Новости за 19.02.2023

The All-Star MVP award is seen as a nice-to-have honor for NBA legends, particularly when compared to the must-have regular season and Finals MVP awards. That being said, the list of winners is as illustrious as it gets with players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant (after which the award is now named) among those with multiple trophies.

Tim Reynolds: More Heat news: per source, Kyle Lowry has hope of returning to the Miami lineup by the end of the month (which would indicate his knee soreness is improving). The picture with Lowry will become much clearer in the coming days, but there are encouraging signs.
Source: Twitter @ByTimReynolds

Michael Scotto: Ja Morant was asked what it would take for him to do the Slam Dunk Contest. “I’m not doing the dunk contest.”
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto

Tim Reynolds: It is – or technically, will be – done. As @Adrian Wojnarowski just said, AP can confirm Kevin Love intends to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers. And, per source, Cody Zeller is now targeting signing with the Heat as well.
Source: Twitter @ByTimReynolds

Adrian Wojnarowski: After clearing waivers, Kevin Love plans to sign with the Miami Heat, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN.
Source: Twitter @wojespn

Pelicans guard picked Facu after JJ Redick’s remarks to think about the most hated players. “What was the name of the little guy from the Denver Nuggets? He is in Europe now. Facu,” McCollum went with the No. 1 pick. “I can’t stand him. Great European player though,” the NBAer admitted. “Can’t stand him, [but] I wish him the best in Europe. I hope my brother gets to play against him.”
Source: BasketNews

McClung faced this dilemma last summer. He could have made over a million dollars playing either for Fenerbahce (Turkey) or the Shanghai Sharks (China). Fenerbahce is one of the top teams in the EuroLeague, which contains the top clubs from all of the top European domestic leagues. Outside of the NBA, it is the best league in the world. Six of Fenerbahce’s top eight scorers are American, including former college stars Johnathan Motley (Baylor) Nigel Hayes-Davis (Wisconsin), Carsen Edwards (Purdue) and Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin... Читать дальше...

Was there once a plan to get Michael Jordan to the Boston Celtics? It depends on whom you ask, it seems. Recalling a fleeting memory of exactly that from his youth, NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg dug into his recollection and found mixed results. Celtics vice president ML Carr, on one hand, swore it happened. “As I understand it, Jerry (Krause, Chicago Bulls GM) denied having the conversation, which is absolutely not true,” related Carr. Dominique Wilkins, who Carr wanted to pair with Jordan, did not recall what Carr did, however. Читать дальше...

The NBA trade deadline – even when it’s supposed to be a quiet one – is very often chaotic, with players getting traded who weren’t even rumored to be on the move.

Mac McClung shocked the basketball world with his win in the slam dunk contest and NBA Twitter reacted accordingly with many claiming the Sixers guard had actually saved the event, which had been in decline for years.

Clutch Points: Adam Lefkoe: “Can I get you to commit to doing the dunk contest again next year?” Mac McClung: “I got you. If you guys will have me, I’ll be back.” ?? pic.twitter.com/lWSsktptfV
Source: Twitter @ClutchPointsApp

Arash Markazi: 2023 Slam Dunk Champion Mac McClung. Incredible.
Source: Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Sixers guard Mac McClung, currently on a two-way contract that doesn’t pay an awful lot of money, was the sensation of All-Star Saturday with one of the finest performances we’ve seen at the dunk contest.

Jason Anderson: Damian Lillard is the 2023 3-Point Contest champion. Final round: Damian Lillard 26 Buddy Hield 25 Tyrese Haliburton 17
Source: Twitter @JandersonSacBee

Jaylen Brown said Udoka “helped us get over that hump” last season. “I want to see him back on his feet,” said Brown. “I’ve said that before, and I’ll say it again. I don’t feel bad that I’m saying that. Obviously,, it won’t be in a Boston uniform. Joe is upgraded to head coach now. I want to see all parties win. If the Celtics are doing fine, I want to see Ime (doing fine).”
Source: Sports Illustrated

Irving balked at the backlash that he and Durant received for taking matters into their own hands. “It’s a bad situation,” Irving said Saturday. “Why doesn’t anyone have the ability to ask for trades? That’s my question. When did it become terrible to make great business decisions for yourself and your happiness and peace of mind? Not every employer you’re going to get along with, so if you have the chance to go somewhere else and you’re doing it legally, I don’t think there’s a problem with it.”
Source... Читать дальше...

And lastly, I feel like the dunk contest, it could use a little bit of re-energizing. Would you ever want to do it? Zion Williamson: I’ll think about it. I’ll put heavy consideration into doing the dunk contest. I feel like if I am going to do it, I’d probably do it next year.
Source: Riley Jones @ complex.com

Ben Golliver: Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving: “I don’t know who created the term ‘load management.’ … I don’t know who started the narrative but it’s completely run amok. I think it’s dehumanized some of us in terms of the way we prepare ourselves day to day. This is a 24/7 job.”
Source: Twitter @BenGolliver

Tim Bontemps: NBPA president CJ McCollum says the union’s focus in CBA talks has been over finding ways to grow the game. He said the talks with the NBA are in “a great space.” Both sides agreed earlier this month to extend the opt-out date until the end of March.
Source: Twitter @TimBontemps

Michael Scotto: Donovan Mitchell on Nikola Jokic for MVP: “I don’t know if you’ve all been watching what Jokic’s been doing. It’s f****** outrageous, to be honest. I don’t know how many people have won it 3 times in a row, but he’s other worldly right now.” He also highly praised Joel Embiid.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto

Marc Stein: The Cavaliers, as part of Kevin Love’s buyout agreement, announce that they will retire his Cleveland No. 0 in the future. More NBA from me: marcstein.Substack.com
Source: Twitter @TheSteinLine

Marc J. Spears: Hawks say John Collins, who left Wednesday’s game vs. New York following a collision, was re-examined on Thursday. Collins has entered the NBA’s concussion protocol. He will be monitored daily and his status will be updated as appropriate.