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. Two paint-bound bigs dominating the MVP race? Tyrese Haliburton outscoring James Wiseman? Someone other than the Lakers settling into the position of championship favorite? We’ve seen norms busted and
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LaMelo Ball has been the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year and even LeBron James was impressed after his first look at the up-and-coming star. LaMelo Ball played down the stakes of his first career matchup with the GOAT, LeBron James. Earlier this week he responded to a question about whether or not he
10:13 PM ET Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis responded to a crash scene involving his personal security guard on Saturday, sources close to Davis confirmed to ESPN. Davis’ security guard, Garrett “GP” Pullman, was riding a motorcycle at the time of the collision and needed to be taken to a local hospital for observation,
Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images Houston Police Department officially investigating Deshaun Watson by John Buhler Knicks fans never forget, especially when it comes to Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis tried to get on Knicks’ fans good side by admitting how much he missed Madison Square Garden, but his most recent return to Manhattan was still greeted with
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on March 19, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to
The NBA buyout market is the last major moment within the NBA season for significant player movement. It’s fun! However, there are teams that think the fun isn’t fair. After the trade deadline passes, the reactions settle and the focus on this season resumes, NBA buyout season begins in earnest. Players leave teams, join new
2:17 PM ET NEW YORK – There is a “high probability” that Kevin Durant will return to the court this upcoming week after missing more than seven weeks with a hamstring strain, Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said Saturday. Nash said there is a chance Durant could play as soon as Monday against the New
Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports Kansas Jayhawks make Bill Self their coach for life by Steven Kubitza Isaiah Thomas is returning to the NBA on a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Four years ago, Isaiah Thomas was a fringe MVP candidate for a Boston Celtics team that went to the Eastern Conference
Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images Vikings signing Dalvin Tomlinson is a huge L for the Packers by Brad Berreman Jayson Tatum talked with FanSided about his relationship with Kobe Bryant and what he misses most about a key basketball mentor. More than a year after his tragic death, Kobe Bryant’s impact is still felt all
Jayson Tatum only had great things to say about Kyrie Irving and their time together on the Celtics. Jayson Tatum was selected No. 3 overall by the Boston Celtics in 2017 and joined a new-look squad that featured Kyrie Irving as the star in town. As we know now, things didn’t go as planned. Irving
11:34 PM ET The Golden State Warriors suffered one of the most “humiliating” losses in franchise history Friday night during a 53-point defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors — a team that came into the game having lost 13 of its last 14 games. “You saw it,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after
The Miami HEAT must have been dying to add the newly-acquired Victor Oladipo to their lineup. Just coming out of a slight tailspin, Miami managed to win the last three games after dropping six straight. Well, Miami’s wish came true on Thursday night, when the HEAT finally got Oladipo into a game. In the end,
Markieff Morris had a pretty lame excuse for the Lakers’ loss to the Hawks on Saturday and it wasn’t even LeBron’s injury. LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers’ Saturday matchup with the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter because of what we now know to be a high ankle sprain. James hit a three
Despite the Atlanta Hawks being the hottest team in basketball, power forward John Collins is drawing considerable trade interest from at least five different teams. Could he be dealt by Thursday? If the Atlanta Hawks give John Collins the 1994 Dominique Wilkins treatment, the City of Atlanta will be big mad. While the Hawks are winners of
7:31 PM ET LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers are planning to welcome fans back to Staples Center for a game for the first time this season. The Lakers are finalizing plans to have fans in attendance when they play the Boston Celtics on April 15. The Clippers are planning on
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images Browns: NFL Draft prospect badly wants to line up next to Myles Garrett by Steven Kubitza Paul George is having a great season, but one missed layup reminded fans of the 2020 postseason. Bubble Paul George was not the optimal version of Paul George. It happens to the best of
Russell Westbrook’s ridiculous triple-double in a win over the Pacers was a historic feat for the player, the Wizards, and the NBA. There seems to be no end to the statistical output Russell Westbrook is capable of. On Monday night, as the Wizards battled the Pacers, Westbrook put up an astonishing stat line of 35
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 30: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards dribbles in front of Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 30, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User
1:50 PM ET Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is out for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors in Tampa as he continues to deal with a lingering tailbone injury. After playing 36 minutes in a 116-109 loss to the Heat on Thursday night, Curry said he would need to see how he felt Friday
Everybody’s favorite NBA holiday, the trade deadline, came and went on a day that saw a league-record 16 deadline trades. 46 players were involved in trades, with big names like Nikola Vucevic and Victor Oladipo on the move. However, with 46 players being moved, some are bound to fall through the cracks and go largely
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 12: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz warms up before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 12, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting
1:16 AM ET Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green says that he is not motivated by the NBA’s new play-in games, despite the fact that his team currently sits in 9th place in the Western Conference — squarely on the fringe of the league’s reformatted playoff system. “To be honest with you I don’t go
J.J. Redick had a few things to say about how the New Orleans Pelicans handled his trade. J.J. Redick has been in the NBA for a long time, and with the New Orleans Pelicans more focused on a future built around Zion Williamson, it’s no surprise to hear the two sides discussed potential trade possibilities
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 24: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on prior to the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Denver Nuggets at Amalie Arena on March 24, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: Singer Drake cheers Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) Texas football spring
9:00 PM ET NEW YORK — Kevin Durant, as part of his first public comments since injuring his hamstring in February, on Thursday addressed a feud between himself and actor Michael Rapaport that had been made public this week. Rapaport posted private messages that he said Durant had sent him — which included threatening language
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball against Golden State Warriors during the first half at Amway Center on February 19, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
Though it may seem like forever ago, it has only been nine years since the Oklahoma City Thunder were playing in the NBA Finals. The young quartet of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka was unable to stop the Miami HEAT’s “Big Three,” as the team captured their first of two consecutive
The San Antonio Spurs guard could not help but laugh when seeing a graphic regarding his one-week injury. The San Antonio Spurs are currently clinging onto the seventh-seed in the Western Conference, but have lost four of their last five contests. One player significant by his absence is guard Lonnie Walker IV has been sidelined
From Monty Williams to Sean Marks, the Gregg Popovich coaching tree is broad and includes a diverse cast of modern NBA movers and shakers. The Spurs aren’t going anywhere. This month, legendary head coach Gregg Popovich became the third NBA coach ever to win 1,300 regular-season games. The team lingers in the Western Conference playoff