After posting his second-highest scoring total since eventually joining Miami in a trade from Houston 13 months ago, is two-time All-Star shooting guard Victor Oladipo now ready to be their x-factor as the postseason deepens, with questions over Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler? Continue reading
Tag: Eastern Conference
After firing James Borrego, Charlotte can’t afford to waste potential with his successor
In a surprise to some, the Hornets sacked their head coach James Borrego on Friday after the Hornets again failed to make the postseason for a sixth consecutive year. Despite more year-on-year improvement, it’s clear the franchise view themselves as much better than a play-in team, but will they get the next hire right? Frank Vogel, recently dismissed from the Lakers, and Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson are linked with the new vacancy.
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2021-22 NBA award finalists named: Jordan Poole, Jaren Jackson Jr snubbed for MIP shortlist
As everyone recovered from the end of an enthralling Game 1 between Brooklyn and Boston overnight, the NBA announced half-a-dozen three-man shortlists for this year’s awards. Some didn’t need a debate, like MVP and Coach of the Year, while others sparked outrage and incredulity as Warriors’ Jordan Poole and Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr were snubbed.
NBA news digest: Head coach movement, injury updates and more as playoffs inbound
Mere moments after the Lakers’ season-ending overtime win vs. the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, news leaked surrounding Frank Vogel’s impending sacking – just 18 months after leading LA to a title following another injury-hit campaign. Alvin Gentry won’t remain Sacramento’s head coach, while there are updates on Luka Doncic (calf) and Gregg Popovich among others. Continue reading
NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week
A 12-game slate overnight kickstarts a manic week across the league, as teams and their star players look to solidify strong playoff seeding. Phoenix have long tied up top spot in the West, but what about the other contenders? In a rapidly-changing East, which of the top four teams will ultimately rule the roost? Which teams will avoid the play-in, going straight to the playoffs?
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Nuggets head coach Michael Malone confirms key duo Jamal Murray, Porter Jr won’t return soon
While reigning MVP Nikola Jokic continues reeling off matchwinning efforts to help the Denver Nuggets defy everyone’s expectations, his head coach Mike Malone has tempered expectations after an injury update: shooting guard Jamal Murray (ACL) and small forward Michael Porter Jr (back) won’t return yet – despite reports suggesting the contrary with the postseason close by. Continue reading
NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months
A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading
Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason
Three-time All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal acknowledged, when quizzed, that he’s leaning towards re-signing with the Wizards this summer. Turning 29 in June and eligible for a five-year, $246m extension if he declines next year’s player option, will the franchise star live to regret his indecisiveness or be truly satisfied with how things have unfolded in recent seasons?
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Nuggets to extend DeMarcus Cousins’ contract, 76ers sign Cauley-Stein to 10-day deal
DeMarcus Cousins, who has split time with Milwaukee and Denver this term, is poised to have his contract fully guaranteed for the rest of the campaign. Meanwhile free agent center Willie Cauley-Stein, a former teammate of Cousins in Sacramento, has a golden opportunity to settle himself into a big man role with a championship-contending team out East in Philadelphia. Continue reading
Joel Embiid’s masterful Milwaukee night reinforces his MVP credentials, with Harden to come
Leading the league in points per game and posting a monstrous 42-point double-double against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks overnight, Joel Embiid is a clear MVP favourite before this All-Star break. With James Harden still to integrate after last week’s big trade, how will the dynamics shift as the big man hopes to end years of playoff frustration? Continue reading
Tyrese Haliburton is point guard of our future, says Pacers’ president Kevin Pritchard
After being involved in a surprising Domantas Sabonis trade package which sent him to the Indiana Pacers midweek, surging young guard Tyrese Haliburton – who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last term – has been hailed as their key franchise building block.
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CJ McCollum to the Pelicans: This exit from Portland felt inevitable, but also long overdue
Midway through his ninth NBA campaign, after 564 regular season games and 57 more in the playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum has been acquired as part of a seven-player trade package sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the end of an era in Oregon for the 30-year-old, while opening up new opportunities elsewhere. But why now?
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