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DeRozan fined for throwing basketball at referee

April 21, 2019NBALeave a Comment

San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan has been fined $25,000 for recklessly throwing the basketball toward a game official and into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which DeRozan was assessed one technical foul and ejected, occurred with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ 117-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, April 20 at AT&T Center.

To view the incident, click on the following link:

http://www.nba.com/video/2019/04/21/bbops-nuggets-spurs-042019

Larry Drew will not return to Cavaliers next season

April 11, 2019NBALeave a Comment

The Cleveland Cavaliers and head coach Larry Drew announced today they have mutually agreed that he will not return as the team’s head coach next season. Drew’s current contract expired with the conclusion of the 2018-19 Cavaliers season.

“We have great respect and appreciation for Larry and the job that he did as the head coach of the Cavaliers for nearly the entire 2018-19 campaign. He brought professionalism, class and steady leadership both this past season and prior four years,” said Altman. “Larry and I had a productive discussion about this past season, the future of the franchise and the search process that we will shortly launch regarding the head coaching role. Larry respectfully declined to participate in the search process and will not be returning to coach the Cavaliers. All of us in Cleveland wish Larry nothing but the best going forward.”

Drew was named head coach of the Cavaliers on November 5 and guided the team to an overall record of 19-63, with all 19 wins coming after Drew took over following the team’s 0-6 start to the 2018-19 season. Prior to his arrival to Cleveland, Drew held head coaching stints in Atlanta and Milwaukee before joining the Cavaliers first as an Assistant Coach and later as the Associate Head Coach, which includes the 2015-16 campaign when Cleveland won its first-ever NBA Championship.

“I want to thank Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman, the entire organization, and especially our fans, for what has been a very special and rewarding time here in Cleveland. Koby and I had a good discussion following the season and have both decided that the best decision for each of us was that I would not return to coach the team,” said Drew. “I am very proud of what we accomplished over the last several years together and will always cherish our Championship. I also want to commend our players this season for the bond that they established, the way they approached their jobs and the hard work and growth they had every day. I am very proud of them and wish them the best as they continue to develop for the future.”

Magic Johnson: ‘I was happier when I wasn’t president'(VIDEO)

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019NBALeave a Comment

In a total shocker, Magic Johnson has resigned as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 59-year-old Johnson made the announcement before the team’s game against the Blazers on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Johnson took over for Mitch Kupchak in February 2017.

According to Johnson, he had not told Lakers owner Jeanie Buss or GM Rob Pelinka about his decision.

Obviously, the highlight of Johnson’s time with Lakers was the signing of LeBron James. The biggest disappointment has to be not making the playoffs this season.

Listen below as Magic explains why he is stepping down:

Magic Johnson shocks – well, everyone – and announces he’s stepping down as president of the Lakers. Says he’s not yet spoken to Jeanie Buss to tell her. Says he’s sick of tampering rules, he’s tired of the “backstabbing” & says he didn’t want to disappoint Jeanie by firing Luke. pic.twitter.com/m50VKQmmDR

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 10, 2019

Clippers claim Rodney McGruder off waivers

April 9, 2019NBALeave a Comment

The L.A. Clippers have claimed guard Rodney McGruder off waivers, the team announced today. McGruder, who was recently waived by the Heat, is not eligible to participate in the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

McGruder, 27, has appeared in 66 games for the Miami Heat this season, averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23.5 minutes. The 6’4”, 200-pound guard holds career averages of 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.5 minutes in 162 appearances across three NBA seasons with Miami.

Prior to his time with the Heat, McGruder played two seasons in the G League, spending time with the Maine Red Claws and the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Spurs’ DeRozan: ‘The playoffs are everything'(WATCH)

April 7, 2019April 8, 2019NBALeave a Comment

For the 22nd straight year, the San Antonio Spurs will be in the playoffs. The Spurs got off to a slow start this season, and at times, it looked as if the Spurs would struggle to make the playoffs, especially after going 1-7 during their annual “Rodeo Road Trip” in February. But, after that dismal road trip, San Antonio went on a nine-game winning streak and would ultimately clinch a playoff berth.

Being a lower seeded team(7th seed) at this point, not many expect the Spurs to make a lot of noise in the playoffs, which is something Spurs G DeMar DeRozan said has been the case for him throughout his whole career.

“I mean I been that way my whole career,” DeRozan said about the Spurs being a dark horse in the playoffs. “Going into the playoffs and everything, so, no, I don’t mind it. It’s fun, it’s competitive, and that’s what you look forward to.”

DeRozan has had his share of playoff struggles over the years, which is one of the reasons the Raptors traded him to the Spurs last summer. In 2017, DeRozan averaged 27.8 ppg in the regular season, but that dropped 22.4 ppg in the playoffs. Last season, DeRozan averaged 24.4 ppg in the regular season, and that number fell to 22.7 in the playoffs.

“The playoffs are everything. It’s exciting, fun,” DeRozan said. “It’s what everybody is waiting to see. So, for us to be in that position, I think we are all excited.”

Players are judged by what they do in the playoffs, and it should be interesting to see if DeRozan can answer the call in these upcoming playoffs for the San Antonio Spurs.

(WATCH)Spurs’ Gay on playoff seeding: ‘I like to say it doesn’t matter, but obviously there are teams we match up with better’

April 6, 2019April 8, 2019NBA, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder have all clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference. However, where they will be seeded in the playoffs is still a mystery.

Every team wants to avoid the number one seed in the West, the Golden State Warriors. Currently, San Antonio(47-34) is tied with the Clippers(47-34) for the 7th seed(Spurs hold the tiebreaker), and are a 1/2 game behind the Thunder(47-33) for the 6th seed. If the playoffs started today, the Spurs would play the Nuggets in the first round.

According to Spurs F Rudy Gay, who San Antonio plays in the first round does matter.

“I like to say it doesn’t matter,” Gay said on Friday after the Spurs routed the Wizards 129-112 in D.C. “But, obviously there are teams we match up with better. Going into the playoffs, you have to give it your all, so no matter what we want to be in there and actually compete. So, we have to be ready no matter who it is.”

This season, the Spurs are 2-1 against the Warriors, 2-2 against the Nuggets, and 1-3 against the Rockets. If I’m San Antonio, I would want to take my chances against the Nuggets. While Denver has a lot of talent, this team has a young core that has not tasted the playoffs, which could be an advantage for the more experienced Spurs.

Listen below as Gay talks victory over Wizards, playing in D.C, playoffs, and the “Rodeo Road Trip.”:

Statement from 76ers on Bobby Jones’ selection to Hall of Fame

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019NBALeave a Comment

Here is a statement from the Philadelphia 76ers on Bobby Jones’ being selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

The Philadelphia 76ers organization today congratulates Bobby Jones on his appointment to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. At a press conference held in Minneapolis today, the site of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, the Hall of Fame announced that Jones, Bill Fitch, Sidney Moncrief, Jack Sikma, Paul Westphal, the Tennessee A&I teams of 1957-59, Teresa Weatherspoon, Al Attles, Charles “Chuck” Cooper, Vlade Divac, Carl Braun and the Wayland Baptist University teams of 1948-82 will make up the Class of 2019.

“Bobby Jones is among the all-time greats in the history of 76ers basketball and we are thrilled that he has been selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Bobby’s impact on the game of basketball, the city of Philadelphia and his hometown of Charlotte cannot be overstated. A true gentleman and legendary basketball player, he is the embodiment of a Hall of Famer,” Managing Partner, Philadelphia 76ers and Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Josh Harris said.

Jones was named to eight straight NBA All-Defensive First Teams from 1976-84, four NBA All-Star Games and won the first-ever NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1983. He led the NBA in field-goal percentage with a .578 mark in 1977-78 with Denver. During his eight seasons with the 76ers, he averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and was an All-Star in both 1981 and 1982. His 694 blocks and .542 field-goal percentage both rank fifth-best in 76ers franchise history, while his 727 steals are seventh. Jones had his No. 24 retired by the 76ers on Nov. 7, 1986, the season after his retirement from the NBA.

“Congratulations to Bobby Jones on his well-deserved appointment to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Bobby is one of the greatest players ever to compete for the Philadelphia 76ers; a four-time NBA All-Star, eight-time All-Defensive First Team selection, Sixth Man of the Year and, of course, an NBA champion. Bobby’s tenacious defense and passion for the game have long endeared him to the city of Philadelphia, and it’s only right that he be forever remembered as a Hall of Famer,” Co-Managing Partner, Philadelphia 76ers and Co-Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment David Blitzer said.

Across 774 NBA games with Denver and Philadelphia, Jones held career averages of 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Jones also played two seasons in the ABA for Denver, earning an All-Star nod in 1976. All told, Jones shot .550 from the field across his 10 NBA seasons and is one of eight non-active players in league history to hold such a shooting percentage in 750-plus games. Among the others to do so are Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Artis Gilmore, Kevin McHale and Shaquille O’Neal.

A defensive stalwart, Jones was a key cog in the 76ers’ 1983 title run, posting 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest. He joined fellow Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Moses Malone as the only Philadelphia players with at least 15 steals and 15 blocks in the postseason. Jones played three collegiate seasons as a member of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels before beginning his professional career.

The Class of 2019 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts, the birthplace of basketball, Sept. 5-7, 2019.

76ers waive Justin Patton; Philly expected to sign Greg Monroe

April 3, 2019NBALeave a Comment

Philadelphia 76ers waived C Justin Patton, the team announced today, and according to reports, the team is expected to sign C Greg Monroe, who just completed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics.

Patton was acquired on Nov. 12, 2018 in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and appeared in three NBA games for the 76ers this season.

Additionally, Patton spent time with the 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, where he appeared in 11 games (two starts) and posted 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game.

Patton has appeared in four NBA games and 49 G League games over two seasons with Minnesota and Philadelphia. Originally selected by Chicago with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Patton played one collegiate season at Creighton before entering the draft.

Photos: Boxer Amir Khan meets Golden State Warriors

April 2, 2019Boxing, NBALeave a Comment

Before continuing his preparation for his April 20 world title showdown against pound-for-pound kingpin Terence “Bud” Crawford, former world champion Amir “King” Khan (33-4, 20 KOs) made a pit stop Monday at the Golden State Warriors practice facility to meet the players and staff of the two-time defending NBA champions.

During his visit, Khan posed for photos and gifted signed gloves for DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and head coach Steve Kerr.

Immediately following the Warriors practice, Khan returned to the gym as he prepares to challenge Crawford for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at Madison Square Garden.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing and Khan Promotions, tickets for this world championship event priced at $606, $406, $306, $206, $106, $81, and $56 (including facility fees) can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

Photos/Top Rank/Mikey Williams:

Skip Bayless: ‘Manu Ginobili is easily top 30 all-time'(VIDEO)

March 29, 2019NBALeave a Comment

Manu Ginobili had a great career, so much so, that the San Antonio Spurs retired his #20 jersey on Thursday night in San Antonio.

During his 16-year NBA career, all with the Spurs, he won four NBA titles; Ginobili and LeBron James are the only two players in NBA postseason history with at least 3,000 points and 300 three-pointers in the playoffs.

Ginobili is one of 10 players ever to appear in over 200 playoff games, he came off the bench 165 times and is the all-time leader in NBA postseason history as a reserve in points (2,014), assists (576), rebounds (635), steals (205), field goals made (630), three-pointers made (226) and free throws made (528).

Ginobili was a two-time All-Star (2005 and 2011). The 2008 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is the first sixth man, as well as the first South American, to earn All-NBA honors.

Ginobili is most definitely a Hall of Famer, but according to Skip Bayless, Ginobili is a top-30 all-time NBA player.

Listen to what Bayless had to say on FS1’s “Undisputed” on Friday: