#2019-20 NBA season

[nbatrades]

Denver Nuggets Add Bol Bol in Draft Night Deal With Miami Heat

On June 21st, 2019, the Miami Heat traded the draft rights of forward-center Bol Bol to the Denver Nuggets for $1.2 million in cash considerations and a 2022 second round draft pick.

It seems like every year in the NBA Draft there’s a player whose draft stock falls down as the draft approaches.

2019′s player falling down the draft charts was Bol Bol. A projected lottery pick and the fourth ranked high school basketball prospect in the country, Bol ended up being selected 44th in the NBA Draft. 

A unique talent with length, seven-foot height, ballhandling ability and the skill of a guard, Bol shined in college at the University of Oregon (21.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 2.7 BPG) but he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot after just nine games, cutting what would be his lone college season short.

Bol fell all the way down to the second round of the draft despite receiving a green room invitation, meaning he actually attended the draft. He was taken 44th by the Miami Heat who instantly traded him to the Denver Nuggets in a pre-arranged deal. 

The Heat had already acquired Stanford forward and 32nd overall pick KZ Okpala for three future second round picks and saw an opportunity to replenish future assets by acquiring a second round pick for Bol.

Bol joined a Nuggets roster that had established itself as one of the bright and exciting young teams in the NBA during the 2018-19 season. Led by center Nikola Jokić and guard Jamal Murray, Denver was ready to further its pursuit of becoming a title contender.

The presence of Jokić and backup Mason Plumlee meant there were going to be limited opportunities for Bol. Denver presented an opportunity for the young center time to develop and recover from his foot fracture.

Bol spent much of the year on the sidelines. He did make eight appearances in the NBA G-League with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 12.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 2.3 BPG. 

Denver was one of the top teams in the NBA. The team was 43-22 when the NBA season was put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the NBA season resumed in the summer with a bubble format based in Orlando, Florida, the Nuggets went 3-5 over a span of eight games to finish out the regular season. Bol was given a chance to play during the bubble exhibition  and regular season games due to injuries and Nuggets players having delayed arrivals due to positive COVID tests.

Bol played in seven bubble regular season games, averaging 5.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.9 BPG in 12.4 MPG. In the limited time, the seven-footer showed flashes of major talent such as his athleticism, ability to pass and handle the ball.

Denver finished the season as the third seed in the West with a 46-27 record. The Nuggets qualified for the postseason and matched up with the Utah Jazz in the first round. Jazz star Donovan Mitchell had 57 in the series opener but Jokić and Jamal combined for 65 points as the Nuggets pulled away late for a 135-125 overtime win.

The second game saw the Jazz lead by as much as 31 points as they comfortably won 124-105. The third game was similar as the Jazz built an early double digit lead. Utah led by 39 and annihilated the Nuggets 124-87.

Game Four was action-packed as Mitchell (51 points) and Murray (50) dueled back and forth. Mitchell scored 18 in the fourth quarter to help Utah withstand  a Denver rally and win 129-127.

Facing a 3-1 series deficit, the duo of Murray and Jokić combined for 73 points and the Nuggets used a 35-21 fourth quarter to take Game Five 117-107. Murray and Mitchell’s fireworks display continued into Game Six. The Nuggets guard crossed 50 again and Denver forced a Game Seven with a 119-107 victory.

The seventh and final game was ugly. Both teams shot under 40% and failed to reach 100 points. The game was tight but a Jokić hook shot gave Denver an 80-78 lead with 27 seconds left. Utah had two chances to the or take the lead but Mitchell turned the ball over with eight seconds left and Mike Conley missed a three at the buzzer as Denver held on for the 4-3 series win.

Denver went on to the second round where it was a heavy underdog against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the opener, the Clippers used a 49-24 run from the first to third quarter to take control in a 120-97 rout. 

The Nuggets came out like gangbusters in the second game, jumping out to a 44-25 first quarter lead. The Clippers managed to get within five points but Jokić had 26 points and 18 rebounds as Denver held on for a 110-101 win.

The third game saw Clippers star Paul George score 32 points. the Clippers rallied in the fourth quarter and outscored Denver 29-19 in a 113-107 win. In Game Four, the Clippers had an early 18-point lead before the Nuggets tied the game early in the third quarter. A 21-5 Clippers run contributed to Los Angeles’ 96-85 win.

The victory gave the Clippers a 3-1 series lead. Facing the deficit, the Nuggets looked dead in the water early on in Game Five, trailing by 16 points in the first half. 35-year old veteran Paul Millsap sparked a run in the third quarter and Jamal Murray had 26 points in a 111-105 comeback victory to keep Denver alive.

In the sixth game, the Clippers led by 16 points at halftime, but the Nuggets outscored them 64-35 in the second half to cruise to a 111-98 win. Game Seven was similar as the Clippers blew another early double digit lead.

Murray had 40 points and Jokić had a triple double (16 points, 22 rebounds and 13 assists) as Denver made another miraculous 3-1 series comeback with a 104-89 result.

Denver advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 11 years and faced the Los Angeles Lakers. In the first game, Lakers star Anthony Davis dominated with 37 points and 10 rebounds in a 126-114 Los Angeles win. The second game saw the Lakers build a 10-point lead at halftime, but the Nuggets battled back. 

Late in the game, Jokić and Davis exchanged shots. After a Jokić make with 20 seconds left, Denver had a 103-102 lead. The Lakers missed two shots but retained possession on both misses. Davis converted a three on an inbounds play at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 2-0 series lead.

The third game saw Jokić and Murray combine for 50 points as Denver led by as much as 20 points in a 114-106 win. Los Angeles took a 3-1 series lead after Davis and LeBron James combine for 60 points in a 114-108 Lakers victory. James (38 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists) was phenomenal once again in Game Five as the Lakers prevented a Denver series comeback with a 117-107 victory.

During Denver’s playoff run, Bol played just 21 total minutes, averaging 4.8 PPG and 1.3 RPG.

After his first year in the NBA, Bol agreed to convert his two-way contract with Denver into a standard NBA deal for two years and $4.2 million.

The Nuggets tried to keep its roster together for the 2020-21 season, but lost starting forward Jerami Grant to the Detroit Pistons in free agency. Still, most of the roster came back except for a couple of bench rotation free agents and two first round picks.

Denver looked to continue its winning ways. The Nuggets began the year 1-4 but quickly righted the ship, going 10-3 in the next 13 games to get to 11-7. The team had its share of ups and downs but thanks to the performances of Jokić and Murray, was in the thick of the Western Conference playoff chase.

Positioned in fifth place with a 26-18 record, the Nuggets made a move at the trade deadline. The team dealt Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a first round pick to the Orlando Magic for Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark. Denver also acquired center JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The move gave the Nuggets a bonafide starter at power forward to improve its defense and its starting lineup. After the trades, the Nuggets quickly ran off eight consecutive wins (seven with Gordon in the lineup). The team found its flow and was playing excellent basketball and was starting to look like a title contender.

Those title hopes came to a halt after Murray tore the ACL in his left knee in April, cutting his season short. The Nuggets went 13-5 over their last 18 games to finish the year 47-25. Bol rarely played in his second year. He appeared in 32 contests (two starts) and managed 2.2 PPG and 0.8 RPG in 5.0 MPG.

In the 2021 postseason, the Nuggets faced the Portland Trailblazers in the opening round. Portland got hot in the first game, knocking down 19-of-40 from three. Portland star Damian Lillard led the way with 34 points and 13 assists in a 123-109 victory.

Jokić led the way in Game Two with 38 points as Denver won easily, 128-109. The third game in Portland was a surprise. Jokić was his usual dominant self with 36 points, but guard Austin Rivers came alive in the fourth quarter, nailing four three-pointers and scored 21 points total in a Nuggets 120-115 win.

Portland rebounded in Game Four, leading by as much as 33 points in a 115-95 victory. With the series tied, both teams were set to battle in a competitive Game Five. Lillard was fantastic, recording 55 points and knocking down several long distance triples including two different threes that sent the game to overtime and double overtime.

In the end, Jokić’s 38 points and a clutch three from Michael Porter Jr. helped Denver escape with a 147-140 win. Game Six saw Jokić score 36 points and the Nuggets pulled away late to win 126-115. They won the series 4-2.

Denver advanced to the second round and battled the Phoenix Suns. Early on, the Suns took control. Four Suns players scored at least 20 points in a 122-105 Phoenix rout. The Suns continued to dominate, winning 123-98 in Game Two.

The Suns backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 55 points as Phoenix controlled Game Three, 116-102. Denver put up a better fight in Game Four but Booker and Paul combined for 71 points in a 125-118 Suns win and series sweep. Bol played in three games and six minutes during the 2021 playoff run.

After the season, the Nuggets were in a holding pattern. Knowing Murray was likely out for the entire 2021-22 season, Denver kept much of its core together, losing only Paul Millsap from its rotation. The team re-signed free agents Will Barton and JaMychal Green while also adding guard Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland as a draft pick. 

Bol played in Summer League with the Nuggets and was effective. The big man averaged 21.7 PPG on 44.2% from the field, 6.7 RPG and 2.3 BPG in three exhibition games.

Behind the continued MVP efforts from Jokić, Denver began the season well with a 9-4 start. The team soon struggled with a losing streak and the news that Michael Porter, Jr. would be out what would be the rest of the season after a back injury put even more of a damper on the team’s hopes of contending.

Denver continued to hover around .500 and with Bol still behind several other frontcourt players in the rotation, the team decided to move the young seven-footer.

In January, the Nuggets agreed to a trade with the Detroit Pistons. In the deal, Bol went to the Detroit Pistons for Rodney McGruder and a 2022 second round pick. The trade was voided three days after because Bol failed his physical due to a physical that revealed a broken right foot.

Soon after Bol decided to have surgery on the foot. Nearly a week after the voided deal, the Nuggets agreed to send Bol and guard PJ Dozier (also out for the season) to the Boston Celtics in a three-team deal also involving the San Antonio Spurs that brought guard Bryn Forbes to the team.

At the point of the trade, Bol had appeared in 14 games, compiling 2.4 PPG and 1.4 RPG in 5.8 MPG. Bol ended his run in Denver with 53 games played, 2.7 PPG and 1.2 RPG. He shot 48% from the field, 38% from the three-point line and 67% from the free-throw line.

The second rounder Miami acquired was forfeited as part of the NBA’s investigation into the Heat holding early free agent talks with point guard Kyle Lowry.

Bol Bol on his skill (via Nuggets.com):

“My game is pretty unique because for my size, I can dribble pretty well, can shoot from anywhere pretty well, and my passing is pretty good. I can just do a lot of things that people my size can’t do.”

On joining the Nuggets:

“Towards the end of the season, I started watching a lot of [Nikola] Jokić highlights because of his great passing ability, and that's something I want to add to my game. I watched a lot of his highlights and he’s a great, great player. 

“The Nuggets were a great team last season and I’m excited to be a part of the team. Because of how great the team is, that will help me because [I’ll have] great players around me and the great organization. I think that will also help me become a better player.”

On the disappointment of being drafted late (via Denver Post):

“The thing I’ll remember is definitely being drafted late in the second round instead where I thought I was going to be drafted, like somewhere between the middle of the first round or toward the end.”

Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly on adding Bol Bol (via Nuggets.com):

“We’re fortunate to add another young piece, a guy we think highly of. We think his skillset [and] his pedigree, who he is as a guy, will fit in well in the locker room. We started the night with no draft picks and we left with a guy who we think has a real chance to be impactful down the road.”

If the team had any concern with Bol’s injury history:

“We’re not concerned as to why he fell, we feel very fortunate that he fell [to us]. As the night progressed, we got pretty aggressive. He was a guy that we circled much higher on the board. We didn’t have him where we picked, we had him much much higher.”

On finding a steal in the draft (via Denver Post):

“We thought we were going to get a guy that was greatly undervalued as the night progressed. Who knows where we’ll be picking in the future, but when you get a guy with the tools like Bol Bol, it’s hard not to be aggressive. And it’s hard not to be excited.”

Image via Getty Images/Justin Tafoya

[lboogie1906]

Stephon Xavier Marbury (born February 20, 1977) is a former professional basketball player and current head coach in the Chinese Basketball Association. After his freshman year with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Bucks but was traded to the Timberwolves. A two-time All-Star and a two-time member of the All-NBA Team, he played in the NBA (1996-2009). He played in the Chinese Basketball Association until his retirement in 2018.

He, the sixth of seven children, was born and raised in Brooklyn. After his senior year, he was named New York State Mr. Basketball, after averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 3 steals per game. He was often heralded as the next great NYC point guard. He was one of the subjects of The Last Shot, which followed three seniors and him, a freshman, through the early months of his first season with the school’s team. He played for the renowned AAU team the New York Gauchos.

On June 24, 2019, he was named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association.

His brother Zach has played professional basketball in Venezuela. He is a cousin of former professional basketball player Sebastian Telfair. He is a cousin of former Providence College star and former NBA journeyman Jamel Thomas.

He married Latasha married (2002). He has three children.

In 2006, he partnered with Steve & Barry’s to promote a line of shoes and clothing bearing his nickname, “Starbury”. The line of shoes he endorsed sold for $14.98, far less than many other shoe lines. The reason for doing so, he stated at the time, was to provide kids a way to get fashionable basketball shoes for a reasonable price, and avoid the problem of having expensive shoes that are the target of theft. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[musicmaniahub]

Victor Wembanyama: Biography, Wikipedia, Age, Family, Networth, Career, College, Congo

Victor Wembanyama Biography Victor Wembanyama is a French professional basketball player currently playing for Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A. Born on January 4, 2004, in France, Wembanyama stands tall at 2.20 meters (7 feet 3 inches) and excels as a power forward. Considered one of the most promising European players of his generation, he is widely anticipated to be the number one overall selection in the NBA draft in 2023. Victor Wembanyama Early life and youth career Wembanyama was born in Le Chesnay, France, and began his athletic journey as a goalkeeper for a football team before transitioning to judo. Guided by his mother, a former basketball player, Wembanyama developed his basketball skills from a young age. He started at his hometown club, Entente Le Chesnay Versailles, and later joined the youth program of Nanterre 92 at the age of 10. Despite receiving offers from prominent clubs such as FC Barcelona and ASVEL, his parents decided to stay with Nanterre. Wembanyama's impressive performance in the Minicopa del Rey tournament, where he secured third place with his team, showcased his talent with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a crucial game. Victor Wembanyama Professional career Wembanyama joined Espoirs Nanterre for the 2019-20 season to compete in the French under-21 league, LNB Espoirs. In the Kaunas Tournament, a qualifier for the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT), he set a new ANGT record with nine blocks, along with 22 points and 15 rebounds in a victory over Zaragoza's under-18 squad. He led the tournament in blocks and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. With consistent contributions, he averaged 15.8 points, 12 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and six blocks per game. Wembanyama made his debut with Espoirs Nanterre in September 2020, showcasing his skills with an impressive performance of 22 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists against Espoirs JL Bourg. He also played for Centre Fédéral, an amateur squad associated with INSEP, where he continued to impress with his abilities. In October 2019, Wembanyama made his professional debut for Nanterre 92 in the EuroCup. He made his first appearance in the LNB Pro A in September 2020, contributing to the team's victories. He was honored as the best young player in the Pro A division during the 2020-21 season. Afterward, he made the decision to join ASVEL, where he displayed his talents in the Pro A and the EuroLeague. Presently, Wembanyama has signed a contract with Metropolitans 92 in the Pro A. Victor Wembanyama National team career Wembanyama has represented France in various international competitions. In the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship, he played a crucial role in France's success, contributing 12 points, 21 rebounds, and eight blocks in the quarterfinals. He was instrumental in securing the silver medal for France, earning a spot on the all-tournament team. He also participated in the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in 2021, helping France win the silver medal and receiving recognition as an all-tournament team member. Victor Wembanyama Personal life Basketball runs in Wembanyama's family, with his mother being a former player and his father having competed in long jump. His older sister, Eve, is a professional basketball player who won a gold medal with France in the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship in 2017. Victor Wembanyama's heritage traces back to the Democratic Republic of Congo through his father's side. Overall, Victor Wembanyama's impressive skills, towering height, and remarkable performances have established him as a rising star in the world of basketball, garnering attention and anticipation for his future achievements. Read the full article

[tfgadgets]

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers Hire Former Nets Head Coach Kenny Atkinson On 4-Year Contract

Published By: Siddarth Sriram Last Updated: June 29, 2024, 10:05 IST United States of America (USA) Kenny Atkinson during his time at the Brooklyn Nets (X) Atkinson was head coach of the Nets from 2016-2020, going 118-190 with a first-round playoff loss in 2019 before resigning after a 28-34 start to the 2019-20 campaign. Kenny Atkinson, who guided the Brooklyn Nets for nearly four seasons,…

[seowob]

"You can't be afraid to fail. It's the only way you succeed - you're not gonna succeed all the time, and I know that." LeBron Raymone James March 26 2009

On december 30, 1984 in Akron Ohio U.S. one of the Greatest Basketball Player was born, and it was LeBron Raymone James

Notably the awards he had won in his career are :

NBA

4× NBA champion: 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020

4× NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020

4× NBA Most Valuable Player: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013

20× NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

3× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008, 2018

19× All-NBA selection:

13× First team: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020

3× Second team: 2005, 2007, 2021

3× Third team: 2019, 2022, 2023

6× NBA All-Defensive selection:

5× First Team: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Second Team: 2014

NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004

NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004

NBA scoring leader: 2008

NBA assists leader: 2020

3× NBA minutes leader: 2007, 2017, 2018

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: 2017

NBA Cup winner: 2023

NBA Cup Most Valuable Player: 2023

United States National Team

Cited from USA Basketball's LeBron James page unless noted otherwise.[2]

3× Olympic medalist:

2× Gold: 2008, 2012

Bronze: 2004

FIBA World Cup medalist:

Bronze: 2006

FIBA AmeriCup medalist:

Gold: 2007

USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year: 2012,[3] 2008 (as a part of the 2008 Olympic Team)

High school

National Basketball champion: 2003

3× State champion: 2000, 2001, 2003

2× Gatorade National Player of the Year: 2002, 2003

2× Mr. Basketball USA: 2002, 2003

2× USA Today High School Player of the Year: 2002, 2003

3× Ohio Mr. Basketball: 2001, 2002, 2003

3× USA Today All-USA First Team: 2001, 2002, 2003

2× PARADE High School Player of the Year: 2002, 2003

2× First-team Parade All-American: 2002, 2003

Second-team Parade All-American: 2001

Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year: 2003

Naismith Prep Player of the Year: 2003[5]

McDonald's National Player of the Year: 2003[6]

McDonald's High School All-American: 2003[7]

McDonald's Slam Dunk Contest (Powerade Jam Fest): 2003[8]

McDonald's All-American Game MVP: 2003

EA Sports Roundball Classic MVP: 2003[9]

Jordan Brand Capital Classic MVP: 2003[9]

Morgan Wootten National Player of the

Year: 2003

Other

Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year: 2012,[10] 2016

Sporting News Athlete of the Year: 2012[11]

Sporting News NBA MVP: 2006[12]

Sporting News Rookie of the Year: 2004[13]

Sports Illustrated NBA All-Decade First Team: 2000–2009[14]

7× Best NBA Player ESPY Award: 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018[15][16][17]

3× Best Male Athlete ESPY Award: 2012, 2013, 2016[17]

Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award: 2004[18]

4× Best Championship Performance ESPY Award: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016[17]

6× BET Sportsman of the Year: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013[19][20][21][22][23]

3× Associated Press Athlete of the Year: 2013, 2016, 2018

2× Hickok Belt: 2012, 2013

Jackie Robinson Sports Award: 2017[24]

These may seem alot but the lists goes on and on, Lebron is ranked top 2 on "75 NBA players of all time just behind jordan, but lets talk about where this all started.

A young LeBron James was locally known as a basketball prodigy ever since in elementary school, he was named Ohio's Mr. Baskrtball (hs player of the year) three times while leading Akrons St. Vincent Mary High School to three state championships in his four years on the team. He was a national media sensation in his young year after showing up on Sports Illustrated where he was named by the magazine as "The Chosen One." In 2003 he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall in 2003 NBA draft, and he would sign a $90 million contract with Nike shoe company. As he started in Cleveland Caveliers alot of pressure went on by him, but he didnt get affected by it and he lead the team in scoring, steals and minutes played over 2003-04 season, and winning ROTY (rookie of the year) In 2004-2005 he became a starting forward on the Eastern Conference All Star Team, in 2006-2007 LeBron James led Cleveland to the NBA finals, the cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs but James postswason led many observers to place him in the very best players in the league. He held the NBA in scoring in 2007-2008 season and earned first team ALL NBA honours, in 2008-2009 he achieved the leagues MVP following the season he averaged nearly 30PPG and named MVP again. In 2009-2010 he went to the Miami Heat which had D Wade and Bosh, he helped miami reach the finals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks, in 2011-2012 he averaged 27.1 PPG and won his third mvp, this time he defeated OKC Thunder and won the championship and reigned as the finals MVP, in 2012-2013 he averaged 26.8 PPG, 7.3 APG and a career high 8 RPG while posting .565 field goal percentage. The heat went in the finals again, Lebron rematching with the spurs but they lost again in the five game series. In 2014 he went back to the cavs and faced the greatest threats at his time, the Golden State Warriors, theyre dynasty was starting with the players, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron averaged 35.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG and 8.8 APG but managed to lose to the Dynasty. In 2015-16 in the finals, Cleveland and Warriors face again, Warriors needed one win left to win the championship since it was 3-1 but LeBron overturned it and made it 3-4 Lebron won the championship. After doing that LeBron currently staying in the Los Angeles Lakers, he won another championship.

[wikiuntamed]

Top 5 @Wikipedia pages from a year ago: Wednesday, 8th February 2023

Welcome, nuqneH, welkom, добродошли (dobrodošli) 🤗 What were the top pages visited on @Wikipedia (8th February 2023) 🏆🌟🔥?

1️⃣: Mama Cax "Cacsmy Brutus (November 20, 1989 – December 16, 2019), known as Mama Cax, was a Haitian American model and disability rights activist. With her prosthetic right leg, Cax was an unconventional figure in modern fashion modelling...."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by CHROMAT

2️⃣: LeBron James "LeBron Raymone James Sr. ( lə-BRON; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and is often..."

Image licensed under CC BY 2.0? by Erik Drost

3️⃣: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ( kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. ( al-SIN-dər); April 16, 1947) is an American former professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. During his career..."

Image licensed under CC BY 2.0? by Yahoo from Sunnyvale, California, USA

4️⃣: Kiara Advani "Alia Advani (born 31 July 1991), known professionally as Kiara Advani ([kɪˈjaːra əɽˈʋaːɳi]), is an Indian actress who works in Hindi and Telugu language films. After making her acting debut in the comedy film Fugly (2014), she played MS Dhoni's wife in the sports biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story..."

Image licensed under CC BY 3.0? by Bollywood Hungama

5️⃣: Pathaan (film) "Pathaan (pronounced [pəʈʰaːn]) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film co-written and directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. The fourth installment in the YRF Spy Universe, it stars Shah Rukh Khan in the title role, alongside Deepika Padukone and..."

[newsworld-nw]

Kyrie Irving jersey number: Why the Mavericks All-Star changed from number 2 to number 11

For a wide range of causes, Kyrie Irving's second season as a member of the Mavericks will look completely different than his first.Irving, who was acquired by Dallas earlier than final yr's commerce deadline, wore No. 2 throughout his first 20 video games in a Mavs uniform. Because of some developments, Irving will return to No. 11, a jersey quantity he used after leaving Cleveland in 2017.These accustomed to Irving should not be shocked by his change. Here is all the things to find out about Irving's historical past with No. 11.

Why did Kyrie Irving change his jersey quantity?

Irving wore No. 11 throughout his nationwide profession at St. Patrick's Excessive College in New Jersey however didn't put on the quantity for the subsequent few stops in his profession. At Duke, No. 11 is retired for two-time NCAA champion Bobby Hurley. It paved the way in which for Irving to turn out to be the primary Duke will put on No. 1 below participant coach Mike Krzyzewski.After his lone season at Duke, Irving was drafted first general by the Cavaliers, a franchise that deliberate to retire No. 11 for two-time All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas. As such, Irving selected quantity 2 to start his NBA profession.Earlier than his seventh NBA season, Irving was traded to Boston, the place No. 11 is among the few retired numbers. Though the quantity was going to go To a rookie Jayson Tatum, the commerce meant Irving would find yourself carrying No. 11 and Tatum would put on No. 0 for Boston.It served as a full-circle second as Irving would put on his father's jersey quantity in the identical metropolis the place his father starred in faculty.Irving wore No. 11 once more after signing with the Nets as a free agent in 2019 however after being traded to the Mavericks in 2023, was pressured to change to No. 2 as a result of Tim Hardaway Jr. wore No. 11.as Particulars Throughout a Hornets broadcast final season, Irving's historical past with No. 11 goes deeper than his father's faculty jersey. He was born at 1:11, "Kyrie Irving" has 11 letters, the letter "Ok" being the eleventh letter of the alphabet, he performed 11 video games at Duke earlier than being chosen first general within the 2011 NBA draft, and he scored his 11,000th level on March 11 NBA Factors.

Kyrie Irving stats: 2 vs. 11

Irving nonetheless performed considerably extra video games carrying No. 2, however he turned in a number of iconic moments whereas donning two jersey numbers. Irving's unforgettable 3-pointer in Sport 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals got here whereas carrying No. 2, however his traditionally environment friendly 60-point sport got here whereas carrying No. 11. No. 2 No. 11 working life Video games 401 270 671 level 8,771 6,941 15,712 factors per sport 21.9 25.7 23.4 50-point sport 2 4 6 rebounds 1,390 1,253 2,643 Rebounds per sport 3.5 4.6 3.9 helps 2,234 1,600 3,834 Assists per sport 5.6 5.9 5.7 Subject objective share 45.9 48.9 47.2 3-point area objective share 38.3 39.9 39.1 Free throw share 87.6 89.7 88.5 #Kyrie #Irving #jersey #quantity #Mavericks #AllStar #modified #quantity #quantity Read the full article

[johnbrownnn]

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)   When LeBron James decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2018, it signaled a brighter future for the storied franchise. After Kobe Bryant retired, the Lakers were mired at the bottom of the Western Conference standings but James’ arrival meant they would be relevant once again. Although his first season in Los Angeles ended with them missing the postseason, the organization was able to trade for Anthony Davis and get right back to contending. The 2019-20 NBA season was filled with plenty of obstacles, most notably the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that forced the NBA to go on hiatus. Eventually, the season and playoffs continued in the Bubble where the Lakers eventually won the 2020 NBA Championship after beating the Miami Heat in six games. James explained that his original goal was to put the purple and gold back on the map and now has a new goal in mind via Michael Corvo of ClutchPoints. “Move one of those Larry O’Brien trophies to the side and put another one up,” James said. LeBron James on his time with the Lakers: “When I came here, I felt like I didn’t just want to be here for a short stint. I came in with the notion that I wanted to help this franchise get back to the postseason…and be able to put another one of those Larry O'Brien trophies back… — Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 21, 2023 James has been all about winning championships during his career and the 2023-24 NBA season represents his best chance to add a fifth ring to his collection. The front office did well in the offseason to re-sign and add complementary players around James and Davis and the team is expected to be one of the best ones in the league. The Western Conference remains as tough as ever with several squads having an argument to win it all, but a healthy and motivated James is a force to be reckoned with. NEXT:  Darvin Ham Reveals Fifth Lakers Starter For Opening Night Source link

[lboogie1906]

Stephon Xavier Marbury (born February 20, 1977) is a former professional basketball player and current head coach in the Chinese Basketball Association. After his freshman year with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Bucks but was traded to the Timberwolves. A two-time All-Star and a two-time member of the All-NBA Team, he played in the NBA from 1996 until 2009. He then played in the Chinese Basketball Association until his retirement in 2018. He, the sixth of seven children, was born and raised in Brooklyn. After his senior year, he was named New York State Mr. Basketball, after averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 3 steals per game. He was often heralded as the next great NYC point guard. He was one of the subjects of The Last Shot, which followed three seniors and him, a freshman, through the early months of his first season with the school's team. He played for the renowned AAU team the New York Gauchos. On June 24, 2019, he was named head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association. His brother Zach has played professional basketball in Venezuela. He is a cousin of former professional basketball player Sebastian Telfair. He is a cousin of former Providence College star and former NBA journeyman Jamel Thomas. He married Latasha married (2002-). He has three children. In 2006, he partnered with Steve & Barry's to promote a line of shoes and clothing bearing his nickname, "Starbury". The line of shoes he endorsed sold for $14.98, far less than many other shoe lines. The reason for doing so, he stated at the time, was to provide kids a way to get fashionable basketball shoes for a reasonable price, and avoid the problem of having expensive shoes that are the target of theft. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4_VmVL55R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sport333]

Jokichi is tired of not attending the World Cup

Jokichi is tired of not attending the World Cup

"He is physically and mentally exhausted." That was why Nikola Jokic (Denver) decided not to participate in the World Cup.

Citing a report by Serbian media Mozart Sports on the 25th (Korea Standard Time), "ESPN" dealt with the background of Jokic's absence from the 2023 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Men's Basketball World Cup.

Serbia announced its preliminary World Cup roster of 20 players. A large number of NBA leaguers such as Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta), Marco Gudrich (Memphis), and Nikola Jovic (Miami) were included, but the key power, Jokic, was excluded.

Rumors of Yokichi's absence from the World Cup have been steadily raised since the end of last season, but the clear background was unknown. The theory that "Yokichi wants to spend more time with his family" is said to be groundless, and there was no special comment from the Serbian Basketball Association in the release of the World Cup preliminary list.

The reason was revealed through Mozart Sports. Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic told "Mozart Sports" about his interview with Jokic.

Coach Svetislav Pesic said, "We've had a few conversations, and he's physically and mentally exhausted. "At this moment, he is not ready to play with responsibility," he said.

Jokic has been called up to three international tournaments since his NBA debut in the 2015-2016 season. He made World Cup appearances in 2016 and 2019, and last year he played in Eurobasket. 안전놀이터

Serbia, which ranked fifth in the 2019 tournament, dreamed of more than that in this tournament, but Jokic did not have enough rest until the final of the 2022-2023 season. His last season ended on June 13. Serbia, a European powerhouse, faced a crisis even before the start of the tournament

[tfgadgets]

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers Hire Former Nets Head Coach Kenny Atkinson On 4-Year Contract

Published By: Siddarth Sriram Last Updated: June 29, 2024, 10:05 IST United States of America (USA) Kenny Atkinson during his time at the Brooklyn Nets (X) Atkinson was head coach of the Nets from 2016-2020, going 118-190 with a first-round playoff loss in 2019 before resigning after a 28-34 start to the 2019-20 campaign. Kenny Atkinson, who guided the Brooklyn Nets for nearly four seasons,…

[theultimatefan]

Showtime Sports Announces Bonded By Ball: Inside The Obl, A Documentary Series Chronicling OBL

SHOWTIME Basketball announces BONDED BY BALL: INSIDE THE OBL, a four-part documentary series chronicling the inaugural season of the Ones Basketball League (OBL). All four episodes of the series premiere consecutively on SHOWTIME EXTREME starting at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Friday, July 28, and all episodes will be available on demand and on streaming for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers on the day of premiere.

Founded in 2022 by seven-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady and award-winning sports business executive and entrepreneur Jeffrey Pollack, OBL is an elite one-on-one competition series designed to discover and spotlight the best one-on-one players around the world and celebrate the competitive spirit of basketball.

“BONDED BY BALL takes you on a journey with incredible athletes you haven't met before and also gives some insight into my life story,” McGrady said. “When I look at these players, I know how it feels to be overlooked and undervalued. When an opportunity is given, what are you going to do with it? These guys are out to prove something, and we are proud to bring their stories to a larger audience for the first time.”

“Tracy and the OBL fit the ethos of SHOWTIME Basketball, and BONDED BY BALL is a reflection of the type of boundary-pushing and innovative content we strive to create,” said Brian Dailey, SVP, Sports Programming & Content at SHOWTIME. “If you look at our roster, it’s full of Hall of Famers and champions who are open to sharing their experiences, just as Tracy has with this league and through this series.”

The documentary series is an intimate look at the league’s three-month tour across the U.S. during its 2022 season, highlighting competitions in Houston, Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The series, guided by McGrady, reveals the compelling and often heartbreaking stories of the star players. By uncovering each athlete’s unique personality, determination, style and circumstances, the series is an in-depth exposé on the collective joy and disappointment that comes with both basketball and life.

“One-on-one is the essence of basketball and Tracy’s vision for the game opens up a new world of storytelling," said Pollack. "We are creating a unique stage for amazing athletes who deserve a chance to shine in the spotlight and our ultimate ambition is global. Fans can be with us at the start, enjoy a behind-the-scenes look and get closer to Tracy thanks to SHOWTIME.”

In each of the cities on the tour, 32 players compete for a chance to win $10,000. The winner in each city takes home the cash prize, and the top three players from each city earn a spot in the OBL Finals in Las Vegas and the opportunity to compete for the grand prize of $250,000.

The featured competitors include:

George Beamon, Roslyn, N.Y./Manhattan College (Los Angeles Winner) 31, co-captain and two-time First Team All-MAAC at Manhattan College. He averaged 18.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 2013-14 after a season-ending injury the previous year. Won OBL Los Angeles Regional to claim the $10,000 prize and qualify for OBL Finals.

Isaiah Brown, Queens, N.Y./SUNY Potsdam (New York Winner) 25, nicknamed “Leaky Roof,” played at SUNY Potsdam. The sharpshooting lefty averaged 24.2 points per game in 2019-20 at Potsdam after transferring from Missouri State-West Plains. Won OBL New York Regional to claim the $10,000 prize and qualify for OBL Finals.

John Jordan, Houston/TAMU-Corpus Christi (Houston Winner) 29, arrived from Romania just in time to compete in the OBL. He’s one of the most decorated players in Texas A&M-Corpus Christi history, totaling more than 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in his TAMU-CC Athletics Hall of Fame career. He played overseas and in the G-League, where he won the dunk contest in 2017. Won the OBL Houston Regional to claim the $10,000 prize and qualify for OBL Finals.

Matt Kiatipis, Newmarket, Ontario/Simon Fraser University (Houston Runner-Up) 21, played a year for Simon Fraser University in his native Canada. He then turned his focus to other basketball pursuits, including a strong social media presence, park takeovers and dunk videos. The youngest OBL Finals qualifier, “M.K.” took second in the Houston Regional.

Kevin Kuteyi, Lanham, Md./Gannon University and Chowan University (DMV Winner) 29, had one of the more vocal rooting sections at The St. James. In two collegiate seasons, one at Gannon University and one at Chowan University, he averaged 12 points per game and shot 40% from deep. “Uncle Skoob” came into the OBL DMV Regional as the No. 8 seed and had to win a play-in to get into the quarterfinals. Won the OBL DMV Regional to claim the $10,000 prize and qualify for OBL Finals.

“When you see that pain I’m putting in, it’s because I missed out on an opportunity,” OBL finalist George Beamon expresses in BONDED BY BALL: INSIDE THE OBL. “I want to get that breakout that I should’ve got. That ain’t stopping me. It’s motivating me.”

Beamon is not alone. The OBL is designed to create opportunities for gifted athletes who can earn a chance to shine on a national stage. McGrady’s devotion to nurturing and motivating the hundreds of players in the OBL comes from a shared place of perseverance and dedication.

BONDED BY BALL: INSIDE THE OBL is co-directed by Eric W. Newman and Rashad Floyd, and executive produced by Stephen Espinoza, Dailey, Newman, McGrady, Pollack and Elissa Grabow. Newman also directed and produced SHOWTIME documentaries KEVIN GARNETT: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE and BE NOW: INSIDE THE 2022 IVERSON CLASSIC, and the show ALL THE SMOKE WITH MATT BARNES AND STEPHEN JACKSON.

This documentary series adds to the award-winning rolodex of documentaries and docuseries from SHOWTIME Basketball, including GOLIATH, STAND, Kevin Durant’s NYC POINT GODS, LeBron James’ SHUT UP AND DRIBBLE, KOBE BRYANT’S MUSE, QUIET STORM: THE RON ARTEST STORY, PASSION PLAY: RUSSELL WESTBROOK and KEVIN GARNETT: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. SHOWTIME Basketball is also comprised of shows including ALL THE SMOKE WITH MATT BARNES & STEPHEN JACKSON, KG CERTIFIED WITH KEVIN GARNETT, TICKET & THE TRUTH, WHAT’S BURNIN’ hosted by Rachel Nichols, HEADLINERS WITH RACHEL NICHOLS and THE ARIEL HELWANI BASKETBALL SHOW.

[vintagehoops]

S. Moncrief Action Shots

Sidney Alvin Moncrief ("Sid the Squid") played 10 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was drafted 5th overall in 1979 and scored 13 points, in the final game of his rookie season, along with 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Known for his versatility on the court and especially for his defensive abilities, Moncrief was considered one of the best shooters of his time. Sid would win NBA DPOY twice, once in the 1982-83 season, and again in 1983-84. He made the All-Star team 5 years in a row, averaging over 20 ppg in 4 of his 10 seasons. He would end his career averaging 15.6 PPG and holds the Bucks record for career free throws. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

[news4usonline]

The implosion of Ja Morant and the Grizzlies

(News4usonline) – There are a couple of choice words that best describe the latest alleged gun-related incident involving Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Those words will not be uttered here. But what can be said is that it is unbelievable that the All-Star guard now finds himself suspended from all team-related activities after another video went viral allegedly showing Morant flashing a handgun. "We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant," a released statement from the Grizzlies via Twitter on May 14 stated. "He is suspended from all team activities pending league review. We have no further comment at this time."

© News4usonline - Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja'Morant warms up before hitting the court against the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 21, 2020. Morant was named the 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. Photo by Mark Hammond After being suspended during the regular season because of another gun-related incident that flashed all over social media, it is difficult to comprehend that Morant would put himself in the position to throw away huge gobs of money and his career by being an idiot. If the new video is confirmed to be legit, Morant would have to be a complete moron to thug away his status as one of the new and bright faces of the NBA. Hey, Ja. If you're to pretend to be a thug, go be a thug. Stop calling yourself a professional basketball player. Therein lies the problem with the Grizzlies as a basketball team. They're not ready to handle the spotlight. They'd rather flash guns and run smack instead of balling out. One could make the argument that Morant and the Grizzlies balled out during the regular season in which they claimed the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. This postseason, however, exposed the Grizzlies and their entitled attitude. Morant and his Memphis teammates flamed out against the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round playoff series. That's because they ran their mouths too much. The Grizzlies like to talk. When it comes to chirping, perhaps no team in the NBA does it better than the young, talented and annoying Grizzlies. That’s why they’re sitting at home watching the rest of the playoffs. Memphis players don’t know how to shut up and play. After their early exit in the 2023 NBA playoffs, a deeper inspection of the Grizzlies’ vomit-by-the-mouth nature is necessary.

Oct. 23, 2021. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant scored 28 points in his team's 120-114 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline Throughout the regular season and through the playoffs, the Grizzlies made inflammatory remarks about their opponent and presented themselves as being unprofessional. Morant, who averaged just over 26 points and eight assists per game during the regular season, decided to go thuggish and made headlines for all the wrong reasons. This was the season that Morant was supposed to take the Grizzlies deep in the postseason. That didn’t happen because media headlines around Morant centered more on his attitude and lifestyle than what he does on the basketball court. After a defeat to the Denver Nuggets earlier this year, Morant was allegedly seen on Instagram Live, flaunting and displaying a firearm at a strip club. That was not a good look for either Morant or the ballclub. Morant wound up being suspended for eight games. Without question, this incident, near the end of the regular season, had an impact on the Grizzlies getting bounced in the first round. That was one distraction the Grizzlies did not need going into the postseason. Then there is the matter of Dillon Brooks. Brooks outdid his teammate in the negativity department thanks to the forward running his mouth like a water faucet when the Grizzlies played the Lakers in the first round. Like his buddy, Morant, Brooks made the headlines for the wrong reasons. Just all bad. Brooks, who has built a reputation for trash-talking and getting into game-time foolery, was just plain disrespectful toward LeBron James and the Lakers. After Game 2 against the Lakers, Brooks went the “Dumb and Dumber” route when he raked James over the coals with some basketball-related disparaging remarks. “I don't care. He's old. … I poke bears. I don't respect someone until he gives me 40,” Brooks told reporters, and later replayed by Tim MacMahon via Twitter. The Lakers beat Memphis in the best-of-seven series, winning four games to the Grizzlies’ two. The Lakers clinched the series with a 125-85 win in Game 6. That would be exactly 40 points. 24 in the books. keep fighting. keep pushing. pic.twitter.com/kG1wMTg5yb— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 29, 2023 On top of his verbal exchanges with James during their playoff series, Brooks and the Grizzlies ran their mouths in the postseason last year against Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors. Green and Golden State had the final say, kicking Brooks and Memphis right out of the playoffs in six games on their way to a fourth NBA title. Green had this to say about Brooks after reading a statement from Brooks about him this season and the Warriors: “Next time you speak up on me you should do some fact-checking…you're a clown.” Via Bleacher report on Youtube. Before the Grizzlies were ousted from the playoffs by the Lakers, Memphis recorded a regular season tally of 51-31. Brooks averaged 14.3 points per game during the regular season and only 10.5 points per game. With his numbers and his production dropping, it has been rumored or leaked that Memphis is not interested in bringing Brooks back next season. In the final games of the Lakers-Grizzlies series, Brooks chose not to speak to the media and made himself unavailable to the press. He was fined $25,000 by the NBA. Brooks is not the first NBA player to become famous for their trash talk. However, avoiding the media when times are tough is not a good look. Bad sportsmanship is also not a good look. The Grizzlies need to act more professionally to change that narrative. Reporter Dennis J. Freeman contributed to this story Lead photo: Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on as he goes back to the locker room after an NBA game between the Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls on April 2, 2023, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire) Read the full article