NBA

Gilgeous-Alexander produces career-high 45 and against who else but the Clippers?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives against James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Paycom Center...

Critics will quickly opine the Thunder are a regular season team, exciting and easy to root for when it’s going well, but if adversity arrives then their supplementary players start to hide or falter under the brightest lights. Nights like this, where their franchise star reached new heights, suggests otherwise. Continue reading “Gilgeous-Alexander produces career-high 45 and against who else but the Clippers?”

NBA

Chicago trade Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey in surprise deal – OKC stay being shrewd!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to drive past Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Paycom Center...

The market for Alex Caruso stretched far and wide, before the February trade deadline and quietly behind-the-scenes afterwards, but yet again Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has done it – a straight swap with Josh Giddey – for the league’s most-coveted role player at a time of his career where he can seamlessly elevate a championship-contending team again.
Continue reading “Chicago trade Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey in surprise deal – OKC stay being shrewd!”

NBA

Mature beyond his years, Houston’s Alperen Sengun is already must-watch TV

Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets celebrates after a three point basket in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on...

In an ever-changing era where unicorns are being heralded, the role of your traditional big man has continued to evolve. Houston center Alperen Sengun has thrived this season, Year 3 of the Turkish international’s NBA experience and his maturity translates on the court – particularly in games like yesterday’s dominant display against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.  Continue reading “Mature beyond his years, Houston’s Alperen Sengun is already must-watch TV”

NBA

Chet Holmgren injury: OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti stresses team won’t tank after Lisfranc diagnosis

Chet Holmgren stands on the court during the CrawsOver Pro-Am game at Seattle Pacific University on August 20, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

Disaster has already struck for OKC after news today confirmed their no. 2 draft pick, Chet Holmgren, will miss his entire rookie season with a Linsfranc injury to his right foot suffered in last week’s CrawsOver Pro-Am event. OKC’s GM Sam Presti told reporters this unwelcome blow will not impact the team’s competitiveness this coming season. But how does he know?
Continue reading “Chet Holmgren injury: OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti stresses team won’t tank after Lisfranc diagnosis”

NBA

NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound

Commissioner Adam Silver and Paolo Banchero pose for photos after Banchero was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2022...

After countless reports suggested Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr would be this summer’s top draft pick, the Orlando Magic presented the first in a night of surprises and trade moves aplenty by selecting Duke’s Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick – adding another talented youngster to an ever-growing core of players hopeful they’ll be nowhere near the lottery in the near future. Continue reading “NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound”

NBA

Staking his claim: Paolo Banchero believes he’s top player in this summer’s NBA draft

Alongside Jabari Smith and Chet Holmgren, the Duke power forward is widely touted to be a top-three draft selection next week. So, would you expect any less than these bullish comments from the 19-year-old after a memorable college season?
Continue reading “Staking his claim: Paolo Banchero believes he’s top player in this summer’s NBA draft”

Archives, Specials

Paolo Banchero, Duke and the all-important question still to be answered

Julien Soumaoro of the Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs defends Paolo Banchero of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Cameron...

Through four appearances to start the new season, Duke’s 6’10 power forward star Paolo Banchero is averaging 17 points on 62.5% shooting and 8.5 rebounds per game. Seeded ninth in the ACC, they are unbeaten (5-0) at the time of writing. But as they look towards an uncertain future in the months ahead, will their Seattle-born five-star recruit be allowed to flourish? Continue reading “Paolo Banchero, Duke and the all-important question still to be answered”