With so many changes in the offseason, it’s time to take a look at some young players who will be thrust into a larger role simply by staying put. So much changes every offseason in the NBA. Players change teams. Teams change coaches or general managers. Coaches change systems and rotations. And more. All of
Month: August 2019
9:25 AM ET SHANGHAI — Watching Gregg Popovich work is one of the joys of being around Team USA. During the NBA season when he’s in San Antonio he builds walls, actual and figurative, that purposely shield nuance. It’s understandable because it’s a competitive game, and Popovich, while often gregarious, prefers privacy. But it’s also
What? You thought all the bizarreness stopped on Monday? Oh, no, dear friends. We’ve got some more to cover. The following plotlines that are soon to be mentioned below are not as wild as the ones that were mentioned on Monday. However, they still fit the ongoing theme of oddities that much be mentioned. Teams
12:43 AM ET Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a three-year, $54.5 million contract extension that will take him through the 2022-23 season, league sources told ESPN. Gordon’s deal — which starts with the 2020-21 season — includes a $20.9 million season in 2023-24 that would become guaranteed if Gordon makes an All-Star
The New Orleans Pelicans were in need of 3-point shooting before Darius Miller’s Achilles injury, which is a subtle blow to their floor-spacing. No one can deny the New Orleans Pelicans had a terrific summer, especially for a team that was forced into trading away one of the 5-10 best players in the NBA. They
After securing their backcourt for the long term, the Portland Trail Blazers pivoted and put the rest of their faith in the unknown. When Klay Thompson tore his ACL and Kevin Durant broke for the Nets, the rest of the Western Conference sensed an opportunity. As the Clippers, Lakers, Jazz and Rockets all jumped at
10:24 AM ET Skill. Age. Versatility. A proven track record. What’s the criteria to be a top-level NBA player? What’s the most important quality if you were going to build a team around a superstar? The Hoop Collective crew debated the topic and re-drafted the league’s best players from 1 to 21. If they could
In just under two months, 30 NBA teams will kick off the journey that is the 2019-20 NBA season. There will be a myriad of storylines and statistical trends that flesh out as the season chugs along. Some of these trends can be predicted based on last season, while others could be a result of
1:44 PM ET SHANGHAI — During their first night in China, the members of Team USA didn’t want to be around any coaches or other staff members. Gregg Popovich, a famous host of dinners, couldn’t have been happier he was excluded from their plans. From the first day this team got together in Las Vegas
In one offseason, David Griffin drafted Zion Williamson and surrounded him with the talent to succeed. Where will the Pelicans go from here? It’s a testament to David Griffin’s work in the last four months that the Pelicans’ whirlwind of a summer almost renders the team’s acquisition of Zion Williamson – an unprecedented athletic marvel
4:21 PM ET The Golden State Warriors promoted Mike Dunleavy Jr. to assistant general manager Thursday and added former player Zaza Pachulia as a team consultant. Dunleavy, a Warrior from 2002 to 2007 and a veteran of 15 seasons in the league, has worked for the past year as a scout for the team. Dunleavy,
“We’re going to turn Knicks fans into Nets fans… I expect us to be in the playoffs next season and [win a] championship in one-year minimum, and maximum in five years,” said Mikhail Prokhorov, introducing himself at a press conference on May 19, 2010 while announcing his purchase of the New Jersey Nets. With that
The Magic finally made their way back to the NBA playoffs. But, as the dust settles on the offseason, is it clear what they’re building toward? After a seven-year absence, the Orlando Magic returned to the playoffs this past season and, before their first home game, the man on stilts hadn’t yet been brought down
8:28 AM ET For all of their starry absences, the United States will be the favorite to retain their FIBA World Cup when the 2019 edition tips off on Saturday in China. But an alternative victor isn’t that difficult to imagine. Within the competition’s largest-ever field of 32, there are a clutch of potential contenders
For the San Antonio Spurs to set a new record for consecutive playoff appearances, they’ll need to find the right balance of minutes for their young backcourt. The San Antonio Spurs are on perhaps the longest run of sustained success in the history of the NBA. San Antonio has made the postseason every single year
11:52 AM ET Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler has been suspended 25 games without pay after testing positive for the performance‐enhancing drug Ipamorelin, the league announced Thursday. The positive test violates the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. Chandler, 32, averaged 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds while playing in 51 games for the Philadelphia 76ers
“We’re going to turn Knicks fans into Nets fans… I expect us to be in the playoffs next season and [win a] championship in one-year minimum, and maximum in five years,” said Mikhail Prokhorov, introducing himself at a press conference on May 19, 2010 while announcing his purchase of the New Jersey Nets. With that
3:52 PM ET Nick DePaulaESPN New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett has signed a multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal with Puma, linking the franchise’s highest draft pick in over three decades with the brand’s original endorser, Knicks Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier. “We’ve had our eyes on him for a long time, going
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: Joe Johnson #1 of the Triplets looks on during the BIG3 Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/BIG3 via Getty Images) Emmanuel Sanchez believes he’s a ‘horrible match-up for anybody’ by Ben Coate UFC Shenzhen: 5 keys to victory
6:06 PM ET Marc J. Spears Former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson is in Philadelphia preparing for a workout Thursday with the 76ers, a source told ESPN’s The Undefeated. Johnson, 38, also is receiving interest for potential workouts from the LA Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Pelicans head coach
The underlying cause of any on-court performance issue is the subconscious mental and emotional blockages picked up from past experiences that can hold a player back. When energetic blocks like these exist, players inevitably struggle to optimize performance. Subconscious impediments can adversely affect a player’s decision-making and execution process during the game. Confidence, poise and
2:25 PM ET Kobe Bryant says he has “no beef” with Shaquille O’Neal after comments came to light that Bryant thought he could have won 12 NBA titles if the dominant big man had Bryant’s legendary work ethic. Bryant tweeted Wednesday that their old feud remains in the past and there’s “nothin but love” between
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 24: Kemba Walker of the USA runs with the ball during game two of the International Basketball series between the Australian Boomers and United States of America at Marvel Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Bill O’Brien trying to talk himself into Texans running
8:37 AM ET Kevin WangESPN.com Veteran guard Jeremy Lin has signed with the Beijing Shougang Ducks to play in the Chinese Basketball Association next season, the team announced Tuesday. In a statement, the Ducks say the team is now in the process of working with the league to get his registration paperwork approved, a procedural
The underlying cause of any on-court performance issue is the subconscious mental and emotional blockages picked up from past experiences that can hold a player back. When energetic blocks like these exist, players inevitably struggle to optimize performance. Subconscious impediments can adversely affect a player’s decision-making and execution process during the game. Confidence, poise and
3:42 PM ET A former girlfriend of DeMarcus Cousins is seeking a restraining order against him after she said in court documents and a police report obtained by TMZ that the Los Angeles Lakers center threatened her and has previously choked her. Christy West, according to TMZ, alleges that Cousins said he would put a
It felt inevitable, and Jeremy Lin has officially signed to play in China for the Beijing Ducks. Look out, China, “Linsanity” is coming. According to Sportando, Jeremy Lin has signed a one-year deal with the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association. Lin split last season in the NBA between the Atlanta Hawks and the
11:00 AM ET Lisa Leslie has won coach of the year honors in the BIG3 after leading Triplets to Saturday’s title game, the league announced Tuesday. Leslie, the Hall of Famer and WNBA legend, is the second woman to win the award, which is voted on by players and coaches in the league. Last year,
When Dwight Howard agreed to return to the Los Angeles Lakers, it was just fitting. It’s not fitting because Dwight fits with the Lakers’ needs. It’s fitting because it’s yet another in what’s been a longline of bizarre storylines this offseason. Seriously, it’s been one after the next. No, it’s not bizarre only because of
7:22 AM ET Which players should be the favorites for NBA MVP in 2019-20? In the latest edition of the ESPN summer forecast, our panel predicted 2018-19 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as having the best chance to win the award. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry finished second, with Curry and Giannis getting more than half of the
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