Jamal Murray had an opportunity to tie the score as time expired in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals, but his step-back 3-pointer against Jimmy Butler bounced off the rim. It was a shot Murray has made on multiple occasions. When he missed, he was more surprised than than disappointed. It shows the level … [Read more…]
Eventually, some team is going to break the streak. In the history of the NBA, when teams take a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series, the likelihood of having a shot at winning the series is about as improbable as correctly choosing all six numbers in the lottery. It’s a 1 in 13,983,816 chance … [Read more…]
After making a crucial mid-range shot in the fourth quarter of his first NBA playoff game, an energized Austin Reaves jogged back on defense and screamed toward the L.A. Lakers bench saying, “I’m him! I’m him!” The meme-mable moment was one of the defining images of the 2023 NBA playoffs. It was extra special for … [Read more…]
Victor Wembanyama doesn’t like being called “The Unicorn.” It’s the nickname mostly associated with Latvian standout Kristaps Porzingis. About the only thing Wembanyama and Porzingis have in common is their height. Both are extremely tall men raised on European soil. But the comparisons end there. Wembanyama is a far, far better prospect at this stage … [Read more…]
For the past eight seasons, no one has been able to solve the Golden State Warriors’ perplexing puzzle. Until now. The four-time NBA champions were finally dethroned as the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Warriors in six games in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers became the first Western Conference team to beat the … [Read more…]
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks were shocked. The betting favorites to win the 2023 NBA title went home in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, suffering through a painful 4-1 series loss to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA champion, was forced to answer difficult questions … [Read more…]
Prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant was asked about how the Brooklyn Nets were able to right the ship after a disastrous start. Durant had a simple explanation for the resurgence. “What we did was simplify both ends of the basketball,” Durant said. “Shored up our roles individually. Coach shored up … [Read more…]
For 34 years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points stood as the gold standard of NBA records. It was a record many thought would never be broken. LeBron James did the unthinkable when he broke Kareem’s longstanding record on Feb. 7, 2023 to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It was a crowning achievement for King James, … [Read more…]
On the night Kareem Abdul-Jabber surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, legendary play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn made a bold prediction. Moments after Abdul-Jabbar thanked the crowd at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas and walked off the court holding the record-setting basketball in his hands, the voice of the Los … [Read more…]
When the Los Angeles Clippers played the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 17, it marked just the 16th time that Paul George and Kawhi Leonard shared the court together for the Clippers. The lack of cohesion and lineup uncertainties are Clippers coach Tyronn Lue’s biggest challenges since taking over the team during the pandemic year of … [Read more…]