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larsnicklas · 20 days

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hockey writing appreciation club part iii (part i here, part ii here) hi everyone!! you know what time it is! i've collected another handful (and then some) articles i've really enjoyed over the past few weeks! support good writing, support good sports journalism — with clicks and with subscriptions if that's in your ability/inclination! hope you enjoy some of these; my particular favorites in this batch are the pius suter piece and the coyotes story. as always, i welcome recommendations if you have them!!

remember that a "🔒" implies a paywalled article, but this is often easily worked around by entering your browser's "reader mode"!

NHL graybeards still find ways to make major impact In most any other field, Pavelski, at 39, would be viewed as someone who has much of his career ahead of him. If he were named CEO of a company, he'd be on a "40 under 40" list or might be talked about as the next great innovator. But when it comes to hockey and other pro sports? There's a belief that being 30 -- let alone 35 or 40 -- and still productive is something just short of a miracle. And for the record, Pavelski said he has not found a gray hair.

The Cyclist: Pius Suter’s clinching goal and the secret behind Canucks’ success 🔒 Although Suter still drives to games, he goes about town mostly on his bicycle. Most days, he cycles into practice on a racing bike with narrow tires; he did so even during massive February snow storms, to the amusement of his teammates, support staff and management. “It’s Canada,” Suter said, “you’d think they’d clear the roads! At least, I did. “Honestly, it feels like home. I played in Zurich, biked always to practice and games and I love not having to use the car.”

Marie-Philip Poulin and the PWHL have yet another landmark moment: ‘It’s a movement’ 🔒 But the building was still mostly empty, and still, for Marie-Philip Poulin, a living legend, this was a lot to take in. She skated over to the bench for an interview with the arena hostess that would go live in the building, and the first question was about how she felt in this moment, in this environment, on this stage, about to play a professional hockey game in her native Quebec in front of this many people. In front of this many of her people.

What really happens during NHL intermissions? The naked truth 🔒 When the clock strikes zero at the end of each period, we watch the teams filter off the ice, down a tunnel and into their respective locker rooms. But what’s really going on back there while we hit the restroom, maybe grab a $14 beer and $7.50 hot dog?

Inside the Coyotes' stunning move from Arizona to Utah In April, Smith posted to X asking fans for team name suggestions should the NHL ever come to Utah. That was a huge tell to the hockey world: This was happening. But back in Arizona, players and coaches were still in the dark. For all they knew, there was a plan in motion that would keep them in Phoenix. What they didn't know was how little faith the NHL had in it being executed by this ownership group, and how badly it wanted the Coyotes out of Mullett Arena.

What makes Macklin Celebrini the next big thing in hockey On a Saturday night in January 2023, the Golden State Warriors had an off night in Chicago. Draymond Green didn't want to go to dinner or out on the town. He had another idea: going to the suburbs to watch junior hockey. "How often do you get an opportunity to see Sidney Crosby at 17?" Green reasoned. The next big thing in hockey is Macklin Celebrini, the unanimous No. 1 prospect of the 2024 NHL draft class. Celebrini is also the son of Rick Celebrini, the Warriors vice president of player health and performance.

Pursuit of perfection drives Kucherov's intense summer training If you walk through the sliding glass doors and into the lobby of TGH Ice Plex on a weekday morning, it's quiet. You may find a staff member answering a call at the front desk or spot an employee from the pro shop carrying cardboard boxes filled with equipment. That's about it. But if you walk to the right and peek out to the south rink, you'll probably find Nikita Kucherov.

How use of analytics is part of Colorado Avalanche’s secret sauce: “Numbers are unemotional” One of the key aspects of how Bednar and his staff help the players connect with and absorb the data is not the numbers themselves. Most players aren’t going to care if tonight’s opponent is creating X shots in the slot area on the power play per game, or Y shots from the right faceoff circle. But tell them a team is fourth in the league in one category or 30th in another — and then supplement it with video clips — and the information hits home.

What are NHL series supervisors? How unseen officials help teams, league coordinate during playoffs 🔒 The supervisors travel as the series shifts cities. They are there whenever the clubs need to meet. The other important part of their job is meeting with referees and linesmen, who rotate from series to series. Supervisors fill them in on what’s been happening in the series — what the temperature of it is, the issues each club has raised in meetings, etc. That gives the refs a sense going in of what to look for that night in the game.

Connor Bedard's first season has lived up to expectations When the 18-year-old's jaw broke, everything he had been building for was cruelly interrupted. "It's not fun not to play," Bedard said. "I was dying to get back." One week after surgery to repair his fractured jaw, Bedard convinced trainers to allow him to skate. Solid foods were out, so he drank as many soups, smoothies and supplements as his body would allow, desperate not to lose weight.

#meg.recs #offseason reading if your team is out. stress reading material if your team is still in :)))

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unmanageably · 2 months

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whats the tea on kd leaving the warriors? i was a casual fan at the time it happened so i don't know the situation

well... let me be brief (1/278)

lmao jk but.... well a lot! and most of it is speculation, etcetc ofc we'll never truly know until 20 years later when the last dance-esque documentary comes out about the warriors in the steph curry era lmao-- but the story goes like this:

kevin durant was the superstar of okc thunder and was steadily building up the franchise over the years to become serious contenders for a championship. they were always close, but had never quite made it. but with a good FO/org behind him, westbrook by his side, they were always really close— but again, as we all know, it was never enough (made the finals in 2012. lost. would make the playoffs but always got defeated). in 2016, they once again get really close at the western conference finals where they led the series 3-1 against the warriors. despite that they lose. a mere month later, he joins the warriors: a team that's obviously at the beginning of a dynasty— they won a championship in 2015 and made it into the finals in 2016. but more importantly, the team that beat kevin durant and okc thunder at the conference finals.

there were layers to this "betrayal" and to this day people still think this one decision "ruined the sport" (lol). people saw it as a betrayal on KD's part and it took an incredible hit to his reputation. you almost make it to the finals, you have an incredible teammate in westbrook by your side, an org that supports you and is willing to uplift you to your highest star potential, and you leave? to join the team that BEAT you? to the team that has steph curry, klay thompson, draymond green, andre iguodala?

already a hugely successful team without KD, but with him, it was undeniable. a superteam. yeah, a lot of team has duos or trios. lebron and kyrie, lebron and dwade, harden and cp3, etcetc. but this team was different levels. a whole team full. the team was 73-9 without KD. massively talented already. but now? steph, KD, klay as offensive threats. draymond and andre as defensive threats. insanely good roleplayers like shaun livingston.

everyone was livid. not just OKC fans. everyone in the league! the warriors, and KD's name specifically was tarnished. how disrespectful for the warriors to even think about creating a team like this. how disrespectful for KD to leave an org that's done so much for him. sports media was tearing into them, fans were tearing into them, they were quite literally, the most hated north american sports team. fans were burning jerseys, making videos threatening KD, etc.

we all know how KD with the warriors went. winning fixes all, right? arguably the most dominant team in nba history (2017 warriors vs 1996 bulls a common debate to this day), the warriors absolutely dominated the nba, and went on to win the 2017 and 2018 championships. KD finally gets his two rings and a FMVP. and the warriors still stay the most hated team in the league. you either loved the warriors or hated them! no in between. the narrative is that KD's rings were called into question because he "had a superteam" so they weren't "valid".

2018-2019 is when it all kinda starts falling apart. the warriors are plagued with injuries, and it's just clear they don't have the synergy and chemistry that they did before. it was most clear during a game against the clippers where draymond and kd visibly fought after a bad play at the end where draymond refused to pass to kd. draymond had allegedly yelled at kd and told him to just leave the warriors, and that they didn't need him (kd's contract was up that year as well). KD has said in later years that that argument was kind of like the ~last straw for him and the nail in the coffin for him leaving. he had already been having feelings of being "the odd man out"— though they were winning together and had good synergy on court, the core3 plus the other players were already a tight knit family long before he had arrived. after the incident with draymond, the team never really sat down and talked about it: just brushed it under the rug (dray was suspended for one game but nothing was talked about). KD felt like it was a slap in the face, all this stuff about how gsw is known for good team chemistry and good culture but they just wanted to brush that very public incident under the rug? after that he started playing more selfishly— less like how they would play as a team and more in isolation. KD gets injured during the finals, and as we know, klay gets injured as well: we lose the finals. we don't get the sought after three-peat. KD signs with the brooklyn nets and the rest is history.

i talked a lot about the beginning of KD signing on to the warriors because i feel like that was really the root of why he left. he became one of the most hated players in north american sports. his own fans tore into him. sports media all tore into him. calling him mentally weak, pathetic, etc. and does winning fix all? i feel like KD with the warriors was proof that... it doesn't. KD gets two rings that he basically sold his soul to the devil for AND two FMVPs and people still don't respect him. on top of that he wins it with the warriors: which has always been and will always be Steph Curry's Team. yeah he was integral to those wins, but you can't compete with how steph has built the dynasty, yk? what steph has given to the warriors.

so at the end of the day, the story goes like this: KD "betrays" okc by going to the team who beat him in the conference finals, creates the first real "superteam" in the nba (the superteam discourse is a whole other thing smh like teams aren't trying to do that now but i digress). the whole sports world is going in on him, he's basically sold his soul for these rings. he gets his rings, he gets his FMVP. but his legacy and reputation is still called into question: he's integral but still won his rings and his FMVPs on STEPH CURRYs team, not his. Steph's. on top of all the outside noise, internally he's not happy either. he doesn't feel protected within the team. he has beef with draymond, and steph/klay + the franchise will clearly always have their loyalty to draymond. he doesn't buy into the team culture anymore, and he feels like the odd one out. the only thing that could make him stay would be to keep winning more rings. but the two rings he has didn't fix anything. so why stay? what does he have going for him?

(he goes on to bounce between different teams, tries to build his own superteams but never comes as close as he did. meanwhile steph klay and draymond go through a tough two years, considerably the lowest two years in the steph/core3 era, and come out on top: they win the '22 finals, against a celtics team that had an 84% chance of winning the finals. they save their dynasty, their legacy. steph proves that he won a chip BEFORE KD, during KD, and AFTER KD as well.)

#gsw #ask me things #clearly i cannot be brief #so sorry it took me awhile lol im also in the middle of moving so i was like let me find time to sit down and yap #personally i feel very complicated feelings about KD and the warriors because those years were the most fun to watch the warriors imo #and ofc i loved winning as a gsw fan lol #but like. KD was clearly not happy #KD's legacy was on the line but... steph's was too #i mean to this day steph gets disrespected and people call those two rings of his not valid for the same reason they called KDs #except steph has two other ones without KD etcetc #but yeah. plus i feel that kd is very misunderstood and i like him a lot so very complicated. sometimes i wish he would come home...#to the bay... but i also know it would never be the same!#and i don't blame really anyone for how everything played out. it was doomed from the beginning so it was nice that we got 2 rings out of i #and if klay hadn't gotten injured we'd have a 3peat plus yk everything that went down w klay etcetc #but such is the case!

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d2kvirus · 4 months

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26/1/24 Fact or Fiction

Statement #1: Bayley will win the 2024 women’s Royal Rumble. FACT - It makes perfect sense from a storyline standpoint to have Bayley vs Iyo at WM, and given the Rumble and MITB are effectively treated as ersatz titles these days it also fits to have Bayley get a clean sweep of all women's titles, Rumble and MITB

Statement #2: You spell battle royale with an “e”. FICTION - Only when talking about that Japanese film given that's, you know, the title and everything

Statement #3: There should be a Tag Team Royal Rumble match. FICTION - Mainly as it will be a logistical nightmare to a match where the only finish would be one babyface Ricky Mortoning their way through one or two heel tag teams in the final four

Statement #4: For Cody Rhodes to “finish the story” he must defeat Roman Reigns for the WWE Title in a WrestleMania main event. FACT - If he wins the title from Not Reigns that would be a consolation prize at best, and if he's not even in a title match at WM then he's a punchline for the remainder of his time there

Statement #5: You will consume alcohol while watching this year’s Royal Rumble match. FICTION - One time a few years back my local pub showed the Rumble live. Give the show started at 1am, and that was the 2013 Rumble where the booking went into full "Sod you, you're getting Rock vs Cena II" mode, it was not fun walking home at 4am with a few beers in me while being PO'd that the last two matches of the show were effectively Vince sticking his middle finger up at his audience. But he's stuck worse things in worse places, from what I hear...

Statement #6: Draymond Green has a WWE career waiting for him after he retires from the NBA. FICTION - Given he's a dead ringer for Ledley King, Tottenham will surely ask him if he can play centre back as that couldn't be worse than Eric Dier

Statement #7: You recognize The Big Show as the real winner of the 2000 Royal Rumble match. FACT - Because he did. At least Cena & Batista's botch managed to work out in such a way it was obvious the booking was telling the fans to ignore the evidence of their eyes and their ears

Statement #8: An “Even Greater” Royal Rumble with 60 entrants would be fun. FICTION - The 40-man Rumble was pretty bad, so adding 50% more entrants to that would be as terrible as me beginning this response and forgetting that one time they did a 50-man Rumble...

Statement #9: Jinder Mahal’s WWE championship run was underrated. FICTION - It wasn't even rated due to it being the booking equivalent of The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: slow, painful, and horrible to witness

Statement #10: Tony Khan’s tweets are fun. FICTION - While the whole "I can't support AEW as the owner is a bit cringe on Twitter" discourse is almost entirely performative garbage from garbage performers on forums and social media alike, Tony really needs somebody hovering over him to keep him from making the story about him instead of AEW

Statement #11: Santino Marella’s “I wasn’t ready!” elimination from 2009 Rumble match is the funniest moment in Royal Rumble history. FICTION - The ending of the 2005 Rumble is best for its unintended hilarity, not least due to Vince's comedic tumble as he realises he blew out both quads and having to sit there like a toddler giving instructions

Statement #12: You are more interested in what Nic Nemeth does post-WWE than Matt Riddle. FICTION - If Nemeth bet on himself when his contract was up in the mid-2010s I certainly would have been interested in what he had to offer, but after a decade of forgetting he was still employed at various points I'm far less interested, so Riddle wins by default

Statement #13: Here’s a good idea, a TLC Royal Rumble: entrants can be eliminated by going over the top OR by being put through a table, chairs are ladders are legal, and after all 30 entrants have entered then the remaining wrestlers are able to go after a WrestleMania main event contract hanging above the ring. FICTION - I'm sure that a table battle royal exists somewhere, but there's two obvious problems with using tables for eliminations: the table not breaking, or the table breaking when it's not supposed to. Either way, any stip involving something which can't follow booking instructions like tables, glass or Koji Kitao is destined to have a botched finish sooner or later

Statement #14: In pro-wrestling, a good punch is better than a good chop. FICTION - Not that I'm against a good worked punch, but what puts a chop over the top for me is the sound when somebody who can really lay them in, be it Gunther or Go Shiozaki or Pentagon Jr

Statement #15: In the next 20 years, someone will break Stone Cold Steve Austin’s record of 3 Royal Rumble match wins. FICTION - Most of the men on two wins have already retired so if they have (for the sake of argument) Cody winning four in a row it will be forced as hell just to create a record for the sake of creating a record - which is why I can't see them trying that with the women's Rumble, given that match is so young that it would look especially obvious if they have Bianca Belair or Rhea Ripley win it every other year to get her numbers up

Statement #16: Kazuchika Okada should go to the WWE. FICTION - Okada should go wherever he feels would be the best place for his career. That might be WWE, that might be AEW, that might be a company which isn't even in the conversation at the moment, but saying he "should" join one company or another is just like the worst part of football discourse for decades before social media became a thing and made it even more irritating

Statement #17: WCW’s three-ring World War 3 battle royale concept should be brought back. FICTION - The main issue with both WarGames and Blood & Guts is there's always the chance the camera misses something in the second ring as it's focusing on something in the first ring (or, in B&G's case, outside the ring or on top of the cage) so a third ring increases the chances of the production truck missing something

Statement #18: If The Rock wrestles at WrestleMania 40 it will NOT be his last match. FACT - Mainly because of the genuine concern that, if he does win at WM, it will be the second time in recent(ish) memory he's come back to end a lengthy title reign, meaning he has to stick around to drop the belt...right?

Statement #19: You prefer to watch actual wrestling over movies about wrestling, like The Iron Claw. FICTION - At no point when watching The Wrestler did the film cut to commercial mid-match, nor did I question Darren Aronofsky's booking decisions...until Noah, anyway, but the point I'm making...

Statement #20: Playing the Royal Rumble mode on the early ’90s WWF WrestleFest arcade game is history’s greatest wrestling video game experience. FICTION - As fun as the Wrestlefest Rumble was, the greatest wrestling game experience for me was borrowing someone's GameShark so I could actually use Jake Roberts in SDvsR 2006, as that was locked behind needing PS2 & PSP crossplay otherwise and I didn't know a single person with a PSP

Statement #21: If the top rope breaks during a battle royale, wrestlers should still be legally eliminated by being throw over the 2nd rope. FACT - Makes sense, as if the top rope breaks the middle rope becomes the top rope. Just don't ask if the top rope breaks on one side but not the other three, that's a headache waiting to happen

Statement #22: 2x Royal Rumble winner John Cena is the greatest wrestler of all time. FICTION - Mitsuharu Misawa is spinning in his urn

Statement #23: Here’s another good idea – a Reverse Royal Rumble: the match starts with all 30 entrants in the ring and every 2 minutes someone is randomly eliminated, but you can can be safe from the random countdown eliminations if you eliminate someone else first. FICTION - New rule for 411mania: anybody suggesting reverse battle royals must post photo ID to prove they aren't Vince Russo - and if they aren't, that makes it even worse

Statement #24: No one ever retires – the Undertaker will wrestle again. FICTION - Plenty of wrestlers retire for real, be it due to injuries which can't be rehabbed or because nobody noticed that they retired. More than anything else, though, since retiring Undertaker has removed the mystique he had for decades with his podcast appearances and so forth, and that genie isn't getting put back in the bottle

Statement #25: IMPACT Wrestling changing their name back to TNA will make you watch again. FICTION - It's not airing in the depths of Freeview in the UK anymore, which is why TNA had a surprisingly large following in the UK 15+ years ago, so unless there's some really good word of mouth that will send me to WatchWrestling I will likely not be actively looking to watch it

Statement #26: WWE should bring back the ECW brand again. FICTION - If there's any brand which WWE bought and then euthanised they should consider bringing back it's Evolve. No, wait, hear me out: the thing with Evolve is there's little to no emotional attachment or cultural cache attached to the brand as there is with ECW or ROH, so if they rebranded NXT LVL UP to Evolve it wouldn't hamstring the show before a second had aired, given the name is mainly associated with Gabe Sapolsky booking shows for DGUSA talent when the Dragon Gate wrestlers weren't available

Statement #27: You would be excited to see Shane McMahon as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble match this year. FICTION - I'd rather he was a surprise entrant in MITB or the Elimination Chamber, as that means we'd guarantee somebody taking an utterly ludicrous bump in matches which sort of require it

Statement #28: WWE already has too many international PLEs scheduled for this year. FICTION - Actually having PPVs for overseas crowds, and not the UK-only PPVs that WWE used to fob off their UK audience with which HHH always seemed to be "injured" for yet healthy to appear on Raw a couple of nights later, is something WWE needed to consider for the longest time. Remember, that's actual crowds, not Bonesaw McGraw's mates...

Statement #29: It’s sad that one year ago Sami Zayn was the hottest wrestler in the world, but now no one talks about him, he has no chance of winning the Royal Rumble or ever main event-ing a WrestleMania again. FACT - Especially considering that Sami did the impossible and made the Bloodline actually interesting and not JBL's Cabinet with Polynesian tattoos, and he deserved to be rewarded for that with the booking Jey Uso is currently getting

Statement #30: CM Punk will win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble. FACT - Seems like the wisest call to make: if Rollins is healthy come WM, Punk vs Rollins will go ahead while Cody/Reigns is for all the marbles, but if Rollins isn't healthy there's a story for Punk/Reigns or potential for a Punk/Cody/Reigns three-way - so all Punk has to do is not break his foot doing a spot that makes no sense to wreck those booking plans, or lose his rag on a habitual basis to wreck literally everything around him

#fact or fiction #factorfiction #royal rumble #cm punk

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theproloser34 · 11 months

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Aight, so first day of NBA free agency has ended and there are lots of thoughts and questions that remain

Big one is Kyrie Irving getting a 3 year contract with the Mavs so Luka is not gonna be alone with a #2 for hopefully a few years (or until Kyrie causes locker room drama or outside drama again)

Portland gave Jerami Grant a fuck ton of money, 5 year $160 million. So it’s safe to say Damian Lillard isn’t being traded anytime soon

Lakers actually doing some dope things. The Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince help a bit with their wing depth, and hopefully Gabe Vincent can continue the production he had on the Heat this playoff run

Chicago is doing their best? (Not really) They resigned Vucevic to a 3 year contract which… yay? I don’t think any bulls fans know or care anymore about him. But they did resign Coby White to a not so expensive contract for 3 years so that’s a dub

The Warriors actually resigned Draymond Green to a 4 year $100 million contract. So the core is staying together for a little bit longer. We’ll see if there continues to be locker room issues (Jordan Poole is gone now so Draymond’s punching bag is gone) and maybe they can make another title run. I’m not optimistic

The Suns do be looking pretty scary with all the good depth signings that they’re getting to back up Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but I will wait to see how it goes in the regular season. The past few years of KD’s career has convinced me that he needs a lot of team chemistry to work well, so I need to see if the team works well together. That was their downfall this playoffs anyway

Finally the 76ers. This off-season is scary for them. James Hardeb is probably getting traded, so we gotta see what pieces they get back for him. They also lost Shake Milton and Georges Niang, which while they didn’t play much, still feels like it hurts. Lots of questions considering that they made no real moves the first day of free agency. We’ll just wait and see as my anxiety spikes over it

#nba #basketball #lakers #miami heat #phoenix suns #golden state warriors #76ers #offseason #free agency #chicago bulls

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okayyklayy · 2 months

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A Glimpse into the Future: Assessing the Golden State Warriors' Playoff Picture

As the regular season winds down and the NBA playoffs loom on the horizon, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in an intriguing position. With the blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, the Warriors have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the 2023-24 season. However, they've also shown a great deal of inconsistencies along the way.

Regular Season Recap

The Warriors' regular season campaign has been marked by a mix of highs and lows. With a current record of 36 wins and 34 losses, they've managed to maintain a win percentage of .514, positioning themselves loosely in the play-in picture. Offensively, they've averaged 118.5 points per game, putting them 7th in the league. However, in terms of field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free-throw percentage, and +/- they've been fairly... average.

With the Splash Bros still at the forefront of this team, the Warriors find themselves attempting and making the 2nd most 3s in the league. Curry and Thompson, one of the league's most lethal three-point shooting tandems ever, find themselves shooting below their career averages as well.

Defensively, the Warriors have shown moments of brilliance but have also struggled consistently in major areas. With an average of 14.2 turnovers per game, an improvement in ball security and defensive discipline is necessary if they want to be seen seriously in the playoffs. With a total of 45 games played this season, Draymond Green has a team high (>25 games) of -5.8 DIFF%. Meaning that players, when defended by Draymond, shoot 5.8% lower than their normal field goal percentage.

Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

As the regular season draws to a close, the Warriors must address several key areas to maximize their chances of postseason success.

Defensive Intensity: Defense wins championships, and the Warriors must elevate their defensive intensity as they enter the postseason. Establishing a strong defensive identity will be crucial in neutralizing opponents and imposing their will on the defensive end of the floor. Communication, discipline, and effort will be key components of their defensive strategy.

Depth and Bench Production: While Curry, Thompson, and Draymond are still has talented as ever, the Warriors' success will also hinge on the contributions of their supporting cast. Consistent production from players like Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and rookie Brandin Podziemski will be essential, providing scoring, energy, and defensive prowess when called upon. Developing trust and cohesion among the entire roster will be vital in navigating the rigors of playoff basketball.

Execution in Crunch Time: Playoff basketball is characterized by tight games and high-pressure situations. The Warriors must demonstrate poise and execution down the stretch, making smart decisions and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise. Stephen Curry finds himself at the forefront of the Clutch Player of the Year race; however, the Warriors have found themselves playing 40 clutch time games this season, but have won only 19.

Final Thoughts

As the Golden State Warriors set their sights on the play-in, they do so with a mix of optimism and determination. While they've encountered their fair share of challenges throughout the regular season, they possess the talent, experience, and championship pedigree to make a formidable postseason push.

With a focus on health, defensive intensity, depth, and execution, the Warriors have the potential to be a formidable force in the playoffs. As they embark on their postseason journey, fans eagerly await the opportunity to witness the magic and excitement that playoff basketball brings. The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the Golden State Warriors are poised to make their mark on the road to NBA glory, starting with maintaining the 10th seed and taking on the play-in.

#nba basketball #nba #basketball #learning basketball #stephen curry #golden state warriors

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cavenewstimes · 7 months

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Draymond Green Sends 2-Word Message to His Mom’s “Eat My Boi” Remark

Draymond Green is back on the court after avoiding the very first couple of video games due to an injury. He is dipping into an elite level and is still part of Warrior‘s core line-up. Contrary to his intense character and his garbage talk on the court, he is a mother’s young boy off the court. Mary Babers has actually not just been his fan, however likewise his most significant fan. America’s…

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brandonmcadory17 · 1 year

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Let me tell you something. I’m not necessarily a fan of Lebron James by any stretch of the imagination, but a dirty play has occurred by Memphis Grizzlies Guard/Forward Dillon Brooks and I didn’t like and still don’t like how double standards of suspensions in the NBA are being implemented because it’s interesting of how the NBA suspended Golden State Warriors Forward Draymond Green for stomping Sabonis, who plays for the Sacramento Kings because of a leg pulling, but Memphis Grizzlies Guard/Foward Dillon Brooks doesn’t get suspended for hitting Los Angeles Lakers Forward Lebron James in the groin area, even though that the Los Angeles Lakers somehow managed to pull things through vs the Memphis Grizzlies as a result of Dillon Brooks being ejected, so I just feel like that the NBA might be trying incentivize double standards of suspensions for dirty behaviors on the basketball court and people who condone encourage Lebron James getting hit in the groin by Dillon Brooks need to obviously grow the fuck up because the Memphis Grizzlies are a classless and dirty NBA team and the NBA should do a better job of how suspensions are being implemented.

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wenchyfloozymoo · 2 years

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Back Again Warriors T-Shirt

Fans of the Golden State Warriors can now get their hands on a back again Warriors T-shirt thanks to Steph Curry. The 'night night' T-shirt is selling like hotcakes on Etsy and other e-commerce sites. It was first seen when Curry was changing outfits in the championship parade. Fans instantly noticed the cool detail on the shirt. It also came as a response to a Boston bar that was allegedly celebrating Steph's victory.

Steph Curry's 'night night' gesture

If you're looking for a Warriors t-shirt with a little witty flair, look no further than Stephen Curry's 'night night' gesture. The self-anointed Petty King put four teams to bed during his championship run, with his 'night night' gesture announcing the end of the playoffs for each. In Game 6, he was one of the most impressive players, scoring 34 points and laughing hysterically during the game. At one point in the fourth quarter, he even signaled 'night night' to the Celtics with a 'night night' gesture.

Stephen Curry's 'night night' gesture has become an iconic part of the Warriors celebrations. During their championship parade, he and his teammates posed for a pre-parade picture and the resulting video has gone viral. The iconic celebration is sure to become a staple of Warriors culture, and it's likely that 'night night' will make its way onto Warriors t-shirts soon.

After his fourth championship, Stephen Curry showed his incredible motivation by wearing his 'night night' gesture on the back again warriors t-shirt. Unlike other NBA players, he never seemed to lose his edge, as he always had one. Despite his incredible accomplishments, he still has a chip on his shoulder. After he won the championship for the fourth time, some players lose motivation. However, the superstar continued to pay attention to the criticism he receives.

Steph Curry's 'night night' T-shirt

While the Warriors were enjoying a championship parade in the NBA Finals, they couldn't help but notice a certain player. It was Steph Curry wearing a 'night night' back again warriors T-shirt. Curry's son Riley sported one as well. While a reporter approached Curry about the shirt, he was unable to elaborate on his choice.

The 'night night' back again warriors t-shirt is one of the hottest products on the market. Designed by Hersmiles Brand, this made-to-order t-shirt is sure to be a hot item for many years to come. It is available in various colors including red, black, and white. The slogan 'night night' is a favorite among basketball fans.

"Ayesha Curry can cook" is another hot topic on Curry's social media accounts. The Warriors' superstar wife has a reputation for cooking and is married to Steph since 2011. Ayesha has a cooking school, owns a restaurant chain called International Smoke, and has her own cookware brand. She also owns a winery, Domaine Curry, with her sister-in-law Sydel Curry-Lee.

Golden State Warriors' championship parade

After making back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors finally got their hands on a title. Led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, they won their seventh championship and first in eight seasons. Curry took home Finals MVP honors, and he tweeted a picture of the team's parade bus and trophies. While the team has made history in recent years, it's still possible that they won't repeat in 2020.

Regardless of the reasons, Warriors fans were excited and filled the streets of San Francisco to celebrate the team's championship. In fact, many fans gathered in front of the Ferry Building before the parade to cheer on their team. Even Ivan Chavarria wore a No. 11 Thompson jersey while riding BART. But he didn't have the opportunity to address the crowd directly. So instead, he sent a follow-up tweet instructing fans to "ride and wave" to the crowd.

The Golden State Warriors' championship parade will start at 11:20 a.m. PT on Monday, June 20. It'll wind its way through downtown San Francisco and last about a mile, and it's expected to be a loud, raucous affair. The Warriors have won four NBA titles in eight years and are on the verge of a fifth. They'll take the trophy to San Francisco for the parade, which begins at Market and Main streets.

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pk77m · 2 years

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NBA-Curry's iconic performance leaves Warriors teammates stunned

Stephen Curry's 43-point masterpiece in Game Four of the NBA Finals on Friday left his Warriors teammates, his coaches and basketball fans everywhere in awe.

With Golden State in jeopardy of falling into a 3-1 hole against the Celtics in Boston, Curry was magnificent, shooting 14 of 26 from the field with seven three pointers while collecting 10 rebounds to level the series 2-2.

"Probably number one," Klay Thompson said when asked to rank Curry's performance in a Finals game.

"It was nearly a must-win game, so to go out there and shoot as efficiently as he did and grab 10 rebounds all while they are attacking him on defense? His conditioning is second to none in this league.

"Steph played incredible."

Forward Draymond Green echoed Thompson.

"He put us on his back and willed us to win," he said.

"Much-needed win, a game we had to have, and he came out and showed why he's one of the best players to ever play this game and why this organization has been able to ride him to so much success.

"It's absolutely incredible."

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James weighed in to say that Curry was "different" from other players and that he still does not get the respect he is due.

"It's rare and rare is not liked and appreciated," James tweeted.

After the game, Curry redirected praise onto his teammates.

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popentertainment-moviereviews · 3 years

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SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY (2021)

Starring LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sarah Silverman, Sonequa Martin-Green, Ernie Johnson, Lil Rel Howery, Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Kyle Kuzma, Chiney Ogwumike, Michael B. Jordan and the voices of Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, Zendaya, Bob Bergen, Jim Cummings, Gabriel Iglesias, Candi Milo, Paul Julian (archival recordings), Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Diana Taurasi and Nneka Ogwumike.

Screenplay by Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Terence Nance, Jesse Gordon and Celeste Ballard.

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee.

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. 115 minutes. Rated PG.

If you are going to revisit a popular family film franchise after 25 years, you should bring something new to it, right?

I mean, other than replacing the star, changing it from the most accomplished basketball player in the world at the time to the new most accomplished basketball player in the world. (Going from Michael Jordan in the original to LeBron James here – neither of whom are known for their acting, although in fairness James has more experience in film than Jordan did.)

And certainly, you would come up with something other than changing the classic Looney Tunes characters from traditional hand-drawn to computer animation about halfway through the film? I’m sorry, but the idea of turning the Looney Tunes characters into CGI rather than pencil and ink is just sacrilege. (I know there have previously been some shorts with the characters filmed in CGI, but that was sacrilege as well.)

We do appreciate the lack of a R. Kelly song on the soundtrack, but otherwise, what does Space Jam: A New Legacy really have to offer a new generation of fans that they can’t get from just streaming the original?

My big question after watching Space Jam: A New Legacy is simple: It took six people to write this?

Look, the truth is the live action stuff was pretty corny and much of the CGI basketball game was kind of silly. But… a big BUT… the middle section with hand-drawn animation is actually surprisingly clever and funny. It almost makes the film worth watching all on its own.

A section in which a cartoon LeBron James and some favorite characters crash through the Warner Bros. film archive and find themselves thrown into classic films and cartoons was particularly good – a Casablanca-era Ingrid Bergman saying “Play it, Sam” with the camera shifting to Yosemite Sam made me laugh out loud.

There was also a shrewd takeoff on Batman and Superman and several other WB properties (and a few from other studios). If the entire film were as clever as this, I would heartily endorse it. In fact, that whole middle section gives me a bit of a warm feeling towards Space Jam: A New Legacy. It turns out to be better than it could be, and that’s something, right?

By the way, for a film called Space Jam, there was no outer space footage in the film. The whole thing actually took place in a computer server, so it’s more like inner space or The Matrix.

The family footage in which LeBron tries to connect with his young son is kind of sappy, but I suppose it is necessary to drive the narrative forward. Even once they change over from illustrated characters to CGI basketball avatars, there are some funny moments, like a clever cameo by Michael B. Jordan playing up on his name similarity to the star of the original film.

The CGI characters still bugged me though. I know they are trying to lure a new generation of viewers, but I may never be able to unsee a CGI Porky Pig rapping – without a stammer – like a porcine Mel Tillis who loses his stutter while performing. (Yes, I understand that outdated topical reference is totally dating me, and most people going to see this Space Jam movie will have no clue who Mel Tillis was, but I’m sticking with the comparison. Look it up if you really want to know what I mean.)

Still, the middle section is clever enough to almost be a game changer for Space Jam: A New Legacy. It ends up missing the buzzer beater, but there was enough good play in the paint to make it a tight contest.

Jay S. Jacobs

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#Space Jam: A New Legacy #2021 #Movie Review #LeBron James #Jay S. Jacobs

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leftarcadedefendor · 3 years

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Basketball Game Reviews: Warriors @ Suns, 2021 NBA All Star Game, WCC Championship

Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns game review:

The Warriors traveled to Phoenix to play the Suns and lost 120-98. The Suns dominated this game with their leading scoring being Cameron Payne recording 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Suns played extremely well and their offense played very well. There were a couple great alley oops that I enjoyed. The Warriors were without star point guard Steph Curry and star forward Draymond Green. Steph Curry rested this game due to participating in the All Star Game on Sunday. Green is still recovering from a sprained left ankle he suffered against the Lakers. Without their starters the Warriors suffered as they couldn't keep up with the Suns. The Warriors leading scorer was Jordan Poole with 26 points. Rookie James Wiseman tied for most rebounds with 11 also with 11 points and 2 assists.

This Warriors team certainly isn't what it used to be but you can blame that on injuries. The Suns offense was really fun to watch and they seem to play very well with each other. I am going to have to pay attention to how they do in the playoffs. Deandre Ayton had 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists along with some flashy dunks. It was good to see Chris Paul still playing at an elite level and making the All Star Game. This game wasn’t as entertaining as I was hoping, with Steph not playing in the game it took out the entertainment for me. The Suns dominated the whole game with the Warriors trying to catch up but they never could.

2021 NBA All Star Game review:

Team Durant lost 170-150 to Team LeBron in the 2021 All Star game after Damion Lillard sunk the game winning three from nearly half court. Team Durant was without their team captain Kevin Durant due to injury. As Team LeBron dominated through the game they were led by the All Star game MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He scored 35 points on 16 for 16 shooting, this is the All Star game record. Giannis won the Kobe Bryant MVP award. Bradley Beal led the way for Team Durant scoring 26 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Chris Paul had the most assists and rebounds with 16 assists and 8 rebounds.

This All Star Game was no different than any other All Star Game. The players play no defense and it's just all offense and who can do the flashiest shot or dunk. I will admit it is somewhat entertaining to watch these guys dunk on each other but I wish they played more competitive. However it was cool to see Steph Curry and LeBron on the same team for the first time. In the beginning Team Durant held the lead for the most part but they ended up not being able to keep up with Team LeBron. Steph had an amazing game as you could have probably predicted, after he won the Three Point Contest he knocked down six 3 point shots in the first half of the game. I am curious to see how this game would have played out if Kevin Durant was eligible to play, since he has one of the best scores of all time. I imagine he would have had a huge night.

Gonzaga vs BYU WCC Championship game review:

Gonzaga Men’s Basketball team defeated BYU 88-78 in the WCC Championship game, despite BYU having a 12 point lead going into halftime. This was the largest halftime deficit Gonzaga has faced since Dec. 15, 2018. BYU had jumped out to an early lead and the momentum kept going their way with the score being 33-21 with 8:32 left to play in the first half. Sophomore Trevin Knell of BYU had an outstanding night recording a career high 20 points. Along his side were teammates Alex Barcello and Matt Haarms in which they recorded 15 points and 13 points each. After halftime BYU’s 12 point lead was quickly erased as Gonzaga scored 11 points, 9 of these points came from Corey Kispert. Gonzaga outscored BYU 47-25 in the second half of the game with their leading scoring being WCC Newcomer of the Year Jalen Suggs, he recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

This game was a little scary to watch in the beginning if you are a Gonzaga fan. With Gonzaga facing a 12 point deficit going into halftime. Not long after halftime though, Gonzaga showed why they are the number 1 team in the country and rallied back to a victory to win the WCC Championship. With March Madness just around the corner this was a big win for the Zags. This game was very close all the way till the end which made this game very entertaining to watch and exactly what you would expect for a Conference Championship. With this win Gonzaga finishes off the regular season going undefeated with a record of 26-0 and being ranked number 1 overall. Gonzaga will go into March Madness as a 1 seed since they are the only undefeated team in the country.

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ralphyraprap · 5 years

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My personal rating of the 2019/2020 Celtics roster

Just an opinion that I have going into the 2019-2020 season. Obviously plenty of roster changes with the Boston Celtics coming of the back of a very disappointing 2019 off-season. With pre-season games and subsequently the regular games on the horizon, I just want to quickly share my personal assessment of the current Celtics roster and would like to hear everyone's opinion.

Rankings that I will be using:

- Reserve - not expected to get consistent minutes or will get playing times during irrelevant junctures of the game (ie blowouts/closed-out games, etc)

- Good - expected to play consistent minutes and plays a role at a somewhat reliable capacity

- Very good - plays their role in the team very well and is considered a staple in the rotation

- Fringe all-star - a player who only requires a few tweaks in their game to make it to a future all-star game

- All-star - expected to play in the all-star game or is at least an all-star caliber player

- Star - often the go-to person in the roster and carries the team

- Superstar - likely to have his jersey retired in the future

Kemba Walker: All-star/Star

Kemba has big shoes to fill following Kyrie Irving's departure. Coming off his best season with Charlotte, he has been tasked to lead the Celtics this season. General consensus is that he is not as skilled as his predecessor but has a much better lockeroom presence and leadership. At the very least, I expect him to be an all-star caliber level and will excel under Brad Steven's leadership; being that he historically creates a system that is conducive to point guards. The only two reservations that I have on Kemba are these: 1) He has never had this much expectation in the NBA being that Charlotte was never considered any threat during his tenure and 2) He is a defensive liability. The latter is less of an issue mainly due to Brad Steven's success with Isaiah Thomas in the past. With a better coach and team around him, Kemba can further elevate his game and become a star for the Boston Celtics.

Jayson Tatum: Fringe all-star/All-star

Jayson Tatum is coming off the back of a somewhat disappointing sophomore season. His rookie year was absolutely phenomenal, stepping up when both Kyrie and Gordon Hayward went down during the 2017/2018 season and ultimately showing tremendous upside during the 2018 playoffs. He was expected to make a huge step during last season however had a somewhat subpar season (by his lofty standards) but still looked alright in his sophomore year. With Kyrie being replaced by a seemingly better leader in Kemba, Tatum might finally reach the levels that he is supposed to be on since last season. More inclined to think that he is a fringe all-star but could potentially sneak through as an all-star being that he is the clear second option in the team and might be in some stretches be the number one option.

Gordon Hayward: Fringe all-star/All-star

A redemption year for Gordon Hayward. He is now a full season away from that dreadful injury that he sustained at the very first game of the 2017/2018 season. Showed promising signs in some stretches of the 2018/2019 season, especially at the latter stages but also played poorly in some stretches. Was ultimately disappointing in the 2019 playoffs. Another issue from last year was that there were reports that his inclusion to the playing group rubbed some of the players the wrong way, thus creating some chemistry issues. I expect that this is the season for him to show that he can be the pre-injury Gordon Hayward and finally be the player that the Celtics hoped him to be.

Jaylen Brown: Very good/Fringe all-star

A contract year for Jaylen with reports surfacing that he is seeking a max extension. Along with Jayson Tatum, he showed plenty of promise in the 2017/2018 season and the 2018 playoffs but also took a step back last season. Since being drafted as the third overall pick, Jaylen haven't really shown much reason to be given max dollars albeit he showed extreme promise 2 seasons ago as mentioned earlier. A very athletic player and potentially the Celtics' second-best defender, I predict that Jaylen will take another step up this year especially it being a contract year for him.

Marcus Smart: Very good

Oddly enough is now the veteran in the lockeroom. Unless I am mistaken, he has been with Celtics longer than anyone in the playing group. Night-in night-out you can expect one thing with Marcus: and that is his effort on the defensive end. His offense unfortunately has never been reliable nor do I expect it to make any significant improvement. Nevertheless, a very passionate player and clearly the best defender on the team.

Enes Kanter: Very good

Going to be very good on the offensive end (and pre/post-game trolling and memes) but defense has, and always will be, suspect. Played with a lot of heart with the Portland Trailblazers last playoffs with a separated shoulder yet still balling on the offensive end. Could potentially be a starter for the Celtics but I doubt he will close many games, mostly due to him being a defensive liability.

Daniel Theis: Good

I don't expect much from Daniel Theis this season. Did get his contract extended which tells me that Danny Ainge has faith in him; that or he just ran out of options. Showed better game during his first season with the Celtics prior to his injury but seemingly regressed on the following year. Still, not going to be an eye-catcher by any stretch of the imagination but will be great if he can be a good role player.

Semi Ojeleye: Good

Ojeleye has always been a handy player for the Celtics. Coming in on several stretches of the game and being involved in occasional good plays here and there. Game hasn't really changed all that much nor is his impact to the game. Might get more opportunity this season due to the recent departures in the roster but he hasn't shown much in the past to excite any fans.

Robert Williams III: Good/Reserve

The Time Lord will probably get better opportunity this season due to the recent departures in the roster. Showed some promise every once in a while but not enough to write home about. Was alright in the last Summer League but I was expecting a lot more. Will probably compete with Ojeleye and/or Theis for rotation. Offers good rim protection potential, assuming he can stay out of foul trouble.

Brad Wanamaker: Reserve

Has been a good contributor whenever he gets an opportunity but could not quite get consistent minutes due to the Celtics logjam in the guard position. Might get a better shot this season with Terry Rozier leaving but I expect him to get more-or-less similar minutes and role.

Romeo Langford: Good/Reserve

A mid first round pick rookie for the Celtics. Was recently injured and had surgery with his thumb which forced him to missed the Summer League. Recent footage and reports indicate that his thumb is 100% ready to go and his jump shot has improved. The surgically repaired thumb will be suspect and could potentially limit his game time.

Carsen Edwards: Very good/Good

In my opinion an excellent pick for the Celtics and will potentially be regarded as a steal. Showed plenty of promise during the Summer League with his lights-out shooting and effort. Quite poetic that he decided to wear number 4 being that like I.T, he gets buckets and is pretty undersized. I expect him to get plenty of minutes this season.

Grant Williams: Very good/Good

Another great pick for the Celtics and can potentially be regarded as a steal. Already showing great leadership and played very well during the Summer League. Can shoot the ball very well and shows effort on defense. Seems to be meshing with the team quite well and is very vocal. Could potentially be a Draymond Green-esque player for the Celtics, hopefully less annoying.

Vincent Poirier: Reserve

A first year player for the Celtics taken from the Euroleague. Played FIBA with the French team recently and obviously had some time to play with/learn from Rudy Gobert. A very tall athletic big man who appears to have a jump shot. It's a question now whether his skill translates well to the NBA and also if Brad Stevens will give him the opportunity to show it.

Tacko Fall: Reserve

The biggest draft pick by Boston Celtics ever (literally). Showed that he can be agile for his (tremendous) height. Might get a couple of minutes here and there but I imagine he will be used sparingly, much like how Boban Marjanovic is being utilised but probably a bit less than that.

Tremont Waters: Reserve

Another pick from the Celtics which played during the Summer League. Had a couple of good games in-spite suffering from a very tragic loss. Not expecting to get much game time with the Celtics at all.

Javonte Green: Reserve

A surprise pick for the Celtics. They picked him after the Summer League. Might not get much game time this season

#nba #boston celtics

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joshuavssociety-blog · 5 years

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Knicks Loss, A Nets Gain? Not Necessarily (7.8.2019)

On June 30th 2019, the free agency period arrived and one of the best free agency classes were on the market and ready to sign long-term deals. This class of free agents included Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. ESPN’s Jalen Rose called them “the four Ks” and every team looking for a pair of superstars would be in pursuit trying to sign them. As the NBA season rolled along, many rumors began to swirl as usual. The first pair of rumors was there was ‘friction’ in the Warriors locker room after the on court argument between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, and many Warriors players believed he was on his way out. But where would Kevin Durant sign to if not stay with Golden State? That is when the second wave of rumors began to swirl that Kevin Durant was on his way to the Big Apple. What made New Yorkers even happier was that he was planning on bringing Kyrie Irving with him and become a juggernaut in the east. These rumors were present all year long and it looked like it was certain. Fast forward to the NBA finals, Kevin Durant’s impact is felt as he returns in game 5 from a calf injury and scored 11 points in the first quarter before tearing his achilles, and Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors end up winning the NBA finals in game 6. Now as a free agent, Kevin Durant still ends up going to New York, but in Brooklyn instead Manhattan, and he still ends up bringing Kyrie Irving with him. With Kawhi Leonard choosing to go home to Los Angeles and sign with the Clippers, Jimmy Butler forcing his way to Miami and Klay Thompson content in Golden State, the New York Knicks end up the joke of the summer. Eight months ago, Knicks fans were hoping for Zion Williamson via the draft, and Kevin and Kyrie via free agency. But all Knicks fans are left with now are Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and no Kristaps Porzingis. But that isn't a bad thing, and here's why.

Kevin Durant is 30-years-old with a torn achilles, and it’s likely that the next time Kevin Durant sees NBA action he will be 32-years-old. Not many players come back from an achilles injury and return the same player. In comparison, even though Kobe Bryant was 34-years-old at the time, Kobe Bryant was never the same player and lasted just three more years before retiring. The only notable player to come close to the player they were before the injury was Dominique Wilkins, and luckily he was near Kevin Durant’s age. The Knicks decided against offering Kevin Durant the max after the injury in fear that he would not be the same. The Knicks also were reluctant to call the Pelicans in pursuit of Anthony Davis due to not wanting to give up so many assets like they did to get Carmelo Anthony in 2011. Although, it was heavily criticized the decision to not offer the max to Kevin Durant was smart. No offense to Carmelo Anthony, but the Knicks don't need another Carmelo Anthony. If Kevin Durant were to sign with the Knicks and he ends up as a shell of himself then it would still be a loss for the Knicks. The Knicks need an MVP caliber player entering or in his prime. With the injury that Kevin Durant endured in the finals, it’s very likely that his prime is now on the back end, and if that’s true Kevin Durant won't be the best player on the team. If that is true, the bright side is that Kyrie Irving still only 27-years-old still entering his prime. But is Kyrie being the best player enough for a championship? Has Kyrie being the best player been enough to get a team to the conference finals? But even if Kyrie does become a better leader for a team, the East is no longer a cake-walk. The Greek Freak won MVP last season and he is highly motivated to win. The Celtics have added Kemba Walker, and I’m sure they have something to prove also after last year, and even though they’ve lost Jimmy Butler the Sixers still have Tobias Harris and have even gain talent thanks to the Butler trade.

In Conclusion, the Brooklyn Nets possibility of winning a championship is that, possible. But it seems slim thanks to the growth of the east, Kevin Durant’s injury in the longterm and the two teams in Los Angeles acquiring Paul George and Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis in yellow and gold to play alongside LeBron James. In two years, how much of Nets gain will it really be?

-Joshua Freeman

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colehandelman-blog · 5 years

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Should NBA Owners be Called Governers? My Thoughts.

Today I will be sharing about the problem of slavery’s legacy in sports today. More specifically the N.B.A a predominantly African-American league. In one of the most successful sports leagues in the world many players have started questioning the fact that majority of the coaches and owners are white males. The increase of tension and the so called “owners” is extremely evident and concerning. The Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green stated “‘The word owner...It dates back to slavery’”(Streeter 1). This problem in the N.B.A dates back to old Boston Celtics player Bill Russell who is an outspoken person of civil rights and social justice. A hands on example of a problem that occurred was in 2014 “owner” Donald Sterling had an audio recording taken of him telling his girlfriend he was uncomfortable with her bringing black people to the games. Immediately after the incident, he was fired and now many believe the N.B.A post Sterling is in a much better place.

You may be wondering what players and “owners” are doing to resolve the issue and decrease tension. Many players such as Lebron James and Draymond Green are pushing to change the word “owner” to names such as “governor and chairman”. They were eventually successful in this ordeal and bit by bit racial tension is decreasing. The commissioner of the N.B.A Adam Silver is all for discussing race and believes it is not something to run from. It is great that the head of the N.B.A is with the players and wants to make a difference from the past.

Throughout this article I had many personal thoughts come up. As a massive N.B.A fan and basketball player I hope that a league as popular as the N.B.A would never have racial problems. Sadly, in the world we live white powerful men tend to take advantage of other individuals. But on a brighter note these players are amazing for social justice and are seen as massive role models to all youth. I also believe making the change from “owner” and “governor” is great for the league. But as a white male in an extremely white area I can never truly understand the feelings of the players. But what I do know is that if they ever feel like their situation is near a feeling of slavery that something is needs to change. It is a struggle to also continue to support the N.B.A as a league when racial things happen so often. I do not know if I should just forget it and watch or change until it is right.

It is sad that 400 years after slavery some of the effects are still in place on sports. I hope one day that all of this will be different and I believe it will.

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rbrown2019-blog · 5 years

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Why the Golden State Warriors will NOT win the 2019 NBA Championship

Edit 1: 4/20

Yes, you read it here. The Warriors will not complete their ever so wanted 3-peat, nor do I think they will even make it to the NBA finals. I believe that the Houston Rockets or the Milwaukee Bucks have the greatest chance of taking down the defending champions. In this blog, I am going to break down the starting lineup match-ups, as well as each teams’ offensive and defensive play-style.

Rockets vs Warriors

How will the Rockets beat the Warriors? The Pick and Roll. Clearly, the Warriors can’t handle the Clippers’ Lou Williams isolation ball/pick and roll game, as he lead the Clippers charge putting up a 36 points-11 assists stat line in Game Two AT the Oracle. If the Warriors can’t stop the Clippers’ offensive moves, please explain to me how they will be able to stop James Harden and Chris Paul? With Demarcus Cousins now being ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, you might have better defense with Andrew Bogut. But let’s not forget about that 3 point line, the true reason why the Rockets are so deadly. As a team in the regular season, they averaged a total of 16, made 3s per game; second being the Milwaukee Bucks at 13.5 (NBA Stats).

Edit 2: 4/21 Continuation of Rockets Analysis

Running the offense through James Harden and Chris Paul opens up so many opportunities for them to score, as well as the other 3 or 4 guys on the court, all ready to shoot. Double teamed? Kick it out to Eric Gordon or P.J Tucker. The Warriors are protecting the 3? Lob it up to Clint Capela or Kenneth Faried. Thus, the Rockets just have too many weapons in their starting 5 and off the bench that can torch the Warriors on any given night.

Now yes, The Warriors have their big 4 in Durant, Curry, Klay, and Draymond. And yes, the Rockets don’t have the greatest defense. The big difference is, the Warriors do not really have that guy to throw the lob to, now that Demarcus Cousins is out. When they set up their own pick and roll, they can easily attack coverages such as switches and hard hedges, just like the Rockets. Their one big piece they now lack is a big man to throw the lob to on the roll. Draymond Green, an undersized 6′7 forward is a great option, but I believe he won’t match up against the Rockets bigs, (please prove me wrong). The Warriors do indeed have a man named Kevin Durant, who can get you 30 on any given night. I truly believe he is the X Factor to this series, and it all depends on how many shots he wants to take a game. He needs to quiet the media and haters and prove to them that this is his team, not Curry’s.

EDIT 3, 5/3: Warriors vs Rockets: Games 1-3

Wow. All I have to say. This has been a very entertaining series, from on the court to off the court. If you are an NBA fan, you couldn't ask for anything more, except if you are James Harden or the Rockets. Yes the Warriors are up 2-1 in the series, but the big ref scandal on not knowing their own rule they created a couple of seasons ago about closing out on a player is absolutely ridiculous. Mr. Scott Foster was the main target for this blame, since it was in his zone. The problem was, none of the refs attempted to call it, even if it was in his zone. There were many occurrences of it, mainly that James Harden was apart of. He is known for initiating contact with a defender, but the Warriors players gave him nowhere to land after he shot. Though the Rockets are still in this series, a stolen game at the Oracle will come up big down the road.

Throughout the series, we have seen tempers flare, terrible acting, and Steve Kerr doing absolutely nothing this whole series except trolling the internet and the Houston Rockets. Very funny, but we all know the Warriors could win it all with any head coach. Harsh words, but give the ball to Kevin Durant- just like they did in the 4th quarter of game 3- and watch magic happen. It is unbelievable how good of a player he is. He can do it all, and I do truly believe it is HIS team. Steph Curry may be a fan favorite, but KD is showing up day in and day out, just look at his playoff numbers, he is averaging 36 points on 51 percent shooting. Like I said, Kevin Durant is truly the X factor for the Warriors, it all depends on how many shots he takes, and how many shots they let him take in a row. This man is the definition of streaky, and the Warriors have yet to use him to his full potential.

Edit #4, 5/5: Warriors vs Rockets Games 4 and 5

As the series has gone on, we have seen a lot more flopping, acting, and numerous maneuvers in order to exploit the referees and get a call. These games in my eyes are turning into plays, while each act is a quarter. You never know what is going to happen next from these guys. #BringBack90sBasketball . Now if you know 90s basketball you may think I am contradicting myself saying I do not like trash talk and miniature fights in basketball, but I am trying to say that these days the refs immediately blow their whistles for a technical if you stare someone down, or talk trash a player. This whole series has been a prime example of what I explained above, and it needs to stop.

Despite the flopping and complaining, we got to see Kevin Durant and James Harden both take over in Game 4, and it was a fun scoring battle to watch. James Harden ended up scoring 38 points, while KD led his team in scoring with 34. A great battle between each of these players in the fourth quarter, but the Rockets ended up tying up the series 2-2 after some missed clutched three pointers by Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.

Steph Curry. Has yet to REALLY show up for his team yet. Yes he is still putting up great numbers, but not MVP type of numbers we expect to see from this man. From the missed layups and the wide open threes, Curry has really struggled to put the ball in the net when his team needs it, ESPECIALLY in the fourth quarter. I will give say though he was the main reason why the Warriors brought home game 5 after KDs calf strain. But now since KD is ruled out for the series, Steph Curry really needs to start finding his shot quick in order to avoid elimination from the playoffs. I wouldn't say Austin Rivers, Shumpert, and Cp3 are 100 percent locking Steph up, but they have definitely made a major contribution to his struggles.

Edit #5, 5/7: Could the Raptors be a new rival?

Never thought I would say this, but the Raptors are actually looking great in the PLAYOFFS. We all know Kawhi Leonard has been putting his team on his back and making up for the “Playoff Lowry” jokes that have been happening, but Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam have really stepped up their game. Gasol has been rock solid offensively, and has really stepped up defensively when it comes to guarding the post or contesting shots. Not to mention, Marc Gasol is creating shots for his teammates, and taking a major gap out of the equation that the Raptors have of depth in the front-court. Also, Paskal Siakam has continued to show us why he will be a offensive and defensive star for many years to come. He is averaging 22 points per game, 1 steal, 1 block, and 7 rebounds a game. Those are some amazing stats coming from a player who averaged 7 points last season in the playoffs. Hats off to both of these guys, as well as the rest of the Raptors role players, for shutting down the Sixers offense.

Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors 100 percent made the right move by bringing him and Danny Green over to the 6. I couldn't be more proud of him, after sitting out a whole season due to his situation with the Spurs, he has been the second or third best player right now in the NBA. He has greatly handled Jimmy Butler and the Sixers defense, averaging 31 points this postseason, to go with an effective field goal percentage (EFG) of 61.2 percent. Not to mention, his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) has been 31.2, which is off the charts. As the article I linked said it, he is a Defensive player of the year putting up 30 points a game; that deserves comparisons to the Greatest of all Time, Michael Jordan. We will see if he can continue this high level play, especially against teams like the Bucks, and if they can get to the NBA finals, the Western Conference.

Edit 6 5/8: How the Blazers can Defeat the Warriors

We all remember Damian Lillard telling reporters he believe the Blazers will win the series in 6 games. That turned into a meme real quick. Now that the Warriors have lost: some of their firepower on defense, the new weapons the Blazers have added, and the emerging of a superstar back-court in Dame and CJ, the Blazers truly match-up with these high flying defending champions. They will need to make a little magic happen-especially at the Oracle Arena- if they want to take this series and advance to the NBA finals assuming they beat the Nuggets.

First off, Damian Lillard has been the definition of clutch, along with Steph Curry. In my eyes, we are seeing the number 1 and number 2 point guard duel each other in the Western Conference Finals. Dame and CJ need to be able to out-shoot their perimeter based offensive, or this series will go downhill very fast. Portland will also need to use their size effectively to counter post touches from Kevin Durant. This will easily be their greatest challenge of the series, because we know both team’s back-courts can score at ease, but can Nurkic and Aminu shut down the best pure scorer in the league. Otherwise, I see the Warriors not having the biggest problem against this Blazers squad.

Edit 7 5/9: The Nuggets Bigs’ are the Key

This blog is turning out to be talking about each team left in the playoffs and talking about how they have a chance on taking down the defending champions. I am totally ok with it, but from a readers standpoint, it may seem very annoying. This Nuggets team really succeeded in the regular season, though then again, it is the regular season. The main key to their success was their ball movement, and their patience. Unlike the Rockets- and for some games the Warriors- the Nuggets use the whole 24 seconds given to them most of the time in order to get a shot off. The fast pace threes are greater than twos game the Warriors play is not their type of game. The Nuggets need to make sure their game is being played, and they are not rushing.

Taking a look at their roster, they are led by the 7 foot point guard/center Jokic, key role players in Will Barton, Garry Harris, and Paul Millsap. Finally, they have an emerging star in Jamal Murray. I love and been loving this mans game ever sine his days in Kentucky; a high flying, electric, fun to watch and impossible to hate player. I see his game very similar to Damian Lillard, the man he is going up against right now in the Western Conference Semifinals. It has been very fun to see both of them go at each other.

Getting back on track, the Warriors lack the size and depth of bigs on their squad, so if Millsap and Jokic will have a field day going against Draymond and Looney if the Nuggets give them post touches. If the post isn't working, both of these big man are great play-makers, and are willing to set another player up for an open shot. On defense, the Nuggets might have a tough time guarding perimeter shots and the pick and roll/pop offense the Warriors run. Though this team has some great defenders in Will Barton and Garry Harris-who will need to be constantly on Curry and Thompson- they must protect the perimeter and be ok to give up lobs and post-up baskets. The Warriors do not completely live and die by the three, and are willing to distribute the ball, so the Nuggets need to be aware of the extra pass and weak side ball screens and cuts the Warriors do to free Curry and Klay. As for Durant, he will get his shot no matter what, but the Nuggets need to make sure they double team him in the post, preferably with their two bigs.

Edit 8 5/10: The Rockets are sent home

Despite Kevin Durant being ruled out for Game 6, the Warriors took the series after a dominating performance by the Warriors back-court Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. I am truly happy for them, both of them started to find their shot and consistency that they have been burning the NBA with during the regular season. Though lets not get ahead of ourselves here, Curry did score 0 points in the first half, and Klay Thompson got off to a decent start. Despite that the game was still neck and neck in the 1st half. Yes, the Rockets deserved to lose this one. Though, from what I watched, there is nobody truly to blame. As Jonathan Fiegen puts it in his article reflecting on the game, James Harden did not fail. He did not succeed, either. No one can claim that he did in another loss, another season ending in frustration. But as much as many will blame him for the latest playoff loss and use it to define him as had been promised even before the game began in the event of a Rockets loss, if he is to be ripped now, they are talking about games of his past. This is a perfect explanation of tonight's game in terms of a Rocket fan’s shoe. I would though argue they should have been up by more at halftime due to the offensive struggle the Warriors had, but not every game is winnable.

Edit 9 5/11: Bucks Analysis

This is the team I expect to be in the NBA finals, and now that the Rockets are gone, the team I want to win it all (in case you didn't know or infer from my previous edits, I don’t really like the Warriors). I am now going to break down the match-ups, and how I think the Bucks can really take advantage of the Warriors fast paced, high flying offense.

Currently, all I know is that Kevin Durant's leg is going to be re-examined in a week, but I am going to assume that he is going to play in the NBA finals. That will be Giannis’ or maybe Kris Middleton's assignment. As I have said for the past teams, Kevin Durant will get his shot, the Bucks just need to make sure that the shots that they give him are not full isolation plays ran for him. As for the back-court, I am really confident that Bledsoe and Middleton have the defensive ability to lock up Curry and Thompson. Both of them are solid defenders who have the ability to guard such of players.

The Giannis Durant match-up is one for the century. Two freaks of nature dueling out with one another for the championship (assuming that is the finals match-up). Both of these players are in their MVP form, and certainly showing it these playoffs, but I believe Durant has the slight edge over him due to his experience in these very intense situations. I fear is the lack of experience this team has. The NBA Playoffs are a whole different type of basketball, not to mention that the NBA finals are the best of the best basketball. We will see if Giannis can continue to perform how he has been all season. Otherwise, the Warriors are most likely seeing a 3-peat.

This is an English Project, I am not a professional blogger nor do I have any experience in blogging. I will continue to update this blog as the playoffs go on, as that is one of the requirements for getting full credit.

#English Project #NBA #nba playoffs #golden state warriors #houston rockets #milwaukee bucks #debate #kevin durant #stephen curry #james harden #chris paul #giannis antetokounmpo #khris middleton #draymond green #demarcus cousins #klay thompson

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