Category: Basketball

FC Barcelona faced a tough challenge against Fenerbahce Beko, dealing with effective three-point shooting from the opponents.

Despite a 20-point deficit in the first half, Barcelona secured an 89-81 victory at Palau Blaugrana, maintaining a perfect 7-0 home record in the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season.

Willy Hernangomez’s outstanding performance, overcoming foul trouble to score a personal best of 21 points, was instrumental in the win. The team tightened their defense in the second half, allowing only 31 points, and executed the game plan successfully.

Nicolas Laprovittola contributed nine crucial fourth-quarter points, acknowledging defensive lapses in the first half but emphasizing the team’s mindset shift that turned the game around.

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Barcelona rallies past Fenerbahce

Willy Hernangomez with 21 points sets personal high #EuroLeaguehttps://t.co/fWQScgItFq

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 8, 2023

Zion Williamson’s physical preparedness faced criticism on Thursday when the New Orleans Pelicans suffered a significant defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semifinals. The stark contrast in speed and energy between the 38-year-old LeBron James and Williamson became a focal point.

Repeatedly, the Pelicans have emphasized to Williamson the importance of enhancing his diet and overall conditioning. According to various Pelicans sources, as reported by Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune, Williamson appears resistant to these suggestions, with a consensus that he “doesn’t listen.”

Despite maintaining good health and availability to play, Williamson is experiencing a career-low Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 21.8 this season. Notably, he earned All-Star recognition in both 2021 and 2023.

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Zion Williamson ‘Doesn’t Listen’ To Pelicans’ Pleas To Improve Diet, Conditioning https://t.co/3Fw7JWOYmB

— RealGM (@RealGM) December 8, 2023

Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. is a fan of Dante Exum’s point guard skills off the bench.

(via Dallas Mavericks):

“He’s a true point guard. He gets us into sets, makes sure we go out there and are in our right spots at the right times. He’s guarding their second tier guys that come off the bench, he’s guarding their best players. So he’s setting the tone for us, and for the most part, we’re just trying to do the best we can to make his job easier when he’s penetrating, kicking and dishing, and playing point in the second unit.”

Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic knows that health means everything for the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns.

(via Phoenix Suns):

“We’re in the phase to get healthy, and hopefully we can get back Brad [Beal] sooner or later. We just need the games, man. We have people in and out lineups the whole year, and to build consistency, to build the chemistry, to build the team that we believe… we believe we have a great team in the league or we believe we have the best team in the league as far as people and the names and stuff, but at the end of the day, we just need the games. The practice is good, but we take any game we can to prepare and get better, so I think that’s good for us.”

Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic knows that health means everything for the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns.

(via Phoenix Suns):

“We’re in the phase to get healthy, and hopefully we can get back Brad [Beal] sooner or later. We just need the games, man. We have people in and out lineups the whole year, and to build consistency, to build the chemistry, to build the team that we believe… we believe we have a great team in the league or we believe we have the best team in the league as far as people and the names and stuff, but at the end of the day, we just need the games. The practice is good, but we take any game we can to prepare and get better, so I think that’s good for us.”

Weed-smuggler WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was swapped for a terrorist, is collaborating with ESPN and Disney to recount her experience of being held in Russia.

The collaboration encompasses various endeavors, such as a documentary produced by ESPN Films, an exclusive initial interview on ABC featuring Robin Roberts, and the potential development of a scripted series in partnership with ABC Signature.

“The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said in a statement announcing the projects. 

Her wife, Cherelle Grinier, will also serve as an executive producer. In her statement, Cherelle said, “Throughout BG’s detainment and in the time since, ESPN, ABC and Disney were supportive and caring in regards to the human side of this saga.

“Love and family were at the center of the fight to get BG home, and with that in mind, there is no better, more trusted partner to tell that story with us.”

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Brittney Griner’s Russian detainment is getting the TV treatment https://t.co/66276OFROL pic.twitter.com/ABjqAMKfnb

— New York Post (@nypost) December 8, 2023

USC head coach Andy Enfield shared insights with reporters following Bronny James’ first full-contact practice, shedding light on the young player’s progress and expectations for his debut with the Trojans.

Enfield expressed optimism about James’ performance, stating, “He looked good, and he has to get his timing back and get in game shape, but I thought today was a good first day.”

Having engaged in non-contact workouts, cardio, weight training, and shooting sessions, James has maintained an individual training regimen. Enfield emphasized the team’s satisfaction with his overall progress.

Excitement surrounds James’ return, considering the physical and mental challenges he has overcome. Enfield highlighted the uncertainty surrounding James’ comeback, stating, “We had no prediction about when he would be back. This is great that he’s here now. We have a lot of the season left.”

Recognizing the emotional and physical aspects of James’ return, Enfield shared plans for a cautious approach: “As he starts, he’ll be on a minute restriction, and playing-wise it’s just going to be a feel for how the game’s going, how he’s playing, how he feels physically.”

Bronny James’ journey back to the court follows a significant health setback on July 24, 2023, when he suffered cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect at the Galen Center, University of Southern California.

The coach’s measured approach acknowledges the significance of James’ return to competitive play.

Amidst the Chicago Bulls’ early-season struggles, rumors of a potential trade involving star guard Zach LaVine have surfaced.

LaVine, well aware of the speculations, confirmed that the Bulls explored trade options for him during the summer.

LaVine addressed the behind-the-scenes discussions, as reported by K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports: “The storylines out there right now about me are on both sides. It’s something that wasn’t said completely verbally to the media. It’s something that is behind closed doors that a bunch of narratives can get spun around and said about me and stories will be portrayed. And that’s part of the business.”

Despite the off-court discussions, LaVine expressed his commitment to the team: “Am I still a part of this team and very committed? Yeah. I got a Bulls jersey on. I committed here. And for as long as I’ll be here, I’ll still support and love Chicago and go out there and play my heart out for those guys.”

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers secured their spots in the In-Season Tournament championship, but LeBron expressed special enthusiasm for a different event – the debut of his eldest son, Bronny, at USC.

LeBron shared with reporters how much it means to him to see his son make a comeback from his cardiac arrest in July.

After the Lakers’ victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the semis in Vegas, LeBron mentioned, “Looking forward to that for sure. Super excited for that moment.”

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LeBron James ‘Super Excited’ For Bronny’s USC Debut, ‘Big Milestone’ | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/4f4H3wWcyk

— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) December 8, 2023

The Washington Wizards plan to free up a two-way contract slot by releasing John Butler Jr. They aim to fill that vacancy by signing Jules Bernard to a two-way deal.

According to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, Bernard, an undrafted rookie from UCLA in 2022, spent his debut professional season with the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s G League affiliate.

In the 2022/23 season, he played 49 games, averaging 13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 26.1 minutes per game. His shooting percentages were .425/.324/.805.

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Wizards To Sign Jules Bernard To Two-Way Contract https://t.co/Ij6lAfQbOd pic.twitter.com/iWZrag24qU

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 8, 2023