3:58 PM ET LOS ANGELES — Before signing with the Lakers in one of the more surprising reunions in NBA history, Dwight Howard said his life away from the court hit rock bottom this summer. “It didn’t have anything to do with basketball,” Howard said Wednesday during an introductory phone call with reporters. “It was
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When Philadelphia started this whole “process,” the endgame in mind was bringing in multiple franchise cornerstones with high lottery picks that the franchise hoped would come. From 2013 to 2017, this yielded mixed results. The Sixers had a few disasters along the way, but time was on their side, and they even made up for
7:20 AM ET SHANGHAI — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will miss at least the next two World Cup games for Team USA with a sprained left ankle. Tatum turned the ankle in the final seconds of overtime in Team USA’s 93-92 win over Turkey Tuesday night. He was examined Wednesday and was declared to
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 20: Ja Morant speaks to the media after being selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting
6:37 PM ET The Nets are looking into allegations of domestic violence against Rodions Kurucs after the forward was arrested in Brooklyn and released without bail Tuesday. The New York Daily News, citing police sources, reports Kurucs choked his then-girlfriend in his Brooklyn apartment on June 27. “After learning of the allegations against Rodions Kurucs,
When Philadelphia started this whole “process,” the endgame in mind was bringing in multiple franchise cornerstones with high lottery picks that the franchise hoped would come. From 2013 to 2017, this yielded mixed results. The Sixers had a few disasters along the way, but time was on their side, and they even made up for
2:38 PM ET ESPN News Services Brazil overcame a double-digit deficit and beat Greece 79-78 in a thriller at the FIBA World Cup in Nanjing, China, on Tuesday. NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 13 points but fouled out late in the fourth quarter for Greece. Brazil’s Alex Garcia, 39, seemed to stifle Antetokounmpo at
Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx are thriving right now, but does she deserve Coach of the Year or Executive of the Year honors? Or is it both? It is a conundrum borne of success. One can’t consider Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx for 2019 WNBA Coach of the Year without acknowledging the extremely
In any given year, the NBA is chock-o-block with surprises. Whether it be the out-of-the-blue trade, the surprise breakout or the unlikely contender, there is never a lack of the unexpected. True to form, the 2018-19 regular and postseason had unexpected in spades. There were a number of anomalies last year, both good and bad.
4:48 PM ET Fresh off an MVP and championship campaign in the BIG3, veteran swingman Joe Johnson is scheduled to work out for three NBA teams next week in attempt to get back into the league, sources told ESPN. Johnson, who last played in the NBA in 2017-18, will audition for three Eastern Conference playoff
Allen Iverson is one of the most influential players in NBA history for a myriad of reasons, but his shooting sleeve has permeated basketball culture itself. Imagine an NBA superstar wearing what looked like pantyhose on his arm at the peak of his popularity. Now imagine that look becoming a fashion staple in the game
7:20 AM ET SHANGHAI — The grandstands at the Oriental Sports Arena for Team USA’s first game were like a rainbow of NBA fandom. There were gold Steph Curry jerseys, a bunch of Giannis Antetokounmpo jerseys in various colors and plenty of Los Angeles Lakers attire. But then there were the Charlotte Hornets colors, with
In any given year, the NBA is chock-o-block with surprises. Whether it be the out-of-the-blue trade, the surprise breakout or the unlikely contender, there is never a lack of the unexpected. True to form, the 2018-19 regular and postseason had unexpected in spades. There were a number of anomalies last year, both good and bad.
The Boston Celtics will feel the loss of Al Horford at both ends this season, but particularly on the defensive end of the floor. I’ve been trying to figure out what to make of the Boston Celtics for weeks now. Losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in free agency seems like it should matter a
11:38 AM ET New Orleans Pelicans forward Darius Miller is expected to miss seven to eight months after suffering a ruptured right Achilles tendon, a source told ESPN’s Malika Andrews. The Pelicans announced Thursday that Miller had undergone Achilles surgery in New York earlier in the day. The source told Andrews that Miller suffered the
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 19: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 19, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is
9:21 AM ET Kevin Pelton’s NBA mailbag returns, featuring your questions on how Team USA would do against the rest of the league, how long to believe in potential for high draft picks, gaps between advanced stats and the eye test and veteran players signing international deals. You can tweet your questions using the hashtag
In any given year, the NBA is chock-o-block with surprises. Whether it be the out-of-the-blue trade, the surprise breakout or the unlikely contender, there is never a lack of the unexpected. True to form, the 2018-19 regular and postseason had unexpected in spades. There were a number of anomalies last year, both good and bad.
10:24 AM ET SHANGHAI — Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum are probably going to win a lot of games with the Boston Celtics over the next few years. Sunday they combined to play important roles in the first consequential win together as Team USA opened the FIBA World Cup with a 88-67 victory over the
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 13: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets embrace following the game agains the Portland Trail Blazers on January 13, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph,
3:41 PM ET An arrest warrant for Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge has been issued in Mobile, Alabama. The Mobile municipal court website lists a third-degree harassing communications charge against Cousins, but no other details have been disclosed. A police spokesperson told USA Today Sports that “an arrest
In any given year, the NBA is chock-o-block with surprises. Whether it be the out-of-the-blue trade, the surprise breakout or the unlikely contender, there is never a lack of the unexpected. True to form, the 2018-19 regular and postseason had unexpected in spades. There were a number of anomalies last year, both good and bad.
6:34 PM ET LeBron James wants a little lettuce on his Taco Tuesday. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is looking to monetize his popular videos by filing to trademark the term “Taco Tuesday.” One of James’ companies, LBJ Trademarks, submitted the necessary paperwork with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in August. The application
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
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