Duane Rankin: “He’s got to see five defenders.” Frank Vogel on defending Anthony Edwards, who scored 33 points in Game 1 win over #Suns after averaging 14.3 points in the three regular season games Phoenix won in sweeping the regular season series. #NBAPlayoffs .
Source: Twitter @DuaneRankin
2004 | 6’10 | 6’10 WS | 209 LBS
Team: G League Ignite
Agent: Michael Tellem
Best aggregate mock draft rank: 2 / Worst rank: 8
In 2023-24, Buzelis averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game. He shot 44.8 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from three, and 67.9 percent from the foul line.
His parents, Kristina and Aidas, both played basketball professionally in Lithuania.
James Ham: “The city loves me and I love them.” -Malik Monk, who said his emotions are all over the board. He doesn’t know what lies ahead, but the decision to stay or leave will be tough.
Source: Twitter @James_HamNBA
James Edwards: I think one of the biggest issues for the Pistons this year was a lack of rim protection. For all of the upside Duren has as a guy who’s already an elite rebounder at 20 years old and has good touch around the rim with some playmaking stuff here and there, he’s really got to improve defensively. I think it goes back to what I said at the top of the podcast where I think the situation Detroit finds itself – and where it’s gotten worse every year of this rebuild – is there’s pressure to be better sooner than later. Читать дальше...
Duane Rankin: “That brother is special.” @stephenasmith on what Michael Jordan told him about Anthony Edwards GM1 vs. #Suns. SAS: “You see somebody coming, how do you stop their momentum? You stop their momentum by saying, ‘Yeah you coming, but dammit I’m here.’ We didn’t see that Saturday.” pic.twitter.com/l4O6Dm7dQk
Source: Twitter @DuaneRankin
Michael Scotto: Looking ahead to the offseason, Detroit could have up to $60 million in cap space if they decline Evan Fournier’s team option and let go of Troy Brown. Everyone is looking for them to do what the Houston Rockets did a summer ago and spend all their cap space available. From what I’ve heard, plan A is not to go the Houston route and spend all the cap space money they have in free agency. There’s a possibility Detroit will look to sign a free agent like Tobias Harris or Miles Bridges... Читать дальше...
James Edwards: They needed to add 3-point shooting and did so at the deadline with Simone Fontecchio. I think there’s no question he’s back next year, regardless of who’s running the show. He checked a lot of boxes. They have to go out and get more 3-point shooters. Malik Monk is someone I wouldn’t be surprised if they target in free agency. I would monitor teams like Brooklyn and Atlanta, who I think are at a crossroads and fit a lot of the archetypes that Detroit needs. I think there are going to be a lot of bad teams in the NBA next year... Читать дальше...
Run it Back: Shams Charania: “Giannis Antetokounmpo is progressing slowly but surely…From what I’m told this is a 2-4 week injury. Tuesday, game 2, marks 2 weeks for Giannis since the injury—so you’re looking at his window starting really over the next week, 2 weeks, for a potential return.”
Source: Twitter
Run it Back: “It’s crazy to me that Jimmy Butler played 3 quarters with what I’m hearing now was a severe MCL sprain. He is not going to be back in this series.” – Shams Charania
Source: Twitter
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Athletic’s Detroit Pistons beat writer James Edwards discuss potential Pistons trade and free agent targets, options at the NBA Draft, the futures of Monty Williams and Troy Weaver, and if Cade Cunningham will get a max extension on the latest episode of The HoopsHype Podcast.
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Tommy Beer: The Sixers have downgraded Tyrese Maxey to questionable for tonight’s vs. the Knicks due to an illness.
Source: Twitter @TommyBeer
Davis’ instincts also tell him that his value was overlooked when he was not selected as one of the three nominees for Defensive Player of the Year. “I’ll never get it,” Davis told ESPN when asked about the award. “They’re not giving it to me. The league doesn’t like me. I’m the best defensive player in the league. I can switch 1 through 5. I can guard the pick-and-roll the best in the league, from a big standpoint. I block shots. I rebound.
Source: ESPN
NBA: Playoffs-Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers t-shirts are draped over all seats prior to game one of the first…
Los Angeles Clippers t-shirts are draped over all seats prior to game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena.
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© Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2024-04-21
NBA: Playoffs-Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers t-shirts are... Читать дальше...
Gobert has the elite résumé, though, with the three DPOY awards, three All-Star appearances, an All-NBA Second Team selection and three All-NBA Third Team nods. He has the receipts from this season, as he was the indisputable anchor of a Minnesota defense that was the best in the league while Gobert finished second in rebounds (12.9) and sixth in blocks (2.1) on a team that came just two wins shy of earning the No. 1 seed in the West (it finished third). And as our resident Timberwolves expert Jon Krawczynski wrote in January... Читать дальше...
You think MJ’s getting nervous? King James almost took his (player poll) GOAT crown this time around, and he’ll do just that next year if this voting trend continues. In this endless debate, His Airness has experienced serious slippage for the third consecutive poll. Jordan had a huge edge in 2019 (73 percent to LeBron’s 11.9 percent) and was still nearly doubling him in 2023 (58.3 percent to 33 percent). Now the gap is only 3.8 percent. It makes some sense, though, as James is doing things at... Читать дальше...
Victor Wembanyama said last month that his friend and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert would be a worthy winner of the 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. But Wembanyama also added that, in future seasons, he, and not Gobert, would be the front-runner. Their NBA peers, however, feel Wembanyama’s time has already arrived. Players voted the towering Spurs rookie as the league’s best defender right now. Wembanyama led the league in blocks, averaging 3.58 per game. His next closest competitor... Читать дальше...
Jorge Sierra: James Harden passed Dirk Nowitzki and Scottie Pippen in playoff scoring yesterday. He’s No. 17 on the all-time list. Will move ahead of Magic Johnson during the Mavs series.
Source: Twitter @hoopshype
The 2024 playoffs are finally underway. As we did last season, Global Rating will track the players with the best performances on the big stage, using both their individual and team stats. The numbers will be updated after each postseason game.
Law Murray: “They don’t have Kawhi right now, so that was an adjustment for us” – Kyrie Irving on Mavericks poor first half, improvement after halftime
Source: Twitter @LawMurrayTheNU
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 after a tight game thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s go-ahead basket in the final minute of the contest.
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SportsComedyRap: James Worthy on greatness of Jokic: “To me Jokic is Magic Johnson & Kareem on the floor at the same time.”
Source: Twitter
Christian Clark: Final: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92 CJ got a good look at a potential game-winning 3. Back rimmed it. SGA 28 points. Trey Murphy led New Orleans with 21. Game 2 is Wednesday.
Source: Twitter @cclark_13
Brandon Rahbar: Jalen Williams says barking with the OKC crowd was a lot of fun: “We have great fans. The best in the NBA.” pic.twitter.com/9skJApliE4
Source: Twitter @BrandonRahbar
Eric Nehm: Damian Lillard on missing the playoffs the last few years: “Not being in the playoffs, it sucked…Last year, I went to Coachella. I ain’t ever been able to go to Coachella.”
Source: Twitter @eric_nehm
Eric Nehm: FINAL: Bucks 109, Pacers 94 – Lillard 35pts/6reb/3ast – Middleton 23pts/10reb/4ast – Portis 15pts/11reb – Lopez 11pts/4reb/3ast/3blk Bucks 1, Pacers 0.
Source: Twitter @eric_nehm