Новости за 11.04.2023

“In 2020, I was … ready to walk away from the game.” Giannis Antetokounmpo continues talking, but it is now impossible to comprehend anything he’s saying. “I had that conversation – yes – with the front office. I said…” Wait, what? Walk away? From the game? Is there anyone who loves basketball more than him? What happened in 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption of play in the Orlando “bubble,” the public mandates, the empty arenas. The social justice protests. It was defined by mental health professionals as a global health crisis... Читать дальше...

Tim MacMahon: Mavs GM Nico Harrison has “optimism” the Kyrie Irving will return to Dallas in free agency. Irving expressed appreciation for how the franchise has treated him during his exit interview with the front office yesterday.
Source: Twitter @espn_macmahon

The Washington Wizards are headed back to the lottery for the fifth time in six seasons. They were hoping to get back to the playoffs with a healthy Bradley Beal and more continuity with Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, but they remained in the middle of the pack. Doubts about their ability to reach contention anytime soon could lead to questions about their future and those of their top players.

Cody Taylor: Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in March and April.
Source: Twitter @CodyTaylorNBA

Mark Giannotto: Dillon Brooks: “I wouldn’t mind playing LeBron in a 7-game series.” Why? “The legacy is there. First time back in the playoffs, knock him out right away in the first round. It’ll test us good. They got good pieces, good players, and that’ll be a good 1st round matchup for us.”
Source: Twitter @mgiannotto

Marc Stein: Jalen Williams and Paolo Banchero win the final West and East Rookie of the Month awards for April. More NBA from me: http://marcstein.Substack.com
Source: Twitter @TheSteinLine

Michael Scotto: The Grizzlies signed Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a 4-year, $6.93 million deal, which is fully guaranteed next season, non-guaranteed for the 2024-25 season, and has a team option for the 2025-26 season, league sources told @hoopshype. He recently had 42 points and 14 rebounds in a game
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto

Shams Charania: Reporting on Trae Young’s future in Atlanta and conversations that could take place in offseason:

Will Guillory: Zion Williamson says the main thing holding him back right now is getting over the mental hurdle of his injury. Says there are times when he still feels a hesitation when he makes certain moves. He doesn’t wanna play until he “feels like Zion”
Source: Twitter @WillGuillory

Dustin Dopirak: Kevin Pritchard: “Ty is our guy. We want him here as long as he wants to be here. … Ty is going to be here a long time.” Said he thinks they can get that done.
Source: Twitter @DustinDopirak

Adrian Wojnarowski: Four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is signing with the Guaynabo Mets of the Puerto Rican Professional Basketball League, sources tell ESPN. Cousins, 32, will play this spring there to continue to try and find a pathway back to the NBA.
Source: Twitter @wojespn

Check the best pictures from the 2023 WNBA Draft down below.

Luka Doncic‘s debut of the Jordan Luka 2 was the highlight of the week in the NBA’s sneaker world. Too bad we won’t see any more of that this season.

The early (stress: very early) rumbles have led to projections of a three- or four-year pact. As I’ve also been saying, over and over, Dallas will face major roster-building challenges to find the shooting, rim protection and defense on the wing that it needs even if negotiations with Irving go swimmingly.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com

Irving’s current deal will come to an end after this season. The Mavs obviously knew this coming in when they pulled the trigger on the blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, and they were well aware of the fact that there was a significant risk of Kyrie being nothing more than a half-season rental for them. If you ask ESPN’s NBA guru Ramona Shelburne, however, she is adamant that the Mavs will be able to strike a deal with Irving this summer: “They feel really good about their chances of keeping Kyrie Irving,” Shelburne said. Читать дальше...

Grant Afseth: Luka Doncic was asked if he plans to assist the Dallas Mavericks in their efforts to re-sign Kyrie Irving in free agency. “I mean, yeah. I think it’s a great fit. Obviously, people are going to say no. I mean, I look at the results we’re having, but you know, like I said, chemistry and relationships take time. I wish he can still be here.”
Source: Twitter

“I definitely like it here,” Grant said. “I’m looking forward to the talks and trying to figure something out. I definitely feel comfortable here.”
Source: Jason Quick @ The Athletic

When asked Monday about his long-term future in Charlotte, Ball said he “plays it by the day.” “I love it here,” said Ball, who is from California. “I can’t really tell the future. We’ll just see how it goes and go from there.” As for Clifford’s comments about it being critical for the Hornets to start winning to keep him here, Ball replied: “For sure. The main thing is winning. Life if better when you win.”
Source: Associated Press @ ESPN

Trae Young was heavily compared to Stephen Curry early in his career. Did you ever buy into it? (Laughing) A small, light-skinned guard that can shoot the deep 3s. The NBA loves to compare. Now, Trae has definitely pushed himself into his own category. I can definitely say for sure that he’s a way better playmaker than Steph and he’s a better isolation scorer, right? But obviously, there’s different things that he does better and Steph does better. I just feel like, at this point in the league... Читать дальше...

Clippers star Paul George thinks that LeBron James has the best signature move in the NBA. It is the one where the four-time NBA champion looks at the ball before taking a shot. “It’s so effective though, like, what’s the percentage on it? I’ve never seen him miss it,” George said on Podcast P with Paul George. “You he’s about to shoot when he stare at that motherf*cker. He knows what it is… I’ve never seen him miss it “Because when he do it, like, what the f*ck you lookin’ at? … It’s effective bro… Funniest clip with Bron... Читать дальше...

Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has further solidified his link with Under Armour. The two-time MVP received 8.8 million restricted stock units of the company’s common stock on April 3 as part of his extended role as brand ambassador, a package valued at $75 million, as disclosed in a recent SEC filing. Under Armour’s extended contract has the potential to be a lifetime deal for the NBA star if revenue goals are met.
Source: Andrew Cohen @ Front Office Sports

Whoever it is that ultimately fills that role, many questions remain beyond the coaching seat. Will they land Wembanyama in the June 22 draft, or perhaps the presumptive No. 2 pick in Scoot Henderson? There is, sources say, significant pressure on Stone to get this summer right. “It could be a make or break summer for (Stone),” one source with knowledge of the team’s dynamics said.
Source: Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, Sam Amick @ The Athletic

Draymond Green on Rudy Gobert: ‘I personally think Rudy Gobert is on the softer side’
Source: YouTube

Timberwolves PR: Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow’s game at Los Angeles Lakers:
Source: Twitter @Twolves_PR

Whoever it is that ultimately fills that role, many questions remain beyond the coaching seat. Will they land Wembanyama in the June 22 draft, or perhaps the presumptive No. 2 pick in Scoot Henderson? There is, sources say, significant pressure on Stone to get this summer right. “It could be a make or break summer for (Stone),” one source with knowledge of the team’s dynamics said.
Source: Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, Sam Amick @ The Athletic