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tkmedia · 3 years ago

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Tokyo Olympics 2020: Luka Doncic, Rudy Gobert among notable international NBA players at Summer Games

Getty Images The opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is set for Friday, and soon after it will be time to begin the men's basketball tournament. Always one of the most anticipated events of the summer Olympics, this year's edition will begin on Saturday, July 24 with the opening group stage game between Iran and the Czech Republic. Much of the focus, both here in the United States and around the globe, will be on Team USA. They are going for a fourth straight gold medal but could be in for a real challenge this time around. During their pre-Olympics exhibition schedule, they often looked disjointed and lost to both Nigeria and Australia. They finished those exhibition games with a 2-2 record. Bradley Beal (health and safety) and Kevin Love (calf) are no longer on the team and have been replaced by Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee. Adding to questions about the roster, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker will be arriving late and exhausted after their Finals appearances. Internal issues aren't the only reason that Team USA could be denied gold for the first time since 2004, however. While basketball has always been a global game, there's more elite talent around the world now than ever before. Just take Nigeria, for example. When they played Team USA in the 2012 Olympics, they lost, 156-73. Earlier this month, when the two teams met in an exhibition game, Nigeria beat Team USA, 90-87. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error processing your subscription. As we head into the tournament, here's a look at all of the international NBA players who will be representing their countries in Tokyo.

Argentina

Bolmaro hasn't played in the NBA yet, but we'll include him because he was the No. 23 overall pick in last year's draft, and could arrive in the league as soon as next season. If you're unfamiliar, he's a 6-foot-6 guard with a lot of flair to his game and has a chance to be one of the breakout stars of this summer. The veteran guard finally made his way to the NBA last season after starring overseas with Real Madrid. One of the most competitive and hard-working players around, Campazzo was inserted into the starting lineup during the playoffs after the Nuggets suffered a number of injuries and helped the team reach the second round. If you were like most people and gave up on the Thunder last season when they started intentionally trying to lose every night, you might have missed Deck's arrival. He signed in April and ended up playing in 10 games, averaging 8.4 points, four rebounds and 2.4 assists. - Luis Scola -- N/AOK, cheating a bit again here because Scola doesn't play in the NBA anymore, but we have to show him some love. After a decade in the league, the now 41-year old forward is still going strong, and just a few years ago led Argentina to the gold medal at the Pan American Games.

Australia

Baynes won a championship with the Spurs -- and fellow Australian Patty Mills -- in just his second season in the league, and has since built himself a nice career as a tough, reliable big man. Coming off a disappointing season with the Raptors, he should have extra motivation for this tournament. The former No. 5 overall pick was once an extremely promising prospect, but it just hasn't worked out for him because of injuries. He only played six games this season due to a calf injury, and since entering the league in 2014, he's played 245 of a possible 574 games. Ingles has emerged in recent seasons as one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA, and a truly elite 3-point shooter. He's shot at least 39.1 percent from downtown for five straight seasons, and his career-high 45.1 percent mark this season was good for fifth in the league. Green was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he didn't get much of an opportunity in his rookie season, which isn't all that surprising given former head coach Rick Carlisle's style. Green ended up playing 39 games and averaged 2.6 points and two rebounds. - Patty Mills -- San Antonio SpursThe longtime Spurs guard has built a reputation as one of the most steady backup guards in the league. But when he puts on his country's jersey, he seems to reach a new level. Already one of the best Australian players ever, he'll try to add to his legacy this summer when he leads the Boomers in search of their first Olympic medal. Thybulle was born in Arizona, and has actually spent most of his life in America, but lived in Australia for many years as a child and has dual citizenship. Despite having played just two seasons in the NBA, he's already made his name as a terrific perimeter defender and was named to the All-Defensive Second Team this season.

Czech Republic

A former second-round pick, Satoransky has become a pretty solid player with the Wizards and now the Bulls. Currently the only player from the Czech Republic in the NBA, he's led the country to their first Olympic appearance since becoming independent in 1993 and will be a flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

France

It wasn't long ago that Batum's career seemed to be winding down. Injuries limited him to 22 games in 2019-20, and he eventually came to terms on a buyout with the Hornets. When he signed with the Clippers prior to this season, expectations weren't very high. But he surprised everyone by becoming a key part of their run to the Western Conference finals. After spending the last six-plus seasons with the Magic, Fournier was traded to the Celtics at the deadline. Unfortunately, he got COVID-19 shortly after arriving and never really made much of an impact. As he prepares for free agency, the Olympics will give him a chance to show teams just how much he's worth. The first few conversations in the French locker room between Batum and Gobert might have been a bit awkward after the Clippers came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Jazz in the playoffs. While the big man faces his fair share of criticism, he's one of the best defensive players in the league and a walking double-double. Since being drafted late in the first round in 2016, Luwawu-Cabarrot has already played for four different teams, and at one point found himself out of the league. He kept working, however, and eventually earned a spot on the Nets. While their playoff run came up short, he proved he belongs in the NBA. Knicks fans had high hopes for the former No. 8 overall pick, but things haven't gone to plan. While he's shown promise as a perimeter defender, his offensive game hasn't been good enough. On the international level, however, he was instrumental in France's bronze medal finish at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, where they beat Team USA in the quarterfinals.

Germany

A former second-round pick, Bonga showed some flashes when he was first traded to the Wizards, but saw his playing time reduced this season as they made a run to the playoffs. He's set to be a restricted free agent this summer, and it will be interesting to see what his NBA future holds. A good showing in Tokyo could help him get a new contract. - Mo Wagner -- Orlando MagicInterestingly enough, Wagner was traded to the Wizards from the Lakers along with Bonga. Now, they'll team up again for Germany. Like his former and current teammate, Wagner is facing an uncertain future in the league. When the number of teams you've played for (four) is higher than the number of seasons you've played (three) that's usually a bad sign.

Iran

There are currently no Iranians in the NBA.

Italy

The veteran forward signed up with the Hawks last summer in free agency, and it turned out to be a brilliant move for both team and player. Gallo got one last big payday, and the Hawks got an important player for what ended up being a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals. Now, Gallinari will lead Italy in their first Olympic appearance since 2004. Mannion has spent most of his life in the United States, but he was born in Italy when his father was playing there professionally and has represented the country since his U-16 days. As for his NBA career, it hasn't been too noteworthy so far. He made the Warriors as a second-round pick but played limited minutes in just 30 games. - Nico Melli -- Dallas MavericksAfter a successful career in Europe, Melli finally made his way to the NBA in 2019 when he signed with the Pelicans. Though ostensibly a floor-spacing big, he's struggled to shoot it from deep in his first two seasons and was traded to the Mavericks at the deadline. He's another player who could use a good showing in Tokyo ahead of restricted free agency.

Japan

Though still only 23 years old, Hachimura is already one of the best Japanese players of all time. The No. 9 overall pick in 2019, he was the first Japanese player ever drafted in the first round, and is also the only Japanese player to ever play in the playoffs. While he's struggled with injuries so far, he's also shown plenty of promise with the Wizards. Watanabe is probably best known for being the brave defender on Anthony Edwards' unbelievable dunk last season, but he should be known for being a trailblazer. When he made his NBA debut with the Grizzlies back in 2018, he became just the second Japanese player to ever play in the league.

Nigeria

The only NBA player on this team who actually grew up in Nigeria, Achiuwa moved to the United States as a teenager and quickly became a high-level prospect. Last year, he went No. 20 overall in the draft to the Heat, and earned a spot in the rotation thanks in large part to his hustle and energy off the bench. A second-round pick back in 2018, Metu made his start in the league with the Spurs. However, he never really found a consistent role there and spent time in the G League before eventually getting waived. That wasn't the end of the road for him, though, as he eventually linked up with the Kings and closed the season with a number of encouraging performances. Some players spend their whole career searching for a ring; Nwora got his after just one season. While he only saw limited playing time as a rookie, Nwora and the Bucks took down the Suns in the NBA Finals earlier this week. Now, he's on his way to Tokyo to check off another milestone early in his career by representing his country in the Olympics. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Okafor was one of the early faces of "The Process" in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, his rookie season with the Sixers turned out to be his best, and he's bounced around with the Nets, Pelicans and Pistons in recent years. One of four Timberwolves players heading to Tokyo, Okogie was the No. 20 overall pick in 2018. He's impressed as a perimeter defender through the first three seasons of his career, but saw his playing time decrease this season in large part because of his struggles on the offensive end. Okpala was a second-round pick back in 2019, but since making the Heat roster he hasn't really done much of note. So far he's struggled to find any consistent playing time in a crowded frontcourt, and has bounced up and down from the G League. In 42 games he's scored 99 points. After a storied collegiate career, Oni was the No. 58 pick in the 2019 draft. As a result, he became the first Ivy League played drafted since 1995, and the first player from Yale drafted since 1987. He appeared in a career-high 54 games this season for the Jazz as they earned the best record in the Western Conference. After going undrafted, Vincent went the G League route and worked hard to improve his game. The effort paid off, as he was named G League Most Improved Player in 2020 and earned a call-up to the Heat. This season he broke into the rotation and averaged 4.8 points over 50 games.

Spain

The younger Gasol joined the Lakers last offseason in search of another ring, but things didn't quite work out for him or the team. He'll have another chance next season, however, as they'll be one of the favorites if they can stay healthy. On the international level, Gasol is back at the Olympics after missing the games in 2016. - Pau Gasol -- N/AThe elder Gasol brother no longer plays in the NBA, but we have to give him a shoutout as he continues to lead the Spanish national team. This will be the fifth straight Olympics for Gasol, as he looks to add a fourth medal to his already extensive resume. The younger Hernangomez was the No. 15 overall pick back in 2016, and spent the first three-plus seasons of his career with the Nuggets before being traded to the Timberwolves. While he's shown flashes here and there, he hasn't really fulfilled the promise that led to him being a first-round pick. The elder Hernangomez made the All-Rookie First Team with the Knicks back in 2017, but so far has not been able to build on that initial success. He's since spent time with the Hornets and the Pelicans, never playing more than 58 games in a season. It will be interesting to see what happens next for him as he hits unrestricted free agency this summer. Once one of the most exciting prospects in Spanish history, Rubio has been playing with the national team since he was a teenager, and made his Olympics debut back in 2008. While he's never become a star, he's had a long and solid career in the NBA with the Timberwolves, Jazz and Suns.

Slovenia

Cancar was originally drafted by the Nuggets in the second round in 2017 but didn't come over to the NBA until 2019. Since then, he's bounced between the Nuggets and the G League and has been unable to earn any consistent playing time. In two seasons he's appeared in 55 games. The young phenom is not only the best player in Slovenian history but is already one of the best players in the NBA after just three seasons with the Mavericks. At this rate, he's well on his way to being an all-time great. This summer, he'll lead Slovenia to their first Olympics since they became an independent country in 1991. Read the full article

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your-dietician · 3 years ago

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The NBA Play-in: The moments the young Memphis Grizzlies grew up

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/nba/the-nba-play-in-the-moments-the-young-memphis-grizzlies-grew-up/

The NBA Play-in: The moments the young Memphis Grizzlies grew up

The play-in games were a resounding success for the National Basketball Association. Obviously, single elimination games have this fascinating mystique around them. With it added into the NBA, and with fans entering the arenas again, it made these situations that much sweeter.

The play-in games were a resounding success for the Memphis Grizzlies as well. They had great tests in both games against teams with riches of playoff experience compared to this young squad. San Antonio had Gregg Popovich — arguably the most successful NBA coach of the 21st century — and a good blend of battle-tested veterans (DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Patty Mills, to name a few). After a strong win there, they had to enter the Chase Center to battle Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of the Warriors on the road.

It was no small task ahead, but the Memphis Grizzlies prevailed and grew immensely from it.

Now after a month since the play-in tournament was played, let’s take a look at the different themes from these two games that illustrated growth for the Grizzlies.

In both play-in games, the Memphis Grizzlies got off to such strong starts. It wasn’t uncharacteristic for them to do so, as they were 11th in first-quarter net rating (+2.6) and 5th in first-period defensive rating (108). Granted, rating rankings have a slim separation statistically. Nonetheless though, it suggests they’re a pretty good first quarter team.

However, for most young teams those first 12 minutes of playoff-intensity games can be nerve racking and could start slow starts. The Grizzlies’ strong starts demonstrated great poise for a young team, as they outscored their two opponents 68-48 in those minutes. They also amassed incredible runs in those stretches as well — including a 19-2 run against the Spurs, and a 14-3 one against the Warriors.

Starting with the home game, the Grizzlies utilized the meaning of home-court advantage — a beauty that we actually got to experience in this COVID-ravaged season.

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Ja Morant pulled the offense out of the 4-on-4 fast break. Jonas Valanciunas runs the floor since DeMar DeRozan oddly enough didn’t already beat him down the floor. Since Jakob Poetl — the primary rim protector — was playing the potential screen from Jaren Jackson Jr., there was an opening for Valanciunas to rumble down the lane for a thunderous jam. That’s always something that’ll get the crowd going.

Then, there was the resounding fast-break jam from Dillon Brooks that was probably the staple of the Grizzlies 1st-quarter run.

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It was the classic “turning defense into offense” — a sweet way to get the momentum rolling on your end and away from the opposition. Brooks corrals the steal, audaciously looks off Morant, and throws down a vicious tomahawk slam right over Dejounte Murray.

In that same quarter, we saw the flashes from Jaren Jackson Jr. that make him such a tantalizing offensive prospect.

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This sequence illustrates the duo potential of Morant and Jackson. Morant is going to garner attention off of the drive, like most good finishers. Poetl tags Morant, while Lonnie Walker — his original man — goes over to help. Since Keldon Johnson has to play help to prevent the Valanciunas bucket, Jackson relocates to a window Ja could whip a pass through for the in-rhythm 3.

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This recognition from Jackson was ridiculous. He curls so far out that he’s not even in the frame here. It has to be 30 feet out! Johnson is caught ball-watching here, while probably waiting for Anderson to make the pass over to Valanciunas in order to make a deflection.

Though that 1st quarter lead vanished and didn’t seem as impactful in the process, it helped the Grizzlies establish a tone to energize the crowd, while also get its other franchise cornerstone going early.

The Grizzlies continued their excellent 1st quarter starts on the road against Golden State. That one was extremely imperative, as road games against the Warriors can still be dangerous for slumps. They possess the greatest scorer of all time in Steph Curry, and it seems like an avalanche whenever he’s humming.

However, the Grizzlies did an excellent job staying composed, setting the tone, and establishing an aggressive mindset. When it comes to those 3 things, this play pops to mind:

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Dillon Brooks sent a message here that the Grizzlies were going to swarm defensively, and they were going to win every 50-50 ball. Again, turning defense into offense is a great way to find your footing early in high-stakes games.

With that in mind, this is probably the sequence most Grizzlies fans would appreciate the most:

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Limited sample size, but Jaren Jackson Jr. nearly doubled his offensive rebound percentage from last season to this one (3.6 to 6.9). Though caught near the perimeter, Jackson chases the long rebound — probably gets away with a little bit of an “over the back” call — and gets reward with a trip to the line following an aggressive take to the basket.

Moving over to the offensive end, Ja Morant got going from deep en route to a career night from downtown.

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Curry or Kevon Looney did not pay a single bit of respect to Morant on this jumper. Curry decided to go under the Valanciunas screen, while Looney stayed in drop coverage to play the roll. It allowed Morant to step into a 3 in rhythm to knock down his 2nd triple of the game, instilling more confidence in his outside game.

Young squads could get rattled early in playoff situations, especially when it’s unfamiliar to them. We even saw it a bit from the Grizzlies in the Utah series. Their composure and poise in the play-in games demonstrated maturity and growth from the young Memphis team.

Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

How the Grizzlies defended their opponent’s go-to scorer was one of the defining moments of the play-in games.

It served as the prelude to Dillon Brooks’ 2021 postseason breakout. He was tasked with defending DeRozan and Curry, and he lived up to his role as “defensive stopper.” He held DeRozan to 2-10 shooting as the primary defender, and Curry was 5-12 against him as well. The Curry numbers may not be as glorious as his other strong matchup data points (see: Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard or Luka Doncic), but he made it difficult for him to get shots off with a vigorous face-guard.

He surely does get more individual praise for his defensive performance against DeRozan, and rightfully so. He forced him into tough, uncomfortable shot attempts, while not falling for too many fakes.

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While Brooks is fighting through the screen here, Valanciunas hedges the screen a bit until Brooks is over the Poetl pick. Once he’s free, he flies into DeRozan’s shot to force him into a rough miss.

There was another good hedge moment here between Valanciunas and Brooks late in the game. Off the high screen, Valanciunas does a great job of moving his feet until Brooks could recover. As the big man returns to drop coverage, DeRozan is forced into a tough sideline floater with a defender flying through to contest the shot.

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Brooks’ physicality remained a strong trait in another resumé-building performance as a defensive stopper — the good (tough contests like this), and the bad (5 fouls).

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This defensive epitomizes Brooks’ performance on DeRozan. Here, he bodies up DeRozan just enough to bother him, but not too much to create the foul call. Once he gets to that step-back, Brooks makes sure to get in a spot where he’s in his airspace without being completely in his landing spot — which would’ve given him a foul.

It wasn’t just Brooks tasked with stopping DeRozan. The Grizzlies put together an awesome scheme centered to stop him, leading to an uncharacteristic 5-21 night for the veteran star. It really ended with Jonas Valanciunas here. He’s often criticized on that end for his inability to guard out on the perimeter, but he was able to use drop coverage to a strength more against the mid-range maestro.

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This sequence triggered evergreen memories of my basketball coach growing up screaming at our team to cut off the baseline. Jonas Valanciunas demonstrates one of the potential pluses in doing so. He has to hedge off the Dieng screen before Desmond Bane could recover. In the process, he forces DeRozan baseline which sends him to “no man’s land” and generates a turnover.

Again, Valanciunas showcases fantastic verticality here:

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He helps off the DeRozan drive, and he maintains good rim protection instincts. He stays in control as the driver decelerates looking for contact, and he goes up with textbook verticality to swat the shot.

Switching over to Steph Curry, it was a bit of the opposite. Instead of a tough shooting night (still 13-28), the Grizzlies did a great job of blitzing him, forcing the Warriors into making quick decisions, and putting the supporting cast in positions to make plays without its star. Curry finished with 7 turnovers, the 6th time this season turning the ball over 7 or more times.

Before getting into Curry’s parade of turnovers, I want to showcase the defensive versatility of Jaren Jackson Jr.:

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Jackson switches onto Curry off the screen and stays with him the entire drive. He forced him into the paint, where Xavier Tillman was ready to help. Both big men went straight up to swallow Curry’s shot and send it out of bounds to a Grizzlies’ possession.

Carrying on.

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Ja Morant does a great job of stepping up into the switch, and Brooks tags the roller well too. Kent Bazemore is not the roller Curry is used to — story of the 2020-21 Warriors, right. Curry instinctually slips the short-roll pass to…nobody…leading to a turnover.

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Xavier Tillman takes on the switch here and is really good at staying attached to his hip and in a spot where he could strongly contest the shot. The Grizzlies add extra pressure with Brooks stunting and Morant providing help. Curry is then forced to a mid-air decision, and the closest person near him is Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Morant is there for the steal.

The Grizzlies continued to swarm Curry and force him into quick, mid-air decisions that are either going to result in a wild shot, pass, or a travel.

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Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson — the team’s two best perimeter defenders — blitz Curry out of the dribble hand-off. What is Anderson’s alternative? A Draymond Green 3? Though he splits between the two defenders momentarily, Anderson recovers to offer a strong enough contest — coupled with Valanciunas’ presence as well — to get him to pass cross-court out of his shot.

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This play could’ve gone badly. Brooks probably should’ve played Andrew Wiggins’ roll, while Grayson Allen should’ve returned over to Steph Curry. Ja Morant saved the day here defensively though. Curry sees a sliver to whip a pass to Wiggins — and it’s a smart call, because an easy 2 for an athletic 6’9” wing is good offense. He was a bit too loose with the pass, and that — along with the pressure off Ja’s help defense — forces Wiggins to bobble the ball and turn it over.

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In one of the largest possessions of the game, the Grizzlies come up with a massive turnover off of great defensive tactics. Tillman hedges the screen and forces him to the sideline, while Brooks recovers. It leaves Curry in a rough spot.

Let’s marvel at the defensive placement here:

Grizz defense -> curry turnover

Tillman and Brooks are trapping. Morant is in the corner, taking away further drives or a pass to the corner. Anderson is playing the roller and taking anything away in the middle. Grayson Allen is playing a free safety role — ready for anything baseline or crosscourt. It leads to an errant, crosscourt pass that goes over Green’s head for the turnover.

This was just a wonderful display of defensive strategy that forced their opponent into tough decisions the whole night.

Defending veteran stars like Steph Curry and DeMar DeRozan helped the Grizzlies grow in multiple ways. It illustrated the importance of locking in to create turnovers and to help your teammate tasked with stopping that player. It helped Dillon Brooks grow as a primary stopper in playoff situations. It was also a growing opportunity for Taylor Jenkins to learn, adjust, and get crafty with defensive schemes.

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The biggest area of growth for the Memphis Grizzlies during the play-in games was in late-game execution. It was definitely a nervous spot, as the Grizzlies had close games with playoff contenders over the course of the season, and lack of experience typically led to losses. Those regular-season moments served as learning opportunities to set them up for success when it mattered most.

The late-game execution, for the most part, was really good — aside from that non-challenge on the Jordan Poole 3 that would’ve sent all areas of Memphis Grizzlies coverage into a frenzy if they lost.

One thing we learned in these moments is, it always pays to have floor spacing around Ja Morant. He’s the driving force of the offense, and one that savors the opportunity to make big moments. If you give him space to operate, he will do so. Others, too, have the chance to shine and contribute whenever the defense collapses on Morant.

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In both plays, there are at least 3-4 defenders that are geared towards what Morant is doing at the rim. Rightfully so. Morant’s vision and poise are assets here, as he’ll dish out passes you don’t think he’ll make. In both dimes, he rises up and contorts his body in a way to sling a pass over to the lone corner man for an easy 3.

Something else to highlight with this young team is the amount of winning plays made late in the game from the role players. Xavier Tillman and Grayson Allen both made an impact down the stretch, whether it was big 3’s or hustle plays. One I want to particular point out is this put-back from Desmond Bane.

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Bane tracks the ball as soon as it leaves Morant’s hands, leading to an easy put-back. No groundbreaking analysis with basketball terminology there. However, it was a momentum-swinger that ultimately changed the trajectory of the game. With that put-back, the game goes from becoming a 2-possession game to 3. When there are only 90 seconds left, that’s massive.

Another cool aspect from the Warriors game, especially in crunch-time, was the Grizzlies’ willingness to let the other guys beat them. They were not going to let Curry be the one that put the dagger in. That was evident with hilariously bad missed bunnies from both Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. They were going to make this supporting cast create for themselves and win them the game.

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Both Brooks and Anderson played the dribble handoff extremely well, preventing any sort of look for Curry. Green is forced to turn to Poole, who dribbles it off his foot in a massive possession. Against top-heavy teams, there are two cases defensively: 1) let the star cook and worry about the other guys, or 2) stop the star and let the supporting cast beat you. Though Curry toughly got off his shots, the Grizzlies did an excellent job of forcing the ball out of his hands when it mattered most.

All of these particular executions wouldn’t be possible without a pure go-to closer. Every team has them. There are stars who face the moments head-on and live with either rising or falling in the process. Ja Morant got his first crack at the clutch, go-to moment on the road in a playoff environment.

It’s safe to say he rose above the moment.

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Ja Morant got the switch he wanted, credit to the screeners for helping him do so. He was in a spot where he could hit the move that’s most comfortable for him: that hesi-dribble into the drive towards the left, then the right-handed floater. It’s absolutely money.

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With a chance to ice the game, Morant didn’t falter under pressure. He sizes up Toscano-Anderson and gets back to that sweet spot where he wants his floater. Off to Cancun the Warriors go.

Yes, there were some inexperienced blunders. However, it didn’t break the Grizzlies this time. The Memphis Grizzlies grew from regular-season heartbreak to execute in the clutch when it mattered most. Role players saw the dividends from making the simple play. Coach Jenkins found the right combinations to ensure good half-court offense, while coming up with great defensive schemes. Then, its franchise point guard Ja Morant had his first moment to be a go-to scorer down the stretch in a playoff atmosphere.

These clutch moments are what expedites the growth process for a young team.

Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

All season long, Taylor Jenkins preached the importance of growth opportunities. Whether it was a losing in the clutch to a contender, dropping a game against an inferior opponent, or a big-time win over a bonafide playoff team — the vision of sustainable success was preached repeatedly throughout the year.

Those close losses to Milwaukee and Denver back in March prepared them to perform in the clutch in a “do or die” situation.

Dillon Brooks’ battles against the league’s elite prepared him to do so in games where the best players are expected to unload the clip.

All season, the players and coaches preached locking in for all 48 minutes, and that was backed up with strong 4th quarter play and staying active with the defensive gameplay.

For a season full of growth opportunities, the play-in tournament was a growing experience you cannot beat. The young Memphis Grizzlies grew up a lot in those two games — as well as the Utah series — and they’re more ready for whatever lies ahead.

For more Grizzlies talk, subscribe to the Grizzly Bear Blues podcast network on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and IHeart. Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Twitter and Instagram.

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jrueships · 3 years ago

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" all the beauty that this sport brings, for example, keldon from kentucky" - luka Šamanić, 2021

#rewatching spurs growing ground vids for extra pain.#is there more episodes??? than like? 4?#criminal how so many luka keldon moments have gone unfilmed #WHEN WILL THE SPURS IGNORANCE BE STOPPED?!?!?!?#tim duncan needs to slap some sense into these broadcasters and demand screentime for his great grandkids #anyways i do be thinkin bout them often #keldons cupcake esque spurs shorts LMAO #he cannot wear goth colors for long he needs por vida #thirdwheeling with keldon and luka: the episode #the amount of times they have probably accidentally brushed hands together because they are always so damn close...#i would Like To See It.#will send more screenshot i do not care if only one person likes it this is MY content 4 ME #u all are just some strange little insects that cling to my teeth for some reason #i lov u all tho 😇 just never expected fans #i say like im some major celeb who isnt talking about the same like 4 people that like my posts #keldon and luka probably shoved each other like 50 times this second #luka is ALWAYS pushing keldon hes obsessed #they mess with each other so much (nonsus #...🤨unle #keldon/luka

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lakelandg · 5 years ago

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AUSTIN SPURS CAPTURE 97-71 WIN OVER LAKELAND MAGIC

The Austin Spurs (4-4), presented by SWBC, defeated the Lakeland Magic (5-3) by a final score of 97-71 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Monday night.

San Antonio Spurs assignee Luka Šamanić led the Spurs in scoring with 18 points (6-12 FG, 4-6 3FG, 1-1 FT) and 7 rebounds in 32 minutes. Spurs assignee Keldon Johnson finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds in 33 minutes, while Drew Eubanks also…

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goalhofer · 5 years ago

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2019-20 San Antonio Spurs Roster

Forwards

#3 Keldon Johnson (South Hill, Virginia)

#7 Chimezie Metu (Lawndale, California)

#12 LaMarcus Aldridge (Dallas, Texas)

#19 Luka Samanic (Zagreb, Croatia)

#22 Rudy Gay; Jr. (Baltimore, Maryland)

#41 Trey Lyles (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#77 DeMarre Carroll (Birmingham, Alabama)

Centers

#25 Jakob Poltl (Vienna, Austria)

Guards

#1 Lonnie Walker IV (Reading, Pennsylvania)

#4 Derrick White (Parker, Colorado)

#5 Dejounte Murray (Seattle, Washington)

#8 Patty Mills (Canberra, Australia)

#10 DeMar DeRozan (Compton, California)

#11 Bryn Forbes (Lansing, Michigan)

#15 Quinndary Weatherspoon (Camden, Mississippi)

#18 Marco Belinelli (San Giovanni In Perciseto, Italy)

#Sports #Basketball #NBA #San Antonio Spurs #Celebrities #Texas #Italy #Alabama #Michigan #Maryland #Virginia #Indiana #Australia #Washington #Austria #Croatia #Pennsylvania #Mississippi #Colorado

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christianworldf · 5 years ago

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New Post has been published on Christian Worldview Institute

New Post has been published on https://christianworldviewinstitute.com/bible-prophecies/end-time-events/book-of-daniel/2019-nba-draft-results/

2019 NBA DRAFT RESULTS

The 2019 NBA draft was be held on June 20, 2019. It was take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Here are 2019’s NBA draft results: ROUND 1:

1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F (Duke) 2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, G (Murray State) 3. New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett, F (Duke) 4. Atlanta Hawks (from Lakers via Pelicans): De’Andre Hunter, F (Virginia) 5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, G (Vanderbilt) 6. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Suns): Jarrett Culver, G (Texas Tech) 7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, G (UNC) 8. New Orleans Pelicans (from Hawks): Jaxson Hayes, C (Texas) 9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F (Gonzaga) 10. Atlanta Hawks (from Mavericks): Cam Reddish, F (Duke) 11. Phoenix Suns (from Timberwolves): Cameron Johnson, F (UNC) 12. Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington, F (Kentucky) 13. Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, G (Kentucky) 14. Boston Celtics (from Kings): Romeo Langford, G/F (Indiana) 15. Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya, F (Guinea) 16. Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke, F (Auburn) 17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Nets via Hawks): Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G (Virginia Tech) 18. Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze, C (Georgia) 19. San Antonio Spurs: Luka Samanic, F (Croatia) 20. Philadelphia 76ers (from Clippers via Celtics): Matisse Thybulle, F (Washington) 21. Memphis Grizzlies (from Thunder): Brandon Clarke, F (Gonzaga) 22. Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, F (Tennessee) 23. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Jazz via Grizzlies): Darius Bazley, F (Princeton HS (OH)) 24. Phoenix Suns (from Sixers via Celtics): Ty Jerome, G (Virginia) 25. Portland Trail Blazers: Nassir Little, F (UNC) 26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Rockets): Dylan Windler, F (Belmont) 27. Los Angeles Clippers (from Nuggets via Nets): Mfiondu Kabengele, C (Florida State) 28. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole, G (Michigan) 29. San Antonio Spurs (from Raptors): Keldon Johnson, F (Kentucky) 30. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Bucks via Pistons): Kevin Porter Jr., G (USC) _________________________________

ROUND 2:

31. Brooklyn Nets (from Knicks): Nicolas Claxton, C (University of Georgia) 32. Miami Heat (from Suns via Pacers): KZ Okpala, F (Stanford) 33. Boston Celtics (from Cavaliers via Sixers): Carsen Edwards, G (Purdue) 34. Atlanta Hawks (from Bulls via Sixers): Bruno Fernando, C (Maryland) 35. New Orleans Pelicans (from Hawks): Marcos Louzada Silva, G/F (Brazil) 36. Charlotte Hornets (from Wizards): Cody Martin, F (Nevada) 37. Detroit Pistons (from Mavericks): Deividas Sirvydis, G/F (Lithuania) 38. Chicago Bulls (from Grizzlies): Daniel Gafford, C (Arkansas) 39. Golden State Warriors (from Pelicans): Alen Smailagic, F/C (Serbia) 40. Sacramento Kings (from Timberwolves): Justin James, G (Wyoming) 41. Golden State Warriors (from Lakers via Hawks): Eric Paschall, F (Villanova) 42. Washington Wizards (from Kings via Sixers): Admiral Schofield, F (Tennessee) 43. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Heat): Jaylen Nowell, G (Washington) 44. Denver Nuggets (from Hornets via Hawks and Heat): Bol Bol, C (Oregon) 45. Dallas Mavericks (from Pistons): Isaiah Roby, F (Nebraska) 46. Los Angeles Lakers (from Nets via Magic): Talen Horton-Tucker, F (Iowa State) 47. New York Knicks (from Magic via Kings): Ignas Brazdeikis, F (Michigan) 48. Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann, F (Florida State) 49. San Antonio Spurs: Quinndary Weatherspoon, G (Mississippi State) 50. Utah Jazz (from Pacers): Jarrell Brantley, F (Charleston) 51. Boston Celtics: Tremont Waters, G (LSU) 52. Charlotte Hornets (from Thunder): Jalen McDaniels, F (San Diego State) 53. Utah Jazz: Justin Wright-Foreman, G (Hofstra) 54. Philadelphia 76ers: Marial Shayok, G/F (Iowa State) 55. Sacramento Kings (from Rockets via Knicks): Kyle Guy, G (Virginia) 56. Brooklyn Nets (from Trail Blazers via Clippers): Jaylen Hands, G (UCLA) 57. Detroit Pistons (from Nuggets via Pelicans and Hawks and Sixers): Jordan Bone, G (Tennessee) 58. Utah Jazz (from Warriors): Miye Oni, G (Yale) 59. Toronto Raptors: Dewan Hernandez, F/C (Miami) 60. Sacramento Kings (from Bucks): Vanja Marinkovic, G (Serbia) __________________________________

#NBA #NBADraft #Results #highlights

2019 NBA Draft: Duke Dominates Top 10 NBA Draft 2019 Live Results & Pick-by-Pick Analysis Hot Pick #1 to #60 2019 NBA Draft – 1st round (picks 19-30) 2019 NBA Draft highlights Resultados del Draft de la NBA Draft NBA 2019, en vivo: todos los picks y rondas en directo source

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swethatym · 5 years ago

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Talen Horton-Tucker, Keldon Johnson and Admiral Schofield are trending today on Google.

ICYMI: Talen Horton-Tucker, Keldon Johnson and Admiral Schofield are trending today on Google.United States⋅Friday, 21 June 2019 KIMT 3 Talen Horton-Tucker20,000+ searchesPeterson: Who's the next Iowa State NBA draftee? That depends on when Tyrese Haliburton becomes available. DesMoinesRegister.comThe NBA drafted four Big 12 players Thursday night. Half of them were second-rounders who played for Iowa State — Talen Horton-Tucker to the Lakers and Marial Shayok to Philly — but here's something that's even more impressive: Since the Big 12 ... mySanAntonio.com Keldon Johnson20,000+ searchesYouth movement taking hold with Spurs mySanAntonio.comThe Spurs selected a pair of 19-year-old forwards Thursday night in first-round picks Luka Samanic of Croatia and Kentucky-ex Keldon Johnson. That gives them several players 26 years old or younger, including Lonnie Walker IV (20), Dejounte Murray (22), ... 247Sports Admiral Schofield20,000+ searchesWizards coach breaks down pick of Vols star Admiral Schofield 247SportsTennessee star Admiral Schofield has a chance to be a steal for the Washington Wizards with the 42nd overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Wizards traded with Philadelphia to get the pick, and locked in on one of the top players in the SEC from last season. TV Series Finale Reef Break20,000+ searchesReef Break: Season One Ratings TV Series FinaleAlthough most of the ABC summer schedule is filled with unscripted fare, the network does run some scripted summer series for the year-round drama audience. The latest entry in that category is the Reef Break TV show. Does the first season of this new ... See more Daily Search Trends You've subscribed to email notifications from Google Trends.Unsubscribe|View all your subscriptions© 2019 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043. http://dlvr.it/R75FQ9

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jrueships · 3 years ago

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What’s up with girlbosses having malewife boyfriends named Luka

IT'S COMMON LAW !!!!!! every blond, misty-eyed malewife luka NEEDS a bouncy little girlboss!!!! and the world tries to tear them apart because they're just So powerful together

BOTTOM PHOTO supplied GRATEFULLY by my moot undercoverant!!!!!! THANK U 4 telling me abt it n screenshotting this priceless keldon/luka artifact. Will remember it 4ever. We were talking about how funny it is that luka (keldons bf not lukaluka) chose the one serious, contemplative & kinda morose looking keldon image out of all the others. Yeah it makes him look more refined but like... projecting much Luka 🤧? chose the one more sad looking image of him so you can convince yourself and him that you're both sad and alone on your journeys apart right now even though keldon is literally Not. He's the life of the party & is having the time of his life while his bf didn't end up going to the Olympics for unknown reasons so he's just at home watching keldon have fun and pretend he isn't... pretend like he's not jealous as he watches keldon hang out with all these superstars of the nba instead of his old g league buddies. Very interesting ...

#the differences of luka lukas post n luka keldons bf post is kinda funny #its like 'heehee thats my husband <3' vs 'that's MY husband .'#like luka keldons bf its COOL its FINE theyre all like 30 years old no one is gonna steal keldon away from u #maybe zach i heard they were kinda hanging around a lot but idk i need more evidence #BUT YEAH ITS FINE DONT WORRY HE WONT FORGET U !!!!!!#luka worried keldon with find an 8ft croatian with an accent instead of his 7ft & be all on his 'OMG🙀! ...hiii😻😻!!'#very interesting #theyre kinda like kyle/demar but like... baby version... very less communicative #worrying :(#girlboss keldon 🥰#this was a very funny ask THANK u #love talkin about underrated ships MY fav #thank u ant 4 introducing me to keldon/luka they r so sweet and surprisingly angstful?#keldon/luka #dennis/luka #ted asks

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ftmthor · 5 years ago

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NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round

NBA 2019 drafts are about to start in just a few days and it is already making rounds in the sports world. Ever since the year 1984, it will be the first time the NBA draft is happening at such a big level. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will start the latest NBA draft from Thursday, June 20 at the silver podium.

[This post contains video, click to play]

The first three draft choices will have a big competition, and plenty of NBA stars will be swapped. The New Orleans Pelicans already seem to deal Anthony Davis for No 4 pick with Los Angeles Lakers. But that is just the start, there will be lot more NBA player trades in the upcoming days. Here are the possible mock draft choices, where the teams could swap players.

NBA Round 1 Draft Picks

Player Name Prospect Rank Current Team Projected Team Zion Williamson 1st Duke Blue Devils New Orleans Ja Morrant 2nd Murray State Memphis Grizllies RJ Barret 3rd Duke Blue Devils New York Knicks De’Andre Hunter 7th Virginia Cavaliers New Orleans Jarret Culver 6th Texas Tech Red Raiders Cleveland Cavaliers Darius Garland 4th Vanderbilt Commodores Phoenix Suns Coby White 5th North Carolina Tar Heels Chicago Bulls Jaxon Hayes C 10th Texas Tech Red Raiders Atlanta Hawks Cam Reddish 8th Duke Blue Devils Washington Wizards Brandon Clarke 13th Gonzaga Bulldogs Atlanta Hawks Sekou Doumbouya 9th Limoges CSP Minnesota Timberwolves Nasir Little 12th North Carolina Tar Heels Charlotte Hornets Rui Hachimura 18th Gonzaga Bulldogs Miami Heat Tyler Hero 20th Kentucky Wildcats Boston Celtics Nickeil Alexander-Walker 19th Virginia Tech Hokies Detroit Pistons Romeo Langford 17th Indiana Pacers Orlando Magic PJ Washington 16th Kentucky Wildcats Atlanta Hawks Camero Johnson 14th North Carolina Tar Heels Indiana Pacers Mfiondu Kabengele 23rd Florida State Seminoles San Antonio Spurs Keldon Johhnson 22nd Kentucky Wildcats Boston Celtics Bol Bol 21st Oregon Ducks Oklahoma City Thunder Goga Bitadze 11th Mega Bemax Boston Celtics Matisse Thybulle 27th Washington Huskies Utah Jazz Kevin Porter Jr 15th USC Trojans Philadelphia 76ers Ty Jerome 25th Virginia Cavaliers Portland Trail Blazers Nicolas Claxton 24th Georgia Bulldogs Cleveland Cavaliers Grant Williams 37th Tennessee Volunteers Brooklyn Nets KZ Okpala 30th Stanford Cardinal Golden State Warriors Luka Šamanić 26th Petrol Olimpija San Antonio Spurs Bruno Fernand 29th Maryland Terrapins Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Round 2 Draft Picks

Player Name Prospect Rank Current Team / College Projected Team Admiral Schofield 40th Tennessee Volunteers Milawukee Bucks Dylan Windler 38th Belmont Bruins Phoenix Suns Luguentz Dort 28th Arizona State Sun Devils Philadelphia 76ers Daniel Gafford 42nd Arkansas Razorbacks Philadelphia 76ers Eric Paschall 32nd Villanova Wildcats Atlanta Hawks Talen Horton-Tucker 33rd Iowa State Cyclones Charlotte Hornets Carsen Edwards 34th Purdue Boilermakers Dallas Mavericks Darius Bazley 31st Princeton High School Chicago Bulls Chuma Okeke 36th Georgia High School New Orleans Pelicans Naz Reid 61st LSU Tigers Sacramento Kings Deividas Sirvydis 49th Rytas Vilnius Atlanta Hawks Shamorie Ponds 47th St. John’s Red Storm Philadelphia 76ers Jaylen Hoard 52nd Wake Forest Demon Deacons Minnesota Timberwolves Isaiah Roby 35th Nebraska Cornhuskers Atlanta Hawks Terence Davis 41st Southaven HS Detroit Pistons Jalen McDaniels 51st San Diego State Aztecs Orlando Magic Jontay Porter 43rd Missouri Tigers Sacramento Kings Zylan Cheatham 54th South Mountain HS Los Angeles Clippers DaQuan Jeffries 46th Tulsa Golden Hurricane San Antonio Spurs Zachary Norvell Jr. 45th Gonzaga Bulldogs Indiana Pacers Marcos Louzada Silva 62nd Novo Basquete Brasil Boston Celtics Kylie Guy 80th Virginia Cavaliers Charlotte Hornets Tremont Waters 48th LSU Tigers Utah Jazz Louis King 44th Oregon Ducks Philadelphia 76ers Jalen Lecque 39th NC State New York Knicks Tacko Fall 75th UCF Knights Los Angeles Clippers Joshua Obiesie 68th Oliver Würzburg New Orleans Pelicans Dedric Lawson 57th University of Kansas Golden State Warriors Miye Oni 50th Yale Bulldogs Toronto Raptors Jordan Poole 58th Michigan Wolverines Sacramento Kings

The post NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round appeared first on Hiptoro.

source https://www.hiptoro.com/p/nba-2019-draft-possible-draft-picks-for-the-first-and-second-round/ source https://emmaleebruce.tumblr.com/post/185685255130

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hildaagular · 5 years ago

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NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round

[This post contains video, click to play]

NBA Round 1 Draft Picks

Player NameProspect RankCurrent TeamProjected TeamZion Williamson1stDuke Blue DevilsNew OrleansJa Morrant2ndMurray StateMemphis GrizlliesRJ Barret3rdDuke Blue DevilsNew York KnicksDe’Andre Hunter7thVirginia CavaliersNew OrleansJarret Culver6thTexas Tech Red RaidersCleveland CavaliersDarius Garland4thVanderbilt CommodoresPhoenix SunsCoby White5thNorth Carolina Tar HeelsChicago BullsJaxon Hayes C10thTexas Tech Red RaidersAtlanta HawksCam Reddish8thDuke Blue DevilsWashington WizardsBrandon Clarke13thGonzaga BulldogsAtlanta HawksSekou Doumbouya9thLimoges CSPMinnesota TimberwolvesNasir Little12thNorth Carolina Tar HeelsCharlotte HornetsRui Hachimura18thGonzaga BulldogsMiami HeatTyler Hero20thKentucky WildcatsBoston CelticsNickeil Alexander-Walker19thVirginia Tech HokiesDetroit PistonsRomeo Langford17thIndiana PacersOrlando MagicPJ Washington16thKentucky WildcatsAtlanta HawksCamero Johnson14thNorth Carolina Tar HeelsIndiana PacersMfiondu Kabengele23rdFlorida State SeminolesSan Antonio SpursKeldon Johhnson22ndKentucky WildcatsBoston CelticsBol Bol21stOregon DucksOklahoma City ThunderGoga Bitadze11thMega BemaxBoston CelticsMatisse Thybulle27thWashington HuskiesUtah JazzKevin Porter Jr15thUSC TrojansPhiladelphia 76ersTy Jerome25thVirginia CavaliersPortland Trail BlazersNicolas Claxton24thGeorgia BulldogsCleveland CavaliersGrant Williams37thTennessee VolunteersBrooklyn NetsKZ Okpala30thStanford CardinalGolden State WarriorsLuka Šamanić26thPetrol OlimpijaSan Antonio Spurs Bruno Fernand29thMaryland TerrapinsMilwaukee Bucks

NBA Round 2 Draft Picks

Player NameProspect RankCurrent Team / CollegeProjected TeamAdmiral Schofield40thTennessee VolunteersMilawukee BucksDylan Windler38thBelmont BruinsPhoenix SunsLuguentz Dort28thArizona State Sun DevilsPhiladelphia 76ersDaniel Gafford42ndArkansas RazorbacksPhiladelphia 76ersEric Paschall32ndVillanova WildcatsAtlanta HawksTalen Horton-Tucker33rdIowa State CyclonesCharlotte HornetsCarsen Edwards34thPurdue BoilermakersDallas MavericksDarius Bazley31stPrinceton High SchoolChicago BullsChuma Okeke36thGeorgia High SchoolNew Orleans PelicansNaz Reid61stLSU TigersSacramento KingsDeividas Sirvydis49thRytas VilniusAtlanta HawksShamorie Ponds47thSt. John’s Red StormPhiladelphia 76ersJaylen Hoard52ndWake Forest Demon DeaconsMinnesota TimberwolvesIsaiah Roby35thNebraska CornhuskersAtlanta HawksTerence Davis41stSouthaven HSDetroit PistonsJalen McDaniels51stSan Diego State AztecsOrlando MagicJontay Porter43rdMissouri TigersSacramento KingsZylan Cheatham54thSouth Mountain HSLos Angeles ClippersDaQuan Jeffries46thTulsa Golden HurricaneSan Antonio SpursZachary Norvell Jr.45thGonzaga BulldogsIndiana PacersMarcos Louzada Silva62ndNovo Basquete BrasilBoston CelticsKylie Guy80thVirginia CavaliersCharlotte HornetsTremont Waters48thLSU TigersUtah JazzLouis King44thOregon DucksPhiladelphia 76ersJalen Lecque39thNC StateNew York KnicksTacko Fall75thUCF KnightsLos Angeles ClippersJoshua Obiesie68thOliver WürzburgNew Orleans PelicansDedric Lawson57thUniversity of KansasGolden State WarriorsMiye Oni50thYale BulldogsToronto RaptorsJordan Poole58thMichigan WolverinesSacramento Kings

The post NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round appeared first on Hiptoro.

NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round published first on http://www.hiptoro.com/ NBA 2019 Draft: Possible draft picks for the first and second round posted first on http://www.hiptoro.com/

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