The last time these two powerhouse squads went at it, the Bucks defended home court and got the 124-115 win over Dallas. Antetokounmpo had himself a night, scoring 30 points on 11-19 shooting and also grabbing 11 rebounds.

Bucks shooting guard Grayson Allen also had a huge game to help seal the victory. Allen finished the game with 25 points on 8-10 after having a scorching hot first half where he shot 7-7 from the field.

Milwaukee (18-6) comes into Friday’s matchup as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference and looks to put their stamp on this regular-season matchup with another wire-to-wire dub.

On the flip side, we have Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, who are looking to bounce back from the loss they took last time out. Doncic was in his bag in their previous matchup, putting up 27 points on 10-20 shooting to go along with 12 assists.

Doncic and the Mavs have been a tear as of late, winning their last three matchups versus the Knicks, Suns, and Nuggets. Mavericks forwards Tim Hardaway Jr and Dorian Finney-Smith put up big-time offensive outbursts during this stretch of games.

Finney-Smith scored 19 points, shooting 7-13 from the field against the second-place Nuggets. Hardaway Jr also had a great game, dropping 29 points while shooting 7-12 from the field.

With the Western Conference standings so tight, every win matters. The Mavericks picked the right time to get hot, but will it be enough to even the season series tonight? All questions will be answered tonight on ESPN at 10 pm.

The post Preview: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic Lead Bucks and Mavs Into Final Encounter appeared first on SLAM.

Doncic’s final stat line for the night was 41 points on 50 percent shooting (14/28) to go along with 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and three steals to help the Dallas Mavericks secure a 129-125 win.

“We’re just trying to do the best we can to make his job a lot easier out there on the floor when he gives the ball up, and the only way you can do that is knock down shots and take them with confidence and make a play,” said Tim Hardaway Jr. postgame, per ESPN.

Mavericks Maxi Kleber also went on to add to what Hardaway said, stating,

“Obviously, Luka is probably the best guy to make tough shots and make shots when they count, but he also knows when to make the right basketball plays,” Kleber said. “And especially when we came into overtime, they were like really aggressive with him, and he made the right play, I don’t know, three or four times in a row. We just got hot and made all those shots.”

Doncic’s 40-point triple-double performance was also one for the history books, as he now becomes the 10th player in NBA History with three or more 40-point triple-doubles.

The list includes many impressive names, such as NBA Legends Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson, and The King LeBron James. This recent outing adds to what has been such a stellar start to the 2022-2023 season for Doncic, as he has put up over thirty points in each one of the four Mavericks games so far.

The Mavericks’ record currently sits at 2-2, placing them as the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

Although it is still very early into the new NBA season, we would not put it past Doncic to definitely continue to play at such a high level. Only time will tell if Doncic can sustain this level of play and carry it on to the playoffs later down the road; for now, let’s just appreciate the nightly magic we witness.

The post Luka Doncic Becomes The 10th Player In NBA History With Three or More 40-Point Triple Doubles appeared first on SLAM.

Tim Hardaway Jr. suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal on his left foot in tonight’s game at Golden State. Updates will be given when available.

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) January 26, 2022

Hardaway went down just five minutes into the second quarter when he went down awkwardly on a drive. Although he was in pain, THJ knocked down his free throws before going back to the locker room to get examined but didn’t return. The injury ended up being a break in the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot, specifically after he went down awkwardly on a drive.

According to teammate and close friend Kristaps Porzingis, Hardaway is okay after the two spoke after the game.

“He was down at first…But I talked to him now, and he seemed to be in better spirits already.” Porzingis said per Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.

Kristaps Porzingis on close friend Tim Hardaway Jr.: “He was down at first…But I talked to him now, and he seemed to be in better spirits already.”

Said THJ was already quizzing Theo Pinson, who’s had a similar foot injury, about rehab and getting back. https://t.co/jQEsgxYtMM

— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) January 26, 2022

Hardaway Jr. is putting up 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists this season.

The post Mavericks Announce Tim Hardaway Suffers Foot Fracture appeared first on SLAM.

The 7-footer came into the 2021-22 season fully healthy, but had a slow start. Through the first three games of the season, Porzingis averaged just 12.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 30.2% from the floor. 

To make things worse, he left that third game of the season early due to lower back soreness. Since then, he’s missed three consecutive contests with this lingering back issue. 

Luckily for Dallas, the team has looked solid in the absence of Porzingis. In the three full games Porzingis has missed, the Mavs have gone 2-1. 

“We just wanted to play a lot better to start the game no matter whoever is on the floor,” said Tim Hardaway Jr. following Sunday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. 

The wins haven’t necessarily been pretty, but they’re victories nonetheless. The big loss this week was on the road against the Denver Nuggets, when the Mavericks lost by 31 points and really missed Porzingis’ presence. 

It’s unclear whether he will be available for Dallas’ next game on Tuesday against the Miami Heat, but there’s at least some optimism that his back is getting better. 

“He’s doing better, so that’s a good thing,” said Mavs coach Jason Kidd on Friday.

The Mavericks went 26-17 with Porzingis in the lineup last season. His health this season will make a direct impact on the success of Dallas. 

They’re currently 4-2 on the season overall with a perfect 3-0 record at home. 

The post Kristaps Porzingis Misses Third-Straight Game, Mavs Still Look Solid appeared first on SLAM.

As first reported by Marc Stein of The New York Times, there is confidence within the Mavericks’ organization in their ability to re-sign Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency this summer. 

While they have the cap space to sign a big name in free agency, perhaps bringing Hardaway back is their best option. In today’s game, continuity is key and he Hardaway fits right into the Mavericks’ system already. 

Hardaway has been key in Dallas taking an early 2-0 lead over the LA Clippers in the postseason. Through these first two games, he’s scored 24.5 points per game while shooting 11-for-17 shooting from deep. 

Whether it’s from Dallas or someone else across the League, 29-year-old is about to get a large payday. A capable defender, Hardaway Jr. encompasses what teams look for in a modern shooting guard with range. 

Hardaway is having the most efficient season of his career, averaging 16.6 points on .447 from the floor and .391 from deep. He’s been a catalyst for the explosive offense that Dallas deploys.

The post Mavericks Feel Confident They Can Bring Tim Hardaway Jr. Back Next Season appeared first on SLAM.

In addition to Porzingis, Dallas will receive Tim Hardaway Jr, Courtney Lee and Trey Burke. In return, the Knicks will get Dennis Smith Jr, DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks.

Let's try that again: Dallas is finalizing a deal to land Kristaps Porzingis, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/WacB71H1JW

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 31, 2019

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Porzingis is planning to sign his qualifying offer this summer, setting him up to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

The Mavericks, however, are confident that they can sign Porzingis to a long-term deal with Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki selling him.

During a recent meeting with Knicks brass, Porzingis expressed concern with the franchise’s direction and communicated a desire to be traded.

KP about to learn ALL THE TOOLS from Dirk pic.twitter.com/tZSUdPgsTH

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 31, 2019

RELATED:
Report: Kristaps Porzingis Expresses Desire to Be Traded

The post 🚨 Report: Kristaps Porzingis Traded To Mavericks 🚨 appeared first on SLAM.

Rookie guard Allonzo Trier drew a rebuke from teammate Tim Hardaway Jr over his profane response to a fan complaining about a defensive breakdown that cost the Knicks a win Wednesday night.

Hardaway Jr says Trier shouldn’t have made his frustation public, however inadvertently.

Tim Hardaway Jr. on Allonzo Trier's DM:

"Who DMed? … Oh so he's blaming other people, basically?" pic.twitter.com/v6QftZ3Had

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 24, 2019

"When it gets taken to social media, that means you're breaking the rules of being a team" pic.twitter.com/YDF0FAD7UK

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 24, 2019

The rook apologized for his role in the incident.

Per the NY Post:

“It was supposed to be a switch dumb ass you think i just let n—a walk up and shoot a 3 smh y’all ‘fans’ don’t think,” Trier wrote in a direct message to a fan, who then took a screenshot and tweeted it out to the public.

Apprised of the social media saga Thursday after practice, Hardaway did not seem happy.

“Oh, so he was blaming other people, basically?” Hardaway said with a snicker before pausing and choosing his words carefully. “At the end of the day I think it all falls down on the team. Team defense, you learn from it. We watched film, we looked at today. I think in that scenario I was denying James [Harden], trying to deny him from the ball and have someone else score. But, yeah, just got to watch it and look it over and see what we can do better to make sure that doesn’t happen again. That’s all I can say.”

Trier confirmed the direct message was real and apologized for sending it, but said he did not expect it to blow up like it did.

“That was me being frustrated about the game and letting social media get the best of you and giving a response that wasn’t needed to somebody that was irrelevant to the situation,” said Trier, who could be facing a fine from the league. “Obviously I didn’t think they were going to take a picture of it and post it. But he got his clout, his little 15 seconds of fame. That’s why you don’t send stuff like that.”

Related
Report: Knicks Make Tim Hardaway Jr, Courtney Lee Available for Trade

The post Tim Hardaway Jr Unhappy With Allonzo Trier’s DM to Knicks Fan appeared first on SLAM.

Hardaway has posted 19.6 points in 32.6 minutes per game this season. The veteran Lee missed considerable time due to injury and has averaged 5.3 points in 10 total appearances.

Big man Enes Kanter has already popped up in trade rumors. He did not play in the Knicks’ most recent outing (a 110-114 loss to the Rockets) and has expressed frustration over his dwindling role:

The Knicks have been trying to accommodate Kanter with a trade, according to one person with knowledge of the team’s thinking. Trading Kanter, however, is complex because of his team-high salary. The Knicks do not want to take on contracts in return that last beyond this season to maintain financial flexibility for free agency and re-signing Porzingis.

Kanter is expected to seek a contract buyout from the Knicks to become a free agent if the deadline passes without a trade to a new team. He would have to be waived by the Knicks by March 1 to remain playoff-eligible for another team this season.

RELATED
Report: Knicks and Kings Discussing Enes Kanter-Zach Randolph Trade

The post Report: Knicks Make Tim Hardaway Jr, Courtney Lee Available for Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Hardaway, a first-round draft pick, says it was a “dark period” in his life.

Game changer: Tim Hardaway Jr. worked his way back and is poised to become a leader after ‘dark period’ of career https://t.co/MepDx4VhBR via @Newsday

— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) July 16, 2018

The 26-year-old inked a four-year, $71 million deal last summer.

Per Newsday:

“I was second-guessing myself at the time, thinking about if I really wanted to play,” Hardaway recalled last week before a Knicks summer league game. “It was a dark period.”

That night was more than two years ago, but the outlines of his teammates sleeping on the floor are still fresh in his mind as he prepares to become the team leader this year under new Knicks coach David Fizdale.

In a phone interview last week, Hardaway Sr. said, “It was a blessing in disguise.”

The post Tim Hardaway Jr Considered Quitting Basketball in the G League appeared first on SLAM.

The Bucks superstar poked fun at teammate Khris Middleton for throwing a bad pass, and says he didn’t see Hardaway Jr under his Nikes.

Asked Giannis about his dunk over Tim Hardaway Jr. tonight and he had some fun with it. Smiled as he said Khris Middleton's pass wasn't a good one and that he didn't see Hardaway. Then I asked what the response has been so far. Here are his answers to both questions: pic.twitter.com/qlnahMm3hw

— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) February 7, 2018

Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, leading Milwaukee past the New York Knicks 103-89.

Per the Journal Sentinel:

“Khris was going, I knew he was going to throw me the lob,” Antetokounmpo said. “It was a bad pass by Khris, but I was able to get up and go get the ball. I did not see Tim Hardaway under me. I just went up there and just went hard and tried to get the ball and dunk the ball.”

The play immediately went viral, with the video spreading across social media. After the game, Antetokounmpo said he had not checked his phone yet but knew there would be a powerful response to the dunk.

“I know a lot of people are going to reach about me and ask me about the dunk, what happened, how I feel about it, which one’s better, mine or Vince (Carter’s over Frederic Weis during the 2000 Olympics),” Antetokounmpo said. “But it was just a good play.”

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Jumps Over Tim Hardaway Jr for Monster Oop appeared first on SLAM.

It was a game to tune in for if you’re a member of Big Blue Nation as Kentucky alumni Devin Booker and Jamal Murray each dropped 30 points. Booker’s Suns received a boost from T.J. Warren’s 25-point night and Josh Jackson’s 16 off the bench en route to the victory.

Don’t do it to ‘em, D Book (via @DefPenHoops) pic.twitter.com/HC3cUM8fqr

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

AGAIN WE GOT A JAMAL MURRAY MIXTAPE GAME ON OUR HANDS (via @nuggets) https://t.co/DDk4Irer4V

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Raptors 86 (31-13), Spurs 83 (30-17)

The Spurs were without Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobli, but were still able to slow down the tempo against the red-hot Raptors; however, it wasn’t enough as Toronto’s dynamic backcourt duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 45 points. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 17 points and grabbed 14 boards for the Spurs.

Sam Mitchell during the Raptors’ pregame: “Is it time to start think of DeMar as a future Hall of Famer? We need to start talking about that … when you look at what’s he’s done in Toronto—unbelievable.” pic.twitter.com/PMgg3x3nxh

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

LaMarcus Aldridge just joined LeBron James as one of only two players to score 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ points in each of the past 11 seasons. pic.twitter.com/0THFfgXRRv

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Nets 101 (17-29), Heat 95 (26-19)

D’Angelo Russell made his triumphant return to the Nets’ lineup and received a standing ovation when he checked in. Russell was only able to muster up one point in limited minutes, but his team was able to take a hard-earned dub as Spencer Dinwiddie,  Joe Harris and Caris LeVert hit clutch shots in the fourth quarter. DeMarre Carroll led the way with 26 points.

Hassan Whiteside dominated inside for the Heat, racking up 22 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Loaded up.

Welcome back, D’Angelo pic.twitter.com/Lm3nxZLFOC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Wizards 122 (26-20), Pistons 112 (22-22)

John Wall scored all 16 of his points in the second half en route to a double-double. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Bradley Beal each scored 26 points–a career-high for Oubre Jr. The Pistons came out strong, but a 45-point third quarter for the Wizards proved to be the difference despite a 14-point, 21-rebound, 8-assist, 2-steal, 2-block night for Pistons big man Andre Drummond.

Slice ‘em and dice ‘em, John (via @WashWizards) https://t.co/0XtXZUeusZ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Wall Beal, the Capital City Dynamic Duo, connects on the OOP! (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/RxCjBHSL7K

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Career-high 2⃣6⃣ for Wave Papi

pic.twitter.com/gwg9CYRIcX

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Grizzlies 106 (16-28), Kings 88 (13-32)

It was an emotional return home for Zach Randolph, who was received with open arms by the fans in Memphis. The young studs were the stars of the game, though, as Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 22 points and De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 16.

Vince Carter also made his return to Memphis and scored 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting from behind the arc.

Home is where the heart is.

Zach Randolph is a Memphian for life. pic.twitter.com/b8Fx2pBkOX

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Knicks 117 (21-25), Jazz 115 (18-27)

Tim Hardaway Jr. was unstoppable in Salt Lake City as he led all players with 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting from the field. Kristaps Porzingis and Courtney Lee both chipped in 18 points and held it down on defense–Porzingis had three blocks and Lee helped frustrate rookie phenom Donovan Mitchell into a 7-for-21 shooting night.

Rudy Gobert notched 23 points and 15 rebounds in his return to action.

King Kristaps throws it DOWN (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/rk7FlH5voc

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

The ichigan boys put on a show in Salt Lake City. pic.twitter.com/5QkfSkPop1

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

Lakers 99 (16-29), Pacers 86 (24-22)

The Lakers picked up their first win of the year without Lonzo Ball in the lineup as the Pacers were unable to get any rhythm going on offense outside of a few highlight reel plays by Victor Oladipo, who scored 25.

Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 33 points and also recorded seven assists and rebounds.

H I C K O R Y pic.twitter.com/dzdxTeNkvr

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

OKAY ALEX CARUSO (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/6GLm1NbiUX

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

VICTOR OLADIPO TURNS ON THE SPIN CYCLE (via @pacers) https://t.co/aDRQoufmdT

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 20, 2018

The post Post Up: Hardaway Jr. Leads Knicks, Booker and Murray Duel appeared first on SLAM.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (stress injury lower left leg) has begun a treatment and rehabilitation plan. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 5, 2017

Hardaway is averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 34 minutes, and has dealt with foot and calf injuries throughout the season.

The Knicks (11-12) have lost five of their last six games, and are 0-2 without Hardaway.

Per the NY Daily News:

“We’ll figure it out,” Michael Beasley said. “We did at the beginning of the season when Tim was in his slump. So hopefully it’s not long-term with Tim. I wish him all the best. We love him. Just got to figure it out as a team.”

 

The “slump” Beasley referenced was Hardaway shooting just 26% in the first four games of the season. The Knicks won just one of those games. Following criticisms about his robust contract, Hardaway quickly demonstrated his improvements on defense and with his playmaking. He leads the team in minutes per game (34.1), a career high.

 

“He’s got the ability to be outside but he can also drive the ball,” [Jeff] Hornacek said. “That 3-point threat makes guys get up on him and allows him to drive. He can get a shot off any time he wants, which not a lot of our guys can. We have a few that can. Guys that can create their own stuff are important. Tim’s played great for us so far, so it’s a tough loss for us right now.”

The post Tim Hardaway Jr Out Two Weeks With Leg ‘Stress Injury’ appeared first on SLAM.

Instead, the Hawks declined to bring the restricted free agent back, and Hardaway Jr is now back in New York and thriving.

Tim Hardaway Jr. back in Atlanta to face league-worst Hawks. Hornacek feared Atlanta would match #Knicks https://t.co/gWx52mnnhP

— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) November 24, 2017

Hardaway Jr, 25, is part of a youth movement in Gotham that’s giving Knicks fans reason for hope again.

Per the NY Post:

“I’m thankful to be back here, man,” Hardaway said on Thanksgiving Eve, after the Knicks staged a historic 41-10 third quarter, which included a 28-0 run, to beat the Raptors. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me. I’m happy. I’m excited. This group loves one another. You can see it on the floor. We’re playing for one another. The passion is there, and we continue to find our identity.”

 

Nobody knows what the Hawks’ threshold for bringing back Hardaway was, but sources have said it was significantly lower than the four-years and $71 million Knicks president Steve Mills lavished on him.

 

“There was that concern,” Jeff Hornacek said of the potential the Hawks would make a matching offer. “Tim had started to turn the corner in terms of being a great player. He finished last season having a very, very good second half. We knew that was the beginning. I don’t think there was concern bringing him back. Mills did a great job of figuring out how to get him and what it might take. There was concern Atlanta might match it. When they didn’t, we were very happy.”

Related
The Big Payback

The post Knicks Feared Hawks Would Match $71 Million Offer for Tim Hardaway Jr appeared first on SLAM.

It’s the day before the NBA season is scheduled to kick off and Hardaway Jr is dribbling and shooting around on a beat-up court in Harlem’s Morningside Park. Following an unseasonably warm early fall, there’s a chill to the air that reminds us that along with the grueling winter months ahead, NBA basketball is back after a fun offseason that saw superstars changing teams at a pace that had everyone’s heads spinning and Twitter feeds on fire.

While Hardaway Jr works on his dribble and gets a few shots up on an uneven, net-less rim that is at least 12-feet high, I ask him what he thinks about all the moves that went down—in particular the heavy roster turnover that took place in Cleveland.

“Oh, they’re gonna be tough,” he says. “Especially once IT gets back from injury.”

As he rises for another picturesque jump shot, I remind him that Dwyane Wade recently signed with the team, too. Instead of letting go of the rock at the apex of his jumper, he holds on to the ball and shoots me a bewildered look as his Jordan Vs hit the ground.

“Yo!” he exclaims. “I forgot about that. Crazy.”

It was that kind of offseason.

Slightly lost in the shuffle was the big deal that brought Hardaway Jr back to New York. In July, the shooting guard inked a four-year, $71 million contract with the Knicks, the organization that drafted him in 2013. While some pundits scratched their heads at the deal, the 25-year-old readied himself to begin his second stint as a Knick.

“It feels great to be back in New York,” he says at his apartment as his French bulldog Otto keeps an eye on things. “You feel more like a Knick, you know? You always feel good when you’re living in the city for the team you play for. My previous years, I didn’t live here. I lived up north in White Plains by the practice facility in Westchester. [Living in the city] is new for me—it’s great. New team, new front office, new system and new goals. I’m happy right now and I’m ready for the journey.”

Though he’s only been in the League since 2013, Hardaway Jr’s journey thus far has already taken him from New York to Atlanta to a stint in the G-League to the Hawks’ starting lineup, and now back to New York. He’s been a first-round pick, been part of the worst team in Knicks franchise history, traded, demoted, seen his minutes cut, made the playoffs and, most importantly, carved out a role for himself as a legit scorer who can get hot and give a team 30.

“I’ve been through it all,” he says. “I’ve been to the playoffs, been on the worst team in Knicks history, down to the [D-] League, to a point where I wasn’t seeing the court at all. I’ve been through it all in the last five years. It was hard.”

As a rookie in 2013-14, Hardaway Jr was a regular rotation player and appeared in 81 games with New York. A scorer off the bench, the late first-round pick averaged 10.2 points per game, good enough to earn First Team All-Rookie honors.

The following season, Derek Fisher took over head coaching duties from Mike Woodson and the Knicks were a train wreck. The team won 17 games and Hardaway Jr saw his minutes and role fluctuate. After a promising rookie season, he averaged 11.5 points per game and his field goal percentage dipped below 40 percent.

On the night of the 2015 Draft, Hardaway Jr was attending a party at Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine restaurant with teammates Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway. Shortly after the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, Hardaway Jr got a call from his agent and learned that he’d been traded to Atlanta for the draft rights to point guard Jerian Grant.

“I was just devastated,” Hardaway Jr says. “I really had big plans going into that summer to rebuild and play like I did my rookie season and it sucked that I couldn’t get the job done.”

In Atlanta, Hardaway Jr found himself on a crowded roster that included vets like Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha. He didn’t play a single minute until a win over Boston on November 24. In December of 2015, he was sent to the D-League, where he played first for the Canton Charge and then the Austin Spurs. He ended up playing five games total between the two teams, but credits the experience as a pivotal point in his career.

“I could have went down to the [D-] League and had an attitude where I said, You know what? I’m not even gonna play basketball, or, I’m just going to stay in the [D-]League and cry about it and not play with heart and passion,” he says. “I had my best friends, my parents, my sisters and my agent constantly being on top of me telling me to do the right things and play with a smile on my face. Everyone may see the [D-] League as a negative, but I see it as a way to improve. It was great for me, but it’s not for everyone. You have to go out there and earn it. If you’re not playing hard, they’ll find somebody else.”

Once he was called back up to the Hawks in January 2016, he became a fixture in the rotation and played in 25 straight games, earning minutes during the Hawks’ playoff run. While he only averaged 6.4 points, 1.7 boards and 1.0 assists on the season, the former Michigan Wolverine had regained his footing as a player.

During the 2016-17 season, an improved Hardaway Jr put up career-highs of 14.5 points, 2.8 boards and 2.3 assists per game. With his restricted free agency looming, the shooting guard played the best ball of his career down the stretch, averaging 18 points a night over the final three months of the regular season. In Atlanta’s first-round series against the Wizards, Hardaway Jr averaged 12.8 points over 33.5 minutes per game.

Back up in New York, the franchise was undergoing a change. Team president Phil Jackson was fired and general manager Steve Mills took over. Without a new GM in place, Mills offered Hardaway Jr a four-year, $71 million contract, which the Hawks did not match.

Just like that, Hardaway Jr was on his way back to the team that drafted him.

“It was a surprising feeling,” Hardaway Jr says of getting the call from the Knicks. “I feel like they sent me away to camp and they said, Well, we’ll see where you are down the road. Once I got a call from my agent that the Knicks were interested and they were willing to invest in my abilities, I was happy. I felt like I was on my way home. I felt like there was some unfinished business to take care of.”

“I was excited when I heard that we were signing him,” adds teammate Kristaps Porzingis. “That’s another young guy who works hard and is willing to do the right things to grow as a team. In the preseason, to me, he looked great. He was making shots and getting to the basket. He’s an explosive player. He’s only going to get more comfortable with the team, and me and him are going to find that connection on the court and that’s going to help us. I like his mentality—he’s a hard worker and I enjoy playing with him.”

While Hardaway Jr was thrilled to be coming back, not all Knicks fans and analysts shared the same sentiment. With Jackson gone, and Carmelo Anthony traded to the Thunder, the franchise appeared to be on the way to a true rebuild with Porzingis and rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina as the centerpieces. Many scoffed at the big money given to Hardaway Jr (What was he supposed to do? Say no?), but based on other recent deals that have been given out to shooting guards—like the four-year, $84 million extension given to Nuggets guard Gary Harris—Hardaway Jr could have the same people who originally blasted the big offer singing his praises by the end of the season.

“I have to use [criticism] as motivation,” he says. “I take it as those are your fans and they’re coming at you with that. It hurts. But at the same time, you can’t harp on that. You have to go out there and show that you deserve what the Knicks offered. At the end of the day, it’s not my fault. They came to me. I knew that if it was something big, I would have to deliver. I’ve been delivering since last season in Atlanta. I feel like I’m confident and capable of getting what I got money-wise and going out there and playing for the team and playing for the franchise and playing for the city.”

Hardaway Jr’s season didn’t get off to an ideal start. Through the first three games of the season the Knicks were 0-3 and the team’s new shooting guard was averaging 9.3 points and shooting under 30 percent. But THJ then turned things around quickly—the Knicks won three straight and he broke out of his slump with a 34-point game against the Cavs. Hardaway Jr is now averaging 17.5 points, 4.4 boards and 2.9 assists on the season, and the Knicks, who weren’t projected to win a whole lot of games this season, sit at a surprising 8-7.

Hardaway Jr is optimistic about the team’s chances.

“Behind closed doors, no one else sees it, but I see it—everybody is bustin’ their tail and wants to prove everybody wrong out there. We believe in ourselves and people can take it how they want it, [but] I feel like we can sneak into the playoffs. Everybody can laugh at that statement but I feel like it can happen. If we come out there and play hard every night, knock down shots and get stops when we need to, we can make it.”

—

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

Portraits by Joseph L. Sherman, action shot via Getty Images.

Video by Veronica Studios.

The post The Big Payback appeared first on SLAM.

The Bucks led for the entire game thanks to the performances of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Antetokounmpo had another huge stat line, putting up 33 points and 11 rebounds. It’s the fifth time he’s scored 30+ in the Bucks’ six games. Middleton had a season-high 27 points.

Pacers 97 (3-3), Spurs 94 (4-2)

Victor Oladipo and Domas Sabonis sparked the Pacers late-game win over San Antonio. Sure, it was Oladipo who hit the go-ahead three-pointer from waaay deep but young Sabonis was 9-9, scoring 22 points and getting 12 rebounds.

Oladipo delivers for the @Pacers & sinks the game winning 3!

IND finishes the game on a 24-12 run and defeat the @spurs at home, 97-94. pic.twitter.com/nGjQxec3pE

— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2017

”We try to come in every night and prove that we’re not just those players who were in the Paul George trade and that we actually mean something,” Sabonis said after the game.

Nuggets 124 (3-3), Nets 111 (3-4)

Denver used a quickstrike offense in the third quarter to blow the Nets out. They won the frame 40-21 and kept Brooklyn at arm’s length for the rest of the game.

Six Nuggets scored in double figures. Jamal Murray had 26 points and Nikola Jokic put up 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Hornets 120 (3-3), Magic 113 (4-2)

Kemba Walker’s shotmaking was the difference. The seven-year pro registered 11 of his 34 points in the fourth when the young Magic refused to go away. Walker also had 10 assists and 6 rebounds. He was backed up by 22 and 10 from Dwight Howard and 20 points from Jeremy Lamb.

HIGHLIGHTS: Hornets defeat the Magic 120-113 All starters finish in double-figures, three of them finishing with double-doubles! #BuzzCity https://t.co/jR2lHsWL4I

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 30, 2017

Jonathon Simmons led the charge for Orlando. He had 27 points. But Charlotte owned the inside. They had 68 points in the paint and 59 total rebounds, easily outrebounding Orlando’s 40 boards.

Wizards 110 (4-2), Kings 83 (1-5)

This game was never close. The Wizards came out with a 35-16 first quarter and led by as many as 37. John Wall had 19 points and 9 assists and four other Wizards scored at least 11 points. Washington had 28 assists on 40 field goals, too.

Knicks 114 (2-3), Cavs 95 (3-4)

The Knicks got an immediate boost from Tim Hardaway Jr, who scored 24 of his 34 points in the first half. They built up a lead by hitting the glass, pulling down 51 rebounds as a team, including 12 boards each from Enes Kanter and Kristaps Porzingis. KP had 32 points, with 8 of them coming after the Cavs made a run in the fourth quarter.

Porzingis and Hardaway helped the blue and orange snap a 10-game losing streak to LeBron James. Tonight marks KP’s first career victory against the King.

THJ & KP combine for 66 in a road win over the Cavs.

Highlights pres. by @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/grGydLgLRz

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 30, 2017

Pistons 115 (5-2), Warriors 107 (4-3)

Though the Warriors had a 14-point advantage, they were incredibly sloppy with the ball, surrendering 25 turnovers to the Pistons. Detroit made full use of all those miscues, getting 31 points off those turnovers.

Detroit’s balanced scoring effort lifted them to 63 second half points, helping them build a 13-point fourth quarter lead. Avery Bradley had 23 points, Reggie Jackson had 22, Ish Smith came off the bench for 16 and Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson added 16 and 15 points, respectively. Andre Drummond inhaled 18 rebounds to go along with his 5 steals and 5 assists.

The Pistons have the best record in the East, winning their last three games, including an impressive road win over the Clippers on Saturday night.

The Pistons beat the Clippers and Warriors on the road, in back-to-back games. Sheesh. pic.twitter.com/rE9syyokBv

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 30, 2017

The post Post Up: Big-Time Upsets appeared first on SLAM.

Watch the highlights above.

Related
Kristaps Porzingis on Being the Leader of the Knicks
Tim Hardaway Jr Talks About Joining Jordan Brand

Video courtesy of NBA

The post Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Lead the Knicks to Win in Cleveland appeared first on SLAM.

Winless Knicks see the problem and it is them https://t.co/g5dHM8dxSW via @northjersey

— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) October 25, 2017

Courtney Lee echoed his teammate’s comments about the Knicks not knowing what they’re doing on the court.

Hardaway Jr has shot an atrocious 24 percent from the field in his first three outings with New York.

Per The Record:

Asked what was wrong Tuesday, Hardaway Jr. said, “Everything.” That summed it up nicely, but he was willing to be more specific.

 

“We’re all out there just running like we don’t know what’s going on,” Hardaway Jr. said. “It can’t happen. It’s frustrating at the same time, but it’s still early in the season. We’ve just got to go to the drawing boards and get back to practice, just go out there knowing what we have to do offensively and defensively.”

 

“We’ve got to get better at executing,” Lee said. “It was a lot of possessions like a normal eye might not see it, but we messed up on a lot of plays where the ball wasn’t getting delivered on time or one or two guys not being on the same page as far as the play-calling. That’s on us. We’ve got to pay attention more in practice, make sure we execute more when we’re out there.”

The post Tim Hardaway Jr: Knicks Don’t Know Their Plays appeared first on SLAM.

We were on-hand in Italy when Jordan Brand introduced the Air Jordan XXXII, their newest flagship sneaker. It makes use of a Flyknit upper and a dual cushioning system featuring Nike Zoom Air and Flight Speed tech. Hardaway says he’ll be one of the players that gets to lace up the XXXII this season.

The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season in the League. He averaged a career-best 14 points last year for the Hawks and is all ready to make his return to the Garden — the Knicks drafted him with the 24th pick in 2013. We recently linked up with THJ to discuss his deal with the Jumpman, an agreement he’s (rightfully) hype about.

SLAM: How did you link up with Jordan Brand? Did they reach out to you?

Tim Hardaway Jr: It was more of a mutual thing with Jordan Brand. My pops [Tim Hardaway] was a big part of it. I was with adidas for all of college and for my first three years [in the League], but I played my fourth season in the NBA as a sneaker free agent. I just loved playing in Jordans and Kobe ADs.

They just felt comfortable. I just told my pops, ‘Hey, I love these shoes, even though they’re lows.’ My pops doesn’t like me playing in lows. I played in the shoes in the playoffs, when we played against the Wizards.

After the season, I was talking to my agent [about brands] and told him, ‘Hey, what’s up with Jordan? I don’t care what they give me, it’s just the honor to be able to play for the Jumpman and go out there and represent him in a great way.’ That was the pitch I gave them. And then my pops tried to talk to Jordan personally.

SLAM: Your dad still has a relationship with MJ? 

THJ: Just the mutual respect between one another. I’ve known his kids, Marcus and Jeffrey, since we were playing at Hoops Gym in Chicago. It’s just a mutual respect kind of thing.

SLAM: And you’ll be playing in the XXXIIs, right?

THJ: Maybe a couple of retros here and there but not too much. The XXXIIs feel very, very comfortable. They’re a great, great looking shoe. We’ve got some PEs coming, a lot of Knicks colorways. It’ll be great. I’m happy and excited to reveal them once the season keeps going.

Related
Inside the Design of the Air Jordan XXXII

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Speaking to Taylor Rooks of SNY, Wade claimed that the Knicks’ $71 million man is a completely different player than his first stint with New York.

Last week, @DwyaneWade worked out with Tim Hardaway Jr in LA. I asked him what he saw in his game. The Knicks should expect great things. pic.twitter.com/NzzpIMx75P

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) August 9, 2017

“The one thing I’ve seen in TJ is he’s working. He works tirelessly on his body and game.

 

“He’s gotten so much better since he was first in NY. Same name but different player.”

https://youtu.be/Jx2NuEnhgR8?t=32s

RELATED:
Tim Hardaway Jr. Inks 4-Year, $71 Million Offer Sheet from Knicks

Image via @dwyanewade/IG

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New York drafted the 25-year-old in the 2013 NBA Draft, traded him two years later to Atlanta, and now is offering him mega-bucks.

Tim Hardaway Jr. was traded for Jerian Grant who was traded for Derrick Rose who was renounced so NYK could sign Hardaway Jr. for $71M.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 7, 2017

Hawks were thinking something in the neighborhood of $45M for Hardaway. This latest act of Knickery should make the call easier.

— Kevin Arnovitz (@kevinarnovitz) July 7, 2017

Hardaway averaged 14.5 points per game in 28 minutes for the Hawks last season.

Per ESPN:

The Hawks will have two days to match the offer, which contains a 15% trade kicker and a player option in the fourth year, per sources.

 

In particular, Hardaway flourished after the Hawks traded Kyle Korver to Cleveland midway through the season. In the final six weeks of the regular season, Hardaway averaged 18 points in 32 minutes per game, hitting 38 percent of his 3-point attempts.

 

He has become a more well-rounded player with the Hawks, who transformed him by initially benching him and sending him to the NBA’s D-League. Hardaway eventually developed into a key rotation player for Atlanta and started games for the club late in the regular season and in the playoffs.

 

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said retaining Hardaway was a priority for Atlanta entering the offseason.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr. Inks 4-Year, $71 Million Offer Sheet from Knicks appeared first on SLAM.

Tim Hardaway Jr. pic.twitter.com/FzkBktY8v9

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 26, 2017

Don’t jump, big fella!

Related
WATCH: Tim Hardaway Jr. Lights Up the Cavs

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Video courtesy of FreeDawkins

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The Wizards are on a tear. They haven’t lost at home since December 6. John Wall’s 33 points and 11 assists led them to their 16th straight Verizon Center win. Bradley Beal had 23 points and Marcin Gortat had 21. Washington held the Lakers to just 15 points in the second quarter and were able to maintain the lead from there.

Damn, @RealDealBeal23 swatted the life outta that ball. pic.twitter.com/5nrzRw0u8o

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2017

Hawks 113 (29-21), Rockets 108 (36-17)

James Harden had an 18-point third quarter and helped the Rockets build a 20-point advantage in the fourth. Then the Hawks woke up. Tim Hardaway Jr. became Superman and Dwight Howard continued to chip away in the paint. Hardaway had 23 of Atlanta’s 40 fourth quarter points. He finished with a career-best 33 on 12-18 shooting. Howard had 24 points and 23 rebounds in his first return to Houston. In addition to scoring 40 in the final frame, the Hawks held the high-powered Rocket offense to 22. Houston shot 13-51 from three and the Hawks had 56 rebounds, compared to the Rockets’ 38. Harden had 41, 8, 8 and 4 steals in the loss.

.@T_HardJR with the dagger. pic.twitter.com/Fbf3pLgA9h

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2017

Spurs 102 (38-11), Sixers 86 (18-31)

Without Joel Embiid (rest), Nerlens Noel (upper respiratory infection) and Robert Covington (sore wrist), the Sixers couldn’t keep up with the Spurs. Ersan Ilyasova and Dario Saric were the only Sixers to score in double-figures, while the Spurs had seven players score at least 11, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 19. Philly shot 34% for the game and lost the rebounding battle 57-48.

Kawhi's midrange game looking like Alex English out there. pic.twitter.com/V3sBR7eQoq

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2017

Warriors 133 (43-7), Clippers 120 (31-19)

The Clippers made a late charge, but the Warriors had too much firepower. Klay Thompson had 21 points and 7 rebounds, Kevin Durant had 26 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds and Stephen Curry had 29 points and 11 dimes. Blake Griffin had a season-high 31 points to go along with his 8 rebounds. Golden State led for the whole game, by as much as 21. They had 38 assists on 52 fields goals and scored more than 130 points for the seventh time this season.

Don't jump. pic.twitter.com/3YK33LxEQu

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2017

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Then Tim Hardaway Jr. went off. He scored 23 in the fourth quarter, the first time since Joe Johnson in 2008 that a Hawk has had a 20-point quarter. He finished with 33, a career-high, for the game on 12-18 shooting in 33 minutes.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr. Scores 23 in the Fourth Against Houston appeared first on SLAM.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr. Dunks on the Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

Tim Hardaway Jr. nailed a clutch game-tying trey with just over 3 seconds remaining in regulation. Kawhi Leonard had a chance to win the game, but his jumper just rolled off:

The Hawks went on to get the narrow victory in overtime. Paul Millsap dropped a season-high 32 points and had 13 rebounds. Hardaway Jr. finished with 29, nine of which came in the extra period. The Spurs were led by LeMarcus Aldridge, who posted 27 and 13 boards.

Pistons 107 (16-20), Heat 98 (10-25)

After trailing by eight at the half, Detroit turned up the defense, holding Miami to just 32 points on 39% shooting in the final two quarters. Big man Andre Drummond was a monster tonight (25p, 18r) and Reggie Jackson did his thing as well (27p). The Heat were without Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Dion Waiters, Justise Winslow, and Josh McRoberts. James Johnson was their top scorer with 20 points off the bench.

Pacers 117 (17-18), Magic 104 (15-19)

Six players scored in double figures for the victorious Pacers. Myles Turner led the way with an impressive 23 points and 12 rebounds. Vucevic had a double-double of his own for Orlando (18p, 11r).

Trail Blazers 95 (15-21), Timberwolves 89 (11-23)

Welcome to the CJ McCollum show. Portland was without Damian Lillard for the fourth straight game (sprained ankle), so CJ put the team on his back. The sharpshooter put up a career-high 43 points on 16/25 shooting, helping his team to overcome a 14-point first-half deficit. The highlight of the game came from Timberwolves rookie Kris Dunn, however:

Wiggins led Minnesota with 24.

Raptors 123 (23-10), Lakers 114 (12-25)

Kyle Lowry was a beast tonight, hanging 41 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists on the Lakers. DeMar DeRozan contributed 31 as well. As a team, the Raps shot an impressive 56% from the field for the game. D’Angelo Russell led LA with 28 on 9/18.

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

Tim Hardaway Jr., who dropped 29 points on 11/13 shooting, sent the game to overtime with this clutch three-pointer. He had six treys overall.

The Hawks went on to secure the 114-112 victory. They are now 18-16 on the season.

The post WATCH: Tim Hardaway Jr. Nails Clutch, Game-Tying Trey appeared first on SLAM.

Dwight Howard was the center of attention before the game, but Tim Hardaway Jr. had the best performance during the game. Lil’ Hardaway knocked in 21 big points, helping the Hawks pull away from away the Wizards in the fourth quarter. He and Paul Milsap each hit 3 three’s, with the Wizards only putting in 6 combined three’s. Howard had 11 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks in his debut.

Bulls 105 (1-0), Celtics 99 (1-1)

The first player introduced in the Bulls starting lineup was Dwyane Wade. And Tommy Edwards, the United Center public address announcer, didn’t say that Wade played for Marquette. He said he was from Chicago.

Wade rode the adrenaline all the way to a win, providing glimpses of his younger self. He dropped 22 points and hit 4 three’s, playing point guard and stepping up in the clutch. Jimmy Butler added 24 points, and 4 three-pointers of his own. The Celtics hung around for most of the game, led by Isaiah Thomas’ 25 points. IT4 was flanked by 16 from Avery Bradley and 14 Jae Crowder. But the night belonged to D-Wade, and his 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

.@DwyaneWade is cold-blooded! https://t.co/fDW577VQnt

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 28, 2016

Spurs 104 (1-0), Kings 96 (0-1)

Kawhi Leonard’s chances of winning MVP are very real. The 25-year-old registered his second consecutive game of at least 30 points and 5 steals tonight. He also had 3 rebounds and 5 assists. His stat line puts him at averages of 32.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals through two games. And though the Kings aren’t as imposing as the Warriors, Leonard led a stifling comeback effort, ripping Ben McLemore on back-to-back plays to break the game open. The Spurs only surrendered 30 second-half points.

THE. KLAW. https://t.co/A6NfSAdCdG

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 28, 2016

Though Leonard dominated the night, DeMarcus Cousins put up a huge fight to try and save the opening of the Golden 1 Center. Boogie had 37 and 16 boards and he dropped 16 in the fourth, but couldn’t overcome Leonard.

Clippers 114 (1-0), Trailblazers 106 (1-1)

Things got heated more than a few times in this game. Mason Plumlee and DeAndre Jordan got it into it, CJ McCollum picked up a flagrant, Chris Paul took exception to a Damian Lillard foul.

But through all the noise, Blake Griffin had 27 points and 13 rebounds, assuring the League that his athleticism hasn’t gone anywhere. With the game being close throughout, Paul put the Blazers away late in the fourth with a dagger three from the left side. Paul also finished with 27.

After dropping 39 in his first game, Lillard scored 29 against the Clippers.

A healthy Blake Griffin is a one-man wrecking crew https://t.co/GwAxuIWxvt

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 28, 2016

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Jackson ripped a bunch of former New York Knicks players in Rosen’s latest dispatch for ESPN.

FWIW, after reading the Phil Jackson story, one NBA agent said Jackson's revealing of those player transgressions was a "classless move."

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 20, 2015

With typically brutal candor, the Knicks’ team president explains the logic behind the discarding of both J.R. Smith (“delinquent behavior”) and Iman Shumpert (too loud a personality) last season:

The Knicks were winless on a November Southwest trip, losing to Houston, Dallas and Oklahoma City, but there was even worse news from his staff. […] “J.R. had been exhibiting some delinquent behavior and had gotten into the habit of coming late to team meetings, or missing them altogether,” Jackson says. “Also, Shump and Tim [Hardaway Jr.] were regressing, so I decided to meet with them separately and try to find out what, if anything, was bothering them.”

 

Smith was first on the list. “We talked about his statement to the press that our shooting guard depth was going to be the team’s asset, but so far it hadn’t worked out that way,” Jackson says. “He was supposed to carry the scoring load for the second unit and he wasn’t doing the job. I also said that because of his unacceptable behavior, he had two strikes against him with this team. He didn’t really respond. He’s a very sensitive guy, with his big doe eyes. He looked like he was going to tear up. But he finally responded that he was going through some issues with his gal.”

 

“I asked Fish what players were the biggest distractions. He said that although J.R. never talked back to him, he always walked around under a dark cloud. Derek was worried that negative energy was contagious.”

 

Shumpert was another problem. “I like Shump,” says Jackson, “but he has a very loud, big personality. It was difficult for most of the other guys to deal with, especially if things don’t go well for him or the team.” […] The other nuisance, according to Jackson, was Sam Dalembert, who had fallen asleep in the pregame locker room sessions.

Related
J.R. Smith on Regretting Opting Out of Contract: ‘Yes and No’

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Anthony is said to be upset with Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks for trading away his teammate Thursday night, and drafting European mystery man Kristaps Porzingis.

Knicks fans erupted in hilarious anger when the Porzingis pick was announced.

Barclays reacts to the Knicks selecting Kristaps Porzingis. pic.twitter.com/Lu2s6tH2cZ

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) June 26, 2015

Carmelo, according to source, called Tim Hardaway Jr. late Thursday to express his displeasure with Phil Jackson's draft night moves. Oh boy

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 26, 2015

Carmelo feels Phil needs to make moves that can help immediately. "He said, 'we have to wait three years for this guy?'" Knick source claims

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 26, 2015

ICYMI: @StephenASmith tells @AdamSchein that Carmelo Anthony feels "betrayed and hoodwinked by Phil Jackson". Audio: https://t.co/TxVCGIzJyO

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) June 26, 2015

The good news? Well, Porzingis seems to be pretty damn happy about how everything turned out.

my dream came true!!! @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/IQ6vlfWy8s

— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) June 26, 2015

The post Carmelo Anthony Reportedly Unhappy With Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade and Kristaps Porzingis Pick appeared first on SLAM.

Hardaway Jr. averaged 10.8 points and 23 minutes in his two seasons with the Knicks.

It's official! #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/G7eh1s4c67

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 26, 2015

"We felt like adding Tim Hardaway Jr. was best for us. We think he's going to grow and prosper here." – Coach Bud #TrueToAtlanta

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 26, 2015

The post New York Knicks Trade Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr Hits Game-Winning Shot (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

There have been a lot of bad games featuring a lot of bad quarters during the 2014-15 NBA season. However, the Knicks and Magic teamed up for one of the worst 12 minutes of professional basketball ever to be played. These two teams combined to score 15 points in the second quarter—the lowest scoring quarter in NBA history. The Knicks scored eight points on 3-20 (15.0 percent) shooting from the field while the Magic only had seven points on 3-19 (15.8 percent) shooting. As ugly as this game was during the second quarter and during the entire game for the most part, Tim Hardaway Jr. (13 points, 3-9 on 3-pointers) came through for Knicks down the stretch. The young guard scored New York’s final seven points, including the go-ahead triple with 12.6 seconds left in the game. Cole Aldrich (19 points, 14 rebounds) led the Knicks with a big double-double, showing off plenty of awkward-looking hook shots. Victor Oladipo (21 points) led the way for Orlando as Nikola Vucevic (12 points, 13 rebounds) notched another double-double.

Raptors 107 (48-32), Heat 104 (35-45)

WIth every game having a significant impact for the handful of teams fighting for the last two Playoff spots in the East, the Raptors handed the Heat a major loss that could keep them from the Postseason. Toronto pulled off the seven-point victory in large part due to Lou Williams (29 points, 4-7 0n 3-pointers, +20) draining another clutch shot. When Casey sends his team out on the floor with the game on the line, many times he doesn’t try to get very creative. His plan is often very simply: give the ball to Williams and everybody else get out of the way. Williams came through again for Casey with a triple that gave Toronto a 102-97 lead with 31.2 seconds remaining. While Williams posted a +20 on the night, teammate Greivis Vasquez (12 points) was the next closest with a +8. DeMar DeRozan (24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) and Kyle Lowry (12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals) would make 5-6 free throws to seal the victory. Dwyane Wade (30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Goran Dragic (22 points, 5 assists) carried Miami’s offense all night, but they couldn’t get enough support down the stretch. The Heat only managed 46 points in the second half after putting up 58 in the first two quarters. Even though Miami shot seven more free throws than Toronto, they made four less freebies. The Heat shot 54.5 percent from the stripe while the Raptors shot 75.7 percent. With the loss, the Heat fall to 35-45 and are now two and a half games behind the Nets for the No. 8 seed in the East.

Bulls 114 (48-32), 76ers 107 (18-62)

Yes, it was only the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with the third worse record in the League. However, Derrick Rose (22 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 0 turnovers, 28 minutes) still put on a show and honestly showed great flashes of his former, healthy self. Chicago’s injury-ridden point guard was blowing past his defender, softly knocking down awkward floaters and getting all of his teammates involved. If—and yes, I know this a monumental if—Rose can find a way to remain healthy and Pau Gasol (24 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks) continues to do what he’s done all year long and rack up double-doubles while Jimmy Butler (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals) lives at the free throw line, this team could easily make a deep playoff run. Saturday night, they poured on the offense by shooting their way to a seven-point victory. The Bulls racked up 33 points in the final quarter, with Tony Snell (11 points, 3-4 on 3-pointers) scoring all of his 11 points in the final 12 minutes. If Snell can simply reach double digits with this roster at full force, that creates a difficult balance for opponents to deal with. For the Sixers, Robert Covington (22 points, 5 assists) reached the 20-point plateau and Jason Richardson (19 points, 4-8 on 3-pointers) found his touch from deep. They were simply outmatched against a better team.

Clippers 94 (54-26), Grizzlies 86 (54-26)

Before this game even tipped off, both these teams there would be huge implications depending on who won this game. With the Grizzlies, Clippers, Spurs and Rockets all jockeying for positioning around the No. 4 seeded Blazers, all of these final games change the makeup of Playoff matchups—especially when two of these teams face off. The Clippers came through with their biggest win of the season thanks to their starters sticking to what has worked since the All-Star Break. Chris Paul (15 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds) ran the offense, J.J. Redick (18 points) made countless jumpers by incessantly moving without the ball, DeAndre Jordan (16 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks) dominated the boards and Blake Griffin (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals) worked for himself along with his teammates out of the post. Los Angeles might not have the depth compared to most playoff teams (and have many bench possessions end in Jamal Crawford (11 points, 3-11 from the field) heaves), but this team undoubtedly has one of the most potent starting lineups in the NBA. They can attack you in so many different ways while still sticking to the same system night in and night out. How many times does Redick have to start a game with the first shot before teams realize Doc Rivers goes to his shooting guard at the beginning of practically every game? It happened again Saturday night as Redick drilled a triple on L.A.’s first possession. The Clippers actually blew a late 11-point lead but received five straight points by CP3 late in the game to make the score 87-81. The Grizzlies would never recover. Even though L.A. shot 39.8 percent from the field compared to 44.2 percent for Memphis, the Clippers only turned the ball over 13 times. The Grizzlies had 18 turnovers. In the loss, Zach Randolph (21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) notched a double-double while Beno Udrih (14 points) and Courtney Lee (11 points, 4 assists) continued to fill in for the injured Mike Conley and Tony Allen. The Grizzlies lack any depth without these two guards. To add to the list of injured Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol sprained his left ankle late in the first quarter and would not return. If Gasol, Conley and Allen are all out for the Playoffs, whatever lower-seeded team drew that matchup will likely have a chance to pull off the upset. If the season ended today, that would be the No. 7 seeded Mavericks. With the Clippers earning the victory, they now tie hold the same record as the Grizzlies but remain in the No. 3 spot due to the tiebreaker. The Spurs are No. 5 with the same record while the Rockets are have a game (53-26) behind all three of these teams. Get ready, the Western Conference is about to have a wild finish to the regular season before the bloodbath known as the Postseason begins.

Jazz 111 (37-43), Blazers 105 (51-29)

With no Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors or Trey Burke, it seemed that the Jazz would struggle to score Saturday night, as these three players are Utah’s top three scorers. Somehow, someway, the Jazz not only beat the Blazers without their top scorers, they poured it on in the process. Known for their stifling defense with the Stifle Tower as the anchor, the Jazz showcased a never-before-seen ability to score at a high rate. The Jazz reached 110 points for just the fourth time all year. They were able to do so with a balanced attack as six Utah players scored in double figures. This team was led by Trevor Booker (career-high 36 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals), who absolutely went off Saturday night. The four-year forward out of Clemson had the green light all night and simply couldn’t miss from anywhere on the floor. He only needed 15 shots to reach a career-high 36 points and rattled off 32 of his points in the first three quarters. In the final 12 minutes when Utah outscored Portland 34-25, Bryce Cotton (11 points) stepped up and scored all of his 11 points. The Jazz almost blew a 15-point lead, but the Jazz made their free throws in the final few minutes. This game might have held little significance for the Blazers, but they showed a lack of desire to play any type of defense at multiple points on the night. There is no reason a Playoff team should allow one of the weakest offense teams—missing their top three scorers— to go off for a full 48 minutes and score 111 points for a game. Damian Lillard (28 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds) and C.J. McCollum (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) posted solid lines for the Blazers, but the problems obviously came on the other end of the floor. If the Jazz hypothetically in the East with this exact record, they would be right in the thick of the Playoff race.

Warriors 110 (65-15), Timberwolves 101 (16-64)

The Warriors allowed the Wolves to come back in this one but showed poise in sustaining their lead down the stretch. Stephen Curry (34 points, 7 assists, 4 steals) carried the Warriors in the first half, pouring in 20 of his 34 points in these first 24 minutes. The Warriors star guard also drilled a 3-pointer to end the third quarter, giving Golden State a 86-69 lead. Then the Zach LaVine (career-high 37 points, 9 rebounds, 6-10 on 3-pointers) show commenced. The rookie guard torched the Warriors for 17 points in eight minutes, scoring by means of jumper shots, 3-pointers and dunks. By scoring at such a high rate in many different ways, LaVine truly showed flashes of elite play during this short stint and cut his team’s 17-point deficit to one point by the 4:15 mark. However, behind two Klay Thompson (23 points, 3 steals) triples, the Warriors got serious and quickly responded with a 13-3 run to seal the victory. Behind 26 combined rebounds from Draymond Green (13 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Harrison Barnes (13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks), the Warriors outrebounded the Wolves 50-40 and snagged 13 offensive rebounds in the process.

Thank you to all who read my Post Ups this season. I hope everyone enjoys one of the best times of the year—the NBA Postseason.

The post Post Up: Clippers Climb the Standings appeared first on SLAM.

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There’s no getting around it: The New York Knicks are terrible. As the season has moved forward in time and further back in the minds of fans, opportunities have emerged for several players. No, these players aren’t emerging as stars, and they won’t necessarily be a major part of Phil Jackson’s rebuilding plan. That doesn’t mean that they won’t squeeze every last drop of opportunity out of the Knicks and the stage that is Madison Square Garden.

From a fantasy perspective, this is the time of the year that players emerge from seemingly nowhere, often from the dregs of the worst teams in the League. Players can become contributors to fantasy squads in the final weeks and months, after doing nothing prior. There is value in the plug-and-play of certain guys. This is what the New York Knicks have become.

Andrea Bargnani

Bargs has put up stats before, and received a major contract as a result, but it’s been a while since he’s been impactful. In the 2010-11 season with Toronto, he averaged 21 points and 5 rebounds per game, and 19 points per game the following year in only 33 games before falling off. Let’s be clear, we are talking about offense here—he’s not going to put up blocks, steals, or big rebounding numbers, and he makes Carlos Boozer seem like an All-NBA defender.

It’s better to focus on the positives he brings to the table. Bargnani is, believe it or not, a go-to guy on the Knicks right now, with a usage rate that has climbed to unexpected levels. When he has an off night shooting the rock, it will be a tough pill to swallow for his fantasy owners. If you take away the one dud he’s had in the last nine games though, his stats are 19.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He is also 80 percent from the free-throw line on over five attempts per game. This puts him back near his peak with the Raptors.

There’s no reason he can’t put up numbers like these for the rest of the season, which can make him valuable for fantasy owners in a championship run.

Alexey Shved

He started the season off as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, a team boldly proclaiming to the world that they are, with certainty, the masters of the tank. He didn’t always get a lot of minutes in Philly, but he played relatively efficient basketball from a statistical perspective. He was then shipped off to the Rockets, where he saw little time. Now the Knicks are seeing if they have landed themselves a keeper, and are giving Shved as many minutes as he can handle. Fantasy owners should expect it to continue, as there is nobody who will steal minutes from Shved at this point.

Over the last nine games, his minutes have steadily increased, demonstrating that it’s likely he’ll keep it up even when Jose Calderon returns from a recent injury. This has culminated with 17.5 points, 6.5 assists and 10.5 rebounds in 37 minutes per game over the last two. This is a guy who averaged under 7 minutes per game for the Rockets. The bargain bin on fantasy waivers is always deeper than you think at any point during the season. You might have been tempted to pick up a bigger name than Shved, but it would have been a mistake.

Lou Amundson

Lou is a journeyman at this point who has always been a gritty bench guy, but he has found a consistent role with the Knicks this season thanks to the injuries and eventual waiving of Amar’e Stoudemire. Now 32 years old, Amundson is as valuable as he’s ever been, and is at least worth a look in deep and daily leagues. Per minute, he’s been great this year, but he won’t always put up big numbers that represent his performance on the court. Still, he’s had some good lines this year, and if the Knicks are ever short on big men, Amundson is more likely to perform statistically.

His three-game run at the end of February of 10 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game are representative of the kind of streak he could go on. He’s not exciting from a statistical perspective, but he could be a valuable substitute in a pinch, and it’s only possible because the Knicks have nobody else to play.

Langston Galloway

Since the turn of the new year, Galloway has seen good minutes for the Knicks and has taken advantage. Overall, his numbers aren’t special, but he has scored in double-figures in 16 of his 27 games so far, and is averaging 4.4 rebounds from the guard position. The key stat to remember is that Galloway is averaging over 30 minutes per contest, which means he could put up stats on any given night.

Tim Hardaway Jr

Hardaway hasn’t been especially consistent this year, but the Knicks have continued to go to him, especially in the absence of Carmelo Anthony. His explosive scoring ability would make him just another guy off the bench on most teams, but with the Knicks he is able to approach 30 minutes most of the time. Overall, his average only sits at 11 points per game, but that is due to a combination of duds and high scoring games with tons of threes going down. As a result, Hardaway can be a sneaky pick in daily leagues, but can’t be relied on for consistency. If you choose to play him any particular night, make sure the matchup is to his liking, or you could end up paying the price.

In the end, looking at a list of the players making a statistical impact for the Knicks is sort of mind numbing. Phil Jackson can dance around the tanking question all he wants, but it’s been clear all season that the Zen Master is trying to change the culture of the team for the long term, and would prefer the team lose this season. Carmelo Anthony would be playing right now if the Knicks were a playoff contender, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a healthy Melo lead a new Knicks roster to a playoff appearance next season.

For now, fantasy owners shouldn’t fear using the Knicks to fill out their fantasy lineups over the final stretch. The question then becomes: Will any of these guys be around when the Knicks are good again?

Dan Hanna is SLAM’s weekly fantasy basketball columnist and a life-long Bulls fan. Follow him on Twitter @i_am_danhan. For advice on your fantasy team, post questions in the comments section.

Images via Getty

The post Fantasy Basketball: A New York Opportunity appeared first on SLAM.

Reportedly, the locker room is a glowering mess, and Carmelo Anthony told teammate Tim Hardaway Jr that he would beat him up for yelling at him on the court.

According to ESPN, head coach Derek Fisher’s players not only hate each other, but also the Triangle Offense and his coaching methods:

The New York Knicks were en route to their fifth straight loss last week against Brooklyn when a frustrated Tim Hardaway Jr. screamed angrily, “Get the rebound!”

 

Certain his second-year teammate was speaking to him, Carmelo Anthony approached Hardaway on the way down the court and used an expletive to ask Hardaway who in the world he thought he was talking to. […] Anthony, according to sources, used another expletive in telling Hardaway he was going to beat him up when they got into the locker room after the game.

 

“Nobody’s taken a swing at anybody, but there’s a lot of arguing and cursing each other out after games,” one source said.

 

Several Knicks, in addition to Hardaway, are at odds with Anthony and believe he is not playing team basketball. Sources said players voiced their displeasure with Anthony over the weekend, telling him he shoots too much, doesn’t move or pass the ball, and plays defense only when he feels like it. […] Sources said the most tension exists between Anthony and Hardaway, as they haven’t cared for each other almost since Hardaway joined the team last season, with each player believing the other shoots too much and doesn’t care about defense. Sources said Hardaway was also bothered by the favorable treatment Anthony received under last season’s coach, Mike Woodson.

The post Report: Carmelo Anthony Threatened to Beat up Teammate Tim Hardaway Jr appeared first on SLAM.

Jackson discussed the entire roster, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses.

Phil knows Carmelo Anthony isn’t a great passer, but he believes the newly-installed Triangle Offense will force Melo to look for his teammates on the floor.

Per ESPN:

“Even though Iman Shumpert was in [former Knicks coach] Mike Woodson’s dog house for much of last season, he’s one of my favorites because he’s simply our best on-ball defender at the 2 position and also against the bigger 1s. Once he learns the intricacies of the offense, Iman will be able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and, unlike last season, he’ll know where his own shots will come from. Iman is an excellent driver but his shooting mechanics are very inconsistent. Sometimes he jumps too high to release his shot and sometimes he doesn’t jump high enough. As a result, he never shoots the same shot twice.”

 

“Carmelo Anthony is obviously the team’s only certified All-Star. It’s also no secret that Melo has to keep the ball moving, but he’s committed to doing this. Passing has never been a great strength of his, but in the triangle he’ll be able to have check-off reads like a quarterback looking for his first-option receiver, then his second and then his third. There’ll be plenty of iso opportunities for Melo, and in the triangle it’ll be very difficult for defenses to double-team him. It won’t be like last season where he had to take clutch shots with a gang of defenders in his face. Also look for Melo to get a bunch of post-up looks.”

 

“The 2 position is our deepest, and J.R. Smith is easily the best athlete on the team. But J.R. has to learn the difference between a good shot and a bad shot. He has to trust that the triangle will create good shots and to avoid searching for his own shot. His defense also needs work because he tends to be a ball-watcher, and he’s late in chasing his man around screens when he should be tailgating him. Defense is the key to any winning team, so Smith has to really work hard on his deficiencies in training camp.”

The post Phil Jackson Thinks Carmelo Anthony Will Improve His Passing appeared first on SLAM.

“I don’t know why people keep asking that question,” Hardaway Jr told SLAM just before Knicks media day. “Obviously, who doesn’t want to be a starting shooting guard in the NBA?”

It’s a tantalizing question because it’s easy to imagine Hardaway Jr as the Knicks’ 2-guard. During his rookie campaign, he established himself as a knock-down shooter and a player who can run in transition. He dropped seven treys and 36 points in the Rising Stars Challenge back in February and earned a spot on the 2013-14 All-Rookie First-Team.

He struggled at times on the defensive end, but to put that criticism into perspective, very few rookies come into the League as good defenders.

Hardaway’s offseason was highlighted by a dominant showing in Vegas Summer League, where he embraced a leadership role, and an invite to the USA Basketball Select Team. When he wasn’t in Vegas, Hardaway Jr was training at home in Miami or at the Knicks practice facility in Tarrytown, NY.

In his down time, the 22-year-old stays connected with teammates on the console. Naturally, Hardaway is hyped for the new Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare game, which releases November 4. We got down to chat with Hardaway Jr on a Thursday afternoon to talk about the new CoD, running the Triangle Offense, and—we had to ask about that starting 2-guard spot.

SLAM: Have you had a chance to work out with Carmelo’s longtime trainer, Idan Ravin?

Tim Hardaway Jr: Yeah, I worked out with Idan last year during the season when he was with the (Knicks’) staff. He’s great. He’s what everybody says he is. He’s definitely great at his craft and making people push their limits.

SLAM: During this past offseason, who did you train with?

THJ: Nobody, really. I’ve been by myself back at home. Training by myself, getting better each and every day. When I’m at the (Knicks’) facility, everybody will pop up every once in a while.

SLAM: You played your high school ball in Florida, but you played AAU with the Mac Irvin Fire. How did that relationship come about?

THJ: My parents are based out of Chicago and my family is based out of Chicago. Every summer when I was out of school, before I started playing AAU, we lived in Chicago when my dad was working out with Tim Grover. So I really grew close to the Irving family, and they really are family to the Hardaway family as well.

SLAM: Jabari Parker, also part of the Irving family, is heading into his rookie season. Have you spoken to him recently?

THJ: I haven’t talked to him at all this offseason. I’m just focused on Knick basketball. From what I’ve seen from him, he’s a great player in a great situation right now. He’s close to home. I really haven’t had an opportunity to talk to him.

SLAM: What was it like playing with guys like Cleanthony Early and Shane Larkin in Vegas?

THJ: Definitely energy guys. Shane uses his speed to the best of his abilities because he’s sometimes the smallest guy out there on the court. He’s out there getting a lot of defections and loose balls on the floor and pushing the pace—a great passer. Cleanthony does a great job of running the floor just like myself. He has that tenacity of wanting to get better, and he really loves to ask questions, which is great coming from a young guy.

SLAM: Did Phil Jackson speak to the team in Vegas?

THJ: Yeah, he talked to us a little bit. Not really about our roles, but trying to get us ready for the season and telling us what we have to work on as a team. He’s doing a great job of making sure Coach Fisher is comfortable as the head coach and helping out in any way that he can.

SLAM: How did your relationship grow with Coach Fisher during Summer League?

THJ: It was big. He definitely saw me as a leader for that specific team in the Summer League. I wanted to be a great role model for the guys and be a true professional since I’ve been in the League already for a year now. He wanted me to go out there and encourage guys and work on things I need to work on to get better, and continue with that pace moving forward.

SLAM: How do you see yourself fitting in specifically with the Triangle Offense?

THJ: I don’t see nothing really different from what I did in the Summer League. You got to give maximum effort when you’re running it. You got to trust one another when you’re on the court. That’s the only way it’s successful, and we showed it when we were playing the Summer League.

SLAM: Do you think of Jackson’s championship teams when playing the Triangle?

THJ: Yeah, you obviously have to think about those. That’s what got them to win it. And obviously, with having Michael Jordan and Scottie and then Kobe and Shaq. It was great to watch a lot of those games on NBA TV Hardwood Classics and just see how they ran the Triangle Offense, how they defended and how they just won games.

SLAM: You once said that Kings rookie Nik Stauskas had the best work ethic you’ve ever seen. Would you say that’s still true having worked with more pros?

THJ: His work ethic was the greatest I’d ever seen in college. Professional is a totally different ballgame. You got guys who are constantly working out throughout the summer, not taking no days off. I was saying that I’ve never seen that from a college player since I’ve been there. Now that you’re a professional, you really get to see how people work very, very hard. And that’s not only on the basketball court. That’s through training, getting better in the weight room, conditioning, eating the right foods. It’s a lot more than just basketball. Nik is going to get better each and every day. He’s still got a long way to go, but he definitely has the backbone.

SLAM: Which NBA players have impressed you with their work ethic?

THJ: I know Melo works very, very hard. He slimmed down great. He looks good right now. JR Smith is a ball of energy out there when he’s working out. It’s kind of hard—you got 30 teams out there, so anybody can be working hard each and every day.

SLAM: When did you start getting into Call of Duty?

THJ: The first time I played it was in college. I really wasn’t a big fan of those types of games, shooting games. I’m more of a Madden and NBA 2K guy. When I first started playing it with my teammates, I realized it was a great bonding for the team. Multiple guys could play it, and you could play online. So it was fun and exciting to play it with those guys. That’s why I continue to play it.

SLAM: Advanced Warfare is on the way. How long have you been waiting to get your hands on a copy and who do you play CoD with most of the time?

THJ: For now, I kind of play by myself. I like to do the story modes and stuff like that. I’m not really big into the online stuff. I play with friends of teammates. I been waiting for the game for a minute now, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it and see what new features they have on there. It gets better and better each and every year.

SLAM: Which teammates do you play the game with?

THJ: It’s the young guys that play video games like myself, Toure Murry, we’re the youngest guys on the team. Most of the guys have families, so it’s kind of tough for them to get out for the games and stuff like that. I know myself and Toure Murry, we played some of the games, and it was a great way for us to kill time, to bond, to talk about stuff on the court, off the court. It was a great way to stay in touch.

SLAM: Would you like to be the starting SG this season?

THJ: I don’t know why people keep asking that question. Obviously, who doesn’t want to be a starting shooting guard in the NBA for a team? But you still have to compete with the best, and whatever decision coach makes is the decision you got to go with. You just got to go out there, put it on the court and do what you can to get better each and every day.

The post Q+A: Tim Hardaway Jr appeared first on SLAM.

Smith is also extremely confident in the trio of shooting guards rocking Orange and Blue.

JR says no other team can match up with himself, Iman Shumpert and second-year man Tim Hardaway Jr.

Per the NY Post:

“We can hit people from three totally different angles,” said the 6-foot-6 Smith, whose non-basketball escapades last season (think Twitter and shoelaces) continually made the world an interesting place.

 

“I think there’s not a team in this league that has what we have at the shooting guard spot, and that’s very unique,” Smith said. “Some people look at it as ‘You’ve got to treat it as one or two of them.’ I don’t think you should look at it like that. I think you should look at it as a dynamic trio like people do with running backs in football.”

 

“That’s a good mindset to have, that’s a good step to take for J.R.,” Carmelo Anthony said. “I love to hear that he’s ready to take on that challenge and become more of a leader because at the end of the day … he is a leader. We look at J.R. as being a leader. So now he’s got to just put everything together and go out there and lead in his own different way.”

The post JR Smith: Knicks Have the Best Shooting Guard Mix in the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Check out some flicks of Hardaway Jr visiting Citi Field and tossing out the first pitch (which, we’re proud to report, he threw over the plate—no 50 Cent-like results here) in the gallery above.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr Visits Citi Field (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of July 18 – July 24
Week of July 11 – July 17

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

Featuring eight players owning USA Basketball experience, including four members of the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie first team, USA Basketball today announced 13 players for the 2014 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 28-31 with the 2014 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Named to the 2014 USA Basketball Select squad were: Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors); Trey Burke (Utah Jazz); Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls);  Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Tim Hardaway Jr. (New York Knicks); Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic); Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls); Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic); Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets); Miles Plumlee (Phoenix Suns); Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics); Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers); and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).

“USA Basketball’s Select Teams are critical for getting some of the game’s brightest and most promising young players experience at the USA National Team level, and getting them into our pipeline,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball National Team managing director.  “Again this summer, as was done in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, the members of the USA Select Team will play an important role in helping prepare the USA National Team for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

“Being chosen for the Select Team is an honor and an important step in becoming involved in USA Basketball’s National Team program in the future. In the past, current national team players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, as well as many other outstanding players got their USA National Team start through the Select Team.”

Members of the USA Select Team will assemble in Las Vegas and train with the USA National Team July 28-31 (12:00-3:00 p.m. PDT).  All practices will take place at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.

The post USA Basketball Names 13 Players to 2014 USA Men’s Select Team appeared first on SLAM.

2013-14 NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM

Michael Carter-Williams, Sixers (250); Victor Oladipo, Magic (248); Trey Burke, Jazz (230); Mason Plumlee, Nets (214); Tim Hardaway Jr, Knicks, (204)

2013-14 NBA ALL-ROOKIE SECOND TEAM

Kelly Olynyk, Celtics (119); Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (116); Gorgui Dieng, T-Wolves (96); Cody Zeller, Hornets (67); Steven Adams, Thunder (65)

Other notable rookies: Ben McLemore, Kings (63); Pero Antic, Hawks (62); Nick Calathes, Grizzlies (39); Ryan Kelly, Lakers (29); Matthew Dellavedova, Cavs (20)

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The post Polladaday: Most Impressive Player? appeared first on SLAM.

by Brian Boyles

On the first night of festivities, the Rising Stars Challenge made up in humor what it lacked in effort. Team Hill topped Team Webber, 142-136, in a game dominated by lilting alley-oops, long three-pointers, and a late duel between two young guards.

Detroit’s Andre Drummond grabbed 30 points and 25 rebounds to take home the MVP trophy—which fell apart as the BBVA CEO handed it to the center—but Cleveland’s Dion Waiters and New York’s Tim Hardaway Jr engaged in a shootout that brought the crowd to its feet, All-Stars Kevin Durant and James Harden included. Three-pointer after three-pointer, the shooters traded blows and shoulder shimmys as the rest of the players stood back and watched. They even exchanged five in the middle of the skirmish. That brief flash of competitiveness was proof that, maybe, some tweaks to this game could give us all a better product. Enough young, dynamic players want to prove themselves, and one-on-no one dunks aren’t the best way to market them. Unselfishness and team play aren’t realistic goals, so how to stoke the battles that, though friendly, can showcase new stars?

From the New Orleans perspective, fans now have another reason to hate their rivals in Atlanta: Hawks in-game organist Sir Foster, who is amazing and should be cloned for every franchise. And yes, it was Valentine’s Day, so we got strange mascot-on-human romance skits and clips of Prince’s “Kiss” played three times. Craig Sager was rosy and pink.

Other highlights: Anthony Davis’ first half dunks firing up his hometown crowd; Drummond dominating just on put backs and limp alley oops; the Plumlee Brothers being together and stuff; Mason Plumlee delivering a hard foul on Drummond that laid the big man out; Jared Sullinger’s nine three point attempts; nice back and forth between Damian Lillard and Michael Carter-William. We didn’t get nearly enough of the Greek Freak, but had the honor of closing out the game with a gangly reverse dunk.

On the court after the game, I stopped to watch Commissioner Adam Silver converse with a league official. All of this belongs to the new guy now, who stood in the semi-afterglow with a serious look on his face. It was a change from the comfort Stern exuded regardless of his circumstances.

In the interview room, Waiters beamed as he admitted to screaming “this is my city.” His interview was reminder that these are the youngest guys in the league, not yet used to press room Q&As. Hardaway Jr was raised in the League and has the same voice as his (2014 Hall of Fame nominated) father, but he’s also a young player. “We wanted to do something to get the fans involved. It was kinda dead in there,” he said. Fortunately he and Waiters took into their own hands. Let’s see if a new commissioner helps them along in future games.  

The post Dion Waiters and Tim Hardaway Jr Shine in Rising Stars Challenge appeared first on SLAM.

Last night, DeMar DeRozan dropped a career-high in the Kobe 8 “Pit Viper”; Thaddeus Young rocked camo Air Penny Vs; and Gerald Green led the Suns in the Reebok Question “Ghost of Christmas”. We collected photos of that heat and more in our gallery of the best sneakers from around the League. Which player’s shoe game did you like the most from last night?

Images via Getty

The post NBA Kicks Of The Night appeared first on SLAM.

Get out of the way, old man! Tim Hardaway JR levitated above Ray Allen for an impressive putback finish.

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While there’s plenty to be excited about in New York this season, very few expected Knicks rookie Tim Hardaway Jr to be one of them. That all changed on October 9, when the Knicks took on the Celtics for their pre-season opener.

The first-year guard out of Michigan showed off his range, connecting 3-5 from beyond the arc. He missed a couple of shots late in the game, but hit the one that mattered most.

Buzzer-beater and all, Hardaway still has a ways to go before he cracks the Knicks guard-heavy lineup. The good news for Knicks fans? He is well aware of the work that needs to be put in to do just that.

With a humble attitude, an excellent work ethic and a father who has seen and done it all—there to remind him to have fun and enjoy the grind—Tim Hardaway Jr seems to be headed in the right direction.

SLAM: I couldn’t help but notice that you like to rock the goatee. Coach Woody has arguably the most impressive goatee on the planet. Has he given you any tips on how to keep it kept?

Tim Hardaway Jr: [Laughs] Nah man, I rock the goatee because it was my pops’ signature look, so I sort of adopted that from him, to pay homage.

SLAM: How has your adjustment to the city life of the Big Apple been thus far?

TH: It’s very, very exciting man. You know there’s always something to do, something going on in the city, whether during the daytime or at night. It’s a great opportunity to be [in NYC] and to be on this team.

SLAM: Many players need to hear something that speaks to them before a game. What type of music are you knockin’ pre-game?

TH: You know, hip-hop, like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Jay Z.

SLAM: How about that new Drake album?

TH: Yeah Drake, MMG like Wale, Meek, Rick Ross.

SLAM: Is there anyone on your iPod that people wouldn’t expect to see?

TH: Hmm, I’ve got Marvin Gaye.

SLAM: Same here.

TH: Yeah, I listen to him before games actually. I listened to him before I came here [laughs].

SLAM: “Sexual Healing”?

TH: Yeah I got that, but I don’t listen to it all the time.

SLAM: Yeah, you’ve gotta save that one for the ladies.

TH: [Laughs]

SLAM: There’s an onslaught of talented guards on this Knicks team. Where do you see yourself fitting in with this team?

TH: You know, I feel that we already have plenty of scorers on the team, so I’m just trying to learn my role right now. Right now, I don’t really have a specific role. People know I can shoot and stretch the floor out. I can run the wing and be that energetic guy on the defensive end and offensive end, dive for loose balls, and do whatever I can to help the team win and whatever the coaches need me to do to get me on the court. So that’s what I’m gonna keep on doing.

SLAM: And you like to run the floor on the break…

TH: Yeah, it’s always good to have another guy that can run the break and have the same type of motor as a guy like JR Smith, Shump, Ray [Felton], who like pushing the break as well. All the guards here are so versatile, they can play many positions, so it’s good to have a lot of guys like that on your team.

SLAM: How has having a father that’s been to the show help you prepare for the lifestyle of the NBA, especially now that you’re playing in a city that can love you one minute, and hate you the next?

TH: He’s done a great job of making sure that I’m just having fun. That’s the only thing he wants me to do—to have fun, and being able to know your surroundings and just go out there and be who you are. Do what you do best, and just go out there and just play ball.

SLAM: What’s it like going up against tough competitors like Iman Shumpert and JR Smith in practice? Has that helped you prepare for the level of competition you’re going to face in the L?

TH: Oh, it helps a lot. You know any time you get switched on to Carmelo, it’s really uhh…

SLAM: Not fun [laughs].

TH: It’s not fun, but at the same time it gets you a whole lot better on the defensive end, especially guarding guys in the post. You know, he’s 6-8, strong, so it gets you tougher mentally and physically.

SLAM: What’s a realistic team goal for the Knicks this season?

TH: A realistic goal is for us to win a Championship. You know, that’s everybody’s goal at the end of the day, whether you play for this team, or the Orlando Magic, or the Heat. It doesn’t matter which team you play for. We definitely have the personnel to do it. We just need to go out there and be confident, know our roles, and make sure that everybody sacrifices for the team.

SLAM: What about personal goals—what’s a realistic personal goal for you in your first NBA season?

TH: Just to be the best person that I can be. You know this is new to me. I’m coming in here not knowing much at all. It was great having a father that has done this before, who showed me the ropes and all, but I’m on my own now. I’m just trying to adjust and get through my first year, and, you know, just take care of my body and stay healthy.

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With his pops in the stands, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit the game-winning bucket, as the New York Knicks took down the Boston Celtics. Great moment. Per the NY Post: “Tim Hardaway Jr. didn’t need to win the game with 8.2 seconds left with a 17-foot, left-baseline jumper to give the Knicks a 103-102 preseason win over the Celtics last night. Hardaway had already proved plenty in the first 3 ½ quarters, that he wasn’t like most rookies, that ice runs through his veins, part of the gene pool. Hardaway drained five of his first six shots, including three straight 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. But with his famous father, Tim Hardaway Sr., on hand scouting for the Heat, the game-winner was the cherry on top of the sundae. Hardaway’s Knicks debut turned into a storybook tale as he floated in the jumper to repel the Celtics, who had rallied from a 23-point fourth quarter deficit against the very end of the Knicks roster. Hardaway Sr. could be seen looking up to the ceiling, howling after his son’s shot fell through. ‘It was great,’’ Hardaway Jr. said. ‘Everything you ask for and dreamed of came to reality. [My father] was out there scouting for the Heat and the same time supporting me. It was great to have a family figure out there.'”

The post Tim Hardaway Jr. Nails Game-Winner With Dad Watching (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Our friends at Rare Soles held an expo last Saturday for local sneakerheads over the weekend. With Knicks rookie Tim Hardaway Jr, recording artist Joe Budden, Kentucky commit Karl Towns and some really sweet kicks, the Rare Soles Expo was one to remember. Check out the photos above and read more about the event here.

Photos courtesy of Janine Just, Inc.

The post Tim Hardaway Jr, Karl Towns Attend Rare Soles Expo (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

by Daniel Friedman / @DFried615

When Tim Hardaway Jr was playing ball in Miami as a youngster, he remembers that people would always refer to him as “Tim Hardaway’s son.” This doesn’t come as a shock, since his father, Tim Hardaway Sr, played ball in the NBA for 12 seasons, five as an All-Star.

The elder Hardaway was known as a smooth passer and crossover artist, averaging 17.3 points and 8.2 assists per game throughout his career. Hardaway Sr reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any other player in NBA history, except for Oscar Robertson. Hardaway Sr’s No. 10 also hangs in the rafters of the Miami Heat’s arena.

In a basketball sense, Tim Hardaway Jr has begun to take after his father. In his junior season playing for the No. 7-ranked Michigan Wolverines, Hardaway is averaging 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He holds the record for three pointers made in a season by a freshman. Partnering with Trey Burke in the backcourt, Hardaway gives Michigan one of the most dangerous tandems in college basketball.

In a recent interview with SLAMonline, Hardaway talked about the NCAA Tournament, what it was like growing up with a Dad he could watch on TV, and his plans for the upcoming NBA Draft.

SLAM: How did you get started playing ball?

Tim Hardaway Jr: Started playing basketball around middle school, started to get real serious about it after my freshman year in the summer, going into to my sophomore year. Then the looks just started coming after my sophomore year from different coaches and different universities, and that’s basically it, that’s why I’m here now.

SLAM: You played football and basketball in high school right?

TH: Yeah, I played football in ninth grade, but in Florida it’s so serious I didn’t really get into it that much. My dad didn’t want me playing football.

SLAM: What was it like growing up with a dad who was playing in the NBA?

TH: It was tough because you would always want that father figure around you every single day, but he would be out of town. So the only person that would be around was my mom. She would always take us to school, cook us dinner, she would take us to our games… So she would always be there, and so she basically knows more about the game of basketball than any person I know besides my dad. It was good just to be around her, but it was tough. It was cool also at the same time because you get to say you know, ‘Hey, that’s my dad,’ and you get to watch him on TV, so you had some positives and some negatives, but we all prevailed very well.

SLAM: Did your dad try to coach you up a little bit when you were playing organized sports?

TH: Yeah, he tried to coach me up a little bit, but I didn’t take it too well. He would tell you right now, he always used to get on me and he always wanted me to perform at the same level he did when he was my age. But I mean the era that he grew up in and I grew up in are totally different, all they had was basketball. There are just so many other opportunities and activities that you can do. You can go to the park, you can go to parties your friends are holding, you can go to the beach. There’s so many other opportunities to have fun than just playing basketball like he did.

SLAM: You said he was tough, but was your dad a little too hard on you growing up?

TH: He was hard on me. And he really wanted me to succeed just like he did at a younger age but it wasn’t showing, and we would have arguments and go days without talking, three or four days. And it was really messing up the family. And I mean this was going on from seventh grade until like my junior year of high school. Then that’s when he sat down by himself and just watched me play and realized I was doing everything he was telling me to do. Then after the game, he apologized about what he did. And ever since then we’ve just been really strong, one of the best friends anyone could ever have.

SLAM: How did you end up choosing to attend Michigan?

TH: Well, it was crazy because I never really knew the history or knew about the University of Michigan until they started looking at me. I didn’t know anything about the Fab Five. I grew up in Miami so that was ACC territory, so it was all about The U, and FSU and Florida.

There was a tournament in Akron, OH, and I was with my traveling team, and I guy came up to me and talked to me about Michigan and said they had been giving me looks, and it was great. A couple years after that I went on an unofficial visit for a team camp and just checked it out with my parents. But the first time I thought about having a chance to go here was at the Duke game, when they played against Michigan in my junior year in high school. It really showed me what Coach was all about. It was great to see him take a team that wasn’t as highly ranked as we are today and going out there and beating a very highly ranked Duke team that had a lot of superstars on there that were five-star recruits, and just taking them to the tournament, it was great to see that. And I wasn’t very highly ranked at that time so that played a big part in my decision of going here.

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When your team is a perpetual underdog and they finally get the opportunity to finish off a top-ranked opponent, wouldn’t you want to celebrate mid-court with your friends and favorite players?

The question of whether college basketball fans should rush the court after a big win is as old as the tradition itself. While it’s always been part of college basketball and undoubtedly adds to the drama of the event, it can put the teams in potential danger with rowdy fans.

The question, to storm or not to storm, has been brought to the fore by the impending madness that falls upon the nation in the month of March each year. And a recent near altercation involving one of the nation’s most prominent coaches and an opposing fan after an upset has reignited the debate.

As the Virginia Cavaliers pulled out the win over then No. 1 Duke  in Charlotesville, the fans went on the floor and got too close for comfort for Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. As per the News & Observer:

“Look, celebrate, have fun, obviously you won, that’s cool. Just get our team off the court before students come on… The potential is there all the time for a fan to just go up to you and say, ‘Coach you’re a,’ or push you or hit you,” said Coach K. “And what do you do? What if you did something? That would be the story. We deserve that type of protection.”

Coach K has his own opinion, and some analysts have developed a detailed storming-the-court etiquette, but what do the players think about one of the most unique traditions in sports?

From No. 6-ranked Michigan, 6-6 guard Tim Hardaway Jr has been involved in many occasions where the Wolverines fell to lower-ranked teams or to rivals and the fans have swarmed the court. He echoes analysts’ call for some kind of decorum, “My thing is, if you’re a top-5 team and the opponent you’re playing against isn’t ranked, no need to rush the court.”

Though Hardaway insists there needs to be limits, he’s not willing to give the tradition up completely.

“There’s no stopping it. That’s what college basketball is all about. A lot of people that play in college sports dream about beating the top ranked team, and having their fans rush the court,” said Hardaway. “It gets the fans involved.”

From South Bend, Notre Dame forward Jack Cooley has also had the chance to partake in the craziness that comes with fans running around the very floor many players consider to be their sanctuary. Cooley, who stands at 6-9 while weighing in at 249 pounds, has never felt in danger during a melee, as he towers over most fans: “I’m a pretty big dude. I don’t think they’re going to knock me around.”

Cooley’s in line with what seems to be popular opinion and believes that fans should have the right to storm the court. He explained that since they’re often loyal supporters of their team throughout the season, they deserve the chance to enjoy the moment with the players who create it for them.

“These fans come out supporting the team every game, they’re cheering for you,” said Cooley. “If they want to storm the court, let them. No one’s really getting hurt.”

Coach K’s near altercation at Virginia brought on discussion about how unsafe it actually is for hundreds, if not thousands, of fans to run onto a basketball court. Without enough security officials to mediate the charge, fans can speak their mind to opposing coaches and players, everyone can be in potential danger, and accidents can lead to injuries.

One man who knows the dangers of the tradition all too well is former Bowling Green forward Germain Fitch. On January 22, 2005, the Falcons played Toledo at home, and after being down by 23 at the halfway point, they came back to win.

“I knew they were going to storm the court,” said Fitch. “So I’m running, not to celebrate, but toward our exit tunnel. And a guy just ran from the side and just clipped me and tackled me. I knew right away what it was.”

What Fitch knew was that he had torn his ACL for the third time, ultimately leading to the end of his basketball career. Fitch’s coach at the time, Dan Dakich, believed Fitch was without a doubt a pro prospect before he went down for the final time in the commotion of celebration.

While getting examined by trainers in the locker room, Fitch just hoped it wasn’t the same ligament that’d been repaired twice already. When he got the news that he had indeed torn his ACL and would have to undergo his fourth knee surgery, he simply asked when it was going to end.

Even after enduring that trying experience, Fitch is all for fans getting involved in the experience with their team. But he agrees that safety needs to be a priority.

“I enjoy watching it. When I was in high school, you see it happening and you’re like, Man, that’s going to be me, I’m going to be in the middle jumping around, you know,” explained Fitch. “My freshman year, we beat Michigan at home when they were really good, and of course our fans rushed the court. And nothing happened to me then. It was just a freak accident.”

But I would say they have to look out for the players’ and coaches’ safety because people will do what they want to do. No incident should need to happen for them to make a change.”

Whether the NCAA can enforce regulations to create controlled chaos remains to be seen. With March Madness officially beginning next Tuesday, it’s likely we won’t be seeing any regulatory measures put into place until at least next season.

For now, when the final buzzer sounds after an upset win, fans, coaches and players all just need to take a deep breath, hope for the best and embrace the rush.

The post Too Close For Comfort appeared first on SLAM.

by Jon Jaques / @JJaques25

We’ve already used SLAM 153 to tell you about the Dream Team at UNC and the top freshmen in the land, but there’s still a lot of great college players we have yet to mention. Here’s a Sweet 16’s worth of talented future pros.

William Buford
6-5, SG, Senior, Ohio State
Even the most skilled players can be overlooked in a program as stacked as Ohio State’s. Senior guard Buford arrived in Columbus the same year as former All-American and current Sixers’ forward Evan Turner. When it appeared the explosive leaper and knockdown shooter was poised to step out of his classmate’s shadow, he unselfishly took a backseat to freshmen phenoms Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft and crafty veterans Jon Diebler and David Lighty. Buford has been nothing but solid in his first three seasons, but he should emerge as a star this season as the Buckeyes’ main perimeter scoring threat.

Tim Hardaway Jr
6-5, PG, Sophomore, Michigan
Taller than his old man but with the same unmistakable crossover, Hardaway Jr is well on his way to becoming the most significant Michigan basketball product since a certain fivesome of the Fab-ulous variety. He possesses a natural ability to break down defenses by getting paint touches at will. Last season, Hardaway’s assist average of 1.7 per contest was lower than a point guard’s should be, but without former Wolverine guard and current Laker Darius Morris, the ball will be in Jr’s hands more this season. Large point guards are clearly trending in the NBA, so Hardaway’s size is a definite plus.

Dario Hunt
6-8, PF, Senior, Nevada
If you’re looking for NBA-level talent in a mid-major program, Reno is a great place to start. Nevada, the school that produced recent pros like Ramon Sessions, Kirk Snyder, Nick Fazekas and JaVale McGee, might do it again. Wolfpack senior forward Dario Hunt emerged from nowhere to average close to a double double (12.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game) as a junior. Even as a sophomore, Hunt recorded 7 boards a night, so the veteran’s energy and hustle were always plus skills. If Hunt’s offensive production can continue in the face of defensive game plans tailored to stop him, Hunt could be a first-round sleeper.

Perry Jones
6-11, PF/C, Sophomore, Baylor
Some kids simply pass the NBA eye test, and that’s good enough to cement their high Lottery status. The 6-11 Jones is one of these individuals, which made his decision to stay in school for another season in spite of a looming five-game NCAA suspension for accepting impermissible benefits even more curious. It’s crazy to think of freshman numbers of 14 points and 7 rebounds as a disappointment, but Jones, who was widely labeled the top pro prospect in his class, failed to meet those lofty expectations. Growth from freshman to sophomore years is always the greatest, though, so expect a monstrous season from the Baylor star.

Terrence Jones
6-8, SF/PF, Sophomore, Kentucky
For the first two months of his freshman campaign, Terrence Jones looked like a Lamar Odom clone: a silky smooth southpaw forward with a deft handle, knack for finding open teammates and an ability to face up and beat defenders off the dribble or with a jumper. He was the Wildcats’ best player. But Jones gradually wore down and lost confidence as the season waned. He kicked off SEC play with 24- and 35-point outbursts versus Georgia and Auburn and wrapped it up with underwhelming consecutive 7-point performances. Expect more consistency from Jones, who will be a senior citizen on another baby-faced Kentucky team.

Kris Joseph
6-7, SF, Senior, Syracuse
There have been a few recent Syracuse players who have used the Dome as a premature launching pad to glory. Kris Joseph could easily have become the next Donte Green or Jonny Flynn, unquestionable talents who made questionable decisions to leave Central New York a year too early. Instead, Joseph has decided to enjoy extra time in orange. The Montreal-born small forward has steadily improved from an offensively limited sparkplug as a freshman to one of the most feared players in the Big East heading into his final season. Joseph’s second gear and athleticism make him one of college hoops’ truly frightening open-court matchups.

Doron Lamb
6-4, SG, Sophomore, Kentucky
Lamb is overshadowed on all fronts. He’s the “other Lamb” (not the one who won a national title last season) and the “other guy” on a Kentucky roster crowded with the flashy players Wildcat fans have come to expect. But Lamb was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of New York by way of Oak Hill Academy, and after a solid freshman season in which he lead the SEC with a blistering 48-percent mark from three-point range, his coach John Calipari labeled  him the “best basketball player” on a team that has more than a few good ones. His game may be quieter than your average top-50 recruit, but don’t sleep on this Lamb.

Jeremy Lamb
6-5, SG, Sophomore, Connecticut
Kemba Walker was the best player on the floor for UConn during its title game win over Butler…but not by much. Jeremy Lamb, who capped off his surprising rookie season with a heady 12-point, 7-rebound performance in Houston, was right there with Walker. After a summer spent as the obvious go-to scorer  on Team USA’s U-19 World Championship team, it’s clear that Lamb is the fastest rising star in the Big East. His cartoonish 7-1 wingspan and basketball instincts make him a prime candidate for NBA stardom as well.

CJ Leslie
6-9, SF/PF, Sophomore, North Carolina State
CJ Leslie was born to be an NBA player. A landmark recruit for NC State, Leslie possesses incredible length, uncanny  versatility and jaw-dropping athleticism. During his freshman season, though, Leslie looked like a pro trying to play college ball. The rising sophomore knew he was easily the struggling Wolfpack’s most talented player and would try to do too much. Leslie’s potential makes him a first-round lock, but if he learns to use his abilities to make his less endowed teammates better, the Draft Lottery is his future.

Trevor Mbakwe
6-8, PF, Senior, Minnesota
Tubby Smith’s workhorse has taken a circuitous route to success (a transfer from Marquette and a felony assault charge that was eventually dropped but robbed him of a year of eligibility), but you have to figure that experience has shaped the player Mbakwe has become. Stats don’t lie, but they never express the full truth either. Mbakwe averaging a double double in a conference as rugged as the Big Ten is noteworthy, but the hustle plays the senior provides are potentially even more valuable to an NBA team. He has Nuggets’ 2011 first rounder Kenneth Faried’s motor with an even more advanced offensive skill set.

Khris Middleton
6-7, SG/SF, Junior, Texas A&M
Middleton has two things NBA evaluators will fall in love with: a beautiful stroke from pretty much every spot on the floor and the size to play his position at the next level. The junior has enough potential to advance way beyond this level, but James Jones—a nails shooter who is a smart, team basketball player—comes to mind as Middleton’s worst-case pro comparison. The Aggie needs to improve his strength if he wants to get to his spots and create his own shot in the pros, but Middleton has shown tremendous growth before, so there’s no reason to think he can’t do it again.

Andrew Nicholson
6-9, PF, Senior, St. Bonaventure
The best pro prospect in the Atlantic 10 is no longer an unknown. What people still don’t realize, though, is how impressive this guy truly is. For Nicholson to spit out averages of 21 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while peering over double teams and battling through triple teams inspired by his lack of surrounding weapons is insane. St. Bonaventure should be proud of its finally rising program, but let’s not kid ourselves. Nicholson has resurrected this program from basement dweller to Tournament hopeful with very little help. That alone should earn Nicholson first-round consideration.

Thomas Robinson
6-9, PF, Junior, Kansas
This is the season we finally learn how good Thomas  Robinson can be. Despite losing his mother and both grandparents within an unimaginable three-week span last winter, the DC native was admirably able to execute his role as one of the Jayhawks’ most reliable reserves. With the productive Morris twins off to the Association, Robinson will be counted on for much more than his 8-point sophomore average this season. His post footwork and skills need refinement, but as the only frontcourt holdover from the dominant Kansas teams of the past couple seasons, the explosive forward will be given every opportunity to be a go-to guy this season.

Terrence Ross
6-6, SG, Sophomore, Washington
In a Husky backcourt full of graceful and long-legged guards (Abdul Gaddy, Tony Wroten), sophomore guard Ross has the makings of a top dog. Lorenzo Romar didn’t ask much of Ross during his freshman season, but even in just 17 minutes per contest, it was clear why the kid was so coveted coming out of high school. If you were to use your favorite video game’s create-a-player option to build an NBA shooting guard, you would end up with Terrence Ross: ideal size, effortless leaper, confident jump shot and quickness to be an elite defender. Expect huge progression from Ross in his sophomore season.

Jared Sullinger
6-9, PF, Sophomore, Ohio State
On top of the larger-than- average heap of current  college standouts sits a larger-than-average man. Sullinger should be a top-five selection whenever he leaves Ohio State. His footwork, feathery touch in the paint, ability to pass out of frequent double-teams and developing outside game make him an impossible matchup for 99 percent of  college big men. He’ll rarely  be the better athlete in a head-to-head NBA matchup, though, so he’ll have to learn how to better create scoring opportunities with positioning and craftiness.

Renardo Sidney
6-10, PF/C, Junior, Mississippi State
If the NBA Draft were conducted before the college season, the tantalizing Sidney would be in the thick of the crapshoot known as the second round. NBA teams watch over these players, especially the hyped ones like Sidney, from the time they can grab a 10-foot rim with two hands, so you know GMs are familiar with the Mississippi product’s baggage. Another turbulent season filled with shoddy play and ghastly immaturity might finally put an end to his NBA future. On the other hand, a breakthrough year will have scouts salivating over the size and skill that once made him a can’t-miss prospect.

The post That New College Try appeared first on SLAM.

Thirteen players, including five with prior USA Basketball experience, were named Sunday as finalists for the 2011 USA Men’s U19 World Championship Team. The selections, which were made by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee, came after three-days, four training sessions, during the USA U19 Team training camp that got underway Friday. The USA squad will look to defend the gold medal won in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship that runs June 30-July 10 in Latvia.

Named as a finalist for the USA U19 World Championship squad were: Keith Appling (Michigan State/Detroit, Mich.); James Bell (Villanova/Orlando, Fla.); Anthony Brown (Stanford/Huntington Beach, Calif.); .); Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/*Arizona State/Phoenix, Ariz.);Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.); Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.); Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut/Norcross, Ga.); Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.); Khyle Marshall (Butler/Davie, Fla.); Javon McCrea (Buffalo/Newark, N.Y.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/ Ames, Iowa); Tony Mitchell (North Texas/Dallas, Texas); and Patric Young (Florida/Jacksonville, Fla.).

George Mason University mentor Paul Hewitt is head coach of the USA U19 World Championship Team, and is being assisted by collegiate head coaches Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University.

“I think our inside players are tremendous. We have some good balance and some guys that can shoot the basketball. Obviously, it was a hard decision to come down to 13, and we still have to make one more decision before we go overseas,” said Hewitt.

“The focus from here has got to be on defense. I don’t think that we can be a team that’s going to have the most continuity, so we have to be a really good defensive team and capitalize on our ability to get stops in transition.”

Training camp for the selected finalists continues Sunday afternoon through Thursday, June 23, with the official 12-member USA U19 roster being announced prior to the team’s departure for Europe on June 24. The 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men is being held June 30-July 10 in Valmiera, Liepaja and Riga, Latvia.

Five of the finalists possess prior USA Basketball experience including two players from the 2010 USA U18 National Team that captured gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Mitchell and Young were part of USA Basketball’s 2010 U18 team, while Leonard and Young participated on the USA Junior National Select Team that won the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit.

Other players possessing prior USA Basketball trials experience included Appling and Bell, while Jackson was invited to the 2010 U17 Trials but was unable to participate.

Included among the finalists are 12 student-athletes who attended a NCAA Division I school in 2010-11 and one (Carson) player who completed his high school career this year.

Twelve colleges and nine conferences have representation on the USA finalists roster.

Lamb helped lead the University of Connecticut to the 2011 NCAA title and along the way was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.2 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. Marshall was a freshman for NCAA runner-up Butler.

Six athletes listed among their NCAA conference all-freshman squads following the 2010-11 season, including three who were named their conference’s freshman of the year. McCrea was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, and McDermott was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Jackson collected MVP honors for the Conference USA Tournament, Lamb was named to the Big East Conference All-Tournament Team and McDermott was also named All-Missouri Valley Conference first team. Named to their respective conference all-freshman teams were: Brown (Pac-10), Hardaway (Big Ten), Lamb (Big East), McCrea (Mid-American), McDermott (Missouri Valley) and Young (Southeastern).

Additionally, McCrea was tabbed by CollegeInsider.com to its Mid-Major Freshmen All-America team; McDermott was named to the USBWA Freshman All-America second team, while Hardaway, McDermott and Young were each named to the 2011 CollegeInsider.com Freshman All-American Team.

The 2009-12 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Committee is chaired by NCAA representative Jim Boeheim (head coach, Syracuse University), and also includes NCAA appointees Lorenzo Romar (head coach, University of Washington), Bruce Weber (head coach, University of Illinois) and Roy Williams (head coach, University of North Carolina); and athlete representative Jay Williams, a member of the 2002 USA World Championship Team.

The post Thirteen Finalists For USA Men’s U19 Team Announced appeared first on SLAM.

Thanks to their Big Three, the Miami Heat are back as one of the major forces in the NBA. But it wasn’t so long ago that Tim Hardaway was the leader of Miami’s offense. Utilizing his famous UTEP Two-step crossover, Hardaway made a habit out of leaving defenders in the dust before scoring a basket.

These days Hardaway is living in Iowa, broadcasts and watches games regularly and enjoys watching his son play for Michigan.

SLAM: What exactly are you doing here in Bloomington, Indiana?
Tim Hardaway: I’m doing Compass Media’s Game of the Week. I called the Iowa vs. Indiana game.

SLAM: Do you enjoy calling the games?
TH: Oh yea, just doing color commentary—making people feel like they are really at the game. I enjoy calling the game, looking at the young fellas play, watching the games, seeing if they got what it takes to get to the next level.

SLAM: So who’s the best guy you’ve seen in college this year?
TH: It’s hard to say. You’ve got a lot of guys out there with a lot of potential but if I wanna say an all around game, Melsahn Basabe for Iowa. I think today he played an all around good game. Rebounding on both ends, offensively scoring, and playing well.

SLAM: So you think he has what it takes to get to the next level maybe not now but in a few years?
TH: Well you know, yea. In a few years if he gets stronger, learns how to handle the ball and gets a nice jump shot then yes.

SLAM: Who else do you think about this year?
TH: Well, I watch a lot of games on TV. Kemba Walker, of course. Jared Sullinger—well, first of all the guys who play on Ohio State have a great team right now. They’re moving the ball and getting people involved and they understand the game.

SLAM: With Kemba Walker being a sub 6-foot guard like you, what does it take for him to get to that level—since you were one of those guys?
TH: It takes a whole lot. You gotta have confidence in yourself. Your teammates have to have confidence in you. You have to go out there, make big plays, make big shots, and at his position you gotta be a point guard and be able to control your team.

SLAM: And do you think he does that now?
TH: Right now he needs to give something else to that team, and that’s scoring. That takes away from the other aspects of his game but at the next level he will be able to control the game.

SLAM: And what did you think about Jordan Hulls today? Does he have what it takes?
TH: I think he has what it takes to control the team and play at the next level, but it takes a lot of work and he still has a long way to go. He’s just a sophomore.

SLAM: Even despite his height?
TH: It doesn’t matter about your height. I think he has nice athleticism and if he gets with the right team then you never know.

SLAM: For sure. Discuss the NBA a little bit—the Heat in particular. What do you see with them?
TH: The Heat are a great team, we put together a great team down there. We just gotta get the supporting cast and I think your starting to see the supporting cast work very well with the Big 3. That’s what it takes—everybody needs to do their job. The Big 3 is gonna do their job but everybody else has to do their job.

SLAM: Are they the biggest threat to dethrone the Lakers this year?
TH: No I think the biggest threat to dethrone the Lakers this year is the Boston Celtics. You know the experience that they have and their depth makes them the biggest threat, so we’ll see.

SLAM: And the Collective Bargaining Agreement
TH: Now hopefully it doesn’t get that far. Hopefully it’ll work itself out and we won’t have to worry about it.

SLAM: Hopefully, I agree. At halftime you were checking out golf in the media room. What are you doing in your spare time these days? 
TH: I watch my son Tim Hardaway Jr. play—he plays for the University of Michigan. I call games and I got two other girls at home and my wife.

SLAM: And what do you see in your sons game?
TH: I see a lot. He”s got a long way to go but I see a lot of growth in him. His expectations have exceeded mine already. I thought he was going to get about 20 minutes a ball game but he’s getting 30-35 minutes a game. I didn’t play that many minutes a ball game so I’m happy for him.

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The one thought that continued to run through my mind during the first half of this Big Ten battle was “Is this the same Michigan team that took Kansas to overtime last week?”

I have never been a person of moral victories, but Michigan took two of the top three teams in the country down to the wire in the past week — Kansas fans sat on pins and needles the whole game and Ohio State had to put up a fight to walk away undefeated.

You might expect a hungry and battle-tested Wolverine team to charge into Assembly hall with a chip on their shoulder. Instead, the Wolverines let Indiana impose their will for basically all 40 minutes. From the moment the ball went up in the air until the final buzzer sounded, Assembly Hall in Bloomington was  rocking all night long. The Hoosier faithful sent a barrage of cheers and jeers out for all 40 minutes, making the Michigan players feel about as wanted as Donovan McNabb at Mike Shanahan’s birthday party.

The Wolverines shot an abysmal 23.8 percent from the field in the first half and visibly showed their frustration after missed shots, turnovers, and blown defensive assignments. Simply put, the Hoosiers manhandled Michigan in every aspect of the game. Stud freshmen Tim Hardaway Jr. picked up two early fouls, which largely contributed to his lack of offensive production, and All Big Ten selection Darius Morris did most of his damage when the game was already out of reach.

On the other end, Indiana played arguably their best ball of the season. Verdell Jones shot a near perfect 9-10 from the field en route to a game high 24 points. Christian Watford added 17 points, and Jordan Hulls hit three big time threes down the stretch as part of his 13 points outing.

“They came at a great time… Jordan played the most minutes of anyone on the team. That’s the kind of Jordan hulls, quick trigger, get it up…that’s exactly what we need and that’s exactly what his teammates expect from him,” added Crean on Jordan’s clutch baskets.

The Hoosiers only missed 14 shots all game, severely limiting the Wolverines’ rebounding numbers. The energy, focus, determination, and hunger were visible the entire game. It was almost as if the Hoosiers let out six games worth of frustration all in one night. A win like this could be the building block for a struggling Hoosier team.

Will the Hoosiers look to build on their momentum against a hostile Wisconsin Badger crowd on Thursday? Only time will tell, but I do believe one thing: the Hoosiers are sick of being pushed around, and they won’t go down without a fight.

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