NBA Twitter got a kick out of the fly on Mike Pence’s head during the vice presidential debate. On an off night for the NBA, the only major sport being played was MLB playoff baseball. Between that and the immense anxiety over the upcoming 2020 presidential election, a significant number of viewers likely found themselves
Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo quelled rumors that he might request a trade from the Bucks following Milwaukee’s early playoff exit. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo quickly put trade rumors to bed after the team’s playoff exit, telling reporters that he is committed to building a championship culture in Milwaukee and will not request a trade
Milwaukee Bucks forward Marvin Williams announced his retirement from the NBA after 15 seasons following the team’s Game 5 loss to the Miami Heat. Bucks forward and 15-year NBA veteran Marvin Williams promptly announced his retirement from basketball following the team’s elimination on Tuesday night, bringing an end to a long career as a role
8:17 PM ET The Los Angeles Lakers will try to win their 17th world championship in Black Mamba fashion. The Lakers will wear their special “Black Mamba” uniforms which are styled in honor of the late Kobe Bryant. The Lakers were slated to wear the black alternative uniforms in Games 2 and 7 of the
The Heat’s win in Game 3 wasn’t just about Jimmy Butler, they finally found some formulas that worked. Can they use them it to even the NBA Finals? The Lakers’ offense rests upon the promise of having the best player — if not the two best players — on the floor in a given game.
First off, let’s take a minute to congratulate the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami HEAT for making the NBA Finals. It’s funny how this was a matchup everyone had dreamed of circa 2010 and, ironically, we finally have it – but LeBron James is on the opposite side this time! Also, it is certainly
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE
The Miami Heat will get Bam Adebayo back for Game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals. By the end of Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers might as well have been handed the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They were already the heavy favorite entering the series, but as Anthony Davis ran
3:19 AM ET LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — LeBron James woke up from his pregame nap on Tuesday and included two words in a text to the Los Angeles Lakers‘ group chat that said it all: Must win. “We see the message from our leader,” Anthony Davis said after the Lakers’ 102-96 Game 4 victory
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Miguel Rojas calls out Ronald Acuña for alleged dirty slide by Mark Powell J.R. Smith made a bold fashion statement before Game 4. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers needed to patch together a squad for the NBA bubble after Avery Bradley opted out of the season, and
1:08 AM ET The Los Angeles Lakers took a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals by leaning on the thing that has defined their greatness all season: defense. The Lakers not only held the Miami Heat to 96 points, their lowest output of the postseason, but they also did so with a key tactical
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images J.R. Smith shows up to Game 4 in most J.R. Smith way possible by Mike Luciano Yankees fans hate CB Bucknor more than the Tampa Bay Rays by John Buhler Jeff Van Gundy won’t stop complaining about flopping during Game 4 of the NBA Finals The Heat and Lakers are
The Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-1 lead in the 2020 NBA Finals over the Miami Heat. After Jimmy Butler’s incredible Game 3 performance, and with Bam Adebayo returning for Game 4, it felt like the Miami Heat had an opening to swing the momentum of the 2020 NBA Finals in their favor. LeBron James
6:42 PM ET On his way out of the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook wanted to show his appreciation for the housekeepers of the Grand Floridian hotel, and he did it with an $8,000 tip, according to the Dallas Morning News. “They took great care of us,” Westbrook told Bleacher
Goran Dragic has also been ruled out for Game 2 of the 2020 NBA Finals. Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals was an absolute rout, with the Los Angeles Lakers asserting their dominance over an underdog, injury-stricken Miami Heat squad in an 18-point blowout that wasn’t even that close. Game 2 might follow a
This fall, the basketball community is coming together, with celebrities, athletes, fans and media members to remind everyone that #HoopersVote. Over the past week, you probably saw a lot of highly stylized images floating around social media, bearing the likeness of basketball players, celebrities and basketball media members with the message: #HoopersVote. Those images are
After seven seasons, Doc Rivers is out as the Los Angeles Clippers head coach. Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers have parted ways after seven years together. While Rivers was the greatest coach in Clippers franchise history, his inability to not blow 3-1 series leads or get to the Western Conference Finals is a
Doc Rivers, LA Clippers, (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Texans bringing in Earl Thomas for a visit after Ravens’ release by Scott Rogust As it turns out, the Reds are just as cursed as the Braves by John Buhler NBA Twitter didn’t hold back when Doc Rivers and the Clippers decided to part ways The
7:26 AM ET This is the third NBA Finals in six seasons in which injuries have either completely changed the series midstream or forced one team to game-plan for two different opponents. The Los Angeles Lakers, under at least a little pressure after the Miami Heat‘s rousing Game 3 win saw L.A.’s series lead tighten
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 18: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) Reds vs. Braves MLB live stream reddit for Game 2 by Braulio Perez Victor Oladipo sounds like he wants out of Indiana. The Indiana Pacers are not the flashiest team in the league, but a relentless
6:50 AM ET Chris Herro didn’t want to send the text, didn’t even want to pick up the phone. But he was the father of a 19-year-old, worried and couldn’t stop himself. It was 11:30 on a summer night, and his son, Tyler Herro, had been drafted a few weeks earlier by the Miami Heat.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake
Mike D’Antoni will not return to the Houston Rockets. The Houston Rockets might’ve lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, but the scorelines in these games don’t do justice to the fact that the Rockets looked like they gave up in the middle of this series. Someone needed to go in order to
8:32 PM ET LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — LeBron James often says that in order to grow, one has to become comfortable being uncomfortable. He applies that sentiment to his playoff mindset. “Until the series is completed, I kind of stay on edge, stay locked in on the job at hand,” James said Monday after
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. Basketball is a team sport and ascribing team outcomes entirely to a single player is usually a lesson in hyperbole. But it’s not the least bit hyperbolic to
First off, let’s take a minute to congratulate the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami HEAT for making the NBA Finals. It’s funny how this was a matchup everyone had dreamed of circa 2010 and, ironically, we finally have it – but LeBron James is on the opposite side this time! Also, it is certainly
The Golden State Warriors, who had the NBA’s worst record, are in prime position to get back into postseason contention as early as next season. It feels like a lifetime ago that the Golden State Warriors were the undisputed kings of the NBA: seven consecutive postseason appearances, five straight NBA Finals and three championships in
6:55 AM ET NBA Insiders The Miami Heat surprised the Los Angeles Lakers and halted their dreams of an NBA Finals sweep on Sunday, with Jimmy Butler posting a 40-point triple-double. The Heat’s unexpected victory meant that they can tie the series with a Game 4 win on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, ABC and the
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User