Category: NBA Basketball

Chris Paul is not in Phoenix just be a teacher

Staff

From Dave Brandt of the AP: PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul is a little uncomfortable with the notion that he comes to the Phoenix Suns as a wise veteran player who can impart his knowledge to the next generation of stars. Sure, he knows he’s in his mid-30s and time isn’t going backward. Yes, he’s ready to pair with Devin Booker, who just turned 24 and is one of the game’s top young scorers. And certainly, after 15 years, 1,020 regular-season games and 109 postseason games, he’s learned a few things…

Read More

Kemba Walker says stem cells helped ailing knee

Brandon King

from Jimmy Golen of the AP: BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker said Wednesday that his left knee has responded well to a stem cell injection that is expected to keep him out until at least January. “It’s definitely calmed my knee down a lot,” Walker told reporters in a teleconference from the team’s training camp. “Feeling really good right now. Just taking my time, trying to continue to feel good, get stronger.” Walker missed a handful of games in February and then nearly had his first playoff…

Read More

Zion Williamson ready to begin sophomore season

Brandon King

From the AP’s Brett Martel: NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson expects to unleash a version of himself that is healthier, more demonstrative and less restrained in his second NBA season with the New Orleans Pelicans. “Year 1 was a lot mentally and physically for me, but I needed that experience,” Williamson said Wednesday as the Pelicans underwent preparations for training camp. “It showed me a lot and now I’m getting ready for Year 2. “There’s a lot of my game I wasn’t able to showcase last year, due to like,…

Read More

AD signs 5-year extension with Lakers

Staff

From Timothy Rapp of B/R: Anthony Davis is going to be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future. The Lakers and Davis are finalizing a five-year, $190 million max contract Thursday. His agent, Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul, confirmed details of the deal to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.   His re-signing comes one day after LeBron James inked a two-year, $85.7 million extension with L.A. through the 2022-23 campaign. The Lakers’ trade for Davis was one of the biggest moves of the 2019 offseason, and it came at a high…

Read More

Russell Westbrook traded to Washington for John Wall and first rounder

Brandon King

From Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN: The Washington Wizards and Houston Rocketshave agreed to trade two disgruntled star point guards, John Wall and Russell Westbrook, in a blockbuster deal, sources told ESPN. The Wizards are sending Wall and a lottery-protected 2023 first-round pick to the Rockets for Westbrook in a deal that both players wanted and had been simmering for weeks, sources said. Discussions had been stalled since mid-October, sources said, until the two general managers, Washington’s Tommy Sheppard and Houston’s Rafael Stone, decided to get on the phone Tuesday afternoon. They worked out a deal within…

Read More

NBA and NBPA announce 48 of 546 tested players were positive for COVID-19

Brandon King

From Scott Polacek of B/R: Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the United States, the NBA and its players association announced that 48 of the 546 players who were tested from Nov. 24-30 returned positive tests. Those who tested positive are isolating until they are cleared following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. It is notable the NBA said it is working with the CDC for guidance on how long players can isolate given Tuesday’s announcement. According to Jonathan Lemire of the Associated Press, the CDC shortened its recommendation for quarantining following…

Read More

NBA unveils schedule through Christmas

Brandon King

From Jasmyn Winbush and Sam Quinn of cbssports.com: The 2020-21 NBA season will tip off with a doubleheader on Dec. 22, featuring the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriorsin the first game and the champion Los Angeles Lakers and crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers continuing their rivalry to close out opening night.  From there, the Wednesday night slate will feature two potential playoff previews. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will kick off the evening, and then Chris Paul will make his Phoenix Suns debut in a battle with the Dallas Mavericks.  The league released their Christmas Day schedule as well. The day will…

Read More

Sydney signs former NBA first rounder Jaren Martin

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Sydney Kings have announced the signing of former NBA first-round pick Jarell Martin. Martin joins the Club after four years in the Association with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic. At 6’10, the 26-year-old Baton Rouge native most recently played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in NBA G-League and with the Schenzhen Leopards of the CBA. Having already spent time with Martin during his tenure as the Director of Basketball Operations with the Memphis Grizzlies, Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass was pleased to be welcoming the…

Read More

NBA releases Christmas Day schedule

Brandon King

Christmas Day is one of the biggest days for the NBA, which likely played a role in the league trying to get the upcoming season started when it shall. Tuesday, the league released the docket of games for the sun’s birthday. Here are the slate of games: Pelicans @ Heat (12pm ET) Warriors @ Bucks (2:30pm ET) Nets @ Celtics (5pm ET) Mavericks @ Lakers (8pm ET) Clippers @ Nuggets (10:30pm ET)

Read More