Category: Basketball

In response to a series of frontcourt injuries, Anadolu Efes has secured the services of big man Daniel Oturu for the remainder of the season, acquiring him on loan from Turkish Basketball League (TBSL) counterpart Yukatel Merkezefendi.

The 24-year-old center showcased his prowess, averaging an impressive 20.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in ten TBSL games this season.

Having previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2020-21 NBA season and briefly for the Toronto Raptors the following year, Oturu also contributed to the Windy City Bulls in the G League.

Arriving just in time, Oturu is set to make his debut against Panathinaikos on Tuesday, aiming to fill the void left by Efes’ numerous frontcourt injuries.

The team has faced challenges with the absence of key players, including Tibor Pleiss, Ante Zizic, Derek Willis, Will Clyburn, and Rodrigue Beaubois, exacerbating their struggles in the EuroLeague.

Currently positioned 14th in the standings with a record of five wins and six losses, Efes, the EuroLeague champions of 2021 and 2022, anticipates Oturu’s contribution to fortify their frontcourt and elevate their performance in the ongoing season.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka doesn’t think the team has been consistent enough yet (8-9 record/0-8 on the road).

(via Locked On Rockets):

“I think we’ve been tested all year. We’ve had our streaks, and we haven’t won on the road, so inconsistency has been our biggest thing. We won six in a row, lost three in a row a few times, and that’s the sign of inconsistency. You can rattle off that many in a row, and then lose that many. For us, I don’t really look at a stretch of what we have… I mean we do have days off in between and we’re playing some quality teams, but we’ve beaten quality teams this year so far. So, don’t look at it any different as far as the opponent, it’s more us getting back to what we did well.”

Former NBA champion Brian Scalabrine, renowned for being part of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 title run, is making bold predictions about the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, envisioning victory for his former team.

As the tournament progresses to the quarter-finals, the matchups are set, promising intense clashes.

The Milwaukee Bucks face the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers go head-to-head with the Celtics in the East, while the West features a showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, alongside a battle between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Scalabrine’s prophetic outlook places the Celtics atop the East, anticipating their triumph over the Knicks in the semi-finals. In the West, he predicts the Lakers overcoming the Pelicans to secure their spot in the final.

In a scenario that resonates with NBA classic matchups, Scalabrine envisions a thrilling showdown in Las Vegas, with the Celtics emerging victorious against the Lakers in the tournament’s final.

Bronny James is edging closer to stepping onto the college basketball court for the University of Southern California. The rookie guard has received approval from his doctor to fully resume basketball-related activities.

There’s a possibility that he might play his inaugural game when USC faces California State University, Long Beach (more commonly known as Long Beach State) this Sunday, as reported by Seth Davis of The Messenger.

James had been sidelined following a cardiac arrest incident during a workout in July. He awaits clearance from USC’s medical team, a step anticipated to be completed in the near future.

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Report: Bronny James could make USC debut Sunday vs. Long Beach State https://t.co/Q5ct6ImHx2

— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 4, 2023

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has elevated his association with Chinese sports apparel brand Rigorer by securing a part-ownership stake in the company.

Earlier this year, Reaves inked a significant signature shoe deal with Rigorer, donning their shoes throughout the 2022–23 NBA season.

The inaugural shoe, aptly named “AR1,” hit the market in May, gaining traction among basketball enthusiasts.

NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news on X, announcing Reaves’ elevated status within Rigorer as a part owner. The renegotiation coincides with the launch of two new colorways in the AR 1 line, slated for release on an eagerly anticipated Friday.

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Lakers guard Austin Reaves and his reps have renegotiated an extension with Chinese sportswear brand Rigorer that makes Reaves a part owner in the company, sources say. Reaves debuts two new color ways in his new signature shoe line at Rigorer, the AR 1, releasing on Friday. https://t.co/yJRbZvc5q7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 4, 2023

In a new revelation, James Harden disclosed that prior to the 2022-23 NBA season, Daryl Morey, the president of the Philadelphia 76ers, pledged a max contract to convince Harden to decline a $47 million player option, facilitating cap space for the team.

Despite the commitment, Harden claims Morey failed to uphold his promise and ceased communication about the max deal, leaving Harden in the dark.

Faced with such a situation, the former MVP opted into his player option for the 2023-24 season but swiftly requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, a wish eventually granted after months of uncertainty.

During a candid interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic, Harden clarified that Morey assured him of a max deal, but communication abruptly halted in the offseason.

Harden expressed his disappointment, stating, “Yeah, me and Daryl had a really good relationship. So (in the past), a week or two after we lose in the playoffs, it would be all about trying to figure out how to improve the team. (They’d talk about) ‘How do we get better?’ And that’s been going on for 10-plus years, you know what I mean?

“And then this year, there was no communication. And at that point, it’s like, ‘OK, I see what’s going on.’ I’m very intelligent. So then I just figure out ‘What’s my next move, and what do I want to do?’

“So I understand that, at the end of the day, this is a business. And just like he has to do what’s best for his organization, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family. It’s as simple as that.”

Feeling slighted, Harden emphasized the strategic nature of his decision, defending his choice to opt in.

“It would have looked different for sure,” he said. “The teams that are growing, or young, were gonna have the money, but that doesn’t make sense. And then the competitive teams don’t have the money.

“So all in all, it would have probably ended up with me looking Philly in the face again. So it was strategic, and people can talk and say (things), but they have no idea (without being) in this situation. Like I continue to say, I made the best decision for myself and my family.”

Charlotte Hornets’ rising star, Brandon Miller, has left a lasting impression on teammate Gordon Hayward, who is bullish on the No. 2 draft pick’s future.

“I think the thing that impressed me the most about him was his poise in the pocket, especially with the ball in his hands, not only making plays for himself but being able to see over the defense. In practice, he makes passes across the court. That’s stuff that usually takes time to develop,” Hayward shared with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

“He should be All-NBA if he wants to be because of his length, size, quickness, and instincts. He obviously has a bright future.”

Hayward’s glowing endorsement reflects Miller’s exceptional qualities and the veteran forward’s confidence in the young player’s potential.

In the ongoing season, Miller has maintained an impressive stat line, averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2 assists in 31.1 minutes per game.

Here’s Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford making a long point about the importance of defense following this past weekend’s 123-117 home loss vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (6-12 record).

(via Charlotte Hornets):

“We played hard, we’ve been playing with good energy. If you do three things in this league… I’m talking about defensively, which is our struggle obviously: if you can defend without fouling, which takes discipline and technique, which I would dare say outside of two or three other teams, nobody works on it more, talks about it more than we do, if you run back on defense every time, which takes zero talent, there’s nothing that takes less talent in basketball than running back on defense, and if we’ll block out with physicality on every shot. So if you are say top seven or eight in defensive rebounding, top ten in not fouling, which we’re like 28th, and then you’re top ten in transition defense, all of those things take not a lot of talent. They do take physicality, they take effort, and you’ve got to be smart about it. Tonight, it’s the same thing, it’s two things: one, they shot 30 free throws, and they’re fouls, I would take that crew every night. I’ll be honest, we did not get a good whistle, and I don’t usually say that. The 50/50 calls all went against us to me in the second half. I told one of the officials that after the game, ‘I would take that crew every night, I respect all three of them, I think they’re good together… we got the short end of the stick tonight.’ And that happens, but that’s not why we lost. We lost because we’re not physical enough, we get outwork on the glass, we foul. We had two ridiculous fouls at the end of the 2nd quarter, right in the paint where guys are going to shoot contested 10-12 foot shots, which is exactly what you want them to do, we fouled twice, so that’s 4 points, which is a big deal. They had 22 second-chance points. Again, one of the reasons our defense is so bad is that. 31 in Brooklyn, 22 today. So when you’re watching the film and you’re trying to figure out what’s the problem, that’s the problem. It’s as simple as that. My message to the guys is, ‘I like coaching this team, but we have to understand what wins in the NBA. Every year there’s one or two teams that are just going to go all in on trying to play offense, they’re not physical, they don’t do the dirty things, they don’t want to do the tough things, and they get to either the playoffs or the play-in and get their a** kicked because it doesn’t work in our league.’ I’m 99% sure on this: there’s only been two teams that ever won the championship that weren’t top ten in defense, there’s been a few that weren’t top ten in offense. Defense travels, defense gives you an identity, defense brings your team together. It’s what you have to do if you want to win. This is not a league…even though the scores are higher, if you think about offense in the last 15 years, who would you think of? The Splash Brothers, and every year they won it, they were top five in defense. You’ve got to be good in both. We’re not going to win until we decide that we want to do that, that we’ll run back every time. 

“I told them, ‘I feel bad because we’re putting so much into it and we’re getting a lot better, there’s so much of it that we’re doing so much better. And it’s not going to matter if we’re not going to do the hard things and we’re not going to do the tough things, and we’re not going to be the first to hit, the first to run down a long rebound, more guys willing to take a charge, more guys willing to dive on the floor… it’s not the way pro basketball works. This isn’t nearly about talent or injuries as much as how we play. You have to have a game that makes sense in the league, ours makes sense most of the time at one end.’ After tonight, we’ll probably be close to a little bit less than 16th, 17th in offense, but that’s really because we’ve had three games where we were just awful. For the most part, we’ve been good offensively. Defensively, we might be last or 29th or something like that, because of those things. And those things to me, you can clean that up in one day. We’ve done it enough, we’ve worked on it enough, and that’s what we’ve got to get to. Now that being said, my last thing is this… I’m the one that’s in charge of that, so I’m not blaming the players, I’m just telling where we’re at. The coach is in charge of those areas… the coach and the team leaders. That’s the way the NBA works. I need help, too. But if we get to that, we’re going to have a chance to take off here and have a really good year. And if we don’t, there’s going to be more nights like this where we’re fun to watch and this and that. But to be honest with you, NBA people would watch that tonight and say, ‘Boy, they’re doing a good job on offense, they’re going nowhere.’ Just like I do when I watch teams that try to play like that. You’re not winning in this league. That’s the one thing I do know.”

In a fiery clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, an intense verbal exchange unfolded between LeBron James and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, resulting in both receiving technical fouls and Udoka’s subsequent ejection with 8:35 remaining in the game.

The incident, initially shrouded in mystery, now has a clearer picture as a leaked video posted by LegendZ on X captures the exchange.

Udoka: “Stop crying like b*tches, man. Stop b*tching.”

James: “We’re all grown men. Nah, that b*tch word ain’t cool. Don’t use it so loosely.”

Udoka: “Yeah, I said it.”

James: “Don’t use that word so loosely. Huh? Don’t use it so loosely though. Don’t use it so loosely.”

Udoka: “What are you gonna do about what I said? Walking over here like you’re gonna do something? Soft ass boy. Stop b*tching. Acting like you’re gonna do something.”

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LEAKED Audio Of Ime Udoka Trash Talking LeBron James👀:

Udoka: “Stop crying like b*tches, man”

LeBron: “We’re all grown men, that b*tch word ain’t cool”

Udoka: “Soft a** boy, stop b*tching. Acting like you’re gonna do something” pic.twitter.com/tmcFFsxpUu

— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) December 3, 2023

NBA icon Kevin Garnett has shared a critical assessment of the Golden State Warriors, asserting that this season’s squad does not possess the capability to make it to the playoffs.

Despite being the 2022 NBA champions, the Warriors find themselves currently positioned at the 11th spot in the competitive Western Conference, managing a record of 9 wins and 11 losses.

Garnett made his candid remarks on the state of the Warriors during an episode of KG Certified, stating unequivocally, “This team is not a playoff team.”

When prompted by Paul Pierce’s skepticism, Garnett reiterated his stance, emphasizing, “No, not at all,” and dismissing the possibility of the Warriors even securing a play-in spot. He added, “I’m just watching teams get better than them.”