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Friday night’s blockbuster three-team trade has now been finalised on the eve of pre-season, after the moving parts were agreed upon in a surprising move for cross-conference sides keen to improve wherever possible following deep postseason runs last term. New York already look much different than last term, but will their summer splash prove decisive in their championship charge?
Continue reading “Stunning three-team trade official, Towns is NY-bound as Randle has a new home”
A year on from being traded to Brooklyn, Mikal Bridges’ name popped up frequently in trade talks before the deadline closed earlier this month – with the Nets keen to build around their ironman forward, enjoying a career-year as scoring leader. They’ve now dismissed head coach Jacque Vaughn, with Kevin Ollie’s promotion coming as they plot the future after a tough losing stretch. Continue reading “Nets fire Vaughn, Ollie promoted to interim HC as they build around Bridges”
During a recent podcast appearance, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie conceded uncertainty remains around the franchise, and leaguewide, until the respective futures of All-Star duo Damian Lillard and James Harden are resolved. Both made trade requests public in July and with a few weeks before training camp begins, multiple ball clubs are involved in potential scenarios. Continue reading “Nets’ Dinwiddie: Harden and Lillard’s unclear futures mean offseason isn’t over”
Absorbing knowledge from Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix, a stunning trade has offered Mikal Bridges the opportunity to show what he’s learned offensively – accompanying his brilliant defensive skills – and he’s flourished thus far among new teammates in Brooklyn. Given recent uncertainty surrounding the franchise, that bodes well for the Nets’ long-term future. Continue reading “Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild”
February 9 is now in the rearview mirror, with All-Star weekend almost upon us. After the Kyrie Irving move to Dallas opened up a series of trades – both small and significant – I take a look at them in this piece, assessing where that leaves some ball clubs as well as specific players who’ll find themselves in differing situations over the coming months – like the pair above in Brooklyn. Continue reading “NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections”
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?
Continue reading “NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week”
Unbeaten in pre-season but overwhelmed by Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell recently, the Sacramento Kings overcame adversity by executing big plays late on to emerge victorious and ice a hotly-contested clash against the reigning Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns. Continue reading “Suns 107-110 Kings: Barnes’ dagger three ices game as Sacramento show their maturity”
All-Star guard Devin Booker had the uneviable task of travelling with two newly-crowned NBA champions en route to the Tokyo Olympics, his head coach Monty Williams was in reflective mood after watching the Bucks blast back from 2-0 down while star PG Chris Paul shunned other offers to agree an expensive extension in the desert. So, what’s next for the Suns? Continue reading “Phoenix licked their Finals wounds, but now signals time for more work”
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a seven-point deficit early after half-time to surge back ahead of a spirited but inefficient Phoenix Suns effort. Clinching their first NBA title for 50 years with a raucous Game 6 home atmosphere to savour, Mike Budenholzer’s men did it the hard way.
Continue reading “Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971”
During Monday’s NBA Finals media conference, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard was bullish when asked about what many believe has been a fortunate run to the league’s showpiece event – profiting against three Western Conference teams suffering pivotal injuries.
Continue reading “Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run”
Devin Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists as the All-Star guard seized the initiative and lead by example in Chris Paul’s absence to record his first career triple-double, earning a hard-fought 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers – who had big games from Paul George and Reggie Jackson, but eventually ran out of shooting steam down the stretch. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns 120-114 LA Clippers: Booker brilliance helps hosts gladly snatch Game 1”
Helped as they raced to a 22-6 first quarter run, Anthony Davis and the Lakers earned an impressive 123-110 win over the Phoenix Suns – limiting their leading scorer Devin Booker’s efficiency as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne were key in keeping things competitive. Continue reading “Lakers 123-110 Suns: Anthony Davis sparkles as LA ease to important win”
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