For the past few years, the death of rivalries has been an endlessly recycled talking point. The idea is that NBA players are too friendly and it’s diluted the league’s competitive spirit. It’s also absurd. NBA rivalries are as intense as they’ve ever been and this week at The Step Back, we’re celebrating the rivalries
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Through nine games with the New York Knicks following an uninspired, if not altogether disappointing, season and change with the Dallas Mavericks, plenty of people think Dennis Smith Jr. is roughly what they expected from him coming out of North Carolina State, but on a grander stage — an explosive, borderline-reckless athlete with as much
Joe Ingles is not the Utah Jazz’s best player on either end of the floor. Rudy Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has that end covered. Donovan Mitchell, who nearly won Rookie of the Year, is the team’s offensive engine. Ingles is not the team’s best perimeter defender, nor its best rebounder and
6:18 PM ET The NBA has rescinded the technical foul called on Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins for tossing Jeremy Lamb‘s shoe off the floor in Monday night’s win over the Charlotte Hornets, according to a league source. The league has been cautious about objects flying into the stands, but upon further review, the
For the last eight weeks, four of Basketball Insiders’ experts have offered up their views on the 2018 NBA Draft, here is their Final Consensus, with notebooks to follow: Version: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 Benny’s Notebook: It’s finally here — whew. This is our last set
11:23 AM ET Former NBA player Mike Bibby is under police investigation after being accused of sexual abuse and harassment from a teacher at the high school where he works as a coach, according to The Arizona Republic. The Paradise Valley Unified School District confirmed to The Republic that Phoenix police are investigating the allegations
Monday’s DraftKings slate: 7 p.m. ET: Golden State at Charlotte, Portland at Cleveland, Indiana at Detroit7:30 p.m ET: San Antonio at Brooklyn, Phoenix at Miami8 p.m. ET: Milwaukee at Chicago, Atlanta at Houston, LA Lakers at Memphis, Sacramento at Minnesota, Philadelphia at New Orleans10:30 p.m. ET: Dallas at LA Clippers My favorite plays of the
2:53 AM ET LOS ANGELES — Dirk Nowitzki had no idea why LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers called a timeout with 9.4 seconds remaining and his team leading by nine points Monday night. Rivers’ reasoning became clear seconds later when he walked to the scorer’s table, picked up the public address announcer’s microphone and gave
Zion, Zion, Zion. With a splash of Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett mixed in for good measure, this college basketball season has been all about Duke’s Zion Williamson. The flash card-worthy facts are astonishing — 18 years-old, 6-foot-7, 285 pounds — but his highlight reel moves, both offensively and defensively, have everybody drooling. And although
It’s extremely difficult to make an All-Star team in the NBA. Only 24 guys make it a year, not counting injury replacements. It’s even tougher to make the team in the Western Conference, which is far superior to its Eastern counterpart and boasts more of the league’s best players. And it’s even more difficult to
7:21 PM ET Malika AndrewsESPN CHICAGO — Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday in the United Center. Ersan Ilyasova will start in Antetokounmpo’s place. Antetokounmpo has had lingering right knee soreness over the past few games. Before the game, coach Mike Budenholzer said he is optimistic the knee soreness is
Monday’s FanDuel slate: 7 p.m. ET: Golden State at Charlotte, Portland at Cleveland, Indiana at Detroit7:30 p.m ET: San Antonio at Brooklyn, Phoenix at Miami8 p.m. ET: Milwaukee at Chicago, Atlanta at Houston, LA Lakers at Memphis, Sacramento at Minnesota, Philadelphia at New Orleans10:30 p.m. ET: Dallas at LA Clippers My favorite plays of the
After bruising and scoring through Kevin Knox‘s clutches, Jusuf Nurkic was anchored at the free-throw line, chasing a retrograde 3-point play. Moments later, he twirled the ball between his bear paw hands, dribbled twice and capped a 68-second stretch featuring six points, two rebounds and one block. But first, a young fan, clad in a
8:15 AM ET Will the final stretch of the season belong to the Milwaukee Bucks? Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. are the hottest team in the NBA right now, taking over for a slumping Golden State Warriors squad atop our rankings. Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz, Tim MacMahon and Andre’ Snellings, The
Joe Harris’ fortunes and those of the Brooklyn Nets appear to be traveling on the same trajectory. Harris’ personality and approach embody the softer side of the Brooklyn Nets’ team persona: he is loyal, hardworking and humble. And while Jared Dudley and DeMarre Carroll provide veteran leadership and Spencer Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson offer personality,
10:23 PM ET NEW YORK — The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs at home Sunday night to avoid the wrong kind of NBA history. The Knicks’ 130-118 victory snapped an 18-game home losing streak. Had New York lost Sunday, the club would have tied the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks for the longest home
The Philadelphia 76ers got better by adding Tobias Harris to their squad, but JJ Redick is playing like he’s pissed off not to be included in the Sixers’ big four. The Philadelphia 76ers filled out their starting five in dramatic fashion before the NBA trade deadline by adding Tobias Harris to take Wilson Chandler’s place.
While the teams above them get ready to stand pat or just contemplate a trade deadline move, the 76ers have acquired Tobias Harris. While NBA fans anticipate the other Los Angeles team making a big trade, and other top Eastern Conference teams consider moves, the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers have come together. According
The Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving questions a call during action against at Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. The Magic won, 105-103. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) NHL Trade Rumors: FanSided’s updated trade bait board by Simon Vacca This is what perfection looks like by
4:42 PM ET Associated Press MILWAUKEE — Rapper Ja Rule is taking heat on social media after problems with his halftime show during Saturday’s Timberwolves-Bucks game. Videos posted online show Ja Rule had sound problems at the beginning of his performance. At one point he said, “Are we ready?” then said, “I guess not,” before
Zion, Zion, Zion. With a splash of Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett mixed in for good measure, this college basketball season has been all about Duke’s Zion Williamson. The flash card-worthy facts are astonishing — 18 years-old, 6-foot-7, 285 pounds — but his highlight reel moves, both offensively and defensively, have everybody drooling. And although
Welcome to The Whiteboard, your daily source for the previous day’s best NBA content from around the internet, plus an original column. Catch The Whiteboard here on The Step Back, and subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Somehow, someway, the Orlando Magic was the NBA’s hottest team heading into
9:46 AM ET Nick DePaulaESPN PJ Tucker is constantly on the hunt. Since his college days at Texas, Tucker has been relentlessly searching for sneakers. As he told The Undefeated over All-Star Weekend, he got his start on eBay and simply never looked back. “I actually went to the bank and got a debit card
For years, Jerami Grant has oozed kinetic energy while straddling the line between reckless and resourceful chaos on the court. He is a subdued Tasmanian Devil and one whose gradually expanding offensive game felt integral to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s ceiling at times. When the franchise cut bait with Carmelo Anthony this summer, Grant became
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a photo to celebrate his 15,000 point career milestone after a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 17, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
1:25 AM ET OAKLAND, Calif. — As Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins continues working his way through the next stage of the rehabilitation process from a left Achilles tear a year ago, he understands nobody in the league is going to “feel sorry” for him as he tries to find his footing. Warriors forward
With 25 games remaining in their season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 37-20 and sitting in third place in the Western Conference. Their plus-5.2 point differential is the fifth-best mark in the NBA, and with a pace adjustment, it ranks tied for fourth. They even look the part of a contender, with an elite defense
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 25: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks celebrates after hitting a three-point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
The NBA was as active as ever prior to All-Star Break. Multiple trades (some of the blockbuster variety) were made as Anthony Davis rumors swirled, players butted heads with the media, and buyouts were made. There was news abound. And there should be even more to come with teams prepped for the stretch run. The
4:34 PM ET Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating following Houston’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, the league announced Saturday. Harden’s comments were directed specifically at referee Scott Foster, whom he said “for sure” has a “personal” issue with the Rockets and should not be