’t go off of what I’ve done, who I’ve been in the League. To me, I view it as: if I’ve won or if I haven’t won. And I haven’t won. People tell me all the time, Don’t doubt yourself, don’t this, don’t that. I don’t. I know what I’ve accomplished. I know what I’ve done in this League. I know whose ass I’ve busted in this League, who I’ve put what numbers on in this League. That don’t mean nothing if I haven’t won a championship. Yeah, it’d be a great résumé when it’s all said and done. That’s cool. But for me, I measure myself in the success I’ve had in the League—if I get a championship, that’s what it’s all about. So, yeah, the regular stats are cool and all, but I got a bigger goal of winning [and] establishing myself as a champion.  

SLAM: Have you always had that standard of success? 

PG: Yeah, I mean, coming into the League, early on, the first couple of years [it was about] establishing myself and just getting better and wanting to be an All-Star, wanting to be on that superstar level, wanting to carry a team and wanting to be the best defender on the floor. That was kind of [my] individual goals. But once you make it to that point, take it a step further, now that has to mean something. Being the best player, being the best defender, being on a good team—like that all has to start to equate to something. Now I’m at a point where every year I’m training, and that’s the goal—to get a championship. And so if I come up short, like, nothing else matters that year. At this point, I failed the year, I failed the season, if I didn’t win a championship. 

SLAM: Let’s get into your podcast. To start, do you feel like this is one of the first times you’ve really been outspoken in terms of sharing your own opinion, talking to other athletes and analysts? 

PG: Yeah, I think so. Because, you know, for the longest [time], as a young guy, you want to say the right stuff, you want to protect the organization, you want to protect teammates, you want to protect yourself, image, brand, all of that good stuff, right? But you lose sight of like, Am I really answering this the way I want to answer it? Am I really getting off the thought or the idea that I really want to say? And sometimes after interviews, I’m like, you know, Fuck, I should have said what I really wanted to say. Or, I should have told them what really happened or how it really went. Or, how I really felt.  Now, with my podcast, I can do that. And I think that’s just the beauty in it. 

SLAM: On that note, what’s it like doing the interviewing after having been interviewed so many times? Do you feel like you have a different perspective of what goes into it? 

PG: Yeah, what I found doing it is [that it’s] very therapeutic, because a lot of stories that I’ve told, or a lot of stories that we’ve talked about, were things I held on to and haven’t really [gotten] that out. Whether it’s been good moments, bad moments, fun times, bad times, it’s just been therapeutic to express certain stories. For example, the conversation with DeMar [DeRozan] that we had about playing each other in high school, I have always felt how I felt leading up to that moment playing him in high school, but it was great to hear how he felt leading up to that moment playing me in high school. So conversations like that were great to kind of reflect back on and share that moment and share that story with somebody that I’m pretty good friends with, but we’ve never talked about that. And so it was just great to go back [down] memory lane and pick up on things that we’ve been through and experiences. Because otherwise, you hold on to certain stuff and [are] weirded out by how to share or reflect on some things.

SLAM: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself, now that you’ve gotten into podcasting? 

PG: That I’m not just good at basketball. [laughs]. Nah, I mean, I knew whatever I put my time into I can be successful in. That’s what kind of person I am: if I lock in on something, I work extremely hard to be good at it. And being in the podcast space is another notch to reassure that. It’s just been fun. It’s honestly been fun. I never in a million years would have thought that I would be interviewing other players, talking about stories, being in front of a camera as much as I am, especially at this point in my career. So, you know, it’s just been a great roller coaster. And I’m just enjoying the ride at this point.

SLAM: Did you always feel that way—that you’re really only viewed as Paul George the basketball player?

PG: Not necessarily, but I do think people didn’t know much about me. I felt I was—everyone thought a certain way, based off of moments I’ve had in basketball, moments on the court, off the court. And that’s the only thing that they can pinpoint on me. But actually watching me in a podcast setting, getting to talk, getting to laugh, making jokes. I think people see me in a different light. And that’s what I appreciate, that they can separate [it, like], Oh he’s totally different. I thought he was way different. I had this perspective of him, [but] he’s actually a cool dude. He’s actually funny. He’s actually this, that. Which I am. I’m just as normal as anybody else. 

There’s definitely an appreciation there for fans for allowing [themselves] to re-introduce themselves to who Paul George is.

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Deyscha “Sway” Smith is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow her on Instagram/X, @deyschasmith and Tik Tok @deyscha.

Portraits by Atiba Jefferson. Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Paul George Unfiltered: Clippers Star Talks Training, Perception Around the NBA and Destroying the Competition appeared first on SLAM.

After dropping 30 points and securing the win in a momentous game held halfway around the world from home, LaVine spotted a little girl rocking a No. 8 Chicago jersey on his way to the locker room. Something told the two-time All-Star to slip off his blue New Balance Fresh Foam BBs and hand them over to a fan he never knew he had and who may never see him play again in person. 

On the evening the NBA returned to Europe for the first time in three years, it was a special gesture by the Chicago superstar. His way of showing love after his squad was showered with the kind of adulation that made Paris’ Accor Arena almost sound like Chicago’s United Center. 

“Only time we might be able to play in Paris so give some stuff away and show some appreciation to the fans,” LaVine said after the game. 

That little girl was one of the thousands at the Association’s second regular season game ever held in the French capital, an otherwise forgettable affair in January between Chicago and Detroit, who vividly and vociferously backed the Bulls. 

Among the cosmopolitan Parisian crowd, designer Chicago letterman jackets, immaculately maintained Starter pullovers and limited-edition hoodies were almost as ubiquitous as red Bulls jerseys. The numbers 8 and 11—worn by Chicago’s current stars LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, respectively—were as well-represented as the numbers of the franchise’s legends like Derrick Rose’s No. 1, Scottie Pippen’s No. 33 and, most especially, Michael Jordan’s iconic 23.  

When the Bulls were introduced, the crowd cheered like crazy. They booed lustily when the Pistons took the floor for warmups. And as the Bulls raced out to an early first-quarter lead they’d never relinquish, the vibes inside the sold out arena, located in the city’s 12th arrondissement, were distinctly Windy City-ish. Every dunk, swish and positive play by a player in red was admired, appreciated and applauded.  

“I know for me, I’m going to look back years and years down the line and realize how great of a moment this was,” DeRozan said after the game. “It definitely was a beautiful atmosphere and definitely was a privilege to be part of this whole thing.”

While the NBA didn’t exactly take over Paris the way some American journalists covering the game suggested—it was, after all, Men’s Fashion Week and the city experienced a major labor strike that shut down the Metro on game day—it was a reminder, or a statement for those unaware, that the Bulls remain one of the most popular NBA teams among basketball-crazed Europeans. 

That might catch followers of the sport in the States by surprise, but the League has plenty of data points to illustrate just how far and wide the Bulls fan base stretches. According to the NBA, Chicago is No. 2 in international merchandise sales, ranks among the top 5 most popular League Pass teams outside the US and is scheduled to make multiple appearances in primetime on Sundays in the European and Middle East TV markets this season. Bulls merchandise out-sold all others at the NBA Store in Paris leading up to the game against the Pistons, and the highest-selling jersey that week belonged to a Bulls player with a distinctly French surname.   

“It just shows how much our fan base is growing,” said LaVine, who says his great-grandfather was French. “It’s not just Chicago or the United States. That’s just a tribute to how much success they had and how much the brand has grown.”

The “they” LaVine referred to was, of course, the Bulls of the ’90s starring Jordan, the man who shifted and shaped basketball culture on and off the court unlike any other player in the game’s rich history. While Jordan and the ’92 Dream Team were responsible for galvanizing a generation of European athletes to forsake soccer and pick up a basketball, the continent hadn’t fallen for his Bulls following the ’92 Olympics. That came five years after the Barcelona games when Jordan, with five NBA titles to his name, and his Chicago teammates touched down in Paris for a preseason tournament against international squads. 

Four months removed from repeating as NBA champs, the Bulls—minus Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, neither of whom made the trip—were welcomed like rock stars for the McDonald’s Championship. Fans flooded the streets outside the Bulls’ hotel, hoping to catch glimpses of the team or miraculously score an autograph from the man who became as synonymous with sneakers as he did with dominating the competition. With hundreds of credentialed media members from all points of Europe there to document his every move, Jordan, in typical fashion, dazzled with 27 points in 29 minutes in the final against Greece’s Olympiakos, the ’97 European champs. Barely touching the floor in the fourth quarter, guess who earned MVP honors? 

“I just do my job whenever I’m on the basketball court, and I don’t know if I pleased them,” Jordan, referring to the Parisian crowd, told NBC’s Ahmad Rashad after the game, “but I did my job.”

One of the fans lucky enough to witness it was a pre-teen Joakim Noah. The son of acclaimed tennis pro Yannick Noah was blown away by MJ’s athleticism and magnetism, just like everyone else in attendance at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. Ask Noah, who spent many of his formative years in Paris, why the Bulls remain so popular abroad and he’ll immediately talk about that transcendent day. It’s the genesis of Noah wanting to be like Mike instead of his legendary father and Europe’s crush on Chicago’s professional basketball team featuring the most famous athlete on the planet. 

“Don’t overthink it,” says Noah, the Bulls’ first-round pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. “It’s Michael Jordan. I was at that game. I was a young kid, just so inspired by watching his grace and how beautiful he was on the court.”

The influencer decades before any hack with a smartphone could become one, MJ’s gravitational pull was so strong in 1997—with four MVPs, five Finals MVPs, 13 signature sneakers and one blockbuster (Space Jam) on his résumé—that the Bulls became your team if Jordan was your guy. 

“If you look at Mike, and what he means to the culture, this is how the Bulls have transcended,” says fashion designer Chaz Jordan, who is not related to MJ. “The Bulls and Michael are symbiotic. You cannot separate the Chicago Bulls from Michael Jordan just because of all he has achieved on the court as well as the brand off of the court.”

A native of Chicago who had Bulls season tickets and worked alongside Don C and the late Virgil Abloh at RSVP Gallery, Chaz Jordan has spent a chunk of his adult years living abroad. He laughs thinking about all the times he’s hooped in Paris, where his 1989 STUDIO brand debuted its FW23 collection a day after the Bulls and Pistons played, and whenever he’s asked where he’s from, he knows what’s coming next. “I tell them Chicago and they immediately say, Oh, Michael Jordan and the Bulls,” says the designer. He’s also amazed at the random places where MJ disciples—and Bulls fans—pop up around Europe. 

“You have these pockets in these smaller towns where people are literally bigger fans of the Bulls and Jordan than some Chicagoans, which is so crazy,” says Chaz. “They eat, sleep and bleed Michael Jordan.” 

Members of the fashionable set might point to the iconic Bulls jersey, easily one of the most recognizable, as a low-key reason for the team’s international popularity. Since it’s a statement to be a basketball fan in Europe, where soccer will forever reign supreme, rocking a red throwback with “Chicago” in script on your chest attracts a certain amount of attention. And possibly new additions to the fan base. While Bulls’ merch sells extremely well overseas, Noah ain’t buying it.

“It’s one of the most recognized jerseys around the world because of His Highness, the Black Cat, Michael Jordan,” says Noah. 

And even though the franchise hasn’t exactly been a model of consistency since MJ’s last game with Chicago—two playoff appearances over the past seven seasons and just one conference finals appearance since ’98—you can’t accuse Europeans of being fair-weather fans since support and interest in the team hasn’t demonstrably nosedived. One recent seismic event may have actually reignited the continent’s love for the franchise. 

Amidst the black hole that was the first half of 2020, as the pandemic raged across the world, one of the few beacons of light for sports fans was The Last Dance. The acclaimed documentary about Jordan’s final season with the Bulls, whose first episode featured behind-the-scenes footage from the ’97 trip to Paris, debuted when the sports world was dark. A fresh wave of Bulls and Michael Jordan nostalgia washed over Europe. 

“I think we’re all familiar with the fact that we were starving for programming. We didn’t have the games on, and then The Last Dance drops, and it was just perfect in terms of feeding that fandom,” says Ralph Rivera, NBA managing director for Europe and the Middle East. “But it also introduced a whole new set of fans to the game and to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. I think that reignited the fandom.” 

The Bulls arrived for their most recent Paris trip a few days early so they could take in the sights and sounds. Just like during the franchise’s first visit, the team took a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower. Unlike 26 years ago, when every Bulls player aside from Jordan could walk around the city without being bothered, times had changed. While Jordan lamented his lack of anonymity during that trip, the current Bulls embraced it. LaVine and his teammates were easily recognized approximately 4,130 miles away from Chicago without any issues. 

“Obviously, the Bulls are one of the most popular franchises in the world, and it’s just an honor to come over here after Michael,” LaVine said. 

One thing he made sure he did before touching down in Paris was queue up MJ videos. Emulating the work ethic and mindset of one of his idols has always been part of LaVine’s preparations, so consuming Jordan highlights was nothing out of the ordinary. But on the long flight from the States, before he would ball out in front of a French arena filled with Bulls fans, LaVine watched a 34-year-old Jordan cook up the competition in the McDonald’s Championship.

LaVine chuckled when he saw Artūras Karnišovas, the current Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations, matched up against MJ. A native of Lithuania who had an excellent four-year stint at Seton Hall before a standout international career, Karnišovas scored 19 points that day for Olympiakos. Like so many other basketball fans across Europe, he grew up watching and rooting for the Bulls. 

Photos via Getty Images.

The post How a Trip to Paris and the Legacy of the ’90s Chicago Bulls Inspires Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan appeared first on SLAM.

BRANDSEEN HAT worn by CHRIS PAUL

HONOR THE GIFT QUARTER-ZIP worn by RUSSELL WESTBROOK

MONFRÈRE JEANS worn by JAREN JACKSON JR.

ESSENTIALS HOODIE, PANTS + UGG SHOES worn by DEMAR DEROZAN

RICK OWENS SHORTS worn by DARIUS BAZLEY

DICKIES SET worn by JAVALE MCGEE

RICK OWENS PANTS worn by JERAMI GRANT

DIOR SHIRT worn by LEBRON JAMES

The post WHERE DO I COP? This Week’s Top NBA Fits from LeagueFits appeared first on SLAM.

It’s important to note that this scenario could play out IF VanVleet decides to opt-out of his player option next summer. VanVleet rose to prominence after signing with the Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016. As a rookie, he played in Toronto and with their G League affiliate. The following season he came off the bench and played in 76 regular season games with the Raptors.

VanVleet eventually played a prominent role in Toronto winning their first-ever title in 2019. In 2022, he became the fifth undrafted player to make the All-Star game in 2021. VanVleet is averaging 18.2 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game this season. He’s played in 36 games thus far, missing eight contests due to a back injury.

VanVleet’s four-year deal that he signed in 2020 could expire this offseason if he doesn’t sign his player option. He’s making $21.3 million this season and could make $22.8 million if he does pick up the extra year.

VanVleet and Toronto are set to play the Milwaukee Bucks on the road on Tuesday.

The post REPORT: Fred VanVleet Drawing Free Agent Interest from Phoenix and Orlando appeared first on SLAM.

DeRozan has been Chicago’s best and most consistent star this year, averaging 25.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 50.8 percent shooting from the field. He’s also set to play one more season on the three-year 81.9 million deal he signed when the Spurs traded him to the Bulls on a sign-and-trade move.

Natural bucket getter.@DeMar_DeRozan | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/YZEgWuKFy7

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2022

The Bulls have two options when it comes to trying to retain a high-caliber player like DeRozan, improve and extend him or let him walk if they can’t win this season or the next. It’ll be interesting to see how the three-time Alll-NBA selection and the Bulls respond to reports of dysfunction in the locker room surrounding DeRozan and fellow All-Star Zach LaVine.

Chicago will look to get back on track when they take on the Knicks on Friday. In order for that to happen, the finger-pointing and lack of accountability will have to be solved so that the Bulls can maximize their potential over the next two seasons.

The post REPORT: DeMar DeRozan Could Ask to Get Out of Chicago appeared first on SLAM.

When we caught up with Redick after filming was done, he was just as reflective about his playing career and going into broadcasting and sports media.

“I think a big part of it was just going to play for the Clippers, to be honest with you,” Redick says of how he’s transitioned into media while being introverted. “Duke felt like a bubble. And then Orlando is a smaller market, even when we were really good it didn’t feel big. And when I went to the Clippers, big media market, a lot of eyeballs, we were a good team. The city’s huge. You start meeting people, you’re randomly at a fundraiser for the Democratic Party at Magic Johnson’s house and you’re up on stage with Harry Reid. And you’re like, what? How did I f***ing end up here? I’m taking a picture with Diane Keaton. 

“By the time I was doing ESPN [and] by the time we had launched the ‘The Old Man and Three’ in 2020, I was very comfortable by then. I look at those four years in L.A. as sort of the growth and the journey. That, to me, was a pivotal moment in my life—and it coincided with me becoming a father.  That gave me a whole new perspective on things and what mattered and not caring as much to be honest with you. Not being so sensitive.” 

The decision to get into podcasting for Redick really started out of curiosity. “It was something other than basketball, which is something that I had thought about for a long time,” he says, later adding: “It’s weird, because I grew up so introverted and now I have to have gotten comfortable. I have to talk a lot on camera.” 

It was around 2012-2013 when Redick, who was then playing on the Orlando Magic, took a trip to Boston to visit his best friend from high school. They hit up Fenway, as well as Harvard, where they ended up having a two-hour long conversation on the quad. “I remember thinking at the time, ‘I wish somebody had recorded that.’ I didn’t have the podcast [yet].” This moment ultimately contributed to the start of a journey that would lead to Redick diving into podcasting. 

Now, Redick has established himself as one of the strongest voices within sports media, offering both a deep knowledge of the game, as well as a player-first perspective. Whether he’s challenging Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, interviewing superstars around the NBA on the “The Old Man and Three” podcast, including Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum, alongside co-host Tommy Alter, or going back and forth with the DraftKing’s Starting Five about the state of the game today, Redick admits that these are all skills—public speaking, asking questions, getting subjects to open up—that he’s had to learn and develop over time. Since he became the first active player to host a podcast when he launched a weekly show with Yahoo Sports in 2016, Redick has spent the past five years perfecting his craft with the same preparedness and attentiveness to the game as he did as a player. 

“There are certainly comparisons, there are certainly similarities. I think a lot about preparation. For me, being undersized with a short wingspan, not particularly bouncy, not particularly agile—I mean relative to you, I’m a better athlete, but relative to NBA players, I was on the lower end of the spectrum. So I had to prepare and people tell me all the time, and it drives me f***ing crazy, ‘Oh, you’re a natural.’ And I’m like, ‘Mmm, no, I’m not.’ It goes back to the extroverted thing. I’m not. I’ve actually got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of reps. Like last year, I would do a f***ing five-minute SportsCenter hit at 12 o’clock, I’m preparing 45 minutes for that. I get the questions. I’m doing my research. I’m thinking about clips. I do it the same way I played. That’s how I had to play and I look at it [like] I have to do it the same way here…Look, if we’re being honest, you go to Miami in Game 4, you’re down and you hit a big bucket down the stretch, you make the game-sealing free throws, and Joel gets the rebound to end the game and you’re going back in the locker room with your teammates to fly back to Philly to close them out. There’s no better feeling than that. We probably, as athletes, we probably won’t ever feel that again. There’s got to be some level of acceptance on that but you can still grind and search and challenge yourself in ways that you approximate that.”

When he’s watching the game these days, Redick pays keen attention to body language—a skill he learned at Duke while playing under Mike Krzyzewski. 

“I think it’s because I played for Coach K, I am big on watching body language—and I know that sounds weird. There’s four or five actions you can run in the NBA, and there’s three or four ways to defend those actions, generally. There’s some creativity around watching Phoenix or Dallas—the different ways they get into the pick and roll. I find it fascinating and when I call their games, I’ve tried to find ways to point this out and break it down because I think most casual fans [are like], ‘Explain pick and roll. What’s that?’ [and] the Twitter nerds, they love it.  But I watch body language a lot and when I’m evaluating a team, I’m watching the body language. When I’m evaluating a team winning or losing, I’m watching the body language. I’m watching players that have edge—I am fascinated by Jose Alvarado, T.J. McConnell, Marcus Smart. I love watching those guys. 

“And then, as a true basketball fan, and this is where I, like, for whatever reason, run into such headwinds. I appreciate greatness. Shouldn’t we all? I guess not because so much of the narrative side of it is pointing out all the failures of great players versus celebrating the longevity, the scoring, the winning. It annoys the f**** out of me, to be honest with you. It does. I love watching Tatum play, I love watching Ja Morant. I view games through the analytical lens for sure, but I’m also just a basketball fan. I retired and I was like, I’m going to take a break, and then I had to sign up for ESPN, but then, like, f***ing two weeks into the season I’m like, Jesus, man, I’m doing the same thing I did as a player. I’m watching eight [NBA] League Pass games, switching back and forth channels, channels, channels, and then it’s 12:30 at night and I’m like, Okay, I can finally go to bed because I’ve watched all the games.”

For Redick, there’s “two components” to the way he approaches his work now as an analyst and podcast host: “There’s the analysis of the game, which to me, seems very black and white,” he explains. “In that, I can go look at advanced stats, and I can talk about them all day, I can watch a play, and I can break that down. It’s cut and dry. The narrative side of media, which is where I think I’ve made some headway, if that makes sense, that is the gray. Tobias [Harris] and I talk about this all the time, because he was such a black and white person, and it used to drive me crazy. I’d be like, ‘Dude, you gotta learn to live in the gray.’ And I like to live in the gray. That’s how I operate in my life. And so I think, every conversation we have about narrative, it’s always super nuanced. I enjoy having those conversations. That, to me, is where you get a lot of disagreement. And that’s inevitable, because so and so player, team, their stans. And you are never going to change the opinion of a stan. You’re just not. But I enjoy having those conversations. And I’m not always right. I know I’m not always right. And I knew when I was wrong. I do, or at least I try to. Kings fans, I’ve acknowledged that I’ve admitted the whole trade, whatever.”

Then there’s Redick’s ability to understand his subjects, an attribute that has made him so compelling as an analyst. He’s been there, not just on the court, but as a professional athlete who’s been put under a magnifying lens by the media and general public. When the scrutiny surrounding Russell Westbrook gets brought up mid-interview, Redick offers both perspectives—there’s the one that only he, and his former NBA teammates, could ever possibly understand, and then there’s the outside, fan perspective. “So, number one, we’ve all been memed and GIF-ed. I think we’re all cognizant that the camera is on us, but we’re also human. And I remember during the [NBA] bubble, our second game, we got blasted by the Clippers and I had to lay down because of my back, so I never sat on the bench. I’m rolling my back …and I’m, like, staring into the abyss. That became a GIF for, like, four days and it’s like, Yeah, you caught me in a bad moment. I was f***ing pissed. We were losing by 30 in the third quarter. Like, it happens. So, the body language part I get and certainly players like Russ are scrutinized, especially once different storylines get added in.” 

It’s in the gray area where Redick shines most. By intertwining his knowledge of the game and 15 years of playing experience with his understanding of how NBA fandom works, as well as the media, Redick has been able to get players around the League to let their guard down and open up about never-before talked about topics, from mental health to getting cut from a team, in a way most broadcasters could only imagine. He’s still that same determined, competitive and straight-up clutch sharpshooter that he was at Duke and in the League—the only difference now is that he’s bringing that same passion to every assignment, every game and every interview. 

“It’s the juice. Yeah, that’s the juice for me,” Redick says of getting players to open up. “When I played, the competition part was such a drug. And the highs of it were just so good. The lows were so bad. But it was so addicting, all of it was so addicting. And as athletes we really struggle to recapture that in our post-playing days, it’s damn near impossible. I sometimes get it on the golf course. Going back to recording, for the podcast, for me, that is the drug. When PJ Tucker talks about how, at the end of his first season, the Raptors cut him and prior to cutting him for the playoff run, they brought him into the office, the whole staff was there, and they showed we’ve had a camera on you. For the last two weeks, here’s your body language in huddles, here’s your body language when your teammates scores, here’s your body language in practice. Like, when he tells that story, that’s a high for me. When DeMar [DeRozan] opens up about his mental health approach and his struggles and his journey there, that’s a high for me. You don’t always get that in every interview or every episode, but when you get it, God, it’s so f***ing good.”

Watch the latest episode of the DraftKings Starting Five series featuring JJ Redick here. 

The post JJ Redick Quickly Became a Rising Star in Sports Media by Approaching it the Same Way He Approached the Game appeared first on SLAM.

The downplay continued at home Wednesday night against the Knicks when Jalen Brunson made Alex Caruso hit the floor and knock down the dagger that sealed the Knicks their fifth straight win.

The efforts defensively down the stretch may seem like the glaring weakness of the Bulls, but it isn’t just that part. Instead, the problems are at the start of their matchups, where Caruso believes the team isn’t putting a significant emphasis on making the right play.

“We have to do a better job paying attention to details earlier in the game,” said Caruso after their loss to the Knicks, per Sports Illustrated. “Some nights, we’re not there for 48 minutes, and then it’s a coin flip at the end.”

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Caruso’s reasoning is based on the Bulls’ struggles to score points in the first two quarters. Chicago averages 56.1 points in the first half of games, which is tied for the seventh worst in the League. It doesn’t end there as they give up the second most three-pointers made to their opponents in the first half (7.4) and the third highest field goal percentage to their opponent (49.2).

“We just don’t have the margin for error,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said after the loss Wednesday night. “We’ve got to be really disciplined in a lot of specific areas.”

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Even their star players were slumped through the 24 minutes against the Knicks. Had it not been for his six free throws made, DeMar DeRozan would have ended up with two points off 16.7 percent shooting from the field (1-6). Although Zach LaVine opened the bout against the Hawks with nine points (4-6 from the field), he struggled to take care of the ball ending up with five first-half turnovers.

Though the tandem of DeRozan and LaVine pick up the slack in the second half of games, winning recipes don’t come off playing from behind. Caruso demands the group starts focusing on the little but large keys to victories, like communicating or finding the better shot.

Hence they don’t find that formula; the ship will continue to sink for a team that was once thought of as ‘championship-caliber’ last season.

“Sometimes it’s been ball-screen coverage or weakside coverage,” Caruso said. “I think it goes to show how hard it is to win in pro sports. Obviously, it’s something we’ve got to get better at.”

The post Alex Caruso Believes Bulls Need to Focus On the Details Early in Games appeared first on SLAM.

With this new in-ground hoop, you can bring the arena right to your driveway. The Spalding Arena Renegade® comes with an Arena-style 180 breakaway rim and a 72 inch clear glass backboard, tailor made for today’s game at the collegiate and professional level.

What also sets the Arena Renegade® apart from other traditional in-ground hoops is its boom arm and rim. Both have been designed using the latest in basketball technology to really make you feel like you’re practicing your free throws right at the Garden.

“There are key elements in the Arena Renegade® that we strived to replicate at home,” says Senior Product Marketing Manager Ben Simms. “We wanted to design an extremely sturdy, durable and premium basketball hoop that replicates the in-arena experience as much as possible. The best athletes in the world play on a Spalding Arena Renegade® during games, but at home, they are shooting on something far different. Our team wanted to deliver as much of the on-court hoop experience to the home, in the form of an in-ground built for driveways across the country.”

Even Spalding Brand Ambassador and Chicago Bulls All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan rocks with the Arena Renegade®, noting both the authenticity and similarities to that “on-court” feeling.

“The scale and quality of the Spalding Arena Renegade® in-ground is authentic to what’s on-court,” said DeMar DeRozan. “It’s a game changer that athletes get to practice what they play on, and fans get to truly bring an Arena Renegade® to their driveways.”

The future of basketball has arrived. The Spalding Arena Renegade® in-ground hoop is available now exclusively on www.spalding.com.

The post Spalding Is Bringing Hoop Dreams to the Driveway With the New Spalding Arena Renegade® appeared first on SLAM.

In January of last season, the team reached the mountain top of the Eastern Conference, receiving MVP-caliber play from DeMar DeRozan while Ball showcased his two-way ability as a perimeter defender and facilitator, making the right reads to put his teammates in prime scoring position.

The former second-overall pick was on a mission to lead the Bulls franchise back to title contention, averaging the second-highest point average of his career (13.0), the highest steal rate (1.8), and the best three-point shooting accuracy (42.3) of his career.

"What's it like playing with Lonzo Ball?"

DeMar's smile says it all. pic.twitter.com/SS2Xy7jwDC

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 16, 2021

The fundamentals were on full display, and the team looked on track to make as deep of a playoff run as they did in 2011. However, Ball suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee that forced him out for the rest of the season, and it hit the brakes on the momentum they had built up early on, exiting the 2022 playoffs in the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks.

With Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and DeRozan on the floor, the team has started the new season 8-11, good for 12th place in the East. The slow start isn’t what was expected from the Bulls but team insider Sam Smith shared an update about a possible return for Ball, who may now be considered the solution to all the team’s woes.

“The general word around the Bulls is he might be able to play in January, maybe by the All-Star break,” Smith said. “That would be wonderful, though personally, without any information or “insider” scoops from sources which may or may not know, I’m not counting on him this season.”

Lonzo Ball can do it ALL.

Some of @ZO2_'s best plays so far: pic.twitter.com/YmabRoEl2K

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 27, 2021

Head coach Billy Donovan knows there are missing pieces to the puzzle, but some of his talents have taken on the challenge to improve at their position.

The Bulls could use the floor general presence of Ball to alleviate the ball-handling duties of one-on-one scorers like LaVine and DeRozan while front-court players like Patrick Williams. and Vucevic can catch quick interior passes from Ball. A starting 5 with an unselfish point guard is the general recipe for success, and the Bulls desperately need it.

The post REPORT: Lonzo Ball Probable to Return By All-Star Break appeared first on SLAM.

VanVleet’s toughness, dependable offense, and leadership on and off the court are just a few of the qualities that make him one of the most respected players in the league. It is also a massive part of what helped the Raptors secure their first NBA title in 2019.

VanVleet dropped 30 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists on 9-22 shooting from the field (5-13 from beyond the arc) to lead the Raptors to a 113-114 win over the Bulls. Following the loss, former teammate and Raptors icon DeMar DeRozan shared his thoughts on VanVleet’s electrifying performance per ESPN;

“Hell of a player, one of the best point guards in this League,” said DeRozan. “I didn’t expect anything less from him. That’s who he is, aggressive, changes the dynamic of the game.”

VanVleet is averaging 15.7 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in just seven games this season. Even though the Raptors currently have a 6-4 record, it is still very early in the season, and the team still has some things to improve upon.

One thing is for sure, though, with VanVleet’s leadership, Pascal Siakam’s craftiness, and SLAM 239 cover athlete Scottie Barnes‘ explosiveness, the Raptors have positioned themselves for a dominant playoff run this season.

The post DeMar DeRozan: Fred VanVleet is ‘One of the Best Point Guards in the League’ appeared first on SLAM.

Over the weekend of September 3rd, thousands of fans streamed into the house that Michael Jordan built, the United Center in Chicago. DeMar DeRozan wasn’t laced up. There was no game going on. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters were not there to see Zach LaVine defy gravity but to witness artistry of another genre. Inside this hoops sanctuary, among the six championship banners and Larry O’Brien trophies and retired jerseys hanging in the rafters, was a giant pop-up exhibition featuring 120 fine, street and graffiti artists from 15 different countries. This gallery, containing hundreds of works for sale, with as many interpretations of the game, was the main attraction of Bulls Fest 2022.

The “Art of the Game” exhibition is a collaboration between the Chicago Bulls and local printer, designer and curator Zissou Tasseff-Elenkoff, owner of the gallery All-Star Press. This weekend was not the first time the two entities teamed up but instead represented the culmination of over 30 projects the franchise and the local Chicago gallery have collaborated on, going back to 2018. What started as a sourcing of local artists to create game-day posters grew to limited edition stadium merch drops and manifested into Bulls Fest 2022, a spectacle even Tasseff-Elenkoff was taken aback by.

“This was something I have not seen on a scale this large. It was a very special weekend.”

Bulls Fest is indicative of a growing trend in the NBA, and other corporations, of an increased interest in and embrace of street, graffiti and fine art.

The League’s interest is not new, of course. The culture of street art and graffiti mirrored, matured and grew with the popularity of the sport, as basketball overtook baseball and football to become one of the country’s most viable global exports. Hip-hop, along with the astounding levels of play, ingenuity and genius of the athletes, is indeed the engine that powers the viability and allure of the NBA to younger audiences stateside and across the planet.

The players grew up with and were often from the same communities where emerging emcees, b-boys and b-girls, graffiti artists and DJs lived, and innovated the youth cultural practice that would bring together more young people.

From the vibrant sheen and clean and stylized fonts of ’90s Starter jackets and Mike’s gold chains, to Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon commercials and the braids, tattoos and fitted caps of Allen Iverson, the NBA was the first major sports league to follow the lead of the culture, though reluctant and not without a fight, due to generational gaps and racial fears.

Graffiti and street art have been moving to the center of the more formal and fine art world over the last several decades. Banksy is a showstopper at Sotheby’s, OG graffiti writers like Futura and Lee Quiñones have become highly coveted in collections around the globe, and NBA and WNBA teams have commissioned some of the most well-known street artists in the world to honor teams and their players. The Lakers have worked with Mr. Cartoon and OG Slick to create murals and limited merch. The Phoenix Suns partnered with local muralists in 2021 to devise new logos and put the faces of Devin Booker and Chris Paul all over the city.

This past spring, the city of Milwaukee and the Bucks commissioned graffiti writer and muralist Mauricio Ramirez to paint a 50-foot photo-realist portrait of Giannis Antetokounmpo on a building facing Fiserv Forum. The result is a stunning tribute to the Greek Freak, the game of basketball and the team. The mural is part of a business district improvement plan and has become a new landmark and attraction for people to meet in front of, taking and sharing photos. For the artist, it was a dream come true.

“My mom grew up in Milwaukee, and on my dad’s side, everyone lives in Mexico,” Ramirez tells us. “I grew up in the ’90s, playing basketball with friends, and when I was growing up, it was like, Whose house are we playing at?”
His older cousins were into graffiti and stylized lettering and were in the graffiti crew DS aka Drop Squad. For Ramirez, that was “my true introduction to art, color theory, drawing and the tools I was introduced to: markers, spray paint. And since then, I’ve wanted to get better and better. Graffiti and hip-hop are all about skills. Going hard, snapping, and that’s the mindset I bring to each project, especially if it’s in the public.”

Tubz speaks of his work with a similar fervor and extends the analogy to players in the League. “I was thinking about how seriously NBA players take their craft. It’s as serious as I take my art. These players give everything. They dedicate their lives to their sport, their craft. They’re constantly in the gym. They were shooting in the backyard when they were kids idolizing Jordan, doing the fade away, saying ‘Jordan!’ I was doing that, too. And 10 years later, they are in the draft.” Being recognized by the team and franchise he idolized as a kid brings a similar feeling for Tubz and artists like him. “I feel like this is my draft. I’m getting drafted to the big leagues.”

For Tasseff-Elenkoff, who has owned galleries and helped give a platform and profile to underrepresented artists for decades, this moment represents, “a cultural shift toward youth.”

“Murals and street art and people like Shepard Fairey, Cleon Peterson and Pose, are all components of that culture, and on a local level, people like Sentrock and JC Rivera all resonate back to the streets and what kids are interested in. And if brands and these teams want to stay relevant, they have to shift into new media and new culture. And a lot of that, over the last two decades, has been through art.”

The art world, like the league, has scouts who seek and develop new emerging talent and connect artists of the unknown to the largest stages and platforms. Like in any field, there are those who pursue the path for a bottom line and there are those who are called to the space because of a love and vision for the work, a gift of sorts for seeing what others cannot.

Mr. Nice Art is a curator, collector and visionary with an eye for what will be popular in years to come. A kind of shit-talking iconoclast who walks the walk.

“I never wanted to be the person that wanted to be the face of anything,” he says. “Growing up in Chicago, you move in a particular way.” He is shrouded in an MF Doom-like mystery. He does little to no press and is nearly impossible to find pictures, or word of, on the internet. He also might be one of the most important connectors in the world of contemporary art and culture.

Mr. Nice Art grew up in a Southside neighborhood a high school away from Chicago Vocational, home to then-prep star Juwan Howard, whom he first met in the 6th grade. Years later, in 2007, while working retail at Neiman Marcus and styling people like Kanye West and Jerry Lorenzo, he connected again with Howard and his wife when they came in the store. After commenting on Juwan’s Panerai 289 Luminor rose gold watch, the two rekindled their friendship. Howard eventually encouraged Mr. Nice Art to take the commissions he was making from Neiman’s and consider investing in art. While Howard was collecting Kerry James Marshall and other notable—and expensive—artists, it forced Mr. Nice Art to “look for Chicago artists early on, because I couldn’t afford what my boy Juwan was affording. Dude is a millionaire.”

Mr. Nice Art began going to the makeshift studios of young artists and applying what he knew about retail and the maturing of fine watches to the world of art. He developed relationships with unknown painters from the studio, street and graffiti art scenes around the same time hip-hop in Chicago was gaining more and more international notice. Cultural communities often rise together, and in 2012 when Chief Keef and Chance the Rapper were beaming examples of the young genius coming out of Chicago, Mr. Nice Art happened to be working with a local emerging painter and sculptor named Hebru Brantley.

In 2012, Brantley was having a show for private collectors that Q-Tip was DJing. During prep for the show, Howard called and asked what Mr. Nice Art was up to. He told him about Brantley’s show and Howard said something to the effect of, “S**t, hook me up if you think he’s good.” Howard was serious and followed up saying that he would send money to Mr. Nice Art and he should pick out something nice within that budget, keeping the rest for a commission.

Mr. Nice Art attended Brantley’s show and walked away with six original pieces, one of which LeBron James saw hanging inside Howard’s home.

“We always knew Juwan was going to be a coach. As he was playing, he was always directing the game on the court,” says Mr. Nice Art. “To keep it real with you, the Heat had him on the roster not only to be a good example of a Black man but also to be…a mentor to LeBron.”

And the student did receive the lessons. James, as Mr. Nice Art tells, wanted to do something special for his teammates and was encouraged by Howard to think of an investment in art made by a Black artist. Mr. Nice Art connected James with Brantley, who then commissioned 15 original works to celebrate Miami’s 2012 NBA championship.

That was 10 years ago. Since then, athletes have invested millions into the contemporary art market. Mr. Nice Art credits moguls like Swizz Beatz and Jay-Z for pushing the culture forward, and he acknowledges collectors like Patrick McCoy who was a mentor.

“The torch was extended, and guys like me took it,” he adds.

He is preparing for a million things all at once, including connecting some of the younger artists he is working with to the major collections of both private high net worth individuals and the permanent collections of major museums.

“I don’t hear ‘Collect art,’” he says. “I hear, ‘Preserve your history.’ We wouldn’t know what the cavemen were doing if we didn’t see the art they placed on the wall.”

Photos curtesy All Star Press Chicago

The post From the NBA to Top Names Around the League, Here’s How the Basketball Community is Tapping into the Art World appeared first on SLAM.

That team ethos would be becoming an elite defense. Last season, the Wizards were a tough defensive unit before they fell off the cliff a quarter of the way through the season. The Wizards ultimately ended the season ranked 25th in points allowed per possession. Unseld and his coaching staff spent the summer coming up with some different ways to figure out how to improve their defense.

2-0 at the crib

highlights from last night's dub, presented by @Verizon pic.twitter.com/0C46rVxdvN

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 26, 2022

The solution came in simplifying some X’s and Os’ so Washington could play based on their instinct. They also created a Defensive Player of the Game belt that a player would earn after each victory. The results of these changes have helped the Wizards become the seventh-ranked team in points allowed per possession.

It also helps that the Wizards have seen team leader Beal “sacrifice” his body competing and playing hard on the defense side of the ball. On Tuesday night, Beal drew some praise after he drew a charge as Saddiq Bey attempted to drive to the rim. It’s the type of sequence that galvanize your teammates and lets them know Beal will never expect them to do something he wouldn’t do.

“I know that — if I’m engaged and locked in and energetic and ready to go on the defensive end, that speaks volumes to the rest of the team, and everybody else follows suit,” Beal said. “We almost have a saying: ‘If Brad can do it, everybody can do it.’ So if I can get down in a stance and get after it, everybody can. It’s something that we hold each other accountable to do, starting with me.”

"Brad's just been making plays for everybody."

Full Media Availability: https://t.co/2Mc7ekzR8E#DCAboveAll | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/2K6nbweNOT

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 26, 2022

Although Beal will never be confused as a DPOY candidate, the three-time All-Star has exceeded expectations as a two-way stud within the young season. He embraced the task of guarding DeMar DeRozan during their clutch win over Chicago. Against Detroit, Beal showed his mental fortitude taking the same kind or charge that led to him suffering a season-ending wrist injury against Memphis.

With that kind of context, Beal drawing a charge resonated deeply.

“You see his sacrifice also on the defensive end,” Wizards teammate Deni Avdija said. “You see he ends up on the floor. It doesn’t really matter (what) your role on the team (is). Everybody’s sacrificing somehow.”

u already know.

DUUUUUUUUB pic.twitter.com/kYp0k1NWR2

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 26, 2022

Unseld added on to the sentiments by calling Beal’s commitment “huge” and “another point of emphasis” that’ll help sustain their early season success. It’s helped, to a certain extent, Washington hold opponents to 42.7 percent shooting from the field.

“Oh, it’s huge,” Unseld said. “It’s just another point of emphasis that we can point to. If he can do it, anybody can do it. We’re asking a lot of him, and he’s bought into the defensive side. I think he’s been unbelievably good on the defensive end with his energy, his attention to detail and asking him to do it on both ends of the floor. Thus far, he’s done it.”

Washington is set to host the Pacers on Friday.

The post How Bradley Beal’s ‘Sacrifice On the Defensive End’ Is Setting the Tone For Wizards appeared first on SLAM.

The team has relied on Max Strus and Duncan Robinson to handle the load at the power forward slot, but the team looks to be losing hope in their defensive powers as reports suggest the Heat are looking at trade suitors.

“Kyle Kuzma and Taj Gibson aren’t the only potential moves that the Heat have been linked to recently,” according to Heavy.com’s Thomas Darro. “Link them to PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets, as well as finalizing a reunion between Crowder and the Heat. But another has been Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons and Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz.”

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Kuzma of the Washington Wizards is off to a fantastic start to the young season as he’s averaging 19.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and a staggering shooting at 46.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc. His size and length could turn him into a problem under the talented Heat coaching staff, but Heat President Pat Riley always keeps the door open to other options.

Washington is a restricted free agent this upcoming off-season due to the inability to negotiate a contract extension. The Hornets may be focused on providing their star point guard LaMelo Ball an enormous deal for the 2024 season, leaving little cap space to work for Washington.

The Heat wouldn’t mind one-year rentals, especially when there’s a lot of talent that needs to be proven out of the group. The 24-year-old would add the floor spacing, agility, and defensive intangibles that much up well against star rivals like Jaylen Brown, Khris Middleton and Demar Derozan.

Finally, the reunion Heat fans would welcome with open arms. Not too long ago, Phoenix Suns’ Jae Crowder was part of the resilient 2020 Heat squad that, as a 5th seed, went six games against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. The chemistry on display, both offensive and defensively, is in no way bound to be lost in just the two seasons apart.

With this possibly being his 10th straight playoff appearance, a reunion with the Heat opens the door to a final run at a championship.

The post REPORT: Heat Linked to Kyle Kuzma, P.J Washington, and Jae Crowder appeared first on SLAM.

This team looked destined for glory once more.

However, in a game against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 14, Ball would suffer a catastrophic injury to his left knee that would keep him sidelined for the rest of the 2021-2022 NBA season.

Concerning news for Bulls fans came from Ball himself as he made it clear his injury still bothers him, and it may be possible he’ll be sidelined to start the season. Ball told reporters he is unable to run or jump as of yet, and it’ll be up to his arthroscopic debridement on Sept. 28 that will determine whether he’s eligible to play.

“This is something I’ve never dealt with,” Ball said. “Even the doctors are surprised a little bit.”

Ball’s contribution is a must-have in order to find success for this Bulls team. Doubts will continue to rise if Ball is unable to return, but proper conditioning may see him reach his elite status once more.

“That’d be the worst-case scenario,” said Ball when asked if there’s a possibility he’ll miss this entire upcoming season. “I’m at a point now where I can’t get back out there until I’m comfortable playing and can actually play. When that day comes, I’ll have the jersey back on.”

The post ‘Even the Doctors Are Surprised a Little’ About Lonzo Ball’s Nagging Knee Injury appeared first on SLAM.

First Team

PJ TUCKER

Julius Caesar reigned over the mighty Roman Empire with the famous words of “veni, vidi, vici.” Those words translate to “I came, I saw, I conquered,” which Jay-Z used in a song during his mighty reign over music. Hov is PJ Tucker’s favorite musician. This season was yet another encore of conquering for the NBA’s mighty, unbeatable, unrelenting, reigning Sneaker King.

DEMAR DEROZAN

By now it’s common knowledge that DeMar DeRozan has played in every single pair of Nike Kobes throughout his career. The amount of variety, from the lows to the mids to the highs, lands him on this list yet again. What gets him second billing, though, is his “WNBA” Kobe 6 PEs. Bean’s relationship with the W needs no explanation, so please watch the WNBA and please support the WNBA in the same way DeMar DeRozan does.

STEPHEN CURRY

Stephen Curry came out the gates with an entire pack of Curry 9 colorways done in collaboration with Sesame Street. But the 9 wasn’t just another silhouette. It’s the second one in his line to obsolete rubber midsoles in favor of the Flow tech that is pioneering different construction in basketball sneakers. Many more fire colorways followed after Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch got their shine.

TRAE YOUNG

Trae Young and adidas handled their business for this introductory silhouette. The Trae 1 was treated with numerous colorways, some of which matched the Hawks’ uniforms and some of which stood out as singular statements. “I think this shoe is going to bring out a lot of the creative ideas in my mind,” Trae told us in last year’s issue of KICKS. He was right.

JA MORANT

Sheer volume of high-level Kobes, KDs and Kyries would’ve been enough 
to land Ja Morant a spot on here. His intention on creating separation became crystal clear when he started to mix in outrageously loud customized Kobe 6s. The only part of Ja’s sneaker season that was as rare as the actual pairs was him repeating sneakers; almost every game came with something different. 

Second Team

JAYSON TATUM

Jayson Tatum has great chemistry with Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown and Al Horford and he’s just as in sync with Jordan Brand’s Senior Promo Colorway Designer Kelsey Amy. Together, the duo made dozens of Air Jordan 36 PEs that told Tatum’s story, illustrated his interests and paid homage to the legendary Kobe Bryant.

DEVIN BOOKER

Back again with his now-familiar rotation of Kobe 4, Kobe 5 and Kobe 6 PEs, Devin Booker introduced us to a couple of new 6 colorways that were adorned with, of course, “Be Legendary,” the pair of words that Kobe left him with back in 2016.

LAMELO BALL

For someone who isn’t even from this planet, LaMelo Ball did a damn good job of introducing the world to his first signature sneaker. The lead colorway’s all-red makeup contrasted crazy against Charlotte’s uniforms, while the mismatched “Rick and Morty” drop proved that traditional rules were of no concern to the 1-of-1 hooper.

DONOVAN MITCHELL

A ton of colorways, a few more colorways and then a couple of extra colorways define the D.O.N. #3’s run this past season. Spida has proven time and time again that he’s going to use his signature line to express himself, be it his love of Marvel, Monster’s, Inc. or the University of Louisville.

LEBRON JAMES

Nothing new here. Well, that’s technically not true. The King did play in the LeBron 19 this past season. And some retros in new colorways. The nothing  new here is that we’ve seen this man display an arsenal of ridiculous sneakers for almost two decades, so when he pulled out a golden version of the Nike LeBron 20-5-5 in his home region of Northeast Ohio, it was a reminder of just how long King James has been at the top.

MVP

PJ TUCKER

There’s grandeur in PJ Tucker’s consistency and his intentionality in this sneaker game. Sure as Alexander the Great rising each morning to examine how he could extend his rule across lands far away from Macedon, PJ’s extensive knowledge of history has furthered his dynastic rule as the Sneaker King. He’s the one pulling out samples that were made for Ray Allen and Gary Payton, playing in Kobe 6 PEs inspired by Kanye West’s original run of Nikes. He even played in those OG Yeezys this past season. The throne is being watched, meticulously.

Rookie of the Year

JALEN GREEN

In addition to several in-line adidas models, Jalen Green (bigggggg SLAM Fam) spent his rookie season in D.O.N.s, Dames, Hardens and Traes. But to keep it a Bucky Barnes, the real reason that our guy Jalen is getting this award is he wore the adidas Gil Zero twice. For the uninitiated, the Gil Zero is the actual silhouette that reintroduced the low top back to modern basketball over 15 years ago (absolute all due respect to Bean and his fourth sneaker). The young fella showing love to Gilbert Arenas made him the easiest pick of this entire awards section.

Most Improved

Stephen Curry

You’re for sure saying to yourself that Stephen Curry has had almost a decade of signature sneakers and that KICKS just put him on the first team from this past season a few pages back. You’re asking how it’s possible that he’s also being awarded with the Most Improved title. But never before have we’ve seen someone with such a technologically advanced main silhouette mix in old models like the Curry 1 (in new and old flavors) and the Curry 6. He also debuted the Curry 4 Flotro, an update of his iconic model from five years ago that now makes use of his groundbreaking Flow tech in the midsole. Those three factors are how this seasoned sneaker vet was a lock for Most Improved.

LeagueFits Tunnel Look of the Year

Jayson Tatum

So long ago that it almost feels like a myth here in 2022, Jordan Brand used to lace their players with amazingly beautiful colorways of retros. Seeing the old Jordans, as well as pairs in the late teens and early ’20s, in colorways that didn’t have red or black was a thrill, and those pioneering players and their PEs became legendary, lore-like figures in the annals of basketball sneaker history. Jayson Tatum pulling up to the NBA playoffs in a brand-new Air Jordan XIV PE was a brief return to the glorious days of yesteryear.

Best of the Best

Jordan

PJ Tucker

Eminem x Carhartt x 

Air Jordan VI

adidas

Jalen Green

adidas Gil Zero 

Restomod

PUMA

LaMelo Ball

PUMA MB.01

Nike

PJ Tucker

Nike Air Yeezy 2

Reebok

Montrezl Harrell

Reebok Kamikaze II Low

Under Armour

Stephen Curry

Under Armour Curry 1

The post The 2021-22 KICKS Awards appeared first on SLAM.

The pivotal match-up would define the Bull’s season, but not as Chicago hoped. In the first quarter, Zach Lavine left the game with a knee injury that bothered him for the rest of the season. Lonzo Ball followed him, exiting with a knee injury in the fourth, and the Warriors left United Center with a decisive 138-96 victory.

While his injury seemed minor then, Ball’s left knee injury developed into a long and arduous recovery process. The UCLA product was ruled out of the Bulls’ game against the Celtics the following day, officially diagnosed with a bone bruise and small meniscus tear on Jan. 20. On Jan. 28, he underwent surgery with a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks.

Ball’s initial recovery timeline post-surgery was eight weeks. It has now been eight months. Ball suffered a couple of setbacks due to his knee not responding to his recovery program from his January surgery. Ball’s ramp-up process to make a return in the playoffs was cut off due to him suffering some knee discomfort in his knee during his rehab process.

Lonzo Ball’s elite defense and high-IQ, high-pace style played a critical role in Chicago’s 27-13 start to the 2021-22 season. Ball shot a career-high 42.3 percent from beyond the arc, ranked in the top 10 in the League in transition assists, and according to DeMar DeRozan, brought “swagger and excitement to the team.” With Ball at point guard, the Bulls ranked sixth in points per game off turnovers and connected on 38.6 percent threes. 

Vice President Arturas Karnisovas stated it clearly: “We missed [Ball] greatly this year. We missed his size, we missed him pushing the break”.

Lacking Ball’s defensive presence and his creation of easy transition buckets, the Bulls fell to 26th in points per game off turnovers, 22nd in the League in three-point percentage, and went 19-23 without Ball in the lineup. 

While his precise return timeline remains unclear, Ball is expected to miss the start of the regular season. The Bulls begin their push back to the top of the East on Oct. 19 against the Heat.

The post Lonzo Ball Expected to Miss the Start of the Season appeared first on SLAM.

DeRozan was most recently seen rocking a pair of Kobe 6s when he teamed up with LeBron James at Drew League two weeks ago. The five-time All-Star, who played in Kobes throughout high school and college, became the most active representative of the Kobe signature line after Bryant retired in 2016.

Nike and the Bryant estate could not come to terms on a new contract following Kobe’s passing but reached an agreement in March of this year, according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula. DeRozan has regularly debuted the latest Kobe models and consistently rocked older models from his collection since his rookie season.

“For me personally, he meant everything to me basketball-wise,” DeRozan told reporters when speaking about Bryant’s influence in January. “That’s well documented, a mentor of mine, a friend of mine, someone that taught me a big part of the game and motivated me to have the mentality that I have today.”

The 32-year-old earned a new deal with Nike after leading the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time in five years and averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game last season. While no specifics regarding DeRozan’s role with Nike have been announced, we can expect the Compton native to continue rocking Beans for the foreseeable future.

The post REPORT: DeMar DeRozan Signs New Deal to Remain With Nike appeared first on SLAM.

At that point, Barnes had yet to fully embark on the entirety of a season that many are now calling perhaps the most impactful rookie season in Raptors’ history. But to have the chance to chop it up with a member of the inaugural Raptors team (Stoudamire won Rookie of the Year that season in Toronto, like Barnes) just seemed like fate. 

“He was just really telling me to try to get Rookie of the Year, keep doing what I got to do and really take over this League,” Barnes says while on set of his SLAM 239 cover shoot.  

That was Stoudamire’s first time meeting Scottie officially; he’d watched him play in high school and at different Nike EYBL and AAU events, but now he was actually seeing what Barnes was capable of doing in the League. Just a month prior to their meeting, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft had dropped a double-double on the Cs—in just the second game of his career. 

“He was a matchup nightmare,” Stoudamire, who’s now an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, later tells us on the phone. “The good Lord doesn’t bless us with everything, but if [Scottie] figures out a way, and he doesn’t have to be a knockdown guy, but once he figures out his spots on the floor in terms of shooting the ball on a consistent basis, it could be dangerous. He would have cracked the code then because, I mean, everything else he has.” 

SLAM 239 featuring Scottie Barnes is OUT NOW!

Barnes wasn’t even born when the Raptors drafted Stoudamire as their first-ever pick in 1995, or when he graced the cover of SLAM 11 in the spring of ’96 (subscribe here to the SLAM Digital Archive). When he got to Toronto, Stoudamire explains, the team was just trying to grow the game of basketball throughout Canada. But what he didn’t realize back then was that he’d ultimately be able to impact an entire country. Many after him have been just as revered—from Vince Carter and DeMar DeRozan to Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry. All-Stars. Champions. Icons. But in this new era of the game, Scottie Barnes isn’t a glimpse into the future of Toronto. He is the now, and even the legends who came before him see that already.

“He has [an] opportunity to lead Toronto, but then be the face of a country,” says Stoudamire.

Excitement has been buzzing all around T-Dot about their superstar-in-the-making. His SLAM 239 cover shoot feels like a momentous occasion, from the Drake tracks blaring over the speakers (Honestly, Nevermind had dropped just a few days before) to Scottie singing along in between takes while he rocks a black and gold Swingman uniform and an icy, blinged-out chain that has an even icier “SB” for the camera. It’s the crowning of a new star in the North. 

After all, it’s been three years since the Raptors won that historic, first-ever championship in 2019, and since then, the team has been well-equipped with an arsenal of All-Stars and bucket-getters who helped them make the playoffs every year except one. The arrival of Scottie has had the place boomin’ with hype around what’s to come, especially since the Raptors exceeded any and all expectations last season when they finished fifth in the East. 

“I feel like I have the defensive tools, I really just want to put on the offensive end,” Scottie says. “Make my game more all-around. I’m just working on being able to get to the basket, being unstoppable on the floor. Scoring, being in the midrange area and just being a consistent shooter. Being able to knock down shots consistently, being able to carry myself in that way as being one of those top people in the League.” 

He’d look at those goals every single day. Winning ROY was a major moment not only for him, but for his family. It’s one of the reasons why he surprised his mom, Kathalyn, with the news. He had watched her relentlessly sacrifice for him and his siblings growing up, working late nights to put food on the table and get them school clothes. “[She tried] to get a few pairs of shoes to go to school, try to have some swag going to school so we could carry ourselves with that confidence. She made a bunch of sacrifices for us. Even though we didn’t have that much, we were still some spoiled little kids, [wanting] everything, trying to flex.”

Winning ROY also meant something for Toronto, as Barnes became just the third Raptor ever to win the award, joining the company of Stoudamire and Vince Carter. “That award meant everything to me. Everything. All the hard work, effort I put in since I was a kid. It meant everything for the city of West Palm Beach, for the country of Canada, city of Toronto. Masai [Ujiri], Bobby [Webster]. They put their faith in me, and I put in the work. So, every single day, I try to carry that with me.”

Now, his Rookie of the Year trophy sits on a stand, right next to two Rookie of the Month awards, inside his game room at his house. Since the season wrapped up, he’s been mainly spending his offseason in his native Florida, while going back and forth to Toronto. It’s a place he’s now calling home, and he’s already found his go-to spots to eat at, too. “I got a couple. Harbour 60, Cactus Club. I just love the city. It’s beautiful.”

A few days before our shoot, Barnes was livestreaming when he raved about how hyped he was to be a Toronto Raptor. When we asked him about it, he didn’t hold back in letting us know how much he’s been embracing the city. 

“It’s a blessing for me to get drafted to Toronto. I felt like it was just the best thing for me and the program,” he says. “I felt like I found the right home, with them being able to draft me…I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I feel like it was just a big thing that happened to me. It’s amazing. I feel like Toronto, they always support me, even the whole country of Canada supports me, shows me love. And it just feels like we’re all family.”

Scottie reveals he’s already on a text message/IG story-reply basis with Drake (“It’s really small talk, but we can tell that we’re brodies”). When he first arrived in Toronto after the draft, he even hung out with him at his mansion.

“His house is humongous. He got a lot of things that’s going on in there, it’s a dope house. He got the basketball court as soon as you walk inside, where he plays his league basketball. You know, he be killing ’em, but his house is fire. I think we put up like a couple of shots, but we were just getting to know each other. Just really chatting it up.”

According to Scottie, Drizzy let him know then that he had to put on for the city. “He just told [me] that the city’s gonna love [me], just really put on for the city. Do what we got to do.”  

In his rookie debut against the Wizards, Scottie showed glimpses of exactly what he could do, from a lefty sky hook for his first bucket to dishing out an elite bounce pass to Chris Boucher in the fourth. Nick Nurse called his performance “OK,” but also pointed out, “I think we see a really good player there.” 

For Barnes, the mindset early on was to do what it takes to win by making the right plays and putting in the effort, whether it’s rebounding, passing or guarding the best player on the court. When asked about what he expected for himself early on in the season, “winning” is the one word he mentions over and over again. “I felt like coming into the season, I really just tried to focus on winning, try and do whatever it takes to win…I really tried to focus on those little things, and then I knew everything else would carry on to the court with me.”

Scottie’s always been competitive. Growing up, he’d compete with his older brother in school and try to get better grades than him so he could show it to his mom, hoping she’d give him a few dollars. He wanted to play on his brother’s basketball and football teams, too, even though everyone was a few years older. He started playing organized basketball in third grade at the Salvation Army on a team that was mainly made up of fourth graders. Scottie then went on to become a five-star product in high school—he played at the University School alongside Vernon Carey Jr and then with Cade Cunningham at Montverde before suiting up at Florida State, where he earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors.

Now he’s channeling that same drive into everything he does, from video games (“[I’m] the best out of all my friends in [NBA] 2K, top three in [Call of Duty]”) to whatever challenges were thrown at him on the court this past season—from guarding all five positions against the Bulls, Celtics and Wizards in October, including superstars like Jayson Tatum and Bradley Beal. By November, he was logging 35 minutes a game, but as Nurse previously said, “one of the first things to instill” is playing the “full 48.” 

When asked about his early season performances, Scottie points out that for him, it was a matter of maintaining the energy. “I would say in the beginning, I showed a lot of energy, but you got to really try to find those ways of channeling it [differently] because sometimes you can express way too much energy and then that next possession, you get really tired…Being at Florida State, I played a good three, four minutes, and then I would get subbed if I was too tired. But now, it’s just like, you got to be able to maintain that energy throughout the whole entire game for however long you’re playing.”  

On a team full of different personalities—from “chill vibe types” like Fred VanVleet and Isaac [Bonga] to “funny guys” like himself, Justin Champagnie and Dalano Banton, according to Barnes—it also helped that the team fully embraced him and allowed him to be himself on the court, especially OG Anunoby. “He was really telling me to be me on the floor, each and every single time. That really [gave] me that confidence when I stepped on the floor to be who I am, keep being aggressive, attacking.”

In December, Barnes dropped a double-double against the Knicks, was a defensive ace with those five blocks against Sacramento a few nights later, and then followed that up with a 23/12/5 stat line against Brooklyn, while being matched up against Kevin Durant, making him the youngest Raptor ever since Tracy McGrady to put up at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 dimes. By January, Bradley Beal was already calling him a “special” talent and saying he “looked like a star” after Barnes put up 27 against the Wizards. 

The Raptors went on an eight-game winning streak going into February, and after the All-Star break, Scottie was averaging just under 20 points per game. When he dropped a 31-piece on the Lakers in March, even the King let everyone know what was up. 

“I saw Scottie Barnes for the first time in seventh grade and I told one of my good friends that this kid is going to be special,” LeBron James said after the game. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch.” 

Looking back on the season, Barnes says he’s started processing the game quicker, too. “I felt like on the court I really know where I could get to my spots, can score the ball at [and] how I can just set my presence throughout the game, on both ends of the floor. I feel like I’ll be able to make more of an impact on the game because I really just found ways to really just attack the game. I got smarter throughout the year, and I just really realized how the NBA works with the calls and all the little things about the game.”

This same team that had missed the playoffs the year prior soon found themselves in a first-round matchup against Philly. Barnes nearly had a triple-double in his playoff debut—15 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists—and despite missing Games 2 and 3 with an ankle injury, another SLAM 11 cover star, Magic Johnson, saw that the promise was all there. “There’s definitely a lot of ‘Showtime’ in him,” Johnson told the Toronto Star.

While the Raptors lost that series, it’s clear that things are really looking up in the 6ix. Their 48-34 record was a vast improvement from the previous year, and Barnes is making it clear that his past season was really just the beginning. “This is just us getting our footing together, but I feel like we’re gonna take that next step to try to make a deep playoff run and be one of those top teams in the League.”

And as for his own goals, this offseason has been all about prepping his body for the demand of the 82-game regular season (Barnes started all 74 games he played in), while also sharpening the tools he’s well-equipped with. You might’ve already seen recent videos of his “revamped jumper” circling around the internet, too. Scottie’s already looking ahead at the type of player he wants to evolve into. Him adding to his already extensive bag? Dangerous. 

“Be who I am on the floor [and] be able to keep developing my playmaking [and] really just improve my scoring,” Barnes says of what will take him to the next level. “Keep [doing] what I do on defense, but just amping it up to another level where I can change the impact of a game throughout the court. Really taking over on the defensive end where I can get multiple stops, being able to be so active on the floor where I can just alter shots, change shots, just give teams different looks where I can have that presence. Talking, communicating and kind of just step up my role of being a leader on this team. I feel like that’s really what’s going to take me to that next level.” 

Deyscha Smith is an associated editor at SLAM. Follow her on Twitter and IG, @deyschasmith.

Portraits by Gabe Pineda/Victory Creative, follow them on Instagram @gabepineda/@victory. Styling by Ian Pierno, follow him on Instagram @ianpierno.

The post Scottie Barnes Has Everything it Takes to Become Toronto’s Next Star appeared first on SLAM.

The Clippers All-Star hopped on a Twitch stream and announced he’ll play in the high-profile pro-am “one of these weekends.” George’s proclamation was later confirmed by Law Murray of The Athletic.

It would be PG13’s first Drew League appearance since 2014 and a great way to play competitive ball after only appearing in 31 games due to a UCL injury last season. The four-time All-Defensive Teamer is eager to get on the court after he was forced to miss the Clippers’ final Play-In game against the New Orleans Pelicans because of health and safety protocols.

When he did play, George averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game on 42.1 percent shooting from the floor and 35.4 percent from three last season.

James and DeRozan kicked off the NBA x Drew League action when LBJ dropped 42 points to help the MMV Cheaters secure a 104-102 victory over Black Pearl Elite on July 16.

On July 23, Young (22 points, seven assists, and seven steals) and Collins (16 points and 12 rebounds) didn’t disappoint for Black Pearl Elite in a 103-100 loss to Citi Team Blazers.

Thanks to the NBA coming to a deal with the Drew League, fans can now stream select Drew League games until the championship on Aug. 21. While he didn’t confirm an exact date, expect YG Trece to play in the Drew sometime soon.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Paul George to Play in Drew League For First Time Since 2014 appeared first on SLAM.

Since the turn of 2010s, future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James was able to leverage his status as the best player in the NBA and the threat of him leaving to make sure the Cavs and Lakers front office did all they could to build a title threat around him. From there, superstars like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Anthony Davis were able to negotiate trades or sign with other teams so they could win a ring or be in a better position to do so from behind the scenes.

Well into the 2020s, Durant has used his status as another surefire HOFer to demand a trade out of Brooklyn just three seasons after first signing with the team in 2019.

The reasoning behind the trade demand comes after the Nets have failed to win a title with a core of Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Harden himself demanded a trade out of Brooklyn due to the uncertainty around Irving’s vaccination status and wanting to reunite with 76ers president Daryl Morey. Irving’s complex extension negotiations also played a part in Durant wanting out of playing with the Nets.

Durant reportedly wanted to play with the Suns or Heat, two teams with title aspirations that have fostered great team cultures within their locker room. Irving’s preferred destinations were the Clippers, Lakers, Heat, and Dallas, amongst others.

The concerns about the rise of trade demand may be overstated, but it’s nothing new for the most prominent names. Even guys who played for one franchise their whole career (i.e., Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan) threatened to leave via free agency or trade. Guys like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal could be the next iteration of one-team players.

For the middle class of players like Draymond Green, he applauded players for treating themselves like “businesses” during a recent episode of his podcast. His voice has been joined by Alex Caruso, who is happy to see that “players are finally treating this like the teams and organizations have for so many years.”

“(The players) finally are realizing the business side of this,” Caruso said. “Like, ‘oh okay, I have leverage, I am an asset; let me make this work to the best of my ability because if the organization or the team has a chance to upgrade, they’re going to upgrade.'”

On tomorrow's episode of the show, @jj_redick and @ACFresh21 discuss the recent trends of trade requests by big time players like Kevin Durant with several years left on his contract with the Nets.

Watch the full conversation: https://t.co/Xd3GSeqJrM pic.twitter.com/ydZYxDXJIn

— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) July 15, 2022

Caruso saying that probably stems from the fact that fans expect players to be loyal to teams but not necessarily the other way around. Think of the recent example of what happened between the Celtics and Isiah Thomas after IT4 suffered a career-altering hip surgery on top of losing his sister to a car accident while leading the C’s to a conference finals appearance.

Or the divorce between DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors. On the other end, though, teams have made sure to do what’s best for players after a long tenure with their first teams. Think Kevin Garnett to the Celtics, or what happened just a few weeks ago when the Spurs traded All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to the Hawks so that he could play on a playoff team instead of wilt away on the lottery-bound Spurs.

Like I said earlier, ‘you’re a victim of circumstance.'” Caruso added. “If you’re in the League and you have this type of wealth and income, it’s a different type of thing than if you’re sitting at home reading about this guy tryna get from $40 mil to $50 mil.

“I understand that that’s a real thing, but you have to sit back and look at it and just think, there’s so many years, you’ve heard horror stories of guys finding out on Twitter or finding out on TV that they got traded. I think it’s finally just to the point where players are just like, ‘well alright, well I’m gonna do the same thing.'”

The tensions between who has power between players and team owners will always be present. When you go through a decade of unprecedented growth that coincides with player empowerment, the players union and its constituents will be less likely to wanna give that up.

The CBA between the owners and players can be negotiated as soon as December. Negotiations will likely get contentious as players and team owners will battle about the player empowerment era, particularly around the issue of players demanding trades with multiple years left on their contract, skipping games, and a plethora of other labor issues.

The post Alex Caruso Speaks on Prominent Players Requesting Trade Despite Big Contracts appeared first on SLAM.

NBA All-Star Zach LaVine has agreed to a five-year, $215.2 million maximum contract to return to the Chicago Bulls, with a player option in Year 5, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

LaVine’s contract contains a player option for the last year of the deal.

LaVine has emerged as a two-time All-Star during his tenure in Chicago. LaVine arrived from Minnesota after the Bulls and Timberwolves exchanged LaVine for Jimmy Butler. Along with the arrival of DeMar DeRozan last summer, the Bulls returned to the postseason for the first time since 2017, when they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics. Chicago’s five-game loss to the Bucks marked LaVine’s first trip to the playoffs.

LaVine has averaged at least 23.7 points per game in the past four seasons while being a dynamic three-level scorer and passer while dishing at least four assists per game. Last season. LaVine put up 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 47.6 shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from deep.

LaVine will be entering the 2022-23 season, coming off an offseason knee surgery.

The post REPORT: Zach LaVine Agrees to Five-Year Max Contract appeared first on SLAM.

2021-22 All-NBA teams:

First: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum

Second: Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan

Third: Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2022

Although Jokic is the reigning MVP, he wasn’t the leading vote-getter for All-NBA First Team, Antetokounmpo was. The Greek Freak received all 100 votes for one of the forward spots on the First-Team. Jokic and Joel Embiid, who finished as runner-up for the ’21 and ’22 MVP, split votes as the First-Team center. Embiid ended up being named as the center for the Second-Team.

Antekounmpo was not only the lone unanimous All-NBA selection this season, but he also became the first player over the last 50 years to be a unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Time in four consecutive seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Information research.

Doncic became the fourth player in NBA history to earn his third First-Team selection before turning 24-years-old, joining Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, and Max Zazlofsky. Jokic, Antetokounmpo and Doncic were joined by Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker. According to the NBA, this is the first time since 1954-55 that the First-Team comprises players at least 27-years-old or younger.

Booker and Tatum earned the First-Team nod for the first time in their career. This is the first overall All-NBA selection for Booker and Tatum’s second nod. Tatum is the first Celtic to make All-NBA First-Team since Kevin Garnett did it in 2008. He’s also the youngest Celtic to earn an All-NBA First-Team selection since Larry Bird in 1980.

The Second-Team is rounded out by Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan, and Durant. Chris Paul, Trae Young, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns filled out the Third-Team. James picked up his record 18th All-NBA nod, placing him ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan for most All-NBA picks, and became the first player in League history to make the All-NBA in his 19th+ season.

Paul is the first guard since Bryant to make an All-NBA team in his 17th+ season.

The post Nikola Jokic Headlines 2021-2022 All-NBA Teams appeared first on SLAM.

As the League celebrates it’s 75th anniversary, there’s quite a few Top 75 lists out there already. In fact, we’ve got quite a few of our own, from SLAM’s Top 75 Players of All Time Special Issue to most recently our Top 75 NBA Teams of All Time (shop here). We could’ve easily left it at that, but after checking out Tracy McGrady’s new Ones Basketball 1-on-1 League, we started thinking about the best 1-on-1 NBA players of all time.

So, we decided to have some fun with it and put together a bold list, categorized based on height, of all of the names that should be included in that conversation.

6-3 AND BELOW

1. Allen Iverson
A one-man revolution where the cross was just the beginning. He’s the master mixer on
our list for a reason.

2. Kyrie Irving
Hang it in the Louvre. KAI’s game is entirely its own art form.

3. Stephen Curry
The greatest shooter of all time needs just a sliver of space to make you pay, all while
staring down the crowd as the ball drops through the net. Uncanny.

4. Derrick Rose
Athleticism that was unparalleled and the nonexistence of fear had D. Rose bullying the
League as the youngest MVP ever.

5. Chris Paul
A mid range savant. A floor general. A Point God.

6. Gilbert Arenas
Agent Zero was lethal, tactical and surgical in leaving defenders guessing what portion
of the bag was about to be unleashed.

7. Damian Lillard
You can pick him up, but what comes next is entirely on you.

8. Russell Westbrook
Shot out of a cannon, if No. 0 is barrelling down the court, you best clear the runway.

9. Isiah Thomas
Lower to the ground just meant more ways to attack as the handle powered the
creativity that No. 11 enacted on his way to snagging two.

10. Jerry West
The Logo was constantly carving up defenses to drop buckets and dimes left and right.

11. Ja Morant
The ascension has been recognized. Call 12, and he’s always gonna answer.

12.Baron Davis
A blend of everything. Baron gave birth to the uber athletic displays of guard play that
we’ve become enthralled with over the years.

13. Trae Young
There’s a new villain in town and he’ll take your heart and your team’s straight to the
offseason.

14. Tiny Archibald
Ain’t nothing tiny about this man’s game. Nothing.

15. Stephon Marbury
The inspiration behind one of the greatest hoops flicks of all time attacked the game entirely on his own terms.

16. Tim Hardaway Sr
Having a killer crossover named after you is a mic drop moment.

17. CJ McCollum
The slipperiest shooting guard in the L. Shaking and baking is his M.O

18. Deron Williams
D Will mastered his own pace to the game. Separation was key and once he created it, you might as well just head back down for O.

19. Donovan Mitchell
Picking up this man is like taking a trip throughout the Spida-Verse, sprawling, spinning and overstimulated with flashes of colorful creativity and blinding moves.

20. Jrue Holiday
Always reliable, always locked in, always ready to pull it in your eye. Second-guessing is the greatest compliment a hooper can recognize and Jrue sees it often.

21. Steve Francis
Constantly sending defenders stumbling, Steve Francis doesn’t often get his due as one of the shiftiest guards to ever step on the hardwood.

22. Tony Parker
Some speed is built, some is gifted. TP’s froze defenders in a picture frame as he weaved around the paint for dimes and buckets.

23. Kemba Walker
We know y’all remember THE step back. Nuff said.

24. Chauncey Billups
Decidedly different. Big guard, big body, big buckets.

25. John Wall
Revolutionary athleticism instilled John Wall as the next box-office point guard. Go do your Google searches and watch his mixtapes to see what we’re seeing.

26. Lou Williams
Lou Williams is too smooth with it: a certified bucket, 3x NBA Sixth Man Player of the Year and a derserver of the utmost respect. 

27. Monta Ellis
Those 360 layups were just a regular thing for Monta Ellis. That’s what type of time he was on. 

28. Nick Van Exel
Nick Van Exel was waaaaaay too quick with it, from the crossovers to the high-flying drives to the lane to those insane dishes and dimes.

29. Jamal Murray
We’ve already told you this before: there’s music in Jamal Murray’s game. Try not to get lost in the melody, though, because he will drop 50 on you. Again and again.

30. Brandon Jennings
Dropping 55 points as a rookie is quite the statement, but then again, Brandon Jennings was never one to shy away from any moment. His game was too electric.

6-4 TO 6-8 

1. Michael Jordan
   The greatest. Put MJ in any situation, matchup or moment and you already know the outcome. Nothing more needs to be said.

2. Kobe Bryant
   He was constantly ascending past the depths of what competing truly meant. He knew your next move before you’d even had a chance to formulate the thought.

3. Tracy McGrady
   Scoring 13 points in 33 seconds is wild, but that’s just what T-Mac was about. One of the most complete scorers in the history of the Association.

4. Carmelo Anthony
   The fadeaway. The jab step. The spot-up jump shot, and his signature “washing machine” spin move. Carmelo Anthony remains one of the game’s most unstoppable scorers of all time. 

5. Kawhi Leonard
   Best believe, any matchup against the Klaw will result in him getting the last laugh. Trying to defend him in a 1v1? Now that’s pure comedy. 

6. Dwyane Wade
   The nickname was fitting: the Flash was one of most elite and efficient shooting guards who attacked the basket with an explosiveness that couldn’t possibly be contained. 

7. James Harden
   Equipped with a signature-move so iconic, a few names on this list have tried it out, the Beard is truly lethal with the rock in his hands.

8. Julius Erving
   A wizard who truly transcended the game. Every move was a symphony of basketball played at its finest. 

9. Charles Barkley
   A relentlessly physical rebounder with an attitude to match, Sir Charles was a force to be reckoned with.

10. Devin Booker
    With the words “Be Legendary” tattooed on his forearm, D-Book has continued to transcend his game towards just that no matter if he’s pullin’ up from midrange or hitting clutch shots from deep. 

11. Scottie Pippen
    One of the game’s greats could really do it all, from dishing out dimes and orchestrating an offense to snagging boards and holding it down on the defensive end. Versatility at it’s finest.  

12. Paul George
    PG’s all-around game is just one of the many things that define his greatness. His explosiveness and ability to create his own shot is another.

13. Paul Pierce
    The Truth can be hard for many to accept, but his dominance was nothing but pure facts. Shaquille O’Neal had a thing for nicknames, and when Paul Pierce dropped 42 on the Lakers in ’01, Shaq went over to the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett and told him to write this down: “My name is Shaquille O’Neal and Paul Pierce is the truth. Quote me on that and don’t take nothing out.” Enough said.

14. DeMar DeRozan
    The King of the Fourth is a true revolutionary when it comes to the art of the midrange.

15. Jimmy Butler
    They call him Jimmy Buckets for a reason. That’s exactly what you’re gonna get.

16. Jayson Tatum
    JT moves different out there on the parquet floor, from the lethal step back and sidestep threes to the sheer dominance every time the rock touches his hands. That’s what happens when you’re mentored by none other than the Mamba.

17. Vince Carter
    Once Vince Carter got within eyesight of that line, it was over before it had even begun.

18. Zion Williamson
    You can’t be contained when the limits never existed. The same goes in the paint, or anywhere on the floor, when it comes to Zion Williamson. 

19. Penny Hardaway
    One of the greatest guards ever. That spin fake into a stepback, move? Pure magic.

20. Luka Doncic
    Luka plays at his own pace while completely dominating in the process. Different.

21. Dominique Wilkins
    With legs like propellers and arms that could absorb contact, Nique had underrated shot-making ability that went along with his otherworldly athleticism. 

22. Grant Hill 
    Versatility in a human being. Grant Hill was a threat to score from all three levels.

23. Elgin Baylor
    Surrender the skies to Elgin Baylor. Aerially gifted with merciless finishes at the rim.

24. George Gervin
    Smooth, refined, patient, disciplined and measured. Ice’s game was where fundamental met flash.

25. Alex English
    Nobody scored more points in the 1980s than Alex English. Nobody.

26. Joe Johnson
    His nickname is Iso Joe. Nothing more needs to be said.

27. Bradley Beal
    Bradley Beal technically has a perfect jumpshot. Pair that exquisite form with his handles and the result is a scoring machine.

28. Klay Thompson
    One of the best shooters ever is also a big body that precisely clamps players of all heights and weights.

29. Gary Payton
    Possibly the best perimeter defender to ever play, Gary Payton could also get to the tin whenever he wanted.

30. Jamal Crawford
    Jamal Crawford is creativity unleashed through instinct and intellect.

6-9 AND UP

1. Shaquille O’Neal
   The most physically dominant player ever. Realistically, there’s nobody stopping the Diesel.

2. Kevin Durant
   Size, skills, smarts. There have been very few other players that are more offensively complete than Kevin Durant.

3. LeBron James
   The case can be made that LeBron James is the best player ever. Full stop.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
   Try guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo without any help defense. Get the picture?

5. Kevin Garnett
   The only part of Kevin Garnett’s game that outshined his skills on both sides of the ball was his competitiveness, a trait that’s gone nearly unmatched throughout history.

6. Hakeem Olajuwon
   Possibly the best two-way center ever, who dominated with equal doses of agility and nimbleness, power and force.

7. David Robinson
   Dunks and jumpers with the left, blocks and steals with both of his hands and a compressed trampoline in his right leg, David Robinson’s basketball IQ was just as ridiculous as his athletic capabilities.

8. Karl Malone
   Brute strength. Left side of the post to the right side of the hoop every single time. Never could be stopped.

9. Wilt Chamberlain
   Scored 100 points in a game, averaged 50 points for a season and if blocks and steals were tallied when he played, Wilt Chamberlain’s mythic status would be even greater than it already is.

10. Joel Embiid
    Joel Embiid is a guard stuck inside a 7-2, 280-pound body.

11. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    The author of the game’s most unstoppable shot, its leading scorer and a shot-blocking terror.

12. Larry Bird
    Larry Bird was so good at scoring that he would tell bigger, stronger and more athletic defenders exactly what he planned to do with the ball and they still couldn’t contain him.

13. Anthony Davis
    Middies, catch-and-shoot threes, barrels to the rim, pick-and-roll ball containment, weakside shot-blocking and passing lane invader properly describes Anthony Davis.  

14. Moses Malone
    Quite possibly the most underrated great in NBA history, Moses Malone was unstoppable from the block and even if he did miss, he’d consume offensive rebounds with such ferocity that the ensuing putbacks would be uncontested.

15. Dirk Nowitzki
    It’s real when a singular shot is credited to a player. Basketball now has the one-legged fadeaway thanks to Dirk Nowitzki.

Subscribe to the official podcast of the basketball bible, SLAM’s “No Pump Fakes.”

Follow host Theus McBee on Instagram @theuselijah and Ahmad Smith, @akisnba.

The post SLAM’s Official Top 75 Greatest 1-on-1 NBA Players of All Time List appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Middelton would miss Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday.

“After Game 2, the team knew what the deal was,” Antetokounmpo said per ESPN. “We knew what we had to do. We had to be desperate. We had to go out there and compete at a high level. Pay attention to detail as much as possible. Help one another defensively. We’ve got to do it as a team. It’s not a one-man show or two-man show.

While the Bucks were down a man, the Bulls were down a few too. Zach LaVine (virus protocols) and Alex Caruso (concussion) missed Game 5, allowing Milwaukee to target solely on taking DeMar DeRozan out of his comfort zone, only allowing the USC product to score 11 points on 5-10 shooting from the field.

According to ESPN, DeRozan was double-teamed 27 times in Game 5, the most doubles of a single player in a playoff game in the past three seasons. He faced 24 double-teams in the previous four games combined.

“We threw everything at him,” Budenholzer said. “He’s such a good player, the season he’s had. The ability to make shots, the ability to get to the free-throw line, he’s phenomenal. He saw a lot of people in front of him, around him, just basically always.”

Along with making DeRozan a nonfactor, the defending champs held the Bulls to under 100 points in three out of five games, winning each of their final three games by double-digits. DeRozan attempted to get his teammates involved, but Chicago had an off night, shooting just 7-25 (3-18 on three-pointers) off Deebo’s passes. Overall, the Bulls hit 15-52 treys on Wednesday.

The post Milwaukee Blankets DeMar DeRozan to Advance to Second Round appeared first on SLAM.

Zach LaVine has entered health and Safety protocols, per Bulls PR.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 26, 2022

The Bulls are down 3-1 to the defending champion Bucks.

LaVine has emerged as a go-to option for the Bulls, averaging 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 47.6 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from long distance. Through the first round, LaVine has put up 19.3 points per game.

Without LaVine in the lineup, the Bulls will have to rely on DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to anchor the Bulls.

The post Zach LaVine in Health and Safety Protocols, Bulls Say appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s nothing they’re doing defensively. Most of the shots I took were wide open… No way in hell I shoot 6-of-25 again.”

DeRozan followed up by saying that defense is going to give them the “opportunity to win” this series and that they need to turn it up.

“Offensively, I guarantee you we won’t shoot like we shot tonight again, but defense gives you an opportunity to win. In the 4th quarter, a couple plays got away from us, but a good learning experience. Gotta keep it up defensively and go to another level.”

The Bulls will look to tie the series in Game 2 on Wednesday.

The post DeMar DeRozan After Game 1 Loss to Bucks: ‘[Gotta] Go To Another Level’ appeared first on SLAM.

The 121-110 loss was the Lakers’ seventh straight, with four of the last five coming without injured LeBron James on the court while he recovers from an ankle injury. James will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in his career, missing the postseason in 2004, 2005, and 2019.

The 2021-2022 campaign has been a debacle, from various injuries to key pieces like James or Anthony Davis, the front office adding Russell Westbrook over DeMar DeRozan or Buddy Hield, allowing key pieces to leave or not working the trade deadline, to the scrutinization of Frank Vogel’s job security. The season just plain hasn’t gone the way the Lakers and their fans thought it would, with many expecting the Lakers to contend for their 18th title.

“Extremely disappointed,” Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said per The Athletic. “Disappointed for our fan base. Disappointed for the Buss family, who gave us all this opportunity, and we want to play our part in bringing success to Laker basketball, and we fell short. We were eliminated tonight, and I can say it’s not been due to a lack of effort. We have all put in the work. Our guys stayed fighting right until the end.

“In terms of being eliminated, we brought integrity to the process. We just fell short through a disjointed season. So, we’re all disappointed.”

The trio of James, David, and Westbrook only played 21 games together this year, and the Lakers went 11-10 with their Big 3 playing together. Westbrook has been the most available out of the three, playing 78 games and averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field.

This season the criticism has been higher than ever for Mr. Triple-Double. He’s been benched during the closing minutes of close games, criticized for his poor shooting and defense, and has felt concerned for the physical well-being of his loved ones after fans harassed his family. Westbrook has a $47 million player option that he can sign this summer, and he’s been publicly optimistic about running it back with Bron and AD.

“Yeah,” Westbrook said. “I mean, that’s the plan. But nothing is promised. You kinda gotta take one day at a time, each day. And like I’ve said all season long, you gotta play the cards you’re dealt. Yes, we want to be able to see what that looks like, what that entails over the course of an 82-game season. But we’re not sure if that’s guaranteed, neither. So I just hope that we have a chance to be able to do something.”

The Lakers have three games remaining on their schedule, ending the regular season against the Nuggets.

The post Russell Westbrook On Returning to the Lakers: ‘That’s the Plan. But Nothing is Promised’ appeared first on SLAM.

Familiar face in attendance pic.twitter.com/FMquIbOMOE

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 3, 2022

“It’s a place I called home for a long time,” Lowry said told NBA.com. “I won a lot of basketball games here, set a lot of records here. I’ve got a banner hanging up in there. It’s just a special place.”

Lowry last played in Toronto when the then-defending champs lost to the Hornets on Feb. 28, 2020. Lowry could not play in Miami’s three prior contests against Toronto after missing nearly a month, Jan. 15-Feb. 3, of action because of personal reasons.

On Sunday, before the Heat and Raptors tipped off, Lowry, with his two young sons by his side, was given a standing ovation after the Raptors aired a video tribute to one of the most, if not the most important Raptor of all time. The Raptors fans and organization weren’t the only people to give Lowry his flowers either. The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, officially proclaimed Sunday “Kyle Lowry Day” and praised Lowry for his on-court exploits and charitable work away from the hardwood.

“I know if I cry, DeMar’s going to make fun of me, and it’s going to go viral and all that stuff,” Lowry said, referring to teammate and close friend DeMar DeRozan. “I’m looking forward to just being in the moment.

Lowry spent nine seasons with the Raptors, leaving as the franchise leader in assists (4,227), steals (873), made three-pointers (1,518), and triple-doubles (16). Lowry was a crucial piece of the Raptors’ 2019 championship as well.

The post Kyle Lowry Showered With Love From Raptors Fans appeared first on SLAM.

DeRozan finished the game with 37 points shooting 71 percent from the field, making it his ninth straight 30-point game, a career-high for the veteran. In addition, this is DeRozan’s eighth consecutive game with at least 35 points on 50 percent shooting extending his record farther past Wilt Chamberlain’s run.

DEMAR IN THE CLUTCH ONCE AGAIN. STOP PLAYING W HIM! (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/UFec31CVoT

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 25, 2022

“You love it, and you hate it,” DeRozan said. “Of course, you don’t want to be down and have the pressure on yourself to try to pull out a game. But when you’re in those moments, you’ve got to take it on. I love the moments. I love the challenge. I love the opportunity. It’s fun to me.”

KING OF THE FOURTH! @DeMar_DeRozan | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/tb3YXUDeER

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 25, 2022

The Chicago Bulls sit at 39-21 and are back at the top of the Eastern Conference standings at number one. Without veteran guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, the Bulls have continued to lean on the veteran experience of DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine.

The Bulls will look to extend their winning streak on Saturday against the Grizzlies.

The post DeMar DeRozan On Clutch Moments: ‘You’ve Got to Take It on. I Love the Moments’ appeared first on SLAM.

But it was after making jokes about his Cavaliers teams sending DeMar DeRozan’s Toronto Raptors teams home that he got serious. The 30-year-old forward made it clear that DeRozan’s presence played a significant part in the decision to come to Chicago. During those playoff battles on the court, the two formed a mutual respect built over three years.

Off the court, the two became close friends, a relationship that made Thompson’s decision to come to Chicago easy.

Tristan in the building for the first time.@RealTristan13 | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/sjCTRFYV0r

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 24, 2022

Thompson raised eyebrows by claiming that DeMar DeRozan is a definite MVP candidate, even comparing his shooting to Michael Jordan’s with his midrange accuracy.

“He’s playing out of this world,” Thompson said via the Chicago Tribune. “Right now, he’s the league MVP in my eyes. Flat out. What he’s able to be doing with Zach (LaVine) out and with Zo (Lonzo Ball) out and with AC (Alex Caruso) out and Vooch was out a little bit too, for him to be able to just hold the fort down and keep that ship right — that’s what an MVP does.”

According to NBC Sports Chicago, Thompson believed that a combination of DeMar’s attributes with others could lead to championship aspirations.

“There’s a lot of potential here,” Thompson said, Zach LaVine’s effortless offensive prowess, Lonzo Ball’s status as a “walking triple-double,” DeRozan’s midrange mastery, Vučević’s versatility, Javonte Green’s energy, Coby White’s “firecracker” scoring ability, and on and on.”

“All those pieces are what you need to be one of the last teams dancing. The key is gonna be, can we put it all together.”

The Bulls resume their season Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks.

The post Chicago Bulls Signee Tristan Thompson Calls DeMar DeRozan MVP appeared first on SLAM.

“I think right now we’re the best duo in the NBA. I think we are, personally. Just where we’re at right now, obviously in the standings and the level of play that we’re at. We came into the year with people having different narratives about us and our team, and I think we [proved those wrong]. So I think we’re gonna continue to grow on that and get better.”

The duo combines for 52.7 points per game as the engine of the Chicago Bulls team tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat at 38-21. When DeRozan was shown LaVine’s comment, the five-time All-Star agreed with his teammate.

“I don’t see why we’re not. You know what I mean?” DeRozan said. “He’s completely right.”

LaVine continued to pour on the praise for the 32-year-old veteran from Compton.

“I’m glad to have another guy that’s been in these situations, these big-time games, where we haven’t been in that before,” LaVine said continuing to praise teammate. “He’s been to the Eastern Conference Finals and been in big moments. His calmness is something that’s always been impressive to me.”

This comment comes not even a week after DeRozan broke a record held by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain since 1963. When DeRozan scored 38 points on 16-for-27 shooting in a win against the Sacramento Kings last Wednesday, he broke Chamberlain’s record of most consecutive games, scoring 35+ points while shooting better than 50 percent from the field.

At seven games, DeRozan has a chance to extend that record when the Bulls face off against the Atlanta Hawks (28-30) on Thursday.

The post Zach LaVine on Playing With DeMar DeRozan: ‘We’re the Best Duo in the NBA’ appeared first on SLAM.

With that in mind, LaVine is set to become a restricted free agent in July. Based on his individual performance and how he’s helped the team, he is set for a huge payday. 

LaVine recently spoke to Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, giving insight into his upcoming free agency. He’s looking forward to getting paid what he thinks he has earned during his time in Chicago. 

“I think we all get what we deserve at the level we play at, for our team and around the league. I think I stack up with everybody at that level,” LaVine said. “We’ll let the chips fall. Is [a max contract] the goal? I don’t know if it’s the goal, but I should be getting what I deserve.”

While LaVine hasn’t necessarily made a max contract extension a goal, he certainly believes he is worth that type of deal. Playing at an All-Star level, he’s emerged as one of the best guards in the entire NBA. Alongside new teammate DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls have one of the deadliest offensive duos in the league. 

Right now, LaVine is focused on winning games and taking Chicago to the playoffs. The end goal is a championship, with his free agency situation being something he believes will work itself out when the time comes. 

“That’s why I don’t have to talk about it,” LaVine said. “I’ll go into the offseason, after this year and be very satisfied with what I think I’ll get and I’ll be happy for me and my family.”

With a record of 38-21, the Bulls currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference. With LaVine being a key piece of the roster, it’ll be up to him to ensure they make a deep playoff push. 

The post Zach LaVine Gives Insight Into Upcoming Free Agency with Bulls appeared first on SLAM.

After a 38 point, 16-27 shooting performance in a Bulls 125-118 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, DeRozan broke Chamberlain’s record as the only player to score 35 points or more while shooting better than 50 percent in seven straight games.

DeMar DeRozan has broken Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive games with 35+ points on 50% or better shooting. pic.twitter.com/bmHRUg5tf2

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 17, 2022

During this historic streak, DeRozan averages 38.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 60.7 percent shooting in his last seven games. He also has an overall streak of scoring at least 30 points in eight consecutive games, which is the longest streak by a Chicago player since Michael Jordan in 1996.

The Monster of the Midrange.@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/jqQzXlN5q8

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 17, 2022

DeMar expressed his gratitude after the game via ESPN.

“Just to be in the record books along with staples of basketball history — [I’m] speechless,” DeRozan said following Wednesday’s game. “As a kid, as a fan of the history of the game, being in the League as long as I’ve been in the League, things like that continue to make me even more humble.

“It’s something I’ll never take for granted. And the crazy thing is, I feel like I missed eight easy shots I normally would have made. I felt like I had a bad shooting night, honestly.”

His scoring tear has not been in vain either. The Bulls are currently on a five-game winning streak, even without Zach LaVine, who had to see a specialist for his troublesome knee.

DeMar DeRozan gets a chance to extend the streak Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. A win guarantees the Bulls at least a share of the number one seed going into the All-Star break.

The post DeMar DeRozan Breaks a Scoring Record Held By Wilt Chamberlain appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday night, LeBron James and Kevin Durant – the two captains for the All-Star game – selected their teams for the All-Star Game taking place in just under two weeks.

Each captain had to select their starting lineups first and then select their reserves. Because Durant is injured and will not be playing in the game, nine players were available to be drafted instead of eight, with Jayson Tatum replacing Durant as a starter.

James opened the draft up by selecting Giannis Antetokounmpo first overall, with Durant using his first pick to draft Joel Embiid.

James rounded off his starting lineup by selecting Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Jokic. Durant’s starting lineup will consist of Embiid, Tatum, Ja Morant, Andrew Wiggins, and Trae Young. Wiggins and Young were the final two starters selected in the draft.

Between the two, Durant has the least experienced starting lineup with Wiggins and Morant, both first-time All-Stars and Young just in his second All-Star Game.

Durant got the first pick to open up the reserves section of the draft and used the pick to select Devin Booker, and James used his first pick to draft Luka Doncic.

Durant filled out his reserves by selecting Karl Anthony-Towns, Zach LaVine, Dejounte Murray, Khris Middleton, LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert.

James reserves will be Darius Garland, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Fred VanVleet, and James Harden.

Harden was the last pick of the All-Star Draft, with Durant creating a funny moment where he opted against drafting his former teammate, who was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, to take Gobert instead.

The All-Star Game is scheduled to occur in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 20.

The post NBA All-Star Teams Set, Giannis Antetokounmpo Selected First Overall appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the first time in a decade, you can read that sentence with a straight face.

And yet, coming into the 2021-22 season, talking heads pegged the Bulls as play-in tournament participants at best. Maybe worse.

The most optimistic prognostications all still had Chicago behind Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Philly. But ESPN’s panel of NBA experts picked Miami, Atlanta, Boston and New York to all finish with better records than the Bulls, too. The Athletic predicted Chicago would finish 11th in the East. The pessimism around the Bulls, from all those sources, seemed to center on an assumption that the team’s newest addition, DeMar DeRozan, and its franchise player, Zach LaVine, weren’t a star pairing that could lead Chicago to more than a .500-ish record.

“Fake experts” is what DeRozan calls them, making air quotes with his fingers. He’s sitting in front of his locker inside the United Center, leaning over into a laptop on Zoom. “Obviously, you hear it all, about how it’s not going to work, this and that. Just every negative. As competitors, you hear all that. That was one of the first conversations we had. I told him, It’s gon’ work. And he said the same thing to me.”

SLAM 236 is available now featuring Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan

They were right. It is working. It’s the first week of January in Chicago, so temps are in the single digits. But the Bulls are the hottest team in the NBA, riding a 9-game winning streak, during which DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to hit game-winning buzzer-beaters on back-to-back nights. At press time, Chicago’s 26-10 record was good for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference—2.5 games up on the Nets and Bucks. DeRozan (26.5 ppg, career-high 36 percent from behind the arc) and LaVine (26.4 ppg) are both top-8 in the NBA in scoring.

Deebo’s resurgence into the national spotlight as a bonafide All-NBA level player is one of the major headlines of this NBA season. DeRozan, now 32, hasn’t made the All-Star Game since 2018, but he leads all Eastern Conference guards in fan voting as of early January. (He’s seen all your “King of the Fourth” memes, by the way—”One thing you can’t miss these days is the internet,” he says with a laugh.)

“I’ve never played with somebody of his caliber,” says LaVine, who was still in Tokyo collecting a Gold medal with Team USA when he got word that a sign-and-trade which would bring DeRozan to Chicago was imminent. A first-time All-Star last season, LaVine is the longest-tenured player on the Bulls roster. Chicago hasn’t finished better than eighth in the East since 2015, and hasn’t won more than 31 games in a season since LaVine arrived in 2017.

At last, the 26-year-old star will get his first taste of playoff basketball this season. Because with DeRozan and LaVine leading the way, Coach Billy Donovan at the helm, and a supporting cast of contributors that includes two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, playmaking PG Lonzo Ball and sixth man Alex Caruso, the Bulls have rapidly transformed into a top-5 offense and one of the most exciting teams to watch in the League. 

SLAM: How did this Bulls team develop chemistry so fast?

DEMAR DEROZAN: You have high character guys. Everybody respects each other. When you have that foundation, first and foremost, everything else is going to take care of itself on the court. I noticed that on the first day we were all together, it was that feel. Everybody on the team just got a cool demeanor towards ’em. No egos and everybody wants to win.

SLAM: Did you know you guys would find success so quickly?

DD: I knew it would get to this point, at some point, but I’d be lying to you if I told you I expected it to be this fast. We still feel like we haven’t gotten to where we know we can get, that’s the crazy thing.

SLAM: You dropped 38 in a win over the Lakers while Zach was out due to health and safety protocols. Do you circle games like that one and tell yourself that you need to have a big game?

DD: I texted Zach after that game saying, Man, god damn, I’ll be glad when you get back. And vice versa, in games I’ve missed, he told me the same thing. Every game, we lean on and count on each other. Every time I step out there, I want to step out there with him and dominate, and that’s the beauty of our friendship, our teamwork, and just the competitive nature that we have. We want to do it together. There’s never a moment where I feel like I want to go out there without him. I need him there every step of the way.

SLAM: What have you learned about Zach now that you’re around him every day?

DD: You would think he’s older than me. He’s mature. The confidence he has within himself is not arrogant at all, he just knows who he is. That’s a great quality to have, when someone has the utmost confidence in themselves but it doesn’t come off in an arrogant or pushoff way. He’s just one of those dudes that you can hang with, you can talk to about anything. He’s got an old spirit to him, and that’s dope to have. I’ve always been a fan of his, ever since he played in college at UCLA. I told him, I want to see him have everything he deserves. He’s too talented, he’s too gifted to not have the world really know who Zach LaVine is, on and off the court.

SLAM: What would it mean to win a championship playing in the city of Chicago?

DD: Everything. That’s why you go out there and compete. That’s why you figure out what team you could join, which city you could represent. It’s a historic franchise. It’s the team—outside of the Lakers—that I grew up watching. This city being the ultimate sports city that it is, and the love and appreciation that we get for competing for this city, the way we play and the way we carry ourselves is the epitome of what Chicago is. And for that energy to be reciprocated by our fans, it’s only right that we go out there and give them our best every single night. Playing for Chicago has been awesome.

SLAM: What is the ultimate goal for the Bulls this season?

ZACH LAVINE: If you don’t have championship aspirations, you’re selling yourself short. As an individual player, when I step on the court, I think I’m the best player. And I think that’s how your mindset should be, because you put the work in for it. It’s not a cocky thing, that’s just a confidence thing. So, if you don’t think as a team that you’re going to go out there and win every game that you play, or you don’t think you have a chance of winning a championship, there’s no reason to even play. We have championship aspirations, and we’re trying to build championship habits.

SLAM: Some NBA superstars would have an ego about other great players joining “their” team. How did you approach it?

ZL: I never understood that. That’s not me. I’ve been here in Chicago for the last five years doing everything I can to develop my game to get to a place of individual play where I wanted to be at, but it wasn’t resulting in any wins, and that’s very frustrating. To go out there, you put up numbers, you play against these guys, but you don’t have that winning behind your name. Having those new guys over here, we have a complete team now, and I have no ego with that. It’s not my team, or DeMar’s team, or Lonzo, or Vooch. We’re all leaders in our own way, and on any given night it could be one of our nights. Obviously, we each have roles, but our main goal we talked about was “do whatever it takes to win.” Whoever has it going that night, we’ll go through them and just try to help this team grow. We see ourselves as a championship-caliber team.

SLAM: What’s the vibe like in the locker room?

ZL: Everybody is close. Everybody has had to make sacrifices on this team to be successful. We all came from places where—Vooch was a No. 1 option, DeMar was a No. 1 option, I’m a No. 1 option, Zo was the second pick in the draft, Caruso came from championship habits—like, we’re all coming together and meshing our talents together. It’s been really fun to see everybody give a piece of themselves to help the team win.

SLAM: With your Bulls teams having struggled the last few seasons, what does it feel like to find team success this year?

ZL: I’m having the most fun I’ve had in my career. Over the last couple years, it’s been tough for me personally because I try to keep progressing my game, I try to do everything I can do to help the team win. But I feel like in the media, if you’re a successful player on a team that loses, you get criticized for it. It never made sense to me. It’s tough, but all I care about is winning. I want to be a winning player, and having this team this year, playing this well, has been the most fun I’ve had in my career, so I just want to keep it going. We have a bunch of dogs on this team. Practice gets scrappy, in games it gets real scrappy. That’s something I’ve really looked forward to this year because we haven’t had that in the past.

SLAM: You and DeMar have both talked about being doubted in the media. How did those preseason predictions motivate you?

ZL: I use a lot of things for motivation. I’m not the most outspoken person in the media. There’s certain things you don’t need to go out there and talk about, you just let your game do the talking for you. But there were a lot of things said about DeMar coming here. DeMar Derozan is an All-NBA, All-Star caliber player. He’s putting up MVP numbers this year. Obviously, I know who I am as a player, but there’s been a lot of critics about my game and the way I’ve played: Zach’s an empty stat guy because they’re not winning. I think this year, we’re shutting a lot of people up and making them really look at their basketball IQ and seeing how they’re just talking on TV for viewership. Sometimes I feel like that’s what it is.

SLAM: Did you know DeMar was this good before becoming teammates?

ZL: Yeah, DeMar has been this, and DeMar is still in his prime. Even when I was younger in Minnesota going up against him, they were the No. 1 seed in the East. [Toronto] ran into LeBron James multiple years in his prime, but DeMar DeRozan is a multiple-time All-Star guy. It’s not like that guy left. It’s weird how the narrative changes. So, when you have the chance to have a guy like that come to your team in the prime of his career, and me entering the prime of mine, I think it was a match made in heaven. 

SLAM 236 is also available in these exclusive gold and black metal editions. Shop now.

Portraits by Joe Pinchin.

The post Bull Market: DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine Cover SLAM 236 appeared first on SLAM.

Like most rookies, he struggled through the first month of the season, shooting poorly from the field (he made just 13 of his first 64 three-point attempts) and turning the ball over a lot. Expectations were naturally high for the 20-year-old from Minnesota. In high school, he had pieced together a 111-15 record, won three state titles and emerged as a top-5 recruit. Then he helped lead Gonzaga to the national championship game as a freshman, averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Orlando took him fifth overall in the 2021 Draft, confident that he and Franz Wagner, the No. 8 pick, could come in and contribute right away. 

Suggs got off to a rocky start, however. He appeared to be settling in toward the end of November, averaging 13.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals, and shooting 44 percent from behind the arc, over a three-game stretch. In the fourth quarter of that last game, though, he suffered a fractured right thumb when he was inadvertently slapped on the hand by big man Joel Embiid.

And the rhythm was broken. 

But Suggs stayed locked in. He did everything he could to improve during his time away. He worked out, watched film, studied the game from the sidelines and communicated with his teammates and coaches.

“You’ll see him sometimes get up and throw suggestions and things that he sees. I think that’s fantastic,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley told NBA.com while Suggs was out. “He’s grown physically, changes in his body. He’s used this time off very well.”

In the two weeks leading up to his return, Suggs kept pleading with the staff to let him play. Finally he was cleared for a road game at Charlotte on January 14, having missed a month and a half of action.  “I know the work that I’ve put in and the amount I’ve grown during this month and a half and I think it’s one of the best things that could’ve happened to me,” Suggs told reporters after Orlando’s morning shootaround. “It allowed me to take a step back, work on things that I really needed to develop, see things from a different angle—instead of on the court, get to watch it with the coaches and be in the huddles during the game and things like that. So I’m really excited to show people what I’ve been working on and get back to being me.” That night, he put up 12 points (on 5/8 shooting), 7 assists and 6 rebounds in just 22 minutes, helping the Magic secure a 116-109 win.

Suggs has continued to thrive since then, particularly in the past week. With his unique athleticism, the 6-5 point guard can impact the game in so many different ways. He attacks the paint relentlessly, finishes strong at the rim and gets to the free-throw line. His decision-making as a playmaker has steadily improved. On defense, he locks up one-on-one, jumps passing lanes and skies for blocks out of nowhere. Last Friday, he dropped a career-high 22 points against the Lakers, adding 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Two nights later, in an impressive win over the Bulls, Suggs had 15 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. Across those two games, he shot 18 free throws at an 89 percent clip.

Overall, Suggs has averaged 14.7 points (on 48 percent shooting from the field), 5.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds since coming back. You’ve probably seen at least one of his many highlights circulating on social media.

The passes: 

Jalen Suggs QB1 pic.twitter.com/zwoQPotQsu

— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) January 22, 2022

(Worth noting: Suggs was a four-star quarterback prospect in high school who became the first athlete in state history to be named Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in the same year.)

The defense: 

Jalen Suggs flashing his perimeter defense potential!

puts the CLAMPS on Stanley Johnson, forces turnover pic.twitter.com/TmZdQUd8m2

— RK (@beyondtheRK) January 22, 2022

Jalen Suggs welcomes Dwight Howard back to Orlando with the REJECTION to open Magic-Lakers pic.twitter.com/1xdWPAxyT8

— RK (@beyondtheRK) January 22, 2022

And, of course, the poster…

JALEN SUGGS PUT DEROZAN ON A POSTER pic.twitter.com/C4OvRU2wGi

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2022

“I’ve been a fan of his since he went to school in Minnesota,” DeMar DeRozan said about Suggs after that game, via USA Today. “I always watched him, even when he went to Gonzaga. He is a hell of a talent. I’m a fan of his. I have been a fan of his without him even knowing. [I just told him] to keep going. ‘You’re a hell of a talent. You can be very successful in this league.’ I’m rooting for him.” 

Us too, DeMar. 

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Jalen Suggs appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, the NBA announced the five starters from both the Western and Eastern Conferences, with a few first-time All-Stars making the list.

The two captains are a pair of familiar faces to the All-Star Game in LeBron James, making his 18th All-Star appearance, and Kevin Durant, making his 12th All-Star appearance.

Joining James in the west as starters are Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Andrew Wiggins and Ja Morant. Joining Durant in the east are DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There are two first-time All-Stars among the 10 starters, both in the west, in Wiggins and Morant. Young will be making his second All-Star appearance.

The All-Star reserves, which are voted on by the head coaches across the NBA, will be announced on Feb. 3.

The All-Star Game will take place in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 19.

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

“He’s got a certain kind of makeup that I think is really special,” Donovan said. “He’s ultra-competitive and he has unbelievable confidence and belief in himself. But it’s not cross-the-line arrogant. That’s really a hard combination.”

Dosunmu had just scored 14 points without missing a shot in merely his sixth NBA outing. It was clear to Donovan then that the 6-5 guard, who fell to the Bulls in the second round of the 2021 Draft, was already worthy of a spot in the rotation. After three years at Illinois, in which Dosunmu led the team in scoring every season and was a finalist for the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy as a junior, the Chicago native came in ready to contribute right away. Throughout the month of November, he averaged 6.8 points on 52 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from three.

In December, as more and more players began testing positive for COVID, Dosunmu stepped into a bigger role. He made his first career start on December 6^th, recording 11 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in a 109-97 win over the Nuggets. Coach Donovan reiterated the same message about the rook afterwards: “For me, so much—and I said this way back when—it’s his makeup. It’s who he is as a competitor. There may be guys that shoot it better than him. There may be guys that are faster than him. There may be guys more athletic than him. But he’s got a big heart and he competes and he impacts winning.”

Over the past week, with several key guys sidelined due to injury or COVID, the Bulls have struggled to find consistency. Dosunmu has been a massive bright spot, however, continuing to make significant strides with an increased opportunity. On Saturday, he got the starting nod again and notched a career-high in points (21) and assists (10). He shot 9/10 from the field as well, becoming the first rookie in NBA history to have at least 20 points and 10 assists while shooting 90 percent. Though the Bulls narrowly lost to the Celtics, 114-112, Dosumnu did a little bit of everything, including defend Jayson Tatum for much of the night. According to NBA tracking data, in two matchups against Boston, Dosunmu has held the former All-Star to just 4/13 shooting.

Making history as a rook @AyoDos_11

21 points | 10 ast | 9-10 FG | 3-3 from three pic.twitter.com/FwovG8mrBA

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 16, 2022

Two days later, on his 22^nd birthday, Dosunmu put up another ridiculous stat-line in a nationally-televised game against the Grizzlies: 15 points (on 7/12 shooting), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. He also accepted the challenge of guarding superstar Ja Morant, blocking his shot once and forcing him into multiple turnovers. 

The Bulls were in desperate need of a win on Wednesday, and Dosunmu delivered yet again. He tallied 18 points (on 7/8 from the field and 3/4 from three), 8 assists and 3 rebounds, helping Chicago grab a 117-104 victory over Cleveland. That string of three games, beginning in Boston, is about as good as it gets from a rookie.

The rook from Chicago is fearless.@calamos | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/2SJZAWEKE3

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 20, 2022

Dosunmu doesn’t play out of control on offense, but he isn’t tentative, either. He attacks off the bounce, navigates to the paint and kicks it out to open shooters. When his teammates do the same (mainly DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine), he spots up behind the arc and lets it fly without hesitation. His three-point percentage (45.7) ranks first among rookies who have attempted more than 12 this season (Dosunmu is 32/70). He looks comfortable as a playmaker out of pick-and-rolls, using a little floater in the lane or pulling up for midrange jumpers. 

On the other end, he hasn’t backed down from guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. He defends with high energy and does whatever he possibly can to disrupt his matchup’s rhythm. So far this year, he has done an impressive job on elite scorers such as Bradley Beal, Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Caris LeVert, Cade Cunningham and the aforementioned Tatum and Morant. With Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball expected to miss 4-6 weeks after a procedure on his left knee, Dosunmu should continue to get big minutes and take on tough defensive assignments.

Of course, the major reasons Dosunmu has thrived in his increased role have been obvious to the Bulls organization from day one: he is ultra-competitive, extremely confident in his abilities and utterly fearless. Now those things are becoming obvious to everyone. 

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Ayo Dosunmu appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, the NBA released its first returns on All-Star fan voting, and there are a few surprises sprinkled throughout.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry leads the way in voting, who has accumulated nearly 2.6 million votes, almost around 200,000 more than the second-place vote-getter, Kevin Durant. A familiar face rounds out the position leaders in LeBron James, the top vote-getter among forwards in the Western Conference and an unusual but deserved face in DeMar DeRozan, the top vote-getter among guards in the Eastern Conference.

DeRozan’s lead and now expected All-Star appearance is much deserved, as he is having a career year for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 26.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

Other players to accumulate over one million votes thus far include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Paul George. Andrew Wiggins just missed out at 933,355 votes.

Every year, a few unexpected names pop up and receive hundreds of thousands of votes, and this year is no different. Klay Thompson has yet to play a game this season for the Warriors, but he is still the fourth-highest vote-getter among Western Conference guards. Kyrie Irving is sixth amongst guards in the East, despite just making his season debut on Wednesday.

Derrick Rose is averaging just 12.0 points per game for the New York Knicks coming off the bench and has received nearly double the votes of Darius Garland and Fred VanVleet. Two other vets coming off the bench received a hefty number of votes: LaMarcus Aldridge and Carmelo Anthony, who have started a combined 13 games between them.

If you want your favorite player to be further up the list, you still have some time! NBA All-Star fan voting doesn’t close until Saturday, January 22, and the full rosters will be announced in full on February 3.

The NBA All-Star game will take place in Cleveland at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday, February 20.

The post Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant Lead NBA All-Star Fan Vote Returns appeared first on SLAM.

DeMar DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to knock down game-winning 3 point buzzer-beaters in consecutive games. The first buzzer-beater was on Friday after shaking off a rough shooting night to nail a fadeaway three-pointer off the wrong foot as time expired.

DEROZAN CALLS GAME pic.twitter.com/CXMrUSk9N3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2021

In their following game Saturday against the Wizards, DeRozan responded to a late triple from Kyle Kuzma with his second consecutive buzzer-beater, leading to the Bulls escaping Capital One Arena with a 120-119 win, extending their win-streak to seven games.

DEMAR DEROZAN.
FOR THE WIN.
AGAIN.

He’s hit back-to-back game-winning triples for the @chicagobulls. This is unreal.#TissotBuzzerBeater #ThisIsYourTime pic.twitter.com/6SuVbhLptq

— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2022

“Just to hit a buzzer-beater, in general, is amazing, especially when you do it on the road,” DeRozan said postgame via ESPN. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m dreaming. If it’s real right now.”

“It’s just an honor to be trusted in the fourth quarter. Whether things are going good or going bad, my team, teammates always leaned on me to be that calm presence to bring us home. I always bring that calm presence as much as I can in the fourth quarter, letting guys understand, as long we got time we got a chance.”

DeRozan has a chance to extend this streak of buzzer-beaters against the Orlando Magic on Monday.

The post DeMar DeRozan Reflects on His Buzzer Beater Moments Making History appeared first on SLAM.

Our game against the Lakers on Sunday (originally scheduled for 2:30 pm CT) will now be at 7 pm CT. pic.twitter.com/j2NsD1VkYW

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 14, 2021

The scheduling problems are due to ten Chicago players, some coaches, and media announcers currently being in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. With so many players unavailable, the Bulls used their hardship exemption to sign Stanley Johnson. However, they still face the possibility of not having the minimum amount of players (eight) to compete.

Reports from NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson claim DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Derrick Jones Jr., and Javonte Green could return for Sunday’s game pending the mandatory two negative tests in a 24 hour period.

By Sunday, White, Green, DeRozan (Dec. 15), Thomas (Dec. 17), and Jones Jr. (Dec. 18) will have passed 10 days in protocols, but they have more steps to take before becoming eligible to play. Zach LaVine, Stanley Johnson, Alize Johnson, Troy Brown Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, and Matt Thomas are out.

The Los Angeles Lakers have COVID issues with Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, and Malik Monk recently being placed into protocols.

The post NBA Delays the Los Angeles Lakers-Chicago Bulls Game Due to COVID-19 appeared first on SLAM.

“I saw the movie Love and Basketball, and [in it] Monica went to play overseas in Spain,” Green says with a big smile on her face. “That was one of my favorite movies growing up, and when I was in college, I knew I wanted to go overseas. I wanted to travel and experience basketball somewhere else, so the WNBA was never my main focus.”

And indeed, just like Monica in the classic film, Green also ended up having a stint as a professional hooper in Spain before ultimately accepting a coaching job at IMG Academy in 2016. Still working towards getting her confidence back after the knee injuries, Green refound her identity there while coaching girls basketball. She soon began expressing her passion for the game on social media.

“I had another knee surgery and hadn’t been cleared by the doctor yet, so I was bored with it,” Green says. “I recorded myself dribbling, and it went viral on Facebook. Everybody, for whatever reason, said I should try out for the Globetrotters, but I was like, Eh, I’m too competitive, but whatever.”

Her friends indeed saw it coming before she did—one day a Harlem Globetrotter recruiter saw the video online and tracked down Green immediately after. She managed to fight through the lingering pain from the knee injury and impressed the staff enough to earn a spot on the Globetrotters roster. After posting a few more viral videos—one of which consisted of her dribbling a ball on a treadmill, Green knew she had to go all in, documenting her journey as a Globetrotter in unique fashion.

“I knew it would be a good time to grow my brand,” Green says. “I wanted to make sure I separated ‘Hoops,’ which is my Globetrotter nickname, from Bree…from Brianna. I made sure the whole time that I would focus on my personal brand and try to grow it as that.”

And that she did. Green left the Globetrotters after realizing she could make a lot more money as a content creator instead. Fast-forward to 2021 and Green now has 357,000 followers on Instagram, 375,000 more on TikTok, and 191,000 subscribers on YouTube. She’s leveraged the impact of her social channels to partner with entities like Nike, Adidas, Gatorade, AT&T, ESPN +, and Space Jam.

“It’s amazing just ‘cause I took that risk,” Green says when asked about all of the brands she’s gotten to work with since deciding to go full-time on social media. “To have it all pan out is pretty dope, and I try to be different. I try to separate myself. I try to be innovative, coming up with new ways, and on top of that, being a female doing it. I just try to make myself unique.”

The state of North Carolina has consistently produced top-tier hoops talent for decades. From Steph Curry and CP3 to John Wall and Brandon Ingram, The Old North State has rightfully earned the reputation of being a hotbed for high-level hoops. But now, off the court, two Raleigh influencers are changing the way basketball players are engaging with social media to create business opportunities.

Marcus Hodges played at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University and pursued the hoop dream of playing overseas in the United Kingdom, but quickly realized that dream wasn’t his to chase anymore.

“I went to the British Basketball League out in London, and the team I actually got picked up [by] ended up folding,” Hodges says in a Zoom interview from his shoe closet—a closet that boasts  just about every basketball shoe one could imagine, regardless of sneaker company. “They didn’t have enough money to become a team, and I took it as a learning experience off the court. I ended up coming back home and played some semi-pro for a little bit, and that’s when I started getting in the training field.”

The fact that many soccer players in England were making his salary in a month motivated Hodges to think of other ways he could earn a living while being around the game that he loves. It propelled him to start his Separation Team skill development and training business nine years ago.

Availability was truly his best ability when he started to work players out. Hodges currently lives in Raleigh and noted how multiple DI players at the time would reach out for workouts when they were back in town, such as Devonte Graham of the New Orleans Pelicans and Lexie Brown of the Chicago Sky.

“We were all new to [social media] at the time, but really how I got into it is, let’s say no kids show up for my workouts, meaning I now have an hour by myself,” Hodges says. “My girlfriend at the time was there, and Instagram just came out with 15-second videos. I would ask her to record me doing a crazy layup…hitting ten threes in a row or doing a crossover into a jump shot. I didn’t realize at the time that I was marketing myself.”

Hodges laughs about the early days of putting videos out on Instagram, saying he used to get excited when he’d get 11 likes. Now, his TikTok videos alone have amassed over 3 million likes and has a combined following of 312,000 users. Although being a popular trainer for young talent can pay the bills, Hodges has earned a lot of additional income from brand partnerships.

“Legends, Manscape, DratKings, Footlocker, Eastbay—they’re a lot of the companies I’ve partnered and am partnering with,” Hodges says. “Some companies just reach out, give me gear, and ask me if I’m able to put together certain types of videos. Other companies just want me to wear what I like from their brand, so it gets promoted.”

Another North Carolina influencer is catching the eyes of basketball fans on the internet as well. Milton Chavis’ journey included a stop at Word of God Christian Academy, where he played alongside four-time NBA All-Star John Wall. Like his Raleigh brethren Marcus Hodges, Chavis had a respectable collegiate career with stops at Kilgore Community College before finishing out at Morehead State University.

A short stint overseas led Chavis to pursue the route of coaching and training, which sparked his desire to explore content creation.

Chavis’ popular “Travel or Not” video series shows him going through a set of unique moves, most of which you’ll never see in an actual basketball game. The creativity and athleticism displayed in his videos are among the reasons why Chavis has gone from 18,000 to 75,000 followers on Instagram in a span of six months. Basketball stars like Gilbert Arenas, Kevin Garnett, and DeMar DeRozan have even reached out to pay homage and discuss his content.

“It’s been crazy, man,” Chavis says when describing the growth of his followers and the opportunities that have come with it. “I started in March, researching the gather step rule, just the one rule in the NBA. I was just being creative and was able to show the skill that I still have, the athleticism that I still have. My posts took on a life of their own. I’ve been on nearly every basketball platform aside from ESPN and SportsCenter.”

Chavis’ content has led him to team up with rising streetwear brands, which send him merchandise and pay for promotion. New Balance and Addikt also have formed relationships with Chavis, while aspiring artists pay to have their music played in Chavis’ videos.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milton Chavis (@mdwbasketball)

The road to social media stardom has been met with obstacles for all three of these influencers. Three ACL surgeries for Bree Green and empty gyms for Chavis and Hodges ultimately motivated them to persist, even in the middle of discouragement.

“I remember this one particular time I posted that I was having workouts at 9:00 a.m. at Word of God,” Chavis says. “That was like 2017. I get to the gym and nobody shows. I was like, Dang! I’ve already been training for like a year and a half and doing decently well. I was also working with kids with special needs and at Fitness Connection,” Chavis continues. “I knew that this was just for a season, and to see how everything has come since that point is insane to me.”

Brands will continue to seek out content creators who engage with their audiences authentically. Green, Hodges, and Chavis have all used their social media platforms to create other business opportunities for themselves and the circles around them, with a centralized goal to impact the communities around them through basketball.

“I betted on myself, and it’s working out,” Green says. “There’s a lot more I want to do, and I just want to keep striving and growing.”  

Luke Akinsola is a freelance writer that covers sports, music and pop-culture. A full-time marketing and communications professional that also worked as a TV producer at Fox Sports. Prior to his current work, Akinsola covered the women’s and men’s national basketball teams during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. He’s also a proud R&B Connoisseur and Tar Heel alum.

Photo credit Donnie Bui, Milton Chavis and Clayton Boyd.

The post Meet the Hoopers Who are Using Social Media to Build Their Own Personal Brands appeared first on SLAM.

The news comes after Woj reported that Alize Johnson entered health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 early Monday.

The NBA has postponed the Bulls-Pistons game on Tuesday and Bulls-Raptors on Thursday, source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 13, 2021

Last season, the League postponed 32 games due to virus related issues. The Bulls have 10 players in COVID-19 protocols, including their two leading scorers Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Chicago was expected to have at least eight healthy players for Tuesday if nobody else entered health and safety protocols.

At least four players, Javonte Green, Coby White, Derozan, and Matt Thomas are reportedly expected to clear protocols and come back this week. LaVine, Derrick Jones Jr., Stanley Johnson, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr. and Johnson are expected to be cleared next week.

Nikola Vucevic recently returned to action after his bout with COVID-19. Chicago has reportedly been testing players and coaches multiple times per day amid the team-wide outbreak. The Bulls are reportedly vaccinted and have not dealt with any severe symptoms.

The Bulls return to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday but will have some time between Tuesday and Sunday to clear protocols and regain their fully healthy roster.

The post NBA Postpones the Chicago Bulls’ Next Two Games appeared first on SLAM.

The Chicago Bulls are signing veteran G/F Alfonzo McKinnie via hardship exemption, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. McKinnie has played for NBA G League’s Mexico City Capitanes this season, averaging 24.1 PPG and 43.3 percent from 3-point range.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2021

With Derrick Jones Jr., DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Matt Thomas and Javonte Green all in the League’s health and safety protocols, the Bulls first elected to use their hardship exemption on Wednesday to sign forward Stanley Johnson from the South Bay Lakers.

From the far West side of Chicago, McKinnie is getting his shot with his hometown team after the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 24.1 points per game on 43.3 percent from three with the Mexico City Capitanes this season.

McKinnie brings 24 games of playoff experience between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers to the Bulls roster alongside a springy and athletic player in transition.

McKinnie’s first game with the Bulls will be Saturday night against the Miami Heat.

The post Chicago Bulls Use Hardship Exemption to Sign Alfonso McKinnie From G League appeared first on SLAM.

Bulls are facing an outbreak on team with Jones joining teammates DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, Matt Thomas and Javonte Green in protocols. https://t.co/QxIXu5ApTv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 9, 2021

Woj further reported that just like his teammates, Jones will be out for at least 10 days and can break out of the protocol following consecutive negative PCR tests within a 24 hour period.

Not only are the Bulls missing five players due to virus protocols, but the team is also without Patrick Williams and Alex Caruso who are out with wrist and hamstring injuries respectively. The injury bug that’s bitten Chicago allowed the Bulls to sign a 16th player through the League’s hardship extension, which the franchise used to sign Stanley Johnson to a 10-day contract.

In addition to the five players sidelined by the outbreak, the Bulls are missing forward Patrick Williams (wrist) and guard Alex Caruso (hamstring), which made the team eligible to sign a 16th player through the NBA’s hardship exception.

The Bulls are not in jeopardy of having games postponed with at least 11 healthy players available to play, including Caruso who Coach Billy Donovan believes could return by Saturday before the Lakers come into town to play Chicago on Sunday.

“I have not heard anything along those lines,” Donovan said Monday on the possibility of games being postponed per ESPN. “I think the biggest question that comes up is if you have something that runs through a team and you have multiple players that are not able to compete, is there enough players for the team to go out there and function.

“I do think the most important thing for our league is the health and safety of all the players. I think our guys have done a good job of following and doing what we’re asked to be done from the league and from the medical side. It’s just, I think, this time of year. There’s certainly been a spike in this, but I have not heard anything as it relates to them going into a situation of shutting down the league for a period of time. I have not heard that.”

The post REPORT: Fears of a Covid Outbreak Within Chicago Bulls appeared first on SLAM.

The Chicago Bulls are signing forward Stanley Johnson out of NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers via hardship exemption, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Johnson went to training camp with the Bulls.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 8, 2021

Johnson was one of the Bulls’ final cuts in training camp just before the season, with averages of 3.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in four preseason games. Soon after, he was signed by the South Bay Lakers and had some success averaging 15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.2 steals in six games. He also shot 40.5 percent from the field and 28.6 from the 3 point line.

BREAKING: The @chicagobulls have called-up Stanley Johnson from the South Bay Lakers.

15.3 PTS | 6.7 REB | 2.2 AST | 2.2 STL pic.twitter.com/hF80gjmOGp

— G League TV (@GLeagueTV) December 8, 2021

The Bulls currently have five players unavailable due to being in NBA’s Health and Safety protocols or injured, which made them eligible to make a move to add Johnson to the roster.

Matt Thomas (health and safety protocol)
DeMar DeRozan (health and safety protocol)
Coby White (health and safety protocol)
Javonte Green (health and safety protocol)
Patrick Williams out with an injury.

The Chicago Bulls currently have 11 players available for tonight’s game.

— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) December 8, 2021

Stanley Johnson was the No. 8 pick in the 2015 draft by the Pistons, where he played over three seasons before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2018-19 season. His most recent stint in the NBA was with the Toronto Raptors for two seasons.

The post Chicago Bulls Use Their Hardship Exemption to Sign Stanley Johnson appeared first on SLAM.

Young was brought over to San Antonio in the DeMar DeRozan deal from Chicago. As the oldest player on the team, he is asked to be the veteran presence on a rebuilding team. But it’s the lack of minutes that he has been getting recently that has him frustrated a topic he brought up recently.

“Right now, this situation is not ideal for me,” Young said on The Alex Kennedy Podcast. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to settle for 4 and 6 minutes a game.” 

“It’s super tough. It’s very tough and frustrating at times,” Young said. “But at the end of the day, I understand where this franchise is going, and I understand what’s happening — the young guys have to play. Whatever happens, happens. It’s just a matter of trusting in my faith and trusting in my craft, and trusting in the time that I put into the game each and every day. I’m a 15-year veteran, and I’m still one of the last to leave the gym, and I’m still showing up early, putting in a lot of time and a lot of work.” 

Young is averaging a career-low 15.6 minutes per game, with minutes going to younger players such as Keldon Johnson, Keita Bates-Diop, Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker IV, and Drew Eubanks. His streak of starting at least one game in every year of his career could be in jeopardy.

The veteran has made the most of his playing time when he’s gotten on the floor this season. He’s currently averaging 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per contest while shooting 59.6 percent from the field after being a part-time starter with the Bulls averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals last season and winning the NBA’s Hustle Award.

The post Thaddeus Young Voices Frustration Over Lack of Playing Time appeared first on SLAM.

And although he is now a member of the Miami Heat, Lowry still seems to have strong ties to Toronto.

In an interview with Marc J Spears of the Undefeated, Lowry speaks about his time within Toronto.

“I’m a man’s man, but I know I’m going to be a little bit sensitive and crying that day. I don’t know. I might hold it in,” Lowry told The Undefeated. “I’ve talked to [former Raptors teammate] DeMar [DeRozan] about it. But it’s one of them days where I know it’s going to be a lot of love for me and me giving love back, it’s just going to be interesting how it goes down because I don’t know what to expect.

“It’s different when you got traded from Memphis and you go back. I still get love from Memphis, which is awesome. I still get love from Houston. This is different because I continued to grow as a person in Toronto. So eight years in the city, one year I was in Tampa, but nine years overall with one franchise is a long time.”

Lowry also opened up about his decision to leave the Raptors.

“I still text (general manager) Bobby (Webster). I still text (Raptors President) Masai (Ujiri). There are no hard feelings,” Lowry said. “We’ve all had an open line of communication. And for me, it was very bittersweet because I never wanted to leave. But it was more a sense of: ‘All right, my kids are getting older. I want to be somewhere where they can be stable no matter what.’

“And, yeah, everybody says you could just live in Canada, but you’d have to get Canadian citizenship to live there. And I don’t think I would’ve lived there for the rest of my life. But I’ll be able to go back. That’s still home. Like I’ve said, and I’ll say it now, I will sign a one-day contract and I’ll retire as a Toronto Raptor. That is my everything.”

Lowry has spent nine years with the Raptors, In that process, he was able to become the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,277), steals (873), 3-pointers made and attempted and trails only DeRozan in games played and points scored along with leading them to a championship in 2019.

The post Kyle Lowry Reflects On His Time With the Toronto Raptors appeared first on SLAM.

So far this season, DeRozan has been a vital piece in the team’s 10-4 start to the season, as he’s averaging 26.9 points per game along with 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shooting 51 percent from the field. As of right now, he’s ranked third in the League in scoring so far this season.

According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, DeRozan is aware of the naysayers calling him “washed” and questioning his capability:

“I can go down the list of just being counted out, being looked over,” DeRozan says, per ESPN. “So many chips that’s on my shoulder that I carry. And just wanting to be a winner and wanting to enjoy this ride. We can’t play this game forever, so I want to get as much as I can out of it.”

At 32-years-old, DeRozan doesn’t view his age as an “issue” or a “limit” to how he can continue to contribute to the Bulls:

“I never looked at age as being an issue,” DeRozan added. “I never looked at it. People put the age limit on everything, and I never did. The way I worked, the way I take care of my body, the way I prepare, I knew what I was capable of doing. I just took different roads the last couple years of playing basketball, trying to do the right thing, figuring it out.

“This time, just knowing my ability was always there, I never lost confidence. I never thought I couldn’t be who I was before. Chicago allowed me to completely be myself.”

The post DeMar DeRozan: ‘I Can Go Down the List of Just Being Counted Out, Being Looked Over’ appeared first on SLAM.

Feeling the urge to show up and show out in his hometown, DeRozan went on to score 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while shooting 10 for 11 from the free-throw line. Zach LaVine added to the fire also, adding 29 points and 8 rebounds alongside Caruso’s 7 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assist,s and 3 steals in his first start as a Bull. Because of the thrilling performances put on display by Alex Caruso in his time as a Laker, it’s safe to say there will always be love sent his way from the city of LA.

The Chicago Bulls will face the Los Angeles Lakers (8-6) Monday at 9:30pm CT.

The post Chicago Bulls End LA Clippers Seven-Game Winning Streak appeared first on SLAM.

Billy Donovan said Coby White is cleared to make his season debut vs. the Lakers.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 15, 2021

White has been working himself back from offseason shoulder surgery that he received back in June after suffering the injury in basketball-related activities away from the team.

Through his first two years in the League, White has averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc. With Ball filling the starting guard position, White will turn to the team’s scoring spark-plug off the bench.

“It’s probably going to take him a little bit of time to get into a rhythm considering he’s been out for so long, head coach Billy Donavan said via K.C. Johnson. “He missed the whole training camp, the whole summer. He hasn’t really played necessarily other than a few occasions of 5-on-5. We’re just going to have to see as it goes.”

Donovan said there is no plan for a minutes restriction at the moment, but that could change come game time. Either way, the Bulls will be receiving a needed production boost from their bench through the rest of the season if White plays up to expectations.

The post Coby White Cleared to Return to Bulls Against Lakers Tonight appeared first on SLAM.

Paul George is playing at an MVP level this season.

26.7 PPG
8.3 RPG (career-high)
5.4 APG (career-high)
2.5 SPG (career-high)
46/36/86%

The Clippers have won 5 in a row. pic.twitter.com/pGtrBL6J4J

— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 10, 2021

After George put up a stat line of 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, Portland head coach Chauncey Billups agrees, according to Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports.

“He’s playing on an MVP level,” Billups said. “I think he knows the challenge he has ahead of him this year with no Kawhi for now. You just want a guy like that to put everybody on his back and say, ‘Let’s go, let’s give ourselves a chance.’ And he has done that every single night. He’s just a matchup nightmare, man. You can’t guard him with one guy. Now that his playmaking is better, he just puts you in some tough spots.”

Tough move. Tough finish.

@BallySportWest | @Yg_Trece pic.twitter.com/gkwVJoJgfg

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 10, 2021

George is riding high as he was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday. He is ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring behind Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and DeMar DeRozan. He’s contributing defensively and ranks second in the NBA in steals per game with 2.5 while the Clippers rank third in the League in defensive rating at 101.7.

George averages 26.7 points on 45.8% shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

The post Chauncey Billups Believes That Paul George Is playing At A MVP Plateau appeared first on SLAM.

The NBA lockout was in full effect and there was no end in sight. Inside the legendary Palestra, players were gathering for the love of the game in front of their adoring fans. The players included a two-time NBA MVP, two top-10 all-time leading NBA scorers, 
one top-five all-time NBA assists leader, one NBA Rookie of the Year, three NBA and NCAA champions and four Olympic Gold medalists. The Nike mantra of “Basketball Never Stops” was alive and on full display. 

The summer/fall of 2011 was like getting multiple releases on the Snkrs app for a basketball fan—a remarkable, rare occurrence. While the owners and players union were debating over finances, the stars of the League made sure they filled their fans’ thirst for affordable, high-level action across the country in DC, L.A., Baltimore, Oklahoma, New York and Philadelphia.

“That is what made the lockout games so great,” says Jamar Smiley, Director of Player Relations for BDA Sports Management. “The everyday fan was able to see [the stars] play without sacrificing a day’s pay.” 

The idea for the game in West Philadelphia started with some territorial trash talk between Carmelo Anthony and Hakim Warrick about which city, Baltimore or Philly, had better players. The two were teammates on Syracuse in 2003, when the program won a national championship. 

The vision started to become a reality on the night of Saturday, August 20, on the drive home from watching The Capital Punishment game in DC, where the Goodman League, led by Kevin Durant and John Wall, faced off against the Drew League, featuring James Harden and DeMar DeRozan. 

I contacted Skinny [Hakim Warrick] via Facebook messenger, who then put me in touch with Smiley. Smiley and I spoke, and roles began to be defined. I would handle the logistics of the game, Skinny and Melo would be team captains and oversee coordination with the players, and Smiley would be my day-to-day contact.

Once the team captains committed and the $25,000 contribution to their designated charities was confirmed, it was time to get to work. We had to secure the venue and an insurance policy, get product for the players and advertise for the game.

The first task was locking down the historical Palestra arena, which sits on the Ivy League campus of the University of Pennsylvania. The Palestra is considered the Cathedral of College Basketball, and legendary players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have all stepped foot on its court.

“From our first conversation, the game had to be at The Palestra; there was no second option,” Warrick says. “Plus, it is right around the corner from where I grew up in the Bottom West Philly.”

I called Philadelphia basketball icon, two-time Ivy League Player of the Year and UPenn head coach Jerome Allen, who has known Skinny and I since we were both young.

Allen arranged for a series of meetings between the Palestra’s facility director, UPenn’s athletic director and myself. Penn administration met the idea of the game with skepticism, due to the uncertainty of when the lockout would end. I assured them the game would happen because there was no end in sight for the lockout. I was confident, since I had daily communication with Smiley, who worked for one of the most prominent NBA agents in Bill Duffy, who represented numerous NBA stars including Steve Nash and Yao Ming.

Other parts were moving outside of the UPenn meetings. Nike had confirmed that they would be the official product sponsor for the game, outfitting all the players. Urban retail store DTLR Sneaker Villa would pay for all the radio advertisements, along with acquiring the insurance policy. Ten days after the initial meeting with Penn’s administrators, a deal was put in place for the Palestra to host the game.

Once these parts were solidified, the announcement to the public was made, and interest for the game exceeded all of our expectations.

Streaming is a standard tool of viewership nowadays, but back in 2011, it was something new. The Basketball Channel, a new company, approached me about the idea of streaming the event via the internet using their partnership with Sports Illustrated. The event was now going global.

“The game became bigger than what we expected,” says Warrick, a 13-year NBA vet and the Team Philly captain. “This was before the explosion of social media. Between the venue and streaming, this wasn’t no pickup game at the rec.”

The date and time were picked based on the fact that the hometown Philadelphia Eagles were playing their NFC East rival New York Giants that afternoon at 1 pm. Our game was scheduled to start at 6. I knew this would be a dream sports day for Philly fans. The Eagles versus the Giants at 1. The lockout game at 6 at the Palestra. It doesn’t get any better.

It was a warm, fall day, with temperatures in the 60s, but inside, the Palestra was humid and hot like a summer barbeque in the middle of the afternoon. “You had a three-piece suit on,” Smiley says, laughing, remembering the day. “I don’t know how you did it; I had to take my rugby shirt off.”

Members of the Philly team started to arrive around 4:30. As Hakim Warrick, Lou Williams, Kyle Lowry, Flip Murray, Wayne Ellington, Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson, Mark Tyndale, Mardy Collins, Dionte Christmas and Aaron Owens began to take the court to warm up, a buzz started growing. Only three members of Team Melo were on the court: Donte Greene, Josh Selby and Gary Forbes.

The remaining players were still nowhere to be seen or found as it approached 30 minutes before tip-off. Fans were beginning to worry if the game was even going to happen.

I wasn’t worried at all. I was in contact with Worldwide Wes [William Wesley, current Executive Vice President for the New York Knicks] the entire time. Melo, Bron and CP3 were at the Eagles-Giants game, and Wes had arranged for them to have a police escort to the arena.

At 5:45 pm, my BlackBerry rang. It was Worldwide Wes asking, “Where do we pull up at?” I instructed them to go through the back entrance. A fleet of black SUVs pulled up. First Chris Paul jumped out, then Carmelo, then LeBron. All three of them entered the Palestra and walked under the stands to the locker room. When the fans caught a glimpse of the trio, the arena erupted.

Finally, as the clock hit 6:15, legendary Philadelphia referee Keith “Showtime” Saunders tossed the ball up for the opening tip. Players on both teams competed as if it were Game 7 of the NBA Finals, with Team Philly winning, 131-122. But to basketball fans, there were no losers.

For those lucky few who got inside the hallowed halls of the Palestra, watching all of those future Hall of Famers—watching history—it was a once in a lifetime event. 

Rahim Thompson is the founder of The Chosen League, the Philadelphia-based high school summer basketball league whose alumni include Kyle Lowry, Gerald Henderson and Kyle Kuzma. His book, Choose Wisely, is available at nomattertheodds.com.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Hunter/The Chosen League.

The post How LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul Linked Up to Play in the Legendary Battle of I-95 Game appeared first on SLAM.

The top ranked prospect in the class of 2023, who committed to UCLA back in March, has continued to make a name for herself on the court. From her elite mid-range jumper to her athleticism on the court as a scorer, the La Jolla Country Day High School point guard won the JR NBA Championship in 2021 and was selected to play for Team USA at the FIBA Americas U16 tournament. There, she averaged 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while helping lead the team to a 6-0 record and a gold medal.

In September, Williams turned up at the Nike Nationals and effortlessly showed off her versatility, knocking down shots from three-point range and dishing out dimes to her teammates. Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony was even in attendance.

When we caught with Jada earlier this month, it was clear that not only is she confident, but her passion for the game runs deep.

“A lot of people say, Oh, how come you don’t average 30? At the end of day, I want to win,” Williams told SLAM over the phone. “I’m gonna do whatever I have to do in the game to win, I’m gonna be the person that dives on the floor every possession. I’m going to be the person that guards the best player on the floor. I’m gonna do all that…If my thing that game is to have 30 assists, that’s what I’m gonna do…My whole heart is into this game. This is my passion, this is one of my purposes.”

 “Every time I step out there, I’m going to communicate with my teammates, I’m going to be a leader of the team, I’m gonna do all that because, like, in my head, I’m a true PG…That’s my goal: to be able to lead the team on the court. Yes, there’s a coach off the court, and I’m going to have a special relationship with them, but when we’re in between those [court] lines, it’s us five versus the other team, right? So when I step out there, I’m going to be the leader of the pack. It’s me and my mine versus you and yours. I think that’s what really separates me, just knowing that I can impact the game more than just scoring.” 

That passion will serve her well at UCLA and as the newest brand ambassador of Spalding. Williams says she’s ready to use her platform to help elevate the women’s game, and through the multiyear partnership, she’ll help front campaigns, collaborate on a limited-edition basketball series, and even engage in programs focused on growing women’s youth basketball. 

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always played with a Spalding. [I’ve heard] that I played with other balls, just because I had to because the game ball was something different, but usually it was always Spalding or Wilson. So, just being able to be here now, like, when I was younger, I just remember getting my first ball for Christmas and being able to play outside with it, taking it everywhere basically, not really knowing where it was going to take me in life.”

“To be in this position and grow the women’s game [as] one of the first girls to sign with the basketball company and still being a junior in high school is something that I never [knew] I would do. But, I’m super blessed. I prayed for times like this and God put it on my plate because He knows I can handle it. So, [I’m staying] grounded, being humble [and helping] grow the game and use my platform to the best of my ability.”

As a standout female hopper on the rise, Williams says it’s always been a priority of hers to use her platform to inspire others, especially young girls. Growing up, she looked up to players like Sue Bird and Skylar Diggins-Smith, who showed her that she could be into modeling and fashion and hoop at the same time. 

“When I was younger, [people would] say, Oh, well, you can’t be a girly girl and play basketball. She kind of paved the way for me [where] I could be cute, I could take pictures if I want to and can still get on the court and hoop with the boys if I have to. The WNBA in general, these women go through so much adversity with the haters…The WNBA just inspires me.” 

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With that, Williams says she cherishes the moments she got to spend talking to the late-Kobe Bryant, and wants to continue to honor both his, and Gigi’s legacy.

“Kobe, [he] was probably my biggest inspiration ever. I would definitely call him like an uncle to me. Every time I spoke to him, he always had wise words and made me wake up every day and really think to myself, how can I push myself beyond the limits that other people don’t…When I wake up in the morning, I think about, How can I live their legacy? I just feel like God is just telling me to just go hard, go hard, go hard.” 

She admits that when her mom told her about the opportunity to work with Spalding, her immediate reaction was, Spalding, as in the basketball company? To her own surprise, the legendary basketball brand—who has been changing the game since it debuted its first-ever product in 1937—wanted her to be their brand ambassador alongside NBA All-Star Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan and even Australian pro hooper Ezi Magbegor.

“I’ve done other stuff where I post on my instagram with one ball, but I had never signed a contract because up until now, it wasn’t allowed because of NCAA rules,” she says. “I knew stuff was gonna come in, but I didn’t know that it was going to come in as soon as it did.” 

 “What better platform to be [an] ambassador for the company and be able to grow the women’s game,” she adds. “That’s one of my ultimate goals: to grow the women’s game and be somebody that the younger girls can look up to. People ask me, well what do you want to do? and I’m like, inspire young kids.”

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And, now that college student-athletes can profit off of their own name, image and likeness (NIL), and high school athletes can do so in the state of California, brand deals such as this one will also give Williams the opportunity to give back to her family. 

“I think for all athletes, whatever we get to do now is a blessing because we’ve always dreamed about this. Everyone’s always been, you know, debating why we shouldn’t [and] why we should get paid and stuff like that, but when they passed [the NIL legislation], I feel like we do so much and we give our life to this and [now] we’re able to give back and provide for our families. That’s really my goal, like, I’m not trying to get money to buy shoes right now. It’s for the long run—to be able to start those connections.” 

Don’t get it twisted though, Williams says her aspirations aren’t just financial. She’s looking to use her platform and fulfill her purpose:

“Money is not the end goal here, it’s to grow the game,” she clarifies. “Everybody’s passionate about something, basketball and something. It’s not just basketball, you know? My purpose is much bigger than basketball. If I can be that light in someone’s dark world now, that’s my end goal.” 

Spalding is releasing a new collection of apparel, the Fundamentals—which features an exclusive collection of tees, sweatpants, shorts and hoodies that make for the perfect on, and off, court fit. It’s available starting November 5.

Photos via Spalding and Getty Images.

The post UCLA Commit Jada Williams Wants to Elevate the Women’s Game as a Brand Ambassador for Spalding appeared first on SLAM.

The Bulls are now 3-0 in preseason, already showing quite a bit of early chemistry. 

They won their first two preseason game by a combined 72 points. Following those dominant performances, they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by a point in their third game to keep the streak alive. 

Although it’s just preseason, the Bulls look on track to have a breakout season. In the Eastern Conference, anything can happen. 

With a revamped roster and plenty of talent to take them to the top, Chicago is a team to keep an eye on. Last season, they went 31-41 but should be much better in the 2021-22 season. 

The post Chicago Bulls Look on Track for Breakout Season appeared first on SLAM.

“I think (this is) for me, the best part of my career,” he said via NBA.com. “With the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years, my perspective on how I approach the game, how I approach preparation, everything to the game. It took me 13 years to get to the point that I’m at mentally, physically, emotionally in approaching the game. So for me, I think it’s just my best go-round. In my time in San Antonio (the last three seasons playing for Gregg Popovich), I learned so much more about myself as a player, what I was able and capable of doing. It grew me more as a leader. And this time around, it’s just putting everything I’ve learned in my career all together. It’s just put me at a different level physically and mentally.”

DeRozan, who averaged 21.6 points per game last season, has appeared in 58 NBA playoff games and four Game 7s, specifically. His playoff scoring exploits started in the 2016 playoffs with 30 and 28 point explosions in back-to-back Game 7 series clinchers before the Toronto Raptors were eliminated by the Cavaliers. Back in 2019, while suiting up for the Spurs, he finished with 19 points and six assists in Game 7 against the Nuggets.

As NBA.com’s Sam Smith notes, DeRozan is believed to be the frontrunner for the team’s starting small forward slot providing a physical interior scoring presence that can get to the free throw line. Chicago will be counting on his high percentage shooting in the mid-range game—he shot on average about 50 percent overall the last three seasons in San Antonio.

The post DeMar DeRozan Calls His Chicago Bulls Era “The Best Part of His Career” appeared first on SLAM.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe theorizes that the Celtics could have interest in either Bradley Beal or Zach LaVine if either were to become available.

Beal has been perpetually in trade rumors for the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. In nine seasons with the Washington Wizards, Beal has averaged 22.0 points, 4.0 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, and in 2020-21 Beal upped his scoring average to 31.3 points per game.

Similarly, LaVine is another big-time scorer who could help add some points to this Celtics roster. LaVine is coming off his best season ever in the NBA, averaging 27.4 points, 4.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three.

The issue with LaVine and Beal is not with their talent but rather their availability. Beal has been a rumored trade target for years now, but all the communication from the Wizards is that he is not actually for sale.

The Bulls are clearly looking to compete this season, as evident by the acquisitions of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, but LaVine notably will be an unrestricted free agent. If things don’t go well for the Bulls early on this year and LaVine doesn’t want to stay in Chicago, that could theoretically make him available, as noted by Washburn.

The Celtics finished seventh in the Eastern Conference last year with a record of 36-36.

The post Celtics Could Have Interest in Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine appeared first on SLAM.

Free agent forward Stanley Johnson has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 6, 2021

Johnson was the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Detroit Pistons before being traded to New Orleans in 2019. He then moved on and played for the Raptors for two years from 2019-21, earning a spot in the team’s regular rotation this past season.

Johnson’s offensive numbers for Toronto was not gaudy with averages of 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists with shooting splits of .382/.328/.800, but his energy and defensive versatility off the bench gave him the opportunity with Chicago.

His best season with Detroit came in 2017-2018, when he averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds over 69 games including 50 starts.

Stanley Johnson is the latest Bulls addition that features DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Derrick Jones Jr. and Tony Bradley that has come via trades and free agency.

The post Chicago Bulls Sign Former Lottery Pick Stanley Johnson to Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Perfect morning in Los Angeles. A calm and balanced sun-soaked Tuesday. Traffic is actually skipping along nicely. Smiles blanket faces that pass by. Conversations run their course without any rush. “Voice of the Heroes” blasts out of a car window on Cahuenga Boulevard. Clearly all is right. 

Right? Wrong. 

Let’s have some thunderous notes surge in the blue sky. 

There’s a problem. 

What is it?

The absolutely insanely rare “Kentucky” Air Jordan 1s from 1985 that Devin Booker is supposed to bless us with aren’t in L.A. 

OK, that’s fine. Let’s adjust. We can let some time go by. It’s a nice enough day in CA. 

Jump to Phoenix. The kicks got sent to the desert from Tokyo, Japan. The sneakers, a physical time machine that lead with footprints to the moments well before SLAM was around or Booker was born or the public’s general love for footwear, are getting on a plane. Their journey is a mirror to Booker’s. 

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Book was in Tokyo for the 2020 (’21?) Olympics. He and the squad captured the Gold medal after a two-week odyssey filled with highs and lows. The lows included a panic that struck American fans and media following a first game loss to France. But the men wearing the red, white and blue were never worried. Gold was always theirs. The highs obviously include the numero uno world ranking. But that still leaves room for the details. It still leaves room for Book strapping up on defense, sliding his feet, laced in his blue and red Kobe 5 PEs, on-ball and in his weakside rotation requirements. It leaves room for the snapping ball movement that he would sometimes get to cap off or sometimes get to contribute to. Those were the highs that not many will clock; basketball being played correctly at a supreme level on a global stage.  

Just as rare as the ’85 “Kentuckys” is the man who will be wearing them when they get off the plane at Hollywood Burbank Airport. He’s one of the few who appreciates good hoops like that, one of the even fewer who yearns for real and true competition, in all of its pain, ugliness and ultimate glory. He’s been co-signed by the best. LeBron James and Kevin Durant, two HoFers, have long been saying how nice he is. He’s been recognized by the realest. Jrue Holiday and Draymond Green, two basketball geniuses, have praised him. And then there’s Chris Paul, one of the best point guards and basketball historians the game has ever known. 

“Devin Booker had everything to do with why I came to Phoenix,” Paul told ESPN months before the Suns made the ’21 Finals. 

CP knew that Book is Book. He’s a blend of the years gone by, even the years that he wasn’t alive to see. He’s not a Kobe clone, but rather a disciple of Kobe and his footwork, of Rip Hamilton and his midrange shot, of Michael Jordan and his drive, of his father Melvin and his refusal to take it easy, and of countless others who have made the 24-year-old an unparalleled player and person. 

Middie’s auto, a product of fluttering feet out of the triple threat that instantly create space to get clean looks. Then off the bounce, with the rock in his right hand, he can fade to his strong-side shoulder and easily command a shot that sweetly scrapes the sky. Teammates have noted how much time he’s spent in the weight room adding muscle to get more power on his head-down drives to the rim. But that’s just a new layer of a skill he’s always had. (Please type “Devin Booker and Kyle Wiltjer” into YouTube. Thank you. And you’re welcome.) With deadeye three-point accuracy and the capability to run pick and roll as the ballhandler or the screener, it’s just refinement for Book now. Just more work. 

Just more moments of him jumping out of his vintage cars, trading out his Jordans and his Chuck Taylors for his Kobes, and dominating the NBA with a style that’s closer to Alex English and Mark Aguirre than to the kids coming up today. He’s a modern throwback, a young man who respects the past and lets it inform his own future. That’s why the best players in the League mess with him so heavy. They know an all-time great when they see one. 

But we’re still not seeing 1s. So when Book peacefully rolls up to the studio with his dog Haven, he parks it on a couch, digs in to some lunch and starts talking about the 1s he wanted as a kid at Moss Point HS in Moss Point, MS.

“I always wanted a ‘Banned’ 1,” he says. That would’ve been around the time he was playing in some Huarache 2K4s, flying under the national radar. Haven, a 150-pound Cane Corso, is hilariously running around the studio with the kind of joy only a very good boy can bring.

“I have ‘Banned’ 1s currently, after I made it to the League,” Book continues. “I think it might’ve been Draymond the first time I’d seen him, we just had a conversation about it over the Olympics. I knew the story behind the ‘Banned’ 1s and from then I had to get them right when I got to the League.”

That’s the big thing with Book. He studies. Hoops, kicks, cars, clothing, art, dogs. He wants to learn. He wants the pieces that laid the foundation. 

“I chased another 1,” he says. “I was just trying to build my 1 collection. The ‘Royals,’ I had to chase the ‘Royals’ down for a minute. I could find a lot of things in a [size] 13, but it was always hard for me to get the 14. I was just trying to get the OG 1s for the most part.”

OG 1s are one thing. His now-booming collection of classic whips has proven to be his next chase. 

“I’m out there on the black market, man,” he jokes with Haven now chilling by his side. “Just finding them, man. Especially the vehicles, you’re all over the place. We’re out in Pittsburgh, just trying to find the right ones. My ’71 Impala, I’m going and looking for a Donk. So that’s South Florida, that’s Miami, that’s how they’re riding over there. With my ’59 Impala, I have it sitting west coast with the 20 inch Dayton’s on ’em. You gotta find somebody from Cali to do that.

“I’m doing my research,” he goes on. “It runs in my family. My grandpa’s a collector, he has a couple. My dad has a couple classics. It’s kind of like a conversation starter between us, even me learning more. Something’s going to go wrong, you’re going to learn something new about a car that day. And I missed all that. I was always traveling at AAU events, so I was never in the garage as much as I was in the gym. That’s the beauty of it, the process of learning more every day. But all my cars, I know every story on them.”

And speaking of stories, Book shares a real good one.

“I have a ’96 Impala,” he begins. “It’s the same car my uncle was driving before he got locked up. He got locked up, he tried to sell it to my dad and I didn’t even know this. And then I get a ’96. My dad was like, You know that’s the same car your uncle tried to give to me when he went to jail? I knew I should have bought it then, I knew it,” he laughs. “Same color, black cherry, everything.”

“It was really my closest cousin (who was like an uncle to him) that had the same ’96 Impala,” Melvin says. “When he got locked up he was trying to sell everything. I told Dev he had that exact car. Me and my pops always said we should have bought it from him. He sold it to one of his friends and I think they trashed the car.”

It all matters to Book. Every story, every color, every detail. All those yesterdays are his tomorrows. For as much of a throwback as he is, he’s also the present and the future. The two words that everyone associates with him don’t represent the past. “Be Legendary” is something to live up to. 

KICKS 24 featuring Devin Booker is available NOW!

It was Bean that wrote those words on a pair of Kobe 11s that he then gifted to Booker. That tale is mythical now. Just as KD and Bron pinpointed Book’s potential, it was crystal clear for No. 24, too. In the moments after a game in his last season, Bryant took about 15 minutes to chop it up with Booker, who was in his rookie campaign and had led the Suns to a win over the Lakers with 28 points and 7 assists. Besides the everlasting “Be Legendary” written out on the 11s, more guidance was shared. It doesn’t matter what exactly the Hall of Famer told young Book in that locker room meetup. It’s evident in his play. The Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers and Bucks got to see that advice come to life just a few months ago. “Suns in four” is a lifestyle because of Book. The midrange game is safe because of Book. The Kobe 4, 5 and 6 got to return to the NBA’s brightest lights because of Book. 

The purple stardust 4s, with the ultra buttery leather, got to shine the brightest. He wore them throughout the Finals. 

“I always said the Kobe 6 was my favorite to play in until this year,” Book begins. “I fell in love with the Kobe 4 again. I fell in love with it. Like high school, I always said if I could build a shoe or model the shoe after any comfort-wise, it’d be the Kobe 6. I don’t know why I kind of went away from that this year. I think my Kobe 4, especially the one I was wearing during the playoffs, the purple one, like, it was made out of the right material.”

He’s written “Be Legendary” on his sneakers for a minute now. An active reminder.  

“You have to live up unto it,” he says about the pair of words. “Breaking a fresh pair every time, that’s the first thing I remember when I’m going to it. I’m often reminded of it, not looking at my tattoo. Writing it out re-puts me in that moment, re-puts me in that story every time. It’s definitely the greatest motivation that I can get. It’s a constant reminder of the pursuit of everything.”

Save for early in his career, like when he scored 70 in the Nike Hyperdunk Low X, Book has been Team Bean thoroughly. His sneakers and his thinking are Kobe-influenced. He says that every fable about No. 8 is all facts, that everything we think might be fiction about No. 24 is actually accurate. Bryant’s career has served as a how-to manual for Booker and the conversations that he was able to share with the legend have left such a deep impact that there are brief moments where he talks about him in the present tense. 

He says that Kobe would just list things out that he wanted to accomplish. Then he would go do them. 

No fear. 

Book brings up going from the Finals to the Olympics as his own version of that mindset. Nobody would have predicted that but Book made it happen. 

There’s more on his list. An NBA championship is at the top. A signature sneaker isn’t far behind. He’s got a reserve of Kobe PEs that doesn’t seem to end, an Air Force 1 created for him and a Bean 1 colorway done up in Suns colors. 

“I’ve only been in Kobes,” he says. “Even Nike wanted to push me into a different model. I stick with what I know. I wish I could be more hands on and tell stories through it, that comes with a signature and my own type of stories. And it started, it was me, [Isaiah Thomas] and DeMar [DeRozan]. To be one of the first ones that got the protro or the 1s, it’s cool to be loyal to the Kobe brand.”

Even still, the taste he got with his AF1 colorway has left him wanting more. 

“I think that kind of opened my mind to, like, anything signature, honestly, and even just the short conversation of making those shoes came alive,” Book says. “Like, obviously I wasn’t hands-on as much as I wanted to be. But I’m glad I at least got to get the story across and represent my high school and be able to tell a story. A lot of people don’t understand with the ‘yes, sir, no, ma’am.’ Doing stuff in the future, I’d like to tell those stories more from myself. Yeah, but I think it’s sick to be able to do that through footwear and even just people that don’t know me telling them what it means when I give them the shoes…you know the conversation.” 

See, Book stays in his imagination. When he and his pops work out, he does the same “three…two…one!” scenarios that kids all around the country do. He carries notebooks to jot down his ideas. His mind trails from signature kicks to impactful real life changes that he now has the power to make. There’s three generations of Bookers who have played ball at Moss Point. In a joint effort with Mr. Cartoon, Devin will refurbish two courts, in honor of his father, his grandfather and his city’s youth who will follow in his footsteps. He’s got stories to tell and he hopes that one day, 35 years from now, someone will be talking about his kicks in the same way he’s talking about the “Kentucky” 1s. 

They’ve finally arrived. 

No more thunderous notes surging in the blue sky. Just shine. 

Lunch is about to be over. Haven’s about to roam again. Book’s about to lace up a priceless work of art. 

“Wearing the ’85 Jordans, like, I wasn’t born in 1985,” Book says. “But I know there’s history behind it. And I know the meaning behind it, and how meaningful it was in that moment.”

They’re still meaningful in this moment, on this perfectly calm and sun-soaked Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles. 

Closing. 

KICKS 24 featuring Devin Booker is available now in gold and black metal editions, as well as these exclusive Cover Tees. Shop here.

Portraits by Zamar Velez. Follow Zamar on Instagram, @zamarvelez.

Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Devin Booker on His “Kentucky” Air Jordan 1s From 1985, His Cars and Becoming Legendary appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

The post Multiple Contenders Continue to Pursue Paul Millsap in Free Agency appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In an interview with The Atheltic’s Darnell Mayberry, DeRozan says the Bulls’ offseason acquisition of Lonzo Ball was key in his decision to head to Chicago.

“Once Lonzo signed, that made it even more appealing,” DeRozan said. “You could see what they were working toward, and it was something I wanted to be a part of. It wasn’t too much of a pitch that they had to make after that.”

DeRozan signed a three-year deal, reportedly worth $85 million, with the Bulls shortly after Ball had agreed to his four-year deal (reportedly worth $80 million).

The Bulls acquired both players via sign-and-trade. The Bulls sent a second-round pick, Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple to the Pelicans to acquire Ball and sent Thad Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for DeRozan.

The Bulls have been on a spending spree the past few months, trading for Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline last season and signing Alex Caruso this offseason to a four-year $36.9 million contract.

The Bulls are fast on their path to get this team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17, and a starting lineup of Ball, DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams and Vucevic is a great start to the path to competitiveness.

Chicago finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 31-41 last season, two games back from making the play-in tournament.

The post DeMar DeRozan Says Lonzo Ball Signing Made Joining Bulls ‘More Appealing’ appeared first on SLAM.

Bulls restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen tells Finnish journalist @AJ_Sipila he wants out of Chicago: “We have offers from several different teams. I want a fresh start to my NBA career somewhere else.”

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 6, 2021

 Markkanen had the best shooting season of his career, shooting 48 percent from the floor and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. That kind of shooting drew attention from teams like the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. For these teams to acquire him, it would likely have to be done through a sign and trade.

However with the Bulls wanting compensation for Lauri Markkanen’s services, he remains a free agent and with most teams already using up their cap space, Markkanen may have no choice but to accept a one-year qualifying offer that would pay him approximately $9 million. Then after the season, he could become an unrestricted free agent which is something Markkanen reportedly has no interest in. 

As of now, the Bulls own his rights as a restricted free agent, with the ability to match any offer. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the price of a sign and trade for the Bulls is a first-round pick in any sign-and-trade deal with Markkanen with a request to find a third team in the deal so they won’t have to take any salary back.

According to Marc Stein, the New Orleans Pelicans may be Lauri’s last chance out of Chicago this offseason.

The Pelicans have expressed interest in Lauri Markkanen and hold a sizable trade exception ($17 million) to take the restricted free agent in on a contract he seeks, sources say.

The post Lauri Markkanen Faces Uncertain Free Agency With Teams Interested appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bulls signed star wing DeMar DeRozan to a three-year, $85 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade with the San Antonio Spurs.

In return, San Antonio receives veteran forwards Thaddeus Young and Al-Farouq Aminu, along with a protected 2025 first-round pick and two future second-round picks.

DeRozan becomes the third player added by the Bulls in free agency thus far, as Chicago signed guard Alex Caruso to a four-year deal and acquired star guard Lonzo Ball via sign-and-trade last week.

(The Bulls also, notably, added center Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline last season.)

After continuing to expand his playmaking abilities while in San Antonio, DeRozan comes to this revamped Bulls team averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in the 2020-21 season.

There are questions about DeRozan’s fit with the Bulls due to he, Zach LaVine and Ball all at their best with the ball in their hands. That’s without even factoring in necessary Vucevic touches.

Fortunately, due to DeRozan’s penchant for passing, Ball’s growth as an off-ball shooter last season and LaVine’s career-long status as a legitimate outside threat, there’s hope that the trio will be able to co-exist without one being relegated to a bench role.

The Bulls still have a lot of work to do this offseason, with a handful of roster spots still left to fill, but Chicago’s core is already showing signs of intrigue.

The post REPORT: Bulls Complete Sign-and-Trade with Spurs for DeMar DeRozan appeared first on SLAM.

Now, Los Angeles Times reporter Brad Turner links the Lake Show to both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

He reports:

“DeRozan, who starred at Compton High and USC, has interest in returning home to play for the Lakers, even if it is for less than the $27.7 million he earned last season in San Antonio, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Though the Lakers didn’t acquire Lowry at the trade deadline, he remains interested in joining them, according to people with knowledge of his situation.

The Lakers made multiple runs at DeRozan in the past. In 2016, Los Angeles reportedly made a big offer only for DeMar to accept Toronto’s max deal. Lowry has been linked to the Lakers as far back as the trade deadline.

For the Lakers to get Lowry, it will have to come in a sign-and-trade with the Raptors centered around Schroder and others. The deal would eliminate flexibility from the team’s salary cap, leaving the only option of filling out the roster with minimum players.

The Lakers have six players under contract with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Marc Gasol and Alfonzo McKinnie (non-guaranteed). Montrezl Harrell has a player option for next season at $9.7 million, and he has a July 31 deadline to inform the Lakers.

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Jackson hails from Prince George County, a basketball mecca nestled outside of Washington D.C. Her upbringing was marked by admiration for Allen Iverson because of his on-court ball-handling and playmaking abilities in addition to his off-court swagger. He was The Answer on and off-the-court because of a willingness to truly and authentically dress his way. The oversized white t-shirts, flashy jewelry and bombastic aviators. Iverson, as many know, captivated fans while at Georgetown. Just thirty minutes away, Jackson knew she wanted the same sizzle that Iverson had. And that started with the work ethic on the court. 

While at Riverdale Baptist High School, Jackson excelled as a shooting guard. She was named the Washington Post Girl’s Basketball Player of the Year and ranked as the 19th best shooting guard nationally. She committed to North Carolina State but got injured just four games into the season. The frustrating start was an impetus for Jackson’s transfer to LSU, where after two years hampered by injury and transfer regulations, Jackson starred in the SEC. By her sophomore year, she was second on the team in scoring with 13.1 points, and fourth in rebounding with 5.1 boards per game, and the following season she led the Tigers with 18.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

She guided LSU to the NCAA Tournament but after losing in the first round, Jackson left searching for that next mountaintop: an NCAA championship. Jackson took what she calls a “leap of faith” and committed to play as a graduate transfer at Baylor. 

“Making that move to Baylor was a huge leap of faith because you’re going from a place where you’re playing 40 minutes a game and the leading scorer on that team to being uncertain in your role on that new squad,” Jackson says. “ I believed in [Coach Mulkey’s] plan and vision for me.”

At Baylor, Jackson transitioned from shooting guard to point guard. She averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game for the Bears. Five years after leaving Maryland, Chloe Jackson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, and left with a national championship in hand. She also had her Jordans, which were a staple piece for her road outfits as the Bears traversed the country.

Jackson was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2019 and gave WNBA training camp her utmost attention before deciding to hang up her shoes. She was still thinking about her Jordans. She was thinking about those road trips where Coach Mulkey would let her wear any sneakers, tuck her sweatpants into her Nike socks, or wear her favorite jewelry. Allen Iverson-style. 

Jackson’s winding basketball journey wasn’t just marked by accolades, but a plethora of new friends along the way. Chelsea Nelson and Akela Maize from her class at NC State. They were a strong trio of teammates and roommates. Jackson attended Baylor teammate and current New York Liberty rookie Didi Richard’s draft party in April. She had collected friends from Prince George County’s basketball hotspots like the Lakers’ Quinn Cook, as well as a following of 52.3k on Instagram not only for her hoop skills but for her style. As the days went by, Jackson continued to think about styling more frequently. She thought about her Jordans and love of fashion.

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After that initial training camp season with the Chicago Sky, Jackson continued to research. She learned about A-list celebrities like Rihanna and Hailey Bieber and how stylists assisted them with their runway looks. She curated mood boards. She continued to thrift and rock graphic t-shirts, puffer coats, and a plethora of Air Forces. She dominated runways while playing overseas, wearing a slim-fit brown blazer, heels, and Kobe’s in hand. These looks came to life on her Instagram feed because they were on display for all of her friends in the basketball community.

“It’s so important to network,” Jackson says. “I was able to make a lot of good connections while having the platform that I have.”

Players started to catch wind of Jackson’s style, so she paid it forward. She asked if Cook and DeMar DeRozan would give her a “trial run” to showcase her styling abilities on a greater platform. They responded enthusiastically and in 2020 her looks were on full display as these two stars graced the runways. In particular, the case of DeRozan illustrates the attention to detail Jackson places when dressing different stars. She knew that Jackson prioritized comfort over sophistication in his runway looks. 

“You can’t go into it thinking you’re going to dress DeMar DeRozan like Jordan Clarkson,” Jackson says. 

She dressed DeRozan in a white sweatshirt with a faded black print, Palm Angels joggers, socks with a pop art eagle and Air Forces. Compare this to on-air fits that Jackson has put together for the likes of Maria Taylor and Cari Champion, and there’s a large variety in the types of looks Jackson can create. Whereas comfort is key for many NBA players, finesse and sophistication is something Jackson has learned to prioritize with on-air styles. Jackson must make sure Taylor or Champion’s angles play well on TV whereas NBA players are likely to be shot in the tunnel. But regardless of the circumstance that Jackson is styling for, what sets her apart are her relatability and her authenticity. 

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Jackson finds fashion everywhere. Along with her mood boards, she is constantly cultivating ideas from her time overseas or even from the Zara or Urban Outfitters around the corner. For Jackson, there is no blueprint to style and she can find inspiration in gritty urban streets just as much as runways in Milan. 

“You can wear all the brand names you want to wear and it can still be a bad outfit,” Jackson says. 

Along with her tried and true love for the intersection of basketball, fashion and culture, she’s coupled these passions with business savvy. There is no detail worth overlooking when dressing the biggest stars of the game whether that be exact height measurements or the logistics required to ship clothes across the country.

While playing overseas in Poland, she got an Instagram message from another basketball legend who Jackson puts up there with favorite players like Allen Iverson—none other than Dwyane Wade. He connected Jackson with his stylist and has continued to check in with Jackson. And in December, Wade posted a photo on the ‘gram of him on a boat with bleached blonde hair, a Rhude graphic t-shirt, and tie-dyed Supreme leggings, styled by Jackson. The post garnered over 94,000 likes, but at the end of the day, it’s the relationships that matter the most to Jackson. 

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“Having [Wade] as a friend and mentor and later in the year being able to style him was a dream come true because that was one of the people I looked up to,”  Jackson says. “Styling him, it really came full circle.”

Jackson’s journey has taken her down countless roads and avenues from Waco to Poland to the NBA All-Star Game but no matter where they go, they always seem to lead back to the tunnel. Jackson will likely be the engineer behind your favorite player’s next look, but in the back of her head, she will still be a high schooler geeking out over her first pair of Jordans. 

—

Photo credits via Getty Images and Chloe Jackson.

The post Chloe Jackson’s Path from Hoopin’ to Stylin’ Those Around the Game appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds that San Antonio has been working on trade scenarios with Aldridge and there’s “a level of confidence that a trade partner will be found” for him. That being said, there’s been no effort towards reaching a contract buyout at this point.

35-years-old, Aldridge has played in 21 games for the Spurs this season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game. Once heralded for his precision from the midrange, Aldridge has developed into a reliable outside shooter, knocking down .379 percent of his 3-point attempts over the last two seasons.

It was reported that San Antonio was listening to offers for Aldridge and other veterans, including DeMar DeRozan, last week.

The post Gregg Popovich: Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge Mutually Agree to Part Ways appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Spurs are receiving and listening to calls on multiple rotation players: LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and Trey Lyles.

All five of these players have a wealth of NBA experience and could help nearly any contender get one step closer to making a deep playoff push.

It might make sense for the Spurs to be sellers at the deadline and move some of these veteran pieces who, coincidentally, are all set to be free agents this offseason.

With their core of young talent, this is the first time San Antonio has had four players under 30-years-old averaging double figures since their 2003 championship team. Consequently, with the young core of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV, San Antonio should be comfortable parting ways with a couple of these veterans and still being pretty competitive. 

If the Spurs are able to get more young talent or draft capital for guys like these, their future will only continue to get brighter. Especially in the player development system that has been put together in San Antonio, the more young talent, the better. 

The post Spurs Listening to Offers for DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge at Trade Deadline appeared first on SLAM.

This year, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker may just be polished enough for the Spurs to keep winning ball games while also shaping their future core. Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan have looked nice so far but LaMarcus Aldridge has been slow out of the gates.

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

Dejounte Murray	18.5p, 7.5r, 7.3a
Keldon Johnson	12.3p, 7.0r, 2.8a
Lonnie Walker IV	14.3p, 4.0r, 2.0a
DeMar DeRozan	21.5p, 5.5r, 8.3a
Patty Mills	14.0p, 2.0r, 3.0a
Rudy Gay	12.0p, 5.3r, 1.5a
Jakob Poeltl	6.0p, 7.3r, 1.8a	–
Drew Eubanks	4.0p, 5.0r, 0.0a	–
Trey Lyles	1.5p, 1.5r, 0.5a
Keita Bates-Diop	0.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a
Luka Samanic	0.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a
LaMarcus Aldridge	12.0p, 4.3r, 2.0a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

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

Biggest Questions

• Are LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan going to be flipped before the trade deadline? Both are on the wrong side of 30 and in the final year of their respective contracts.
• Is Devin Vassell one of the best value picks of the 2020 NBA Draft? With his size and versatility, he could be a mismatch problem down the road in San Antonio.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post San Antonio Spurs: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

To this point, that has not happened, as the Spurs have had a fairly quiet offseason. They made two quality picks in the draft as well as brought in two free agents, but for the most part they will be running back a fairly similar roster to what they had last season unless they make a move in the next week or so.

Spurs Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Devin Vassell: One of two Florida State products that went in the lottery, Vassell is a long guard who has the frame to create mismatches on both ends of the floor. An excellent three-point shooter, Vassell should be a guy who gets plenty of playing time as a rookie.
• Tre Jones: When it comes to second-round picks, Tre Jones has a chance to be among the best in this class. Known for being an excellent defender, he will look to learn under Popovich and could thrive in his system.

Spurs Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Bryn Forbes: Forbes has quietly become a solid guard in the NBA. Still just 27 years old, he will be missed by the Spurs going forward as a reliable scorer and excellent teammate.
• Marco Belinelli: While his production fell off last season, Belinelli has spent two stints with the Spurs over the course of his career. As a veteran in the locker room and one of the league’s better three-point shooters, the Spurs will need to fill his role going forward.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post San Antonio Spurs: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

It was recently reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer that the Lakers had shown interest in potentially trading for DeRozan, who has one year left under contract with the San Antonio Spurs. This flattered DeRozan, who seemed very open to the opporotunity if it were to happen.

As a guest on the All The Smoke show, with Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, DeRozan gave his thoughts on the rumors of the Lakers being interested in him.

“For me it’s just I’ve learned being in the league so long that you always want to be wanted. So when you see things about teams wanting you, you can’t feel a certain type of way. You’d better feel good about it…So to be wanted by a championship team that just came off a championship, to see that, how could you not feel some type of way? Especially me, being from L.A., it’s like ‘damn, my hometown team want me? They just came off a championship and they want me?’ It’s definitely crazy to be able to see that.”

Its worth noting that after agreeing to a deal to acquire Dennis Schroder, it will likely be more difficult for the Lakers to trade for DeRozan. However, it still meant a lot to him that they were even interested in his services.

The post DeMar DeRozan on Lakers’ Interest: ‘How Could You Not Feel Some Type of Way?’ appeared first on SLAM.

The 31-year-old will play out the fifth and final year of the near $140 million deal he inked with the Toronto Raptors back in 2016.

DeRozan had a solid 2019-20 campaign in San Antonio, averaging 22.1 points per contest but may have been hard pressed to find a more lucrative contract given the shortage of teams with cap space this offseason.

The return of DeRozan will push the Spurs above the salary cap as expected. He’ll hit unrestricted free agency next offseason.

The post DeMar DeRozan to Exercise Player Option in 2020-21 appeared first on SLAM.

San Antonio’s current veteran stars — LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan — don’t seem like they really want to be there. However, while they might be looking forward to becoming free agents in 2021 (DeRozan can actually decline his player option for the 2020-21 season if he would like), it means that the Spurs will either take another step back in the 2021-22 season or that they put more pressure on themselves to expedite their rebuild.

Frankly, with a lottery pick and the chance to cut a substantial chunk of their team payroll in a summer when there will be a sizable amount of marquee free agents, San Antonio’s future isn’t as bleak as it may seem. The Spurs have just been dominant for so long that the rebuild feels as if it’s taking much longer than it really is.

Related: Full San Antonio Spurs 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Spurs Draft Needs

There’s a perfect player for the Spurs to select with their lottery pick in Saddiq Bey. However, finding out how to utilize their second-round selection will be a bit more tricky for San Antonio.

It’s no secret that the Spurs have been somewhat resistant to falling in line with the rest of the NBA when it comes to taking 3-point shots. Not that they weren’t efficient when they did take them, shooting .376 from deep last season (4th in the NBA). It’s just that they didn’t do so too often; their 28.5 3-point attempts per game ranked 28th in the NBA.

That said, while improving their potency from behind-the-arc will help them transform a traditional offense into a modern one, San Antonio’s primary issues last season were on the defensive end. With five rotation players that were at least 30-years-old last season, the Spurs needs to get younger and more athletic in their frontcourt.

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist

What The Mocks Are Saying

Projected Roster

The post San Antonio Spurs: 2020 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on SLAM.

DeRozan made a record donation to USC, the largest ever by an alum who made it to the NBA. The weight room is more spacious, more functional and has a whole heap of new equipment.

After one season playing for the Trojans, DeRozan entered the 2009 NBA Draft and was selected ninth overall. Forty-four players have made it to the League after playing for USC, including Nick Young and Nikola Vucevic.

DeRozan was born and raised in Compton, CA, which adds another layer to his donation to USC, as he still visits his hometown regularly.

The post DeMar DeRozan Funds New USC Weight Room With Record Donation appeared first on SLAM.

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

Projected Roster Players

Projected Free Agents

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Projected Waived Players

Exceptions Available

• Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception – $9,258,000
• Bi-Annual Exception – $3,623,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• Will DeMar DeRozan pick up his player option at $27M? At midseason there was reporting that DeRozan would decline his option and look to move on from San Antonio. A lot has changed since then. With so few teams poised to have cap space in an uncertain market, it’s now more likely DeRozan opts in for 2021.
• Can San Antonio reach an agreement with Jakob Poeltl on a new contract before having to match an offer sheet? There are few impact centers in this free agent class, and even fewer are as young as Poeltl. Any of the cap space teams could use him. That could force the Spurs to have to match richer contract than they would have offered outright.
• Will the Spurs sign Derrick White to a contract extension? San Antonio prefers to lock their players up when they can. They signed Dejounte Murray to a four-year, $64M deal that starts this upcoming season. White and Murry overlap position, but have shown they can also play together. Look for San Antonio to try to get him to sign a similarly team-friendly extension.

Projected Team Salary

$159,597,732

The Spurs are the Spurs. They probably won’t do anything flashy, but whatever they do will work. Injuries caused them to fall off this past season, but they’ll be right back in the mix in 2021. Look for them to try to lock up Derrick White to a team-friendly extension like the one Dejounte Murray signed. Then San Antonio will hit the free agent bonanza in 2021 with only Murray and White making double-figure salaries. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

-$50,457,732 (24^th out of 30). $13,295,284 under the Luxury Tax.

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post San Antonio Spurs: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

While guesting on “The Old Man & The Three” podcast with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter, DeRozan told a story that illustrates how dialed in LeBron gets during the Playoffs.

DeRozan’s teammate forgot a play call during the game, and James—knowing all of Toronto’s sets—told him how to properly execute the play.

“I remember, it was a play we was trying to run and one of our teammates forgot the play, and Bron told him the play. Like it was some crazy shit. We calling a play and he was like, ‘What?’ And Bron told him what our play was.

“It just shows you how locked in this dude be when it comes to winning time. You see it on both ends. That’s just a testament to who he is, why he’s been to 10 Finals, why he’s on the verge of getting his fourth ring.”

The post DeRozan: LeBron Reminded Raptors Player How To Run A Play During Game appeared first on SLAM.

On Monday, Mavs owner Mark Cuban was filmed picking up West at a Dallas gas station.

“I can confirm that I found him and helped him,” Cuban told the Washington Post. “The rest is up to Delonte and his family to tell.”

West, now 37 years old, played eight memorable seasons in the NBA, the latest as a member of Cuban’s Mavericks back in 2011-12.

Per the Washington Post, Cuban sought to reach out to West, has since taken him to a hotel and offered to pay for his treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility.

West’s struggle has been well documented over the years and he’s spoken previously about his mental health, as have several other current NBA players who’ve dealt with their own issues like Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan.

The NBA, as a league, has stressed the importance of mental health of late, knowing the pressures that the league can provide. Before the start of this season, the league introduced new rules that require all 30 teams to have a least one mental health professional on staff.

We extend love and light to Delonte West and his loved ones during this time and are hopeful that he will receive the help that he needs.

The post Mark Cuban Aids Delonte West After Viral Photo Emerges 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.

Spurs NBA 2K21 Ratings

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

The post San Antonio Spurs: 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.

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

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On the evening of Thursday, June 4, thousands gather at Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon’s Southeast neighborhood to march against police brutality and the recent murders of Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, whose murder caught on video at the hands of Minnesota police officers sparked global outrage. As the protest heads two miles toward the Southwest waterfront over the Morrison Bridge, a Black grandmother who has been here before marches with her granddaughter who’s likely new to the fight. A multiracial group of high school students capture video on social media, as a middle-aged, same-sex couple walks in unison carrying a large sign that reads, “Black Lives Matter.” Floyd and Taylor’s names fuel emotionally charged chants, muted only by moments of silence honoring them and other victims. The protestors signify Portland as a city looking for unity and change. And at the front of the movement, leading the people in lockstep, is Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.

The Black Lives Matter movement has reached unprecedented support since Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, with organized protests across all 50 US states and over 60 countries. Truthfully, police brutality isn’t new. Nor is capturing it on video. But amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, everything deemed non-essential has been placed on pause. People have had more opportunity than ever to watch Floyd’s death and internalize what is really going on. With protests arising across the country, NBA players have joined in with their presence and platforms. Minnesota Timberwolves players Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Okogie joined former NBA player Stephen Jackson to protest for Floyd, who was a close friend of Jackson’s, in Minneapolis. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown drove 15 hours from Boston to organize a protest in his hometown of Atlanta. And reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo led several of his Bucks teammates to join a protest in Milwaukee, while calling for change and justice over a bullhorn.

All of their efforts are significant, but other than Jackson, whose proximity to Floyd rightfully centers his voice, Lillard leading Portland in a protest hits different given the city’s tense racial history. Portland’s a complicated microcosm of America. A progressive environment on its surface, it’s a city that’s built on prejudice and unjust racial inequalities once you peel back a few layers. Oregon’s foundation has an uncomfortable and often omitted historical timeline of aggressively anit-Black legislation, events and organizations. Dating back to the 1850s, laws made it illegal for Black people to live in the state or own property; state officials intentionally chose not to ratify both the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution until 1973; and Portland was a well-known epicenter for hate groups as recently as the mid 2000s.

Lillard’s been with the Blazers since 2012, his outward affinity for the city of Portland growing more evident each year. He’s performed as Dame D.O.L.L.A. at several shows with local artists. Other members of his family work with the city’s youth, and it’s far from uncommon to see him at a local establishment supporting small business. He’s openly talked about how much he wants to go down as the best Trail Blazer ever and, considering his investment in the community, he’s an NBA Finals appearance away from being the Rose City’s GOAT.

But the same city that loves Lillard doesn’t always make the six percent of people who look like him feel quite as welcome. Portland’s often considered a place where creative opportunities seem endless, which might actually be true for some residents. But for many Black people in Portland, side-stepping stressfully damaging microaggressions and trite stereotypes in community spaces and work environments is part of the day-to-day. Even the African Americans and POC who fuel the city’s creative industries deal with racism, exclusion and are made to feel as though they should just be thankful to be there. Co-workers mine them for their “cultural insights” in systems that seldom promote people of color but couldn’t exist without them. And to be a Black person outside of Portland’s cool kid industries can make you feel largely unseen.

Like his NBA brethren in other cities, Lillard stepping up to join the conversation is so important because he bridges entire communities. As great a player as he is, Portland adopted Dame because he’s the type of leader willing to work when no one is looking and fight like a mad underdog for the city when it counts. And that’s the type of dedication necessary for Portland, and all other cities across America, to put toward ending racial inequalities in order to enact change. Let’s hope the energy is reciprocated.

The list of NBA and WNBA players who have shown up for Black Lives Matter protests is extensive. SoCal natives DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook spoke out against police brutality at a rally in Compton, with DeRozan revealing that he recently had a friend slain by police. Golden State Warriors swingman Juan Toscano-Anderson led teammates Damion Lee, Kevon Looney, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry at a protest in Oakland. Current and former Kings Harrison Barnes and Matt Barnes showed up to represent at a demonstration in Sacramento. Pelicans forward Jaxson Hayes attended a protest in NOLA, and Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson attended a march in Los Angeles. Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon delivered a powerful speech in Atlanta, and Sixers forward Tobias Harris joined the movement in Philadelphia. Enes Kanter drove from Chicago to Boston to protest alongside Celtics teammate Marcus Smart.

Karima Christmas-Kelly of the Minnesota Lynx attended a vigil in Minneapolis where Floyd was murdered. Renee Montgomery passed out bottled water to protestors in Atlanta. Seattle Storm teammates Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart both addressed the crowd at a local protest. Several players from the Fever marched for equality in Indiana. Aces star Liz Cambage led passionate chants for justice on the streets of Melbourne, Australia. Members of the Wizards and Mystics peacefully protested together in DC.

The fight for justice continues. And basketball players remain at the forefront.

—

One hundred percent of proceeds from SLAM’s new issue will be donated to the Social Change Fund. Grab your copy here.

Terrence Watson is a contributor to SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @LowerEastScribe.

Photos by Bruce Ely and via Getty.

The post How NBA & WNBA Players Became Leaders in the BLM Movement appeared first on SLAM.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29, 14-year-old basketball phenom Semaj Miller was gunned down in South Los Angeles. Police believe that a gang member carried out the shooting, but the suspect remains un-captured. Here, Master P—or “Coach P,” as he’s known in the LA community—reflects on Semaj’s death and how it’s part of a cycle of violence that must end. – Ed.

Semaj Miller was a 14-year-old kid that could’ve been an NBA superstar, but we’ll never get a chance to know that.

He was 6-7, wore a size 16 shoe and was a phenom on the court. He played for the L.A. City Wildcats, which is the same AAU team that James Harden played for. Imagine if James Harden had died at 14—we would’ve never gotten the chance to see his greatness. That’s my main message to the world. What if Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James died at 14? DeMar DeRozan is from the same community and went to the same high school that Semaj was heading to. What if he died at 14?

Semaj is gone because of senseless gun violence. This is happening every day to kids. That’s why I say, “Our Kids Matter.” It’s OKM. Let the kids grow. We need to be saving them. They are the future.

I’ve been back in this L.A. community for over 22 years. I helped raise DeMar DeRozan here. My program, the P Miller Ballers, has been around this area for a long time. Brandon Jennings came through my program. It’s just heartbreaking because my kids play in the same leagues that Semaj did. We were always playing against each other. The difference is that with my kids, they get a chance to go home safely. These other guys got to walk through these neighborhoods and face this violence. Every kid doesn’t have that security. I didn’t have that during my childhood. I grew up in an environment like this—that’s why I’m here now. All these kids call me Coach P. They don’t call me Master P, they call me Coach P, because they know I care about them and I’m passionate about helping them.

Truthfully, this could have been any kid. To see these teenagers get caught up in the streets, it’s devastating. Our community is killing us. That’s what we have to change. Semaj lost his life in part because all the gyms are closed. His coach was complaining about how there’s nowhere for the kids to go play. Now they have to go to the playgrounds, and you got gangs and everything else that exists in the outside environment. Normally you have a safe haven when the gyms are open. But with the doors closed, the kids are targets.

Having a talented kid like this lose his life, I think people are starting to pay more attention. We, in the community, have to come together. The entire world has to come together, because kids are dying in these types of places in New York, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, everywhere. This is not just happening in Los Angeles. This is happening all over and it needs to stop.

So what can we do? For right now, for Semaj, we have to help his family get out of these circumstances. There’s a GoFundMe page where you can donate; it’s raised nearly $10,000 so far. We can also help to close this case. The person that killed Semaj is still walking the streets now. We want justice.

I think for other kids across the world, we have to, as parents and people in the community, preserve the youth. We have to teach kids the importance of education. We have to spend more time with them. We have to walk our kids home. We have to give them rides. We have to stop being too busy for them. Because we’re going to lose them to the streets.

You have to imagine right now, at that age, kids are experimenting. They’re trying to figure out what they want to do. Maybe they need money or this and that. By us spending time with them, we’ll be able to take away the negative people that are going to try to come into their lives.

Also, I think for the NBA—don’t just wait until players get to that level. Let’s do some crime prevention with all the money that’s being made. And the players themselves, we need to hold ourselves accountable and not just wait on the League to do this. We can help save these innocent kids in the community. Use that money for a good cause. A lot of players have AAU programs. Give back to it. It could be as simple as giving a kid some shoes and that may keep the kid off the streets, as opposed to him trying to hustle for it. Even if some pro athletes could start FaceTiming these kids and motivating them, that would make a difference.

I realize that some people have moved on and when it comes down to stuff like this, nobody wants to come back to a neighborhood like this. But this is where we all come from. I know the guys in the NBA bubble can’t leave, but they can FaceTime a couple of these young players. Because a couple of these young players are going to be them in the future. Let’s not forget that. Let’s figure out how to educate these kids and even teach them how to duck and dodge some of this negativity, how to use those same survival skills to make it. Some people had great teams around them, great people around them that were protectors. We need to be those teams and those people for the next generation.

Anybody in college basketball, in the pros, we should be embracing this story. This could’ve been any one of us. We have to bring awareness to it. LeBron has a 14-year-old. My son Mercy is 14. We have to have compassion for this. A 14-year-old kid who had a promising future had no reason to die like this, to be gone so soon.

It’s about preserving our future, not waiting until it’s too late. So I’ll say it again. OKM. Our Kids Matter.

—

As told to Alex Squadron.

Photos via Master P.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO “JUSTICE FOR SEMAJ MILLER”

The post Master P Reflects on the Death of 14-year-old Basketball Star Semaj Miller appeared first on SLAM.

We all know that Trey Lyles can put numbers on the board when given the opportunity – he did so sporadically in Denver and Utah – so the 14.4 and 6.2 he posted in March (up from 5.7 and 5.7 previously) should come as no surprise. Unfortunately he won’t be available in the bubble due to an emergency appendectomy.

Derrick White, who can seemingly dial his own production up and down depending on what head coach Gregg Popovich needs at the moment, will be available and eager to build off his own momentum. White averaged 13.6 points and 4.0 assists in March and has previously taken on larger roles when injuries necessitated it.

The rest of the team’s sneaky good backcourt youth movement is even more impressive. Dejounte Murray’s stat line crept from 10.4 points 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists before March to 13.8, 6.3 and 4.8 before the shutdown. That all-around production could continue to grow in the bubble as Murray takes the reins of the franchise.

Lonnie Walker IV and Keldon Johnson, too, showed signs of potential in March and could be the next opportunistic breakout performers on a roster full of them, especially if the postseason falls out of reach and this team has little to do in the bubble but focus on player development.

Heat Check San Antonio Spurs

Trey Lyles
Keldon Johnson
Dejounte Murray
Derrick White
LaMarcus Aldridge
Lonnie Walker IV
Drew Eubanks
Rudy Gay
Quinndary Weatherspoon
Patty Mills
DeMar DeRozan
Marco Belinelli
Bryn Forbes

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check (Hiatus): San Antonio Spurs appeared first on SLAM.

“I remember my mom always used to tell me, Son, learn how to cook. I’m not going to be there [to do it] for you for the rest of your life,” says Celtics big man Enes Kanter.

Life for an NBA player can obviously be hectic. The travel is strenuous and exhausting. Meals are often had on-the-go, in hotel rooms, on planes or at arenas. Time is tight and convenience is everything. Learning how to cook just isn’t at the top of the priorities list.

But then, in mid-March, everything changed. As the coronavirus spread rapidly around the world and players began testing positive, the NBA shut down.

Time stood still. Four months passed slowly.

Now, with the League restarting in Orlando, fans and media alike have been refreshing their brains on where we left things off in the 2019-20 season and making their predictions for the future.

But before we get to that and attention turns back to whatever happens inside the Disney World bubble, there’s another question worth asking: What have players been up to? For many, this is the longest they’ve gone without competitive basketball since early childhood. How did they fill that void?

Well, Kanter finally got the chance to make his mom proud. His first cracks at cooking admittedly ended with him hunched over a bowl of cereal. But he persisted, determined to master the art while he was stuck at home.

“I started making steaks, chicken wings, cookies, all that stuff—I was really trying to perfect my cuisines,” he tells SLAM. “I improved so much. Now if you put me in a kitchen and give me a recipe, I can cook it easy.”

Cooking was a pursuit that many, in and out of the NBA, turned to while in isolation. Same with reading and binge-watching TV shows. Kanter has been enjoying an inspirational book recommended by Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, Leaders Eat Last. Jaylen Brown, another member of the Cs, studied French in his free time. Teammate Jayson Tatum took up golf, training with respected instructors and providing his followers with updates via Snapchat.

Music was another outlet for players. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Patty Mills practiced the guitar, while Jamal Murray picked up piano (Kanter tried to as well, only to find that his fingers were too big and he kept hitting the wrong keys). Rappers like Damian Lillard, Lou Williams and Lonzo Ball were in the studio working on projects.

Denver guard Troy Daniels got really into photography. He bought a Canon 6D Mark II camera a couple of years ago, but until March, it had mainly just been collecting dust on a shelf somewhere in his house.

“I picked the camera back up and was literally on YouTube and online every day trying to figure out the settings, shooting in manual and stuff like that,” he says. “It got kind of nerve-wracking because there was so much stuff to learn. It’s not just picking up a camera and pressing a button, and I think a lot of people don’t understand that.”

Daniels eventually upgraded to a Sony A7RIV with all of the top lenses and would take landscape photos or capture content for his girlfriend’s social media page. He grew to love the craft, improving dramatically over the four months.

Making videos was also a popular quarantine activity. Numerous players, from Serge Ibaka to Tacko Fall to Wendell Carter Jr to Matisse Thybulle, experimented with TikTok. Thybulle developed such a talent for it that he’s been vlogging his daily experiences in Orlando. LeBron posted a video of the entire James gang doing a coordinated TikTok dance. Nuggets forward Paul Millsap performed magic tricks on his account and Trae Young dropped some creative clips that went viral.

“I don’t know what it was that made me really want to get on TikTok,” Trae told SLAM in late-May. “My little brother was on it and he was at the house messing around, doing all these different dances. I just asked my little brother how to make one and we made a couple and I did a few on my own at my house. It’s been something to do. It’s definitely a good platform right now that we can all just have some fun on.”

The platform that took center stage amid the hiatus, however, was Twitch. Gaming was already a popular hobby around the NBA and the stay-at-home orders only provided more of an opportunity for guys to dive in. There was a 2K tournament aired on ESPN and SLAM hosted routine Call of Duty competitions.

“In terms of the guys who consistently make content in the gaming world, I’d say the most invested are Meyers Leonard, Josh Hart, JaVale McGee, De’Aaron Fox, Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell,” says pro gamer and director of eSports at SLAM, Duane Jackson. “Those guys have been putting in the work and really care about getting better.”

“I originally suffered an ankle injury and then quarantine started, so I’ve probably played Call of Duty 4-6 hours per day depending on rehab, spending time with my wife and working on other off-court endeavors,” Leonard says.

“I’m very competitive on the court, so when I’m not getting that fix from basketball, I get it from COD,” adds Hart.

The hours logged aren’t purely for entertainment—players recognize the value of streaming in terms of enhancing their brands, as well as how much the eSports industry is growing overall.

“I don’t really try to do everything—in terms of who I am as a brand—but the one thing that has always come back to me that I’ve enjoyed and wanted to find out more about is gaming,” said Ben Simmons during an interview for the first ever digital SLAM cover prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“You got to think about it going back to last summer—Josh Hart was doing this on a daily basis and getting extreme backlash for it,” Jackson says. “People were saying he doesn’t care and he should stick to basketball; but at the end of the day, he was just expressing himself. Now it’s cool to express yourself and it’s huge for a player’s brand. You get to know the players on a personal level when they stream. It just shows that you can grow a brand in different ways beyond basketball, and it’s a good start to a life after basketball as an entrepreneur. Some people start investing in fast food chains and stores. These guys are investing in gaming.”

In general, athletes used the break to focus on their off-court business interests and how to continue cultivating their brands. Rookie Ja Morant debuted a new “JA 12” personal logo when he arrived in Orlando. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also introduced his own logo and finalized a multi-year endorsement deal with Converse Hoops.

“I just think where I’m at right now in my career—wanting to get out there a little bit more and express myself a little bit more on and off the court—and the things they do with their brand and the vision they have, it was perfect timing,” Shai says about the partnership.

“I think personal branding is everything,” says Knicks forward Bobby Portis, who spent the break building up his UNDERDOG brand. “It’s like being an entrepreneur. You have to go out there and grind and get it on your own.”

Of course, the quarantine was also just a great opportunity for players to relax and spend quality time with friends and family. March through June is usually a grueling period for them, as teams battle for seeding and then the playoffs begin. That means a lot of road trips and FaceTimes and quick catch-ups. It was important, especially during such a difficult phase, to be around loved ones.

Many had to assume teaching duties for their kids after schools were closed. Others gravitated toward board games or other ways to channel their competitiveness among relatives. Clippers guard Patrick Beverley brought his trademark trash-talking to Monopoly. Portis, who returned to his hometown in Arkansas, became infatuated with dominoes. He used to watch Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade play on the Bulls team plane back in 2015 but never thought he’d get into it. Then the pandemic happened.

“Now I find myself having a slight addiction to it,” he tells SLAM. “I actually play it every day around 8 or 9 pm. I’ll bring them out and whoever’s nearest to me will just come play me. I knew how to play [before quarantine] but I actually started learning the ways to lock people out and this and that. Now I’m real serious with it.”

There was a time for leisure, but there was also a time for action. Following the tragic murder of George Floyd, several NBA players became leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement and dedicated themselves to addressing racial issues in America. Lillard attended a powerful demonstration in Portland; Jaylen Brown and Malcolm Brogdon joined a peaceful protest in Atlanta; the Wizards marched alongside the Mystics in Washington; SoCal natives Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan spoke out against police brutality at a rally in Compton. The list goes on and on.

“That four-month period was really important for myself because of my education, not just about the issues going on in my [home] country of Turkey, but issues going on all over the world, including America,” says Kanter, who drove from Chicago to Boston to protest alongside Marcus Smart. “I think the number one thing people need to do is just listen and educate themselves before saying anything about any kinds of issues. For me, it was very important to just sit back and see what some of the leaders are doing, like LeBron James or Jaylen Brown or Malcolm Brogdon.”

“For all of us, George Floyd’s killing was the last straw,” says Thabo Sefolosha, himself a victim of police violence outside a New York City nightclub in 2015. “It struck something deep inside the humanity of all who saw the video. Enough is enough.”

In early July, 22 teams made their way to Florida for the restart of the season. The NBA was officially back, but things would not be returning to normal.

Social activism has continued inside the bubble, as players have printed powerful messages on their jerseys (“Say Her Name,” “Equality,” “Justice,” “Black Lives Matter,” and more) and are using the heightened media attention to educate fans about the problems that plague our country and demand justice. On opening night, all members of the Jazz, Pelicans, Lakers and Clippers took a knee for the national anthem.

And all of those hobbies aren’t vanishing either. Tatum has already hit the links on the Disney campus. Dame D.O.L.L.A. and Lou Will put together mini recording studios in their hotel rooms, and Meyers Leonard and Josh Hart have constructed elaborate gaming set-ups in theirs. Daniels brought his camera down and hopes to be able to shoot games when the Nuggets aren’t playing.

As for Kanter, the cooking will have to wait until the season ends, but he has every intention of staying with it.

“I feel like once you start cooking, you appreciate food more,” he says. “I appreciate it more because I know the hard work behind it. I think once the bubble’s over, I’m going to keep trying to get better.”

—

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

Photos via Enes Kanter, Troy Daniels and Getty Images.

The post A Look Back at What NBA Players Did During the Shutdown appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 40% shooting from the field

First things first: The Golden State Warriors are not about to draft a third Splash Brother. Anthony Edwards may not be a great three-point shooter, but that’s arguably the only thing he doesn’t already do at an elite level. As he showed pretty much every night during an SEC Freshman of the Year campaign at Georgia—and as comparisons to Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo, and even Dwyane Wade make clear—the 6-5, 225-pound combo guard has all the tools necessary to be a difference maker in the NBA. With Steph and Klay both in their 30s and coming off major injuries, the Dubs need to be thinking about the backcourt of the future. Edwards could be their next All-Star SG. — Ryan Jones

2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: LaMelo Ball (6-8 Guard, Illawarra Hawks of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals, shooting 38% from the field

I’m gonna ignore that this pick adds a third point guard to a young team and just roll with the kid that I think is an incredible talent that any team would be lucky to have. Last we saw of LaMelo, he was a 6-7 point guard who can shoot from deep, put the ball on the floor and make the smart pass. Now I hear he’s sprouted to 6-8, grown into his lanky frame and become a more confident playmaker. That’s tough to pass on, regardless when the pick is being made. I realize this would create a logjam at the PG spot—LaMelo, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland seem unlikely to successfully share the ball—but it gives Cleveland a hell of a group of young players to develop and/or trade for other guys as the next season nears (or in the distant future). — Adam Figman

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: James Wiseman (7-1 Center, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS (three games): 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, shooting 77% from the field

Karl-Anthony Towns’ capacity to match imposing physical size with guard-like quickness has proven to be the quality that separates him from many of the League’s bigs. James Wiseman has a skill-set, frame and athletic ability that almost mirrors that of Towns. Wiseman, who left Memphis after just three games, has consistent 20-point, 10-rebound potential written all over him. Pairing a forceful yet talented big man duo with D’Angelo Russell could be the right way to finally bring the Wolves back to the hunt. — Max Resetar

4. ATLANTA HAWKS: Obi Toppin (6-9 Forward, Dayton)

CLASS: Sophomore (22 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, shooting 63% from the field and 39% from three

The 6-9 redshirt sophomore became a SportsCenter regular thanks to his high-flying finishes, but overall was a super-efficient scorer despite a high usage. Prior to the NCAA suspending all remaining games, the Brooklyn native had positioned Dayton as a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Flyers held a 29-2 record—easily the best season in school history.  He was already named National POY by USA Today, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and The Athletic, and is widely considered the front-runner for the prestigious Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year award. Additionally, Toppin was the only unanimous selection for the AP All-America teams. While the Hawks already have John Collins and Clint Capella in the paint, Toppin’s resume is worthy of serious consideration. — Franklyn Calle

5. DETROIT PISTONS: Deni Avdija (6-9 Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, shooting 51% from the field (19.8 mpg)

Four of the highest ceiling prospects have already come off the board, but the Detroit Pistons can still pocket a valuable building block with this No. 5 pick as they turn to the future. Despite the fact that they already have ambiguously tantalizing combo forward Sekou Doumbouya and breakout stretch Christian Wood, the Pistons should take a long look at 19-year-old utility forward Deni Avdija. Avdija has impressed as a transition quarterback in the Israeli Premier League and looks comfortable enough handling the ball and pulling up from beyond the arc to project as an intriguing offensive option at the next level. Defensively, his length and discipline should help him at least make an impact, but if he’s going to see time at the three, or even at the four, in today’s small ball era, he’ll need to show that he can match NBA speed and athleticism.  — Austin Kent

6. NEW YORK KNICKS: Cole Anthony (6-3 Guard, North Carolina)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, shooting 38% from the field and 35% from three

This just makes sense for so many reasons. 1) The Knicks continue to search for a consistent playmaker at the point guard position. Cole uses his explosive athleticism to get to the paint and put constant pressure on the defense. Which brings us to 2) The Knicks offense currently ranks 29th in the NBA and they desperately covet scoring. Cole averaged just under 20 points per game for the Tar Heels and, while a solid facilitator, is more aggressive than passive. Right now, the Garden needs that. And, of course, there’s 3) Cole grew up in New York City and his father, Greg Anthony, was a PG for the Knicks from 1991-95, when the team was making deep playoff runs. As long as Cole takes care of the ball and RJ Barrett improves his perimeter shooting, the two could form the backcourt that turns things around for a franchise that hasn’t finished over .500 since 2012-13. — Alex Squadron

7. CHICAGO BULLS: Tyrese Haliburton (6-5 Guard, Iowa State)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three

The underachieving Bulls showed that they need help in several areas—shooting and defense in particular. Iowa State sophomore point guard Tyrese Haliburton excels in those domains, and then some. Haliburton, who just turned 20, averaged 15.2 points (on 50/42/82 shooting splits), 6.5 dimes, 5.9 boards and 2.5 steals this season. A pass-first playmaker, he would fit perfectly alongside scorers Coby White and Zach LaVine. Standing 6-5 with a crazy wingspan, Haliburton could easily guard positions 1-3, giving Chicago more switch-ability on the perimeter. And not to be overlooked, Haliburton brings great character to a team—lauded by Iowa State coach Steve Prohm for his “winning demeanor.” — Ryne Nelson

8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: RJ Hampton (6-5 Guard, New Zealand Breakers of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, shooting 40% from the field

RJ Hampton, a 6-5, 185-pound point guard would be a nice, perhaps long-term fit for the Charlotte Hornets. The 19-year-old, who skipped college and took his talents to Australia, would have an uphill battle for minutes in a backcourt featuring Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. Hampton is an elite ball-handler—able to break down defenses with dribble penetration—and has plenty of athletic ability. Unlike most of his peers in the 2020 NBA Draft, RJ had a taste of the fierce competition that awaits him in the League. His New Zealand Breakers faced both the OKC Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies in a pair of exhibition games last October, and though his jumper struggled, Hampton knows he’s well on his way: “I’m having a lot of fun.” — Marcel Mutoni

9. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Onyeka Okongwu (6-9 Forward, USC)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.2 steals, shooting 62% from the field

If you’d heard of Onyeka Okongwu before 2018, it was probably as a footnote in a story about his world-famous high school teammates. Okongwu played at Chino Hills with the Ball brothers, where he spent his early years in anonymity before LaMelo left California for Lithuania. Thrust into a leading role, Big O led Chino to a state title, and added a 35-point, 14-rebound, five-block performance against Zion Williamson at the 2018 Hoophall Classic along the way. In one season at USC, the crazy athletic 6-9 big showed enough potential to warrant top-5 pick consideration. Okongwu’s NBA comparisons range everywhere from Montrezl Harrell to Bam Adebayo—at minimum, he’s a versatile defender who can step in right away and protect the rim for a Washington team sorely lacking in that area. Projecting him alongside a healthy Wall, Beal, Hachimura and (maybe) Bertans in 2020-21 would certainly have Wizards fans eyeing a return to the postseason. — Abe Schwadron

10. PHOENIX SUNS: Nico Mannion (6-3 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, shooting 39% from the field

Nico Mannion is one of the smoothest and most skilled point guards in this year’s draft. His father, Pace Mannion, played in the NBA and finished his career in Italy, where Nico was born. Once they moved back to the states, Nico played in Phoenix at Pinnacle High School and then for the Arizona Wildcats. At 6-3, he has great pace and court vision. He’s smooth off the bounce and can create for himself and his teammates. He’s a shot maker and has all the tools to be an elite guard at the pro level. Phoenix is a good fit for Mannion, as he can learn alongside Rubio in the city where he’s been playing for years. — Bryan LaRussa

11. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Jaden McDaniels (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three

I’m well aware of what happened in his lone season at Washington and what scouts and analysts have said regarding a player that they feel teams should take caution with. I know about the benchings at UW, critiques of his decision-making on the court and the other asterisks that might have been attached to his name. But the Spurs’ culture—and everything they stand for—couldn’t be a better place for McDaniels to start his NBA career. There are valuable OGs on that roster—Patty Mills, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and LaMarcus Aldridge—and another Washington guy in Dejounte Murray that could take the incoming rook under their wings. And did I mention being in the same vicinity and learning from a HOFer in Tim Duncan? The Spurs have a “we-over-me” ethos and a track record that speaks for itself. San Antonio is a perfect destination for someone with Jaden’s stature and skill set. — Drew Ruiz

12. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Isaac Okoro (6-6 Forward, Auburn)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, shooting 51% from the field

A year ago, you might not have known the name Isaac Okoro. Coming out of McEachern High School in Atlanta, GA, Okoro was a four-star recruit who didn’t have the hype he likely warranted. That changed quickly, though. The 6-6 freshman was surrounded by seniors in the starting lineup at Auburn and still separated himself. With his versatility and explosiveness, Okoro climbed the ranks and shouldn’t fall past this spot in the 2020 Draft. Isaac is a lockdown defender who can score in a variety of ways but doesn’t demand the ball offensively. He’ll have no problem letting guards De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovich (should they all return) run the show, sliding in seamlessly right away and hopefully helping the Kings level up after a disappointing 2019-20 season. — Alex Squadron

13. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Precious Achiuwa (6-9 Forward, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, shooting 49% from the field

First off, this pick is for Queens, NY, being that I can’t remember the last time the borough had an NBA lottery pick. Coming off an eventful freshman season, Precious Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game before the sports world was put on freeze. Achiuwa should be a major addition to the young highlight reel Pelicans. The 6-9, 225-pound forward has all the tools to make an impact right away. With Lonzo Ball coming off his best NBA season and Zion’s short, but dominant, run, the Pelicans should look to add another forward with their star Brandon Ingram possibly testing the FA market this summer. Regardless, Precious will bring more athleticism and explosiveness to a budding roster. — Nick Torres

14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Devin Vassell (6-6 Guard, Florida State)

CLASS: Sophomore (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three

With the Blazers set to enter the 2020-21 season at nearly full strength after an injury-filled 2019-20 campaign, the team needs reinforcements to shore up its roster and make a run at the Western Conference’s best. A rookie that could step in and provide shooting and defense on the wing would help strengthen the team’s supporting cast around the Lillard-McCollum-Nurkic core. Enter Devin Vassell. The 6-6 guard from Florida State evolved into the team’s leading scorer (12.7 PPG) after averaging under five points in his freshman season. He showed off his range with the Seminoles, shooting at or above 41.5% from deep in each of his two seasons. Vassell also brings value on the defensive end, with averages of 1 block and 1.4 steals per game. The forward is the essential 3-and-D complement that Portland has lacked in recent years. He projects as an instant contributor with the potential to take over the wing from the Blazers’ older forwards. — Isaiah De Los Santos

15. ORLANDO MAGIC: Theo Maledon (6-4 Guard, ASVEL of the EuroLeague)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.4 points, 3.1 assists, shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three

There are a lot of good guards on the the board that are excellent talents, but from the standpoint of trying to find a solid backcourt mate for Markelle Fultz, the Magic should consider Theo Maledon. Highlights are obviously skewed, but his decision making as a playmaker seems to be there, both in transition and half-court play. He plays with a patience that is rare to see in an 18-year-old in the EuroLeague. This past season for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, he shot 37% from beyond the arc. If he wants to maintain a spot in the NBA, he’ll need to maintain that shooting percentage as his three point attempts go up. — Arvind Pitchai

16. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (VIA BROOKLYN): Tyrese Maxey (6-3 Guard, Kentucky)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, shooting 43% from the field

Earlier in this mock, the Wolves snagged James Wiseman with the No. 3 pick, pairing him with star Karl-Anthony Towns to give them a massively talented frontcourt for the foreseeable future. With the recently acquired D’Angelo Russell reliably running point, the Wolves still need a wing who can get buckets. Maxey is super shifty and already sports an impressive floater package. He has a strong handle and can effectively slash into the teeth of the defense. He’s also a fantastic on-ball defender. And while his three-point percentages are subpar, his feathery floater touch and excellent free throw percentage (83% on the season) suggest he will be just fine. His 6-3 frame may be on the small side for a SG, but his tremendous strength compensates for the slight height disadvantage. Maxey is young and has tons of room to grow. The Wolves should take a shot on a kid with huge upside who could transform into a perennial 20-point per game scorer. — Isaiah Freedman

17. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MEMPHIS): Josh Green (6-6 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The Celtics are locked in for the future. They have an All-NBA point guard in Kemba Walker, budding superstars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a lockdown perimeter defender in Marcus Smart, and the perfect complementary pieces to round out the roster. This gives them the flexibility to take the best, most talented player available—Arizona freshman Josh Green. One of the top defenders in the draft, the shooting guard can cover 1-4 with his 6-6, 210-pound frame and 6-10 wingspan. Offensively, he is an elite athlete who can handle the ball and hit open shots, as he knocked down 39.5% of his three-point attempts in the second half of the season. He fits with what the Celtics continue to stockpile—competitive, versatile wings who can cover and play multiple positions. Green is just 19 years old, but can contribute right away as a role player for a Celtics team that has current championship aspirations. — Ben Simon

18. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Isaiah Stewart (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, shooting 57% from the field

Sitting right on the verge of serious contention, the Mavericks will be looking for a player who provides reliable depth and immediate contribution. Washington big man Isaiah Stewart fits that mold. As a freshman, Stewart was a model of consistency for the Huskies. A 250-pound forward with a 7-4 wingspan, Stewart combines impressive athleticism and mobility with a polished finishing ability, making him a perfect fit in a pick-and-roll with Luka Doncic. He shot 77% from the FT line and showed a solid midrange touch. Stewart’s biggest strength, however, is that few, if any players in the draft play with a higher motor. While his back-to-the-basket offensive game may not translate to the next level, his energy and physicality will certainly make him effective as a rim protector and a rebounder on both ends. With Dwight Powell recovering from a ruptured achilles, Stewart can provide immediate depth at the 4 or 5 for a Mavericks team looking to win now. — Sam Squadron

19. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (VIA INDIANA): Vernon Carey Jr. (6-10 Center, Duke)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, shooting 58% from the field

There’s a reason why Vernon Carey Jr. was voted ACC Freshman of the Year in his lone season at Duke. The 6-10 lefty has an efficient offensive game and can score in a multitude of ways. Vernon has a quick first step and is extremely tough to guard within five feet of the basket. He’ll be joining a team already poised to make a deep playoff run, so there will be little to no pressure for the rook to carry a large load. However, if there’s anything we learned from Vernon Carey Jr in college, it’s that he shows up when it matters most. — Theus McBee

20. BROOKLYN NETS (VIA PHILADELPHIA): Saddiq Bey (6-8 Forward, Villanova)

CLASS: Sophomore (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, shooting 48% from the field and 45% from three

Bey is an athletic forward standing at 6-8, 216 pounds that has levels to his game, but the biggest draw is that he’s a knockdown shooter. He shot 45% from beyond the arc in his sophomore year at Villanova, up from 37% in his first year. The Julius Erving award winner could be a perfect fit for the Nets, who are currently the fifth worst three-point shooting squad in the League based on percentage. Brooklyn will be getting back major offensive pieces next year in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but with the contract of Joe Harris in question, Bey could be a strong addition should the Nets need to fill that role. — Camille Buxeda

21. DENVER NUGGETS (VIA HOUSTON): Jalen Smith (6-10 Forward, Maryland)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 54% from the field and 37% from three

Jalen Smith is a rim-running, athletic big with great hands. He’s also a willing and gifted post player who can step out and shoot the three. The 6-10 power forward has a high motor—Smith can bring chasedown blocks, offensive rebounds, and defensive toughness to the Pepsi Center. For good measure, he’s got the lateral speed and shiftiness necessary to defend at the next level. The Baltimore native is fresh off a stellar sophomore season, in which he led Maryland to a 24-7 record and a Big Ten title. Stix was the best player on a Terps team on pace for a 3-seed and poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, and Smith would pair well with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in Mike Malone’s system. Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant are all free agents this summer. Smith fits Denver’s position need, and he projects to be the kind of player most GMs are looking for in 2020: a stretch-four who defends. — Eli Schwadron

22. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (VIA OKLAHOMA CITY): Aaron Nesmith (6-6 Forward, Vanderbilt)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 23.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 51% from the field and 52% from three

When JJ Redick fled from the City of Brotherly Love on the first day of free agency last summer, the Sixers’ long-range marksmanship took an immediate hit. Through 65 games, Philadelphia ranked 14th in three-point field goal accuracy (32.6%), down from eighth the season before. The solution? Enter Aaron Nesmith, the best pure shooter in this year’s draft. Vandy’s 6-6 sophomore slinger averaged 23 points and 4.9 rebounds over 14 games while shooting 52% from deep, before a season-ending stress fracture in his right foot. Nesmith was the fifth-leading scorer in the nation and was on pace to have one of the best three-point shooting seasons in college basketball history. Possessing a combination of size, strength, and deadeye shot-making ability, Nesmith’s game is tailor-made for the modern NBA and fills a much-needed void in Philly. — Peter Robert Casey

23. MIAMI HEAT: Killian Hayes (6-5 Guard, ratiopharm Ulm of Basketball Bundesliga)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three

Already an Eastern Conference playoff contender, Pat Riley will search for the final pieces of the puzzle starting in the 2020 Draft. As Goran Dragic enters unrestricted free agency, the Heat will likely target youth to take over the reigns. Although he’s only 18, Killian Hayes boasts the experience and toughness it takes to make an impact in the NBA immediately. Originally born in Lakeland, FL, before moving to France due to his father’s pro career, Hayes has used basketball to bridge the gap between both countries. After playing against older opponents his entire childhood in Europe, Hayes turned professional in France at the age of only 16. During his career with Cholet, Killian also represented the French National team. Now a 6-5 PG with a tight handle, sharp vision and the ability to finish at the rim, he holds all the intangibles NBA scouts seek. The Lakeland native took the opposite journey to the League, and the risk may be worth the reward. Once idolizing Dwyane Wade, Hayes now has the chance to honor Flash as he returns to his home state and aims to ignite South Beach once again. — Daren Scarberry

24. UTAH JAZZ: Aleksej Pokusevski (7-0 Forward, Olympiacos B of the Greek A2 Basket League)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 32% from three

It’s time to meet your future favorite player, and he goes by the name of Poku. Joining the storied lineage of Serbians (Vlade, Peja, Nikola) in the NBA, Aleksej Pokusevski is the youngest prospect in this year’s draft, not turning 19 until the day after Christmas. And while his 7-0 frame has caused folks that have never heard of him or seen him play to make assumptions, don’t get it twisted—Poku is a point guard trapped in a center’s body. Just like KD (6-10), Giannis (6-11), Jokić (7-0), and Porzingis (7-3), he’s a vertically inclined man with playmaking ability and perimeter skills. Unfortunately, he’s barely seen any EuroLeague action for Olympiacos since joining the club at the age of 13, but he’s had the privilege of learning from legendary Greek teammates Vassilis Spanoulis and Georgios Printezis, along with former head coach David Blatt. While this season he was assigned to play with the development team, Olympiacos B, his time spent with the Serbian national squad has been fruitful and excited NBA scouts. Last July, he opened the FIBA U18 European Championship with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a win against Germany. If Poku somehow slips this far to Utah, a team who flew to Athens to see him play in November, they’re in for a treat. — Aron Phillips

25. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (VIA DENVER): Jahmi’us Ramsey (6-4 Guard, Texas Tech)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 43% from three

Jahmi’us Ramsey, the highest ranked recruit to ever attend Texas Tech, finished off the 2019-20 regular season as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He’s an explosive combo guard with a great jump shot who can create space, elevate and finish with authority at the rim. Put simply, Ramsey gets buckets. Ramsey would slot right into an Oklahoma City Thunder backcourt that has thrived under the guidance of head coach Billy Donovan and veteran point god Chris Paul. Integrated into a system with a strong track record of player development, Ramsey could carve out a role as a long-term rotation piece in OKC. — Dave Schnur

26. BOSTON CELTICS: Zeke Nnaji (6-11 Forward, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, shooting 57% from the field

Two Celtics picks and two Arizona Wildcats. After choosing Josh Green at 17, the Celtics can afford to take a shot on a sleeper. That comes in the form of Zeke Nnaji. I say sleeper, but he was actually much more productive than Green in their one season of college. The Minnesota native averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds (including 3.1 offensive boards, giving him the highest total in the Pac 12), while shooting 57% from the field, second best in the conference. The Celtics’ roster is filled out, but they do have one glaring need: a big man who can run the floor and play above the rim. Nnaji can do just that… and then some. He’s an elite finisher who even showed an ability to knock down jump shots. The building blocks are there for him to be an efficient three-point shooter. Nnaji still has glaring struggles on the defensive end, but with Daniel Theis, Vincent Poirier, and Robert Williams under contract next season (Enes Kanter is under a player option), there’s time for him to develop. It’s a low risk, high reward pick that could hopefully fill one of the Celtics’ few holes. Oh, and if you’re short on a pregame National Anthem performer, Zeke Nnaji can do that too.  — Ben Simon

27. NEW YORK KNICKS (VIA CLIPPERS): Jordan Nwora (6-7 Forward, Louisville)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, shooting 44% from the field and 40% from three

During the past two seasons, Jordan Nwora established himself as the go-to guy for the Louisville Cardinals and deserves to be taken in the first round of the upcoming NBA draft. At 6-7, he’s extremely versatile and has a well-rounded offensive game. Nwora led the Cards in scoring for the second straight year, averaging 18 points on 44% shooting from the field and 40% from deep. He can spread the floor and create spacing for a Knicks team that ranked dead last in total threes in 2019-20. If the Knicks take Cole Anthony at the No. 6 spot to pair with RJ Barrett, they’re going to be searching for reliable prospects like Nwora—athletic forwards who can run in transition, knock down jumpers consistently and don’t clog the paint. — Alex Squadron

28. TORONTO RAPTORS: Yves Pons (6-6 Guard, Tennessee)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 35% from three

While the SEC’s DPOY doesn’t boast the numbers of other first round picks, he has elite athleticism that allows him to guard positions 1-4. Pons is another skilled defensive player, similar to OG Anunoby, who will help the Raptors in an Eastern Conference that is deep at the G/F position. At 6-6, Pons averaged 2.4 blocks per game last season. He will fit right in to Toronto’s talented bench squad. Although his defensive prowess is what will get him drafted, Pons shot 35% from the three-point line in his last season as a Volunteer. This makes him an intriguing possible deep threat, and given the Raptors’ track record of developing talent (Siakam, VanVleet, Powell), he will have a great opportunity to develop his offensive game further. — Greg Cohen

29. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Tyrell Terry (6-1 Guard, Stanford)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 41% from three

LeBron loves a point guard that can shoot, and Terry does just that. He’s a score-first PG who also possesses impressive passing ability. Terry is a three-level scorer and a particularly elite three-point shooter. This past season, he shot 48% on catch and shoot threes and is also capable of knocking down jumpers off the dribble. He has a very good feel for the game, knowing when to pass and when to look for his own offense. Tyrell can operate out of the pick-and-roll and moves very well off the ball, similar to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Overall, he’s a playmaker that will develop into a premier guard in the League. — Christian Quezada

30. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MILWAUKEE): Tre Jones (6-3 Guard, Duke)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The oldest position on the Celtics? Point guard. Although Kemba Walker is still earning All-Star appearances, he is less than a month away from being 30. Brad Wanamaker, despite just two years in the NBA, is already 30. Carsen Edwards provides some youth, but might be better served as an off-ball gunner. The Celtics are young and talented at pretty much every other position (center was solved with our last pick). Increased PG depth could provide a nice cushion. Tre Jones brings just that. But the 6-3, 185-pound guard is more than the prototypical backup point guard. Sure, he has a high floor. That happens when you receive ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Not only can he contribute right away, but he has the chance to grow into a legitimate NBA starter. After shooting just 26% from three during his freshman season, he bumped his average up to 36% this year. He’s a mature, smart guard who can complement the Celtics’ stars by playing defense, facilitating, hitting open threes, and scoring when needed. With Jones and Marcus Smart, they could have one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA. He’s already a great backup option right now, but as Walker climbs into his 30s, Jones has a chance to be the Celtics’ point guard of the future. — Ben Simon

The post SLAM’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s not easy,” Ujiri said of his fateful decisions to trade DeRozan and fire Dwane Casey after winning a Coach of the Year award.

Ultimately, Ujiri’s calls (none bigger than pulling the trigger on a one-season swap for Kawhi Leonard) helped lead Toronto to its first NBA championship in franchise history.

Per ESPN:

“It’s not easy,” Ujiri said of such decisions in an interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson that aired on the NBA’s Twitter account. “If you have that human part of you, you feel it in your heart.

“With Casey, it has gotten so much better now with his family and him. With DeMar there is still plenty of work to be done. But, by the grace of God, it will all get better. We have to continue to make these decisions that are tough. But that’s the business of basketball, and the position that we are in.”

That combination of events led to a roller coaster of emotions — something Ujiri said is simply part of the job.

“I always say that the two hardest things in our world, in our business, is trading a player and then when a player leaves, if a player leaves in free agency,” Ujiri said. “And it’s hard on both sides. When a player is traded, it is hard on the player side, and when a player leaves, like us [with Leonard last summer], it is hard on that side. I’ve experienced all of it, from wonderful people.

“It sometimes puts a strain on relationships, as we saw with DeMar. People don’t know even with [when we traded] Rudy Gay, I was close to Rudy. Incredible kid. Incredible kid with DeMar, where you build and you’re trying to preach a culture of good, of trust, of being with people, and then you have to make this decision [to trade him]. With Kawhi, we just built a relationship where we trusted each other, and that friendship has evolved even bigger after he left, and I’m proud of that. I support him with everything he does as a human being, and his family, and you move on. You’ve got to move on to the next …”

Related Masai Ujiri: Raptors ‘Going to Die Trying’ to Defend Title

The post Masai Ujiri: ‘Plenty of Work to Be Done’ on DeMar DeRozan Relationship appeared first on SLAM.