DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 17: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and
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
Mar 21, 2021; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard John Wall (1) looks to drive around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Houston. Mandatory Credit: Michael Wyke/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports) Tyreek Hill reveals he denied Chiefs request to restructure contract
The Oklahoma City Thunder are shutting down center Al Horford for the remainder of the season. The NBA trade deadline passed this Thursday, but none of the big-name centers was moved to a new team. Instead, Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge were bought out of their contracts by the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs,
7:00 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN The NBA’s trade deadline is officially in the rearview mirror and most of the top players to hit the post-deadline buyout market have already landed with their new teams. That means the league’s collective attention shifts from player movement to movement in the standings, and how the key races will
The elements of art provide a common language for exploring the aesthetics of visual art. The aesthetics of basketball deserve a similar set of tools. Put a Jasper Johns painting next to a Roy Lichtenstein and try to find the connections. You can start with bright colors, but things diverge quickly after that. The subject
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports NBA trade grades: Raptors land clever replacement for Norman Powell by Rucker Haringey Raptors take the first step, trading Norman Powell to the Trail Blazers by Steven Kubitza The 76ers have landed veteran point guard George Hill in a three-team trade with the Thunder and Knicks ahead of today’s 3
James Wiseman could be an upgrade over Mitchell Robinson (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Oklahoma basketball: Will Porter Moser replace retiring Lon Kruger? by John Buhler After recently returning from a broken hand, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is now sidelined with a fractured foot. The New York Knicks were reportedly in the running
7:42 PM ET As the defending NBA champions have watched a superteam on the East Coast load up and stack former All-Stars to its roster, Los Angeles Lakers CEO and governor Jeanie Buss views what the Brooklyn Nets have done in a simple way: “Bring it on.” “It brings out the best in us,” Buss
It feels like ages ago but, for a short while, Austin Rivers was the most hyped prospect in the draft class of 2012. Sure, that came before a slightly underwhelming freshmen season at Duke. But he was the one. Despite failing to live up to the hype, Rivers still had a successful collegiate season. The
Pelicans star forward Zion Williams is on a run of dominance comparable only to Shaquille O’Neal’s best from 20 years ago. Zion Williamson is an absolute beast. An efficient one at that. The New Orleans Pelicans forward is now earning comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal after an impressive 20-game stretch. The sophomore star reached that benchmark
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. With Anthony Davis and LeBron James both out with injury, last night was Brandon Ingram’s time to shine. He led the Pelicans to a 128-111 win over the Lakers,
7:00 AM ET Which teams will make the 2021 NBA playoffs and the play-in round? Now that the trade deadline has passed, most rosters are set heading into this final stretch of the season. How will the additions of Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets), Victor Oladipo (Miami Heat) and Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls) change the playoff
Trading for Nikola Vucevic will help the Bulls make the playoffs this season, but they paid far too much for a veteran center who can’t protect the rim. The Bulls approached this year’s NBA Trade Deadline with a clear mandate to strengthen this year’s roster to make a playoff push. Unfortunately for fans in Chicago,
The sports world makes for a beautiful palette but individual images can get lost in the constant shuffle. Here are the best Getty Images sports photos from this week. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images Iowa Hawkeyes stand for the national anthem in the first-round game of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Central Michigan Chippewas at
On March 22, 2021, the worst fast break attempt in the history of the NBA occurred, thanks to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Theo Maledon. He followed it up by turning the ball over. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Theo Maledon will be roasted alive on his team’s next film session after completing the worst fast break attempt in the history
Mar 24, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas reacts during a timeout in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Green Bay Packers were the biggest winner from 49ers trade by Josh Hill This season continues to be one to forget for
The NBA trade deadline is in the books. How big of an impact did it have on our latest Power Rankings update? What does it all mean ahead of Week 15? Here’s where our panel sees all 30 teams right now. Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez,
The trade deadline has come and gone in the NBA, but teams still have plenty of work to do to improve their rosters before the playoffs. The buyout market presents teams with their final opportunity to add talented depth to their rosters, crucially, without giving up assets. So we’ll be taking a look at which
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 13: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics TD Garden on February 13, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Tom Brady still gets fired up over his NFL Draft scouting report by John Buhler Anfernee Simons, Cassius Stanley joining
Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked all over poor Tacko Fall. Tacko Fall doesn’t get very many minutes with the Boston Celtics, but at 7-foot-5, any would-be scorer has to be aware of his presence whenever he’s on the floor — no matter where they’re trying to shoot from. Luckily for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is no
Mar 27, 2021 Center Andre Drummond cleared waivers and he has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced on Sunday. “Andre Drummond gives us powerful, anchor-point skills on both ends of the court,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “We feel extremely fortunate to add a player of his caliber
Jan 26, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New York Knicks guard Austin Rivers (8) gets a high five from the bench after scoring a three point basket during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports Patriots fans should give up on the dream
Several teams stand out as clear winners following Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The NBA trade deadline arrived Thursday afternoon and teams were busy right up until the buzzer. Arguably the biggest news was that Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry stayed put. But there were plenty of trades that did go through, and a few teams
NBA Twitter was in disbelief as Malik Monk lit up the Miami Heat once again. The last time Malik Monk faced the Miami Heat, he dropped 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting in a 129-121 overtime win for the Charlotte Hornets. In their latest meeting Friday night, Monk continued his ascent up the list of notorious
8:13 PM ET Andre Drummond intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers once he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. The Lakers’ star players and front office have been recruiting the center hard, selling him on the opportunity to step into the defending
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Chiefs re-sign Demarcus Robinson to bolster receiver depth by Matt Verderame Cavs will buyout Andre Drummond, freeing him from trade rumor purgatory by Josh Hill Down to the wire, Kyle Lowry had been linked to the Lakers, 76ers and Heat. In the end, the Toronto Raptors decided to keep their point
How does one win with the NBA trade deadline? It’s not always as simple as “They got the best player or on the market!” or “They just became the best team in the league!” Teams win the NBA trade deadline because they simply made the best out of it for their own good. Doing what’s
7:56 AM ET Associated Press MILWAUKEE — New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson broke his right foot against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. The Knicks said Robinson would be re-evaluated when they return to New York on Sunday. Robinson, averaging 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in 28 minutes per game, started against the Bucks
Anthony Davis has been cleared to advance his on-court work for the Los Angeles Lakers. As is the case for most teams who lose their two best players for an extended period of time, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled since Anthony Davis went down with a right calf strain on Feb. 14, and things