Tag: NBA – English

  • Stephen Curry has some good advice for Draymond Green after copying and smoothing out his iconic celebration

    Stephen Curry has some good advice for Draymond Green after copying and smoothing out his iconic celebration

    Stephen Curry‘s ‘night-night’ gesture has taken the league by storm. Since introducing it during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Curry‘s iconic move-resting his head on his hands as if going to sleep-has become a global sensation. Even international stars such as Lionel Messi have mimicked the celebration on the soccer field.

    Now, one of Curry‘s own teammates has given it a go, and the results have sparked plenty of conversation. During the Golden State Warriors‘ 97-94 victory over the New York Knicks, Draymond Green had his moment to shine.

    With under 30 seconds left in the game, Green delivered a clutch basket, putting the Warriors up by six points. As the Chase Center crowd erupted in cheers, Green confidently pulled out his version of the ‘night-night’ celebration-a moment that was both entertaining and, as Curry would later describe, much improved from his previous attempts.

    Steph Curry evaluates Green’s take on his famous move

    Following the game, Curry was asked about Green’s version of his signature move during the post-game press conference. The four-time NBA champion had plenty to say about his teammate’s execution.

    “I did know he’s evolved his version of it since the Minnesota game earlier in the year. He’s softened it a little bit,” Curry noted.

    Curry was referring to an earlier instance on December 8 when Green attempted the ‘night-night’ celebration after sealing a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a late-game dunk over Rudy Gobert.

    However, his overly aggressive take on the move-complete with a dramatic sprint down the court-quickly became the subject of online memes. Even in the Warriors‘ locker room, Moses Moody jokingly dubbed it ‘the nightmare’ rather than ‘night-night’ because of how exaggerated it looked.

    This time, however, Curry acknowledged that Green had toned it down, keeping it closer to the original.

    “He’s brought it down to where a pillow is supposed to really be. I realized he does everything aggressive and with his whole body, so I’m giving that a solid A- effort on the ‘night-night’ tonight. That was beautiful,” Curry added with a smile.



    Source link

  • The destruction Jimmy Butler left behind: He continues to shine while Miami Heat wallow in despair

    The destruction Jimmy Butler left behind: He continues to shine while Miami Heat wallow in despair

    The Jimmy Butler drama with the Miami Heat was something to behold. Building up for seemingly a long time, it all finally came to head in the months leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline. Butler was suspended by the Heat on several occasions for “conduct detrimental to the team”. What started as a question about Butler’s health turned into a question of how much the Heat would stand for his behavior.

    It lasted longer than either side would have hoped, but Butler was finally traded to the Golden State Warriors in early February. When Butler was traded, the Heat were in a decent position in the Eastern Conference. They had a 25-24 record and competed hard even without Butler in the lineup. But since they shipped him off, their season has come crumbling down. That was no more apparent than in their latest loss, a 125-91 shellacking at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

    That escalated quickly! Jimmy Butler and Steve Kerr exchange words after a Warriors game

    Miami Heat now 4-14 since Jimmy Butler trade, Warriors 14-1 with him

    Since Butler left the team, the Heat have gone 4-14 and lost seven in a row. Meanwhile, the Warriors are 14-1 with Butler whenever he plays.

    That success for the Warriors with Butler is obviously not sustainable, but the Heat’s incompetence without him might be. Miami needed another scoring star to pair with Butler before the season even began. They didn’t get that, which in part is why Butler left.

    Surprisingly, the Heat are still in a play-in spot as things stand. That’s how bad the Eastern Conference is this year. The Warriors have climbed up to 6th place in a stacked Western Conference.



    Source link

  • LeBron James 'ignores' Doncic's great performance as he gives Stephen Curry all he deserves

    LeBron James 'ignores' Doncic's great performance as he gives Stephen Curry all he deserves

    Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry once again etched his name in NBA history, becoming the first player ever to drain 4,000 career three-pointers. The milestone came in a game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, further cementing Curry’s legacy as the greatest shooter of all time.

    Shortly after Curry hit his record-breaking triple, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James wasted no time in showing his admiration for the historic feat. Taking to X, James celebrated Curry’s unprecedented achievement with a message of respect and appreciation.

    “4K from Trey is CRAZY!!!!! Congrats my brother!! That’s [fire emojis] @StephenCurry30,” James wrote, using Curry’s signature chef emoji to symbolize his shooting excellence.

    Though Curry had a relatively quiet game with just 11 points and two made three-pointers, his third-quarter shot that pushed him past 4,000 was met with thunderous “MVP” chants from the home crowd.

    The accomplishment adds to a long list of shooting records held by Curry, who in December 2021 surpassed Ray Allen’s 2,973 career three-pointers to become the league’s all-time leader.

    Lakers struggle without LeBron, Bucks snap skid

    While Curry was making history, the Lakers struggled in the absence of LeBron James, falling 126-106 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led a well-rounded attack for the Bucks, snapping a three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic put up a dominant 45-point performance for Los Angeles but couldn’t lift his team to victory as they slipped to a 40-24 record.

    The Lakers, who have now dropped consecutive games without James due to a groin injury, will look to bounce back when they take on the Denver Nuggets (42-24). The Bucks, on the other hand, aim for back-to-back wins as they prepare to host the Indiana Pacers (36-28).



    Source link

  • Real reason behind Jimmy Butler's explosive fallout with Miami Heat revealed as Warriors reap rewards

    Real reason behind Jimmy Butler's explosive fallout with Miami Heat revealed as Warriors reap rewards

    Jimmy Butler is no stranger to controversies. At seemingly every destination he’s been at throughout his NBA career, it has ended badly. Of course, it’s not easy to find a happy ending everywhere, but Butler’s exits from multiple teams have been shrouded in bravado and a bit of randomness.

    His exits from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers speak for themselves, but the end of his time with the Miami Heat was shocking. Throughout this current season, no one could decipher if Butler was ever injured or just didn’t want to play. That led to suspensions by the team, and ultimately a trade to the Golden State Warriors. Butler was clearly upset with the Heat, with many opining it was just because he wanted a new contract.

    That escalated quickly! Jimmy Butler and Steve Kerr exchange words after a Warriors game

    Jimmy Butler felt undervalued and unwanted by Miami Heat

    On Thursday, a report emerged that shed more light on Butler’s fallout with the Heat. Plugged-in NBA reporter Marc Spears published a story with quotes from Butler and some information from his own sources. Butler apparently felt undervalued and unwanted by the Heat.

    [With the Warriors] “I saw a group that wanted me to be a part of it,” Butler said. “That’s all you ever wanted to be is wanted in this life, not just in this league. In anything, you want to be wanted”… Butler wanted to be traded because he felt the Heat were moving in a direction without him in mind and he wanted to be more valued, sources said.

    No one is quite sure what Butler means by “moving in a direction without him“. Perhaps he’s talking about teammates Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo taking on more of a load offensively over the past couple of seasons, but that should have benefited Butler, who at times was a one-man army for the team.

    Even after these comments, many fans still believe Butler was only ever angling for a bigger contract. Perhaps the Heat simply didn’t want to give it to him due to his age and injury history.

    Meanwhile, Butler continues performing in an outstanding manner with the Warriors. Golden State has now won 11 straight games with Butler in the lineup, and are 13-1 when he plays.



    Source link

  • LeBron James cannot escape from Stephen A. Smith controversy as former Lakers star claims mistreatment

    LeBron James cannot escape from Stephen A. Smith controversy as former Lakers star claims mistreatment

    Throughout his legendary career, LeBron James has been called many things — Bron, LBJ, the Chosen One, even The King. He has also been called “LeGM“, a distinction that the best player of his generation (and one of the best ever) has routinely railed against.

    Central to the “LeGM” narrative is the idea that James — whether he has been in Cleveland, Miami, or Los Angeles — acts as his franchise’s de facto general manager, bringing his friends on board and “kicking out” players with whom he does not get along. One of James‘ former teammates, a star player in his own right during his prime, has made a huge allegation against him that compounds issues LeBron is already facing with ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith.

    Dwight Howard: LeBron kicked me off the Lakers

    Former Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard has had a complicated relationship with the Lakers franchise. Initially acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Orlando Magic in 2012, Howard endured one difficult season in Los Angeles before heading to the Houston Rockets in free agency; he later rejoined the Lakers for two more stints and won his sole NBA championship with the franchise during the 2020 COVID “bubble”.

    Now, Howard is making the explosive claim that James — the star player on the 2020 championship team — effectively kicked him off the team after he used vulgarity in an attempt to convince James to get back on defense.

    “It was after we won the championship, man,” Howard explained on the “Above the Rim with DH12” podcast. “It happened on defense. I was like, ‘Yo, you gotta get back.’ And (LeBron) got mad because I said something. And I was like, ‘Yo, stop acting like a b****, man.’”

    Howard’s third and final stint with the Lakers in 2021/22 was a disappointing one; despite boasting one of the NBA’s top rosters on papers, Los Angeles finished with a mediocre 33-49 record and missed the playoffs, perhaps due to the infighting to which Howard has alluded. The five-time All-NBA first team selection and probable Basketball Hall of Fame inductee has not played in the league since; Howard has played some basketball overseas, but at 39 years old, he seems content to no longer have to deal with the rigor of an 82-game NBA schedule…while James, 40, continues to shine for the Lakers.



    Source link

  • LeBron James dubbed a hypocrite for treatment of Stephen A. Smith as Bronny James controversy refuses to go away

    LeBron James dubbed a hypocrite for treatment of Stephen A. Smith as Bronny James controversy refuses to go away

    It’s been a few days now since it happened, but the talk of the NBA is still LeBron James‘ confrontation with Stephen A. Smith. In a shocking courtside moment, James went face to face with Smith for comments the ESPN host had made in the past about Bronny James.

    The comments clearly didn’t sit well with LeBron, who felt the need to do something about it in person. It was an awkward encounter that has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA industry on social media. Smith has outspokenly defended himself, while claiming that James should have gone about it a different way.

    Ryan Clark rips LeBron James for confronting Stephen A. Smith over Bronny controversy

    Ryan Clark is on Stephen A. Smith’s side in LeBron James beef

    As Smith continues to defend himself, he needs any type of help in order to support his defense. On Tuesday, he retweeted a recent take from Ryan Clark in which the NFL analyst criticized LeBron for his antics.

    He’s there because of you. He was drafted in a place he wasn’t supposed to be because of you. Now all of a sudden, we can’t talk about him either? Imagine if LaVar Ball runs up on Stephen A., imagine if Tee Morant runs up on Stephen A. How classless we would say they are. How immature we would say they are.

    Clark says he understands why James reacted the way he did, but he believes the Lakers star went about it in the wrong way. He then wonders why he never said anything to Skip Bayless despite Smith’s former co-worker defaming James on nearly every show.

    Clark believes James just wanted to intimidate Smith in person and make a point, while also showing Bronny he has his back. But Clark gets a final dig in, claiming that James will have to “do a whole lot of damn fighting” if he confronts everyone who has questions Bronny’s basketball ability.



    Source link

  • Kevin Durant and Jason Kid's interaction sparks rumors that he could be leaving for the Mavericks

    Kevin Durant and Jason Kid's interaction sparks rumors that he could be leaving for the Mavericks

    As the NBA season enters its final month, all but the top seeds in each conference remain competitive. In the West, the Thunder (53-11) need to win eight of their final 18 games to tie the franchise record for wins since moving to Oklahoma. In the East, the Cavaliers (54-10), who became just the second team to win 14 straight games while scoring at least 110 points in each, need to win 13 of their last 18 to break the franchise record set by LeBron James 15 years ago. As for the remaining 28 teams, some have already clinched their playoff spots but not their seeds, while others, like the Dallas Mavericks, just want the season to end so they can focus on the future after a disastrous campaign.

    Kevin Durant to the Mavs?

    The Mavericks’ season couldn’t get any worse with the Luka Doncic trade and several injuries, including Kyrie Irving’s season-ending setback and Anthony Davis going down after just three quarters with the team. These and many other injuries to key players left them with only seven players available for their last game against the Phoenix Suns. In that game, a brief interaction between Kevin Durant and Mavs coach Jason Kidd suggested that Durant could be headed to Dallas in the offseason, as reports indicate that he will not be returning to Phoenix – unless of course they win the title, which, if we’re being honest, would be a win if they even make the playoffs.

    Durant would join the Mavericks to form a super big three with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. This trio looks like the perfect combination of scoring and defense, and I’d put them on par with any team in the league when it comes to championship contention next season. However, the price for Durant would likely be at least a first-round pick or two and some promising young players like Dereck Lively II or newly acquired Max Christie. While it’s still just a rumor, a move like this would be the only thing capable of reigniting fan interest in the team, as the fanbase seems to have turned against the organization since Doncic’s departure.

    Mavs or Suns Who Gets the Play-In Spot?

    The Mavericks (32-33) and the Suns (30-34) currently sit in 10th and 11th place in the West. With injuries piling up and a five-game losing streak, the Suns will likely leapfrog Dallas and sneak into the play-in tournament. That might actually be the best case scenario for the Mavericks – to end the season as soon as possible so they can start planning their next moves, which I’m sure they’re already doing because, as everyone knows, the outlook is grim.



    Source link

  • Anthony Davis drops surprising LeBron James revelation from Lakers days

    Anthony Davis drops surprising LeBron James revelation from Lakers days

    It has been over a month since the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world by trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.

    The move ended a five-year partnership between Davis and LeBron James, a duo that delivered a championship to the Lakers in 2020 but struggled to maintain dominance due to injuries.

    Watch out! LeBron James scared his good friend as they end talking about Stephen A Smith incident

    Davis turned down LeBron’s 23 twice

    Despite their time together coming to an end, Davis and James still appear to share a strong bond.

    That was evident when the two embraced during the Lakers-Mavericks matchup on February 25.

    In a recent interview with Mavericks TV, Davis opened up about a personal moment he shared with James during his early days in Los Angeles, one that had never been publicly revealed before.

    According to Davis, James initially offered to give him the No. 23 jersey, his longtime number with the New Orleans Pelicans, when he first joined the Lakers in 2019.

    However, Davis declined the offer.

    “When I got to LA, Bron wanted to give me the 23, but I was like, ‘I don’t want to take your number,’”Davis shared.

    James made the offer again in the following season when he switched to No. 6, but once more, Davis opted to stick with his new number.

    “Then that second year, he went to 6 and he asked me if I wanted 23,”Davis explained.

    “And I was like, ‘I actually want to stay with 3. I want to go back to where it all started.’”

    NBA fans may recall that James had publicly committed to giving up No. 23 to Davis when the Lakers acquired him in the blockbuster trade with New Orleans.

    However, the plan fell apart due to logistical complications.

    Nike, which had already produced a significant amount of James’ No. 23 jerseys, reportedly blocked the change to avoid taking a financial hit.

    As a result, Davis settled on No. 3-a number he ultimately chose to keep throughout his Lakers tenure.

    Fast forward to 2025, and Davis now finds himself in a new chapter with the Mavericks.

    His debut with Dallas was promising, as he was on pace for a historic performance before suffering an adductor strain.

    Since then, he has remained sidelined, leaving Mavericks fans frustrated, especially in light of Doni thriving in Los Angeles.

    With Dallas currently struggling in the Western Conference playoff race and injuries piling up across the roster, the pressure is on Davis to return and make an impact.

    Despite the skepticism surrounding the trade, Davis remains confident in his ability to lead the Mavericks forward.

    “I know who I am as a player,”Davis told Mavericks TV.

    “I’m top-75 of all time. I just wanted to let Dallas fans know, I’ve got y’all, I’m here, I’m here now. I know you lost a superstar in Luka, but you also gained a superstar in myself.”

    While winning over Dallas fans may take time, Davis’ confidence in his abilities hasn’t wavered.

    If he can stay healthy and deliver for the Mavericks, his tenure in Dallas could still have a chance to be defined by success rather than controversy.



    Source link

  • Stephen Curry takes on the NBA's most feared player daring to face the consequences of a severe punishment

    Stephen Curry takes on the NBA's most feared player daring to face the consequences of a severe punishment

    Stephen Curry is undoubtedly one of the most respected figures in the NBA. With his incredible shooting ability and unmatched personality, he’s earned the love of fans everywhere. But let’s be real-Steph knows how to stir the pot when he feels the moment calls for it.

    Curry has a knack for getting under the skin of his opponents. This time, things got a little more heated than anyone expected. Steph found himself in the middle of some serious drama when he decided to have a little fun near the Pistons’ bench. Isaiah Stewart wasn’t exactly amused by Curry’s actions and made it clear that he wasn’t about to let it slide.

    Curry finds himself in the middle of a heated standoff

    As Curry celebrated his trolling with a cheeky gesture near the Pistons’ bench, Stewart didn’t take too kindly to it. The situation quickly escalated, and for a moment, it seemed like things could spiral out of control. Stewart shot up from his seat, glaring at Curry, making it clear he wasn’t backing down.

    But Curry, as fearless as ever, didn’t back away. He stood his ground, staring down the intense situation while the tension in the air was palpable. Luckily, before it got out of hand, quick intervention kept both players from taking it further. Had things gone another way, it could’ve meant serious consequences for both players-and Curry most definitely would’ve been feeling the wrath from the NBA.

    Is it time for the NBA to intervene in Isaiah Stewart’s drama?

    Isaiah Stewart isn’t exactly known for keeping his cool in these kinds of situations. This isn’t the first time the Pistons center has found himself involved in a scuffle on the court. With a history of altercations, Stewart has become a magnet for these kinds of tense moments, making him a target for even more heated encounters.

    Fans have started to voice their frustration, with many calling for an end to Stewart’s on-court drama. This latest incident is far from his first, and people are growing tired of seeing things escalate whenever he’s involved. Some are even wondering if it’s time for the NBA to step in and address the situation more seriously.

    In the end, a timely intervention saved Curry from what could’ve been a massive fallout. Words were exchanged, but before anything could go too far, several players stepped in between, with former Warriors teammates Lindy Waters and Dennis Schroder playing a key role in keeping the peace. They managed to separate the two, ensuring things didn’t get any more out of hand.



    Source link

  • LeBron James left a Los Angeles Lakers huddle to confront Stephen A. Smith in front of a packed arena

    LeBron James left a Los Angeles Lakers huddle to confront Stephen A. Smith in front of a packed arena

    LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith created a buzz on TV and social media after the Los Angeles Lakers superstar publicly confronted the ESPN personality during a game against the New York Knicks Thursday night.

    Smith addressed the issue Friday during the hit show “First Take” and on his podcast, calling James “fiery” after the NBA All-Star told the analyst to “stop f-ing with my son. That’s my f-ing son. Stop f-ing with my son.

    Wasted no time! LeBron James left a Los Angeles Lakers huddle to confront Stephen A. Smith

    Stephen A. said that he responded by saying, “what?” but LeBron continued: “Nah, nah, nah, nah. Straight up. Man to man. Real talk. Stop f-ing with my son.” Smith offered to continue the conversation later, but James wanted no part of it and he walked away from the man.

    New footage shows how desperate LeBron was

    A new video online shows just how eager LeBron James was to confront Stephen A. Smith on public -specifically in Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, a team Smith roots for -, with the Lakers superstar willing to leave a team huddle to talk to the TV personality.

    On the video we can see LeBron leaving the huddle before the end of the fourth quarter and walking towards Smith, who was sitting courtside. As soon as James is close to the TV personality, he starts confronting him, as Stephen A. reacts with a surprised face. “I don’t care bro… keep my son out of this sh*t.” the Lakers superstar stated.

    “That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent. That was a father. And I can’t sit here and be angry, or feel slighted by LeBron James and any way in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son.” said Stephen A. on “First Take.”

    LeBron James confronts Stephen A. Smith like he has never done before

    The words that sparked the confrontation

    NBA fans and analysts believe that some of the words Stephen A. Smith used during a January show of “First Take” could be the reason why LeBron James confronted him Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Early this year, Smith urged James to “stop this,” referring to Bronny James‘ need for more development time in the G League.

    “We love what we’re seeing from [Bronny] in the G League, because that’s where you belong, as you hone your skills and you get better and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do,” Smith said. “I am rooting for Bronny James … he’s a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.”

    LeBron James‘ oldest son made his NBA debut in the Lakers season opener back on October 2024 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after signing a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles team. He averages 1.4 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He’s viewed as a gritty player that could become a great sixth-man in the league.



    Source link