Tag: Basketball

Rui Hachimura to miss last two games of FIBA World Cup

Brandon King

Washington Wizards’ 2019 NBA Draft Lottery pick Rui Hachimura has been playing for Japan in the FIBA World Cup. The former Gonzaga standout will miss the final two games of the World Cup due to knee discomfort and general fatigue. Here is a statment from JBA on Hachimura’s status: The Wizards and Japan Basketball have been operating under a carefully created load management plan to protect Rui’s health after a long NCAA season, the NBA draft and the NBA summer league. Rui experienced knee discomfort and general fatigue during the…

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SLAM enters sponsorship deal with NBL’s Illawarra Hawks

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Illawarra Hawks have announced a brand-new partnership with basketball giant SLAM Media Inc. for the 2019/20 season. The announcement with SLAM, a full-service basketball media company, will see them take the lucrative position of Front of Jersey Sponsor on the Illawarra Hawks Home and Away Jersey for the NBL20 season. The deal will catapult exposure of the Illawarra Hawks into an international market, predominately in the USA. Illawarra Hawks General Manager, Mat Campbell said he was excited to welcome SLAM to the Illawarra Hawks family. “Today’s announcement marks…

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Wizards hire Antawn Jamison as Director of Player Personnel

Brandon King

The Washington Wizards have hired Antwan Jamison as their director of pro personnel, the announced Wednesday. “We are absolutely thrilled to bring Antawn back to the Wizards organization. In addition to his strong feel for the game and basketball knowledge, he has always been a true professional and a dedicated worker. We look forward to him bringing those qualities to our front office.” – Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard Jamison is no stranger to the franchise, having balled for the club from 2004-10, and in his time in the nation’s…

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Damian Lillard to release next rap album

Brandon King

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, aka Dame D.O.L.L.A. is set to release his third album ,the follow up to 2017’s “Confirmed.” Lillard’s backcourt mate CJ McCollum was very complimentary after hearing a preview of the album: For those skeptical of Dame’s lyrical prowess, here is a sample from Sway in the Morning: Dame D.O.L.L.A’s new project is set to release August 9.

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New Zealand Breakers sign Scotty Hopson, alter coaching structure

Brandon King

From NBL.com.au: The SKY Sport Breakers will have a new coaching structure to challenge for the NBL20 as well as a new import in Scotty Hopson. A club review identified a need for better internal cohesion between the SKY Sport Breakers high-performance staff and the executive team. As a result, a new executive position of Director of Basketball has been created and filled by Israeli Dan Shamir who has arrived in New Zealand with an impressive international resume. The 44-year-old has been an Assistant or Head Coach in top leagues in…

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BIG3 deactivates Lamar Odom, Baron Davis, Bonzi Wells and Jermaine O’Neal for rest of the season; Glenn Davis facing fine

Brandon King

The BIG3 dropped the hammer on some notable players Wednesday and sent a message they are not league to be taken anything less than serious. The league announced via a press release that several players would be deactivated for the remainder of the season. Big Baby was ejected from Power’s matchup against Trilogy for going back and forth with the officials. Once he got the boot, rather than making his way off the court , Davis went into stands, where he was saluted by fans. He then removed his jersey…

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NBA allegedly approves challenge flags for the 2019-20

Brandon King

In a NBA season and offseason was not short on WTF moments, the league’ has given us another one, but not in a good way. The NBA thought it would be a good idea to institute the challenge flag rule from the NFL. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the NBA’s board of governors approved the change Tuesday and it will go into effect in the 2019-20 season. Per the AP’s Tim Reynolds, each coach will get one challenge per game and and can contest “a personal foul…

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Grizzlies not ‘Planning to Keep’ Swight Howard post trade

Brandon King

What should not come as a major shock, Dwight Howard does not fit into the Memphis Grizzlies’ long term plans. So little does he fit with those plans that according to Omari Sankofa II of The Athletic, the team doesn’t not plan on keeping the recently acquired eight-time All-Star. Sankofa II adds the acquisition was “purely money-saving maneuver.” Howard, appeared in a mere nine games this past season for the Washington Wizards, and averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per in that limited time. As Howard now moves through is…

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Oklahoma City trades Jerami Grant to Denver

Brandon King

After shocking the NBA world by trading Paul George Sunday morning, the Thunder apparently are done wheeling and dealing. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Oklahoma City Thunder are sending forward Jerami Grant to the the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a 2020 first round pick. The deal seems to address the issues of rebuilding for the future and financial relief as it will save the franchise $39 million in salary and luxury tax. Prior to making this trade, the Thunder was staring at a nearly $33 million tax bill.…

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Memphis Grizzlies waive Avery Bradley

Brandon King

According to David Aldridge of The Athletic, the Memphis Grizzlies are waving guard Avery Bradley. There will likely be a robust market for Bradley’s services as Marc Stein of the New York Times said there will be “immediate interest” for the 28-year old. He is still an above average defender and at least a respectable threat from three-point range. Last year in 63 starts for both the Clippers and Grizzlies ( 49 for L.A. and 14 for Memphis) Bradley posted averages of 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2…

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