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. In theory, every regular-season game counts towards the nebulous quantitive and qualitative formula each voter uses to make their pick for NBA MVP. But the stakes are often
3:58 PM ET Houston Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins blasted James Harden for being “disrespectful,” saying that the disgruntled superstar’s antics this season have been “completely unfair” to the rest of the players on the roster. Cousins took his strong stance in a virtual media availability Wednesday before, according to sources, the Rockets traded Harden to
The Detroit Pistons were one of the NBA’s most competitive franchises at the turn of the century, appearing in six straight Eastern Conference Finals between 2002-2008 and winning the NBA Finals in 2004. But, since that run, the Pistons have been one of the least relevant teams in the league, having not won a playoff
4:14 PM ET The Rockets have sent James Harden to the Nets in a blockbuster four-team trade that also involves the Pacers and Cavaliers, completing the disgruntled star’s exit from Houston and setting up a potential super team in Brooklyn, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne. The Nets sent Houston a package that
Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images Justin Thomas apologizes after calling himself a homophobic slur on live TV by Gino Terrell Another NBA game has been canceled because of COVID quarantines and the NBA and NPBA have agreed upon revised healthy and safety guidelines. Another day, another NBA game canceled because a team can’t meet their
Dec 27, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews to miss start of season with illness by Logan Lockhart The Cavaliers could be without Kevin Love for the extended future due to his calf injury. The
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. I like to joke that I’ve reached a new stage of sports fandom. With all the crap going on in the world outside arenas, I’m just looking for
3:40 PM ET As the NBA tightened coronavirus protocols to try and preserve a season teetering amid positive tests, thinning rosters and game postponements, the league made a dramatic change that most franchises had wanted all along: The closing off of rooms to non-team guests in road hotels. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association
Basketball Insiders continues its annual Fixing series by taking a look at teams around the league. So far, we have covered the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves. Today, we’ll be looking at the Toronto Raptors, who are calling Tampa Bay home this season. With the first three weeks of the 2020-21 NBA regular season in
11:31 PM ET Disgruntled superstar James Harden said the Houston Rockets are “just not good enough” after the team’s second consecutive blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, adding that he doesn’t believe the team can improve enough to be a contender. “I love this city. I literally have done everything that
NBA fans should get ready for more delayed games after the league postponed its sixth matchup of the season, this time between the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz. As expected, coronavirus is beginning to run rampant through the NBA as it pushes through its 2020-21 campaign without a bubble. It only took three weeks for
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports UFC Fight Island 7: Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar preview and predictions by Thomas Albano Marlins and Cubs are talking Willson Contreras trade by Brad Berreman LaMelo Ball has been throwing highlight assists at a ridiculous rate and we’ve collected a few of the best to get your motor running. LaMelo
5:02 PM ET The NBA continues to grapple with COVID-19-related and contact-tracing issues. The league’s health and safety protocols have sidelined players; games have been postponed; and teams have been forced to take the court with the minimum eight active players. Amid thinning rosters and growing concern across the league, the NBA has no plans
Nearly three weeks into the season, here’s a look around the NBA landscape, with ten observations ranging in impact from having a direct effect on the chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, teams who are exceeding or failing to meet expectations, examining the play of some of the league’s top rookies, taking note of milestone
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 30: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on December 30, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 145-141. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Two more games are canceled, NBA and NBPA to assess protocols by Ian Levy 3 quarterbacks the Steelers can replace Ben Roethlisberger with in 2021 by Rucker Haringey Kyrie Irving has now missed three straight games for unknown personal reasons but Kevin Durant is standing by his teammate. Kyrie Irving last
11:38 AM ET Malika Andrews Close ESPN Staff Writer Staff Writer Joined ESPN in 2018 Appears regularly on ESPN Chicago 1000 Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 As the NBA is expected to review videos circulating on social media of a maskless Kyrie Irving at what
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) Texas football fans loving what Steve Sarkisian is doing in National Championship Game by Mike Luciano James Harden is reportedly okay with staying in Houston after months of rumors. The Houston Rockets have assembled a promising core of
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda passes away at 93 by Mike Luciano Seattle Mayor is feeling ‘pretty optimistic’ about landing NBA team by Brad Berreman The Boston Celtics have announced their rotation will be significantly shortened by a positive COVID test and accompanying quarantine for close contacts. The
Paul Pierce sees a lot of his game in Luka Doncic … for some reason. The NBA viewing public has grown accustomed to former greats becoming TV broadcasters and talking heads, which usually leads to them saying some unruly, outrageous things from time to time. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and now Paul Pierce are usually
5:25 PM ET The Miami Heat have added stars Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic to the team’s out/health and safety protocol list after the completion of contact tracing. Joining them on the Heat’s list are Kendrick Nunn, Maurice Harkless, Udonis Haslem and KZ Okpala. Guard Avery Bradley was placed into the health and
Nearly three weeks into the season, here’s a look around the NBA landscape, with ten observations ranging in impact from having a direct effect on the chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, teams who are exceeding or failing to meet expectations, examining the play of some of the league’s top rookies, taking note of milestone
The Atlanta Hawks might have some tension bubbling up after losing three in a row. Lloyd Pierce’s Atlanta Hawks were viewed by many as a team that could slide into the playoffs in 2021, as their core of Trae Young, John Collins and De’Andre Hunter could be enough to separate from the rest of the
12:55 PM ET ESPN News Services The NBA called off two more games because of COVID-19-related and contact tracing issues, postponing Monday’s game in Dallas between the Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans as well as Tuesday’s matchup in Chicago between the Bulls and the Boston Celtics. Those moves come one day after Miami‘s game
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. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 03: Dante Pettis #13 of the New York Giants scores on a 33-yard touchdown reception against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 08: Tacko Fall #99 of the Boston Celtics defends Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at TD Garden on January 08, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
7:04 AM ET The Golden State Warriors have won four of their past five games, including a 21-point comeback against the LA Clippers on Friday night. Stephen Curry — his 2-of-16 showing Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors notwithstanding — has found his scoring groove. Although they aren’t the same title contenders of seasons past,
Regrettably, this piece came out a little bit later than usual. Usually, Basketball Insiders tries to get this out around the time the season begins, but it’s only been two weeks, give or take, so it still feels appropriate. Better late than never, right? Well… the jury’s still out in this case. Naturally, this begins
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 3: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 3, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the
1:30 AM ET SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry didn’t allow himself to wallow in self-pity or shake his head in frustration on the night of the worst shooting performance of his career. He smiled wide at the idea that he could go 2-for-16 and the Golden State Warriors could still find a way to squeak