Isiah Thomas still finds ways to fire shots at his longtime rival, Michael Jordan, by declaring LeBron James the eventual GOAT in basketball. Isiah Thomas made the coveted NBA75 list alongside LeBron James and Michael Jordan, but Thomas only considers one of them to be basketball’s GOAT — and it isn’t Jordan. Thomas joined ESPN’s
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6:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN Shortly after James Harden was introduced as the newest member of the Philadelphia 76ers, the superstar guard was asked the question dominating the NBA world after the blockbuster trade deadline swap with the Brooklyn Nets for Ben Simmons: How will this partnership with Joel Embiid work? “I think we complement
C.J. McCollum has been moved to the New Orleans Pelicans, does that mean Damian Lillard is looking to leave the Portland Trail Blazers? Damian Lillard has seemingly been an extraordinarily patient man as the Portland Trail Blazers have been able to keep their star in town as time has marched on. While plenty of young
James Harden will finally get the chance to prove the trade was worth it in his Philadelphia 76ers debut on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The city of Philadelphia doesn’t have to wait any longer. It’s time for James Harden’s 76ers debut. The blockbuster trade that sent Ben Simmons to Brooklyn and made Harden a
3:00 PM ET NEW YORK — As Ben Simmons begins a new chapter in his career with the Brooklyn Nets, questions about the divorce he experienced with the Philadelphia 76ers linger. But as those questions about how he’ll fit with a new team after such a spectacular exit with an old one continue to filter
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a three point basket during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center on February 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Dallas radio host proposes Aaron Rodgers-to-Cowboys trade by Scott Rogust Watch: Man arrested for taking joy ride at Petco Park by Ethan Lee The Phoenix Suns must tread water without All-Star point guard Chris Paul going forward. While the Phoenix Suns are blessed with the best record
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 03: Alex Len #25 of the Sacramento Kings warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 03, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
10:47 PM ET The Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets held a moment of silence and linked arms in solidarity with Sacramento center Alex Len and his home country of Ukraine ahead of Thursday’s game at the Golden 1 Center. Len and Toronto Raptors wing Svi Mykhailiuk, the two Ukrainian players in the NBA this season,
All-Star Weekend proves once again that challenges are different than games as Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes hilariously fail to make easy shots. As entertaining as it can be to see athletes demonstrate their skills in carnival-like competitions, it’s true that many of the challenges during NBA All-Star Weekend are starkly different than gameplay. Nothing
Joel Embiid shared that while he wishes the best for the future of Ben Simmons, chasing Simmons around and asking him to stay in Philadelphia was “tough.” Back in October, Joel Embiid made headlines when he said he no longer cared about the Ben Simmons situation. “At this point, I don’t care about that man,”
As the NBA community watches turmoil unfold between Russia and Ukraine, the history between Russia and the league comes into focus. Basketball is a global sport, and the America-based NBA is seen as the most competitive professional basketball league of all. Athletes from all over the world endeavor to play in the NBA for maximum
8:00 AM ET The NBA’s Eastern Conference is deeper than it has been in decades, setting up what should be a wild sprint to the playoffs over the final seven weeks of the 2021-22 NBA regular season. With five teams within 2.5 games of first place in the conference, and just six games separating sixth
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 6: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers during the basketball game against Golden State Warriors at Staples Center March 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Donda 2 live stream: How to listen to new Kanye West album by Cody Williams A non-rookie
4:23 PM ET NEW YORK — As the Brooklyn Nets continue to wait and hope that the New York City vaccination mandate gets lifted and Kyrie Irving is able to play in home games again, Nets coach Steve Nash sees a renewed sense of optimism from the 29-year-old guard that a resolution might be coming
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Every NBA team has that one guy who became a fan favorite for bruising physicality and a willingness to do whatever it took to protect their teammates. In order to put together a comprehensive list of every NBA team’s greatest enforcer of all time, the question must first be asked:
4:46 PM ET The New York Knicks and guard Kemba Walker have agreed that the four-time All-Star will be sidelined for the remainder of the team’s schedule, allowing him to work out in preparation for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. In a statement released by the team, Knicks president of basketball operations
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) Does Aaron Rodgers-Shailene Woodley breakup make Broncos trade less likely? by Ethan Lee Anthony Davis injury sends Lakers fans into immediate panic by Ethan Lee Stephen A. Smith ripped off a three-minute tirade against the New York Knicks after they blew a 28-point lead to
The New Orleans Pelicans are in the midst of PR problem as news emerges about Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and an embarrassing marketing blooper. The Pelicans have had it tough as a franchise, trading away players intended to be cornerstones such as Anthony Davis, Lonzo Ball, and Chris Paul, among others. When New Orleans pinned
11:40 AM ET The Cleveland Cavaliers are promoting assistant general manager Mike Gansey to the GM title in the wake of Koby Altman’s recent ascension to president of basketball operations, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Gansey’s climb completes a remarkable rise in the Cavaliers’ front office: a Cleveland high school player hired an intern in
Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez credits his success to his family: his parents and siblings, his Spanish NBA mentors, and his New Orleans teammates. “Las cosas en equipo. Las cosas en familia. Saben mucho mejor.” Willy Hernangomez has tasted victory in a way few other professional athletes ever have. Willy wasn’t the first person to win
The Over and Back NBA podcast is celebrating the NBA at 75 by rewatching some of the greatest Slam Dunk Contests in NBA history. In 1988, the NBA slam dunk contest was still trying to figure out exactly what it wanted to be. Early competitions featured some of the league’s top stars and legendary dunkers
4:55 PM ET Guard Jevon Carter plans to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks once he clears waivers, agents Mark Bartelstein and Reggie Brown of Priority Sports told ESPN on Tuesday. The Nets waived Carter upon reaching an agreement with free agent guard Goran Dragic on Monday. Carter is the second perimeter player this month to
Feb 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Team Durant center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports What fast-food restaurants are open on President’s Day? by Amy Kaplan Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns is paying tribute to his mother with his shoes for
The 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was another disaster in a long line of them. But I just can’t give up on the dunk contest yet. Saturday night’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest was not good. A litany of meandering preambles, missed attempts, and underwhelming finishes made for another in a long line of underwhelming dunk
2:12 PM ET New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been absent from the court this season due to a foot injury, but according to JJ Redick, Williamson has been absent as a teammate his entire time in the NBA. “There’s a responsibility that you have as an athlete when you play a team sport
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning.The 50-piece Giannis Antetokounmpo hung on the Indiana Pacers last night was noteworthy for more than a few reasons. It was the third 50-point game of his career and, on
Michael Jordan had a hilarious moment with fellow NBA75 inductee Magic Johnson, challenging the “old dog” to a legendary game of 1-on-1. The ultimate test of talent in basketball is this: defeating Michael Jordan in a game of 1-on-1. Although the Ball patriarch LaVar Ball has long claimed that he could defeat Jordan in a
8:00 AM ET NBA Insiders ESPN’s ranking of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team has been revealed. What did we get right and what did we get wrong about our countdown of the league’s 76 greatest legends? Michael Jordan tops the list, followed by LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain. The top 10
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 20: Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Bob McAdoo pose for pictures after the introduction of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and