Category: Basketball

Indiana Pacers power forward Obi Toppin says that head coach Rick Carlisle is working with him on improving his jumper (30.6% 3-PT).

(via Indiana Pacers):

“For me right now, I’m trying not to think on my shots, but definitely Rick’s been helping me with keeping my balance. I’ve been watching film and seeing I’m leaning left a little bit, leaning right, instead of being square. When I’m square, most of my shots is going in. So when I’m working on my shot here, I’m thinking about that. But in the game, I’m trying not to think, just play my game and just shoot the ball.”

Former NBA player Trevor Ariza has weighed in on the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate, placing Kobe Bryant and LeBron James at the pinnacle, sharing the 1A and 1B spots.

Ariza, who had the privilege of playing alongside both basketball legends, unequivocally asserted, “Kobe Bryant is the best player ever,” during a conversation with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay.

This declaration is noteworthy, especially considering Ariza’s omission of Michael Jordan, a name commonly associated with the GOAT title, from his top-tier ranking.

Having experienced Bryant’s leadership firsthand during their time together with the Lakers, Ariza’s endorsement adds a unique perspective to the ongoing debate.

Several playoff-caliber NBA teams have expressed interest in a potential trade for Charlotte Hornets’ forward Gordon Hayward, according to insights from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

As the trade deadline approaches, teams are reaching out to Charlotte to explore the availability of the seasoned forward, adding an intriguing dynamic to the league’s mid-season discussions.

Hayward, a valuable asset for the Hornets, has become a target for playoff contenders looking to bolster their roster for a postseason push.

While Charlotte remains focused on regaining full health and securing a playoff spot, the trade inquiries indicate the league-wide recognition of Hayward’s impact and versatility.

This season, the 33-year-old veteran has been a consistent contributor for the Hornets, averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 32.3 minutes per game.

The Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II suffered a right calf tear during Tuesday’s game and will be sidelined with no set return date, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The injury happened in the third quarter when Payton was trying to navigate around a screen while guarding De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic describes the moment when Payton, in an attempt to defend, grabbed his right calf, experienced pain, and limped off to the locker room. Today’s MRI results unveiled the complete extent of the injury.

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Gary Payton II Out Indefinitely With Torn Right Calf https://t.co/P2FwIKe2K4 pic.twitter.com/UFuaI3hobA

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 30, 2023

The investigation into whether there was any inappropriate relationship between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey and a minor is facing challenges.

According to TMZ Sports, the alleged teenager and her family are not cooperating with authorities.

Police are eager to interview the young woman and those in her inner circle to gather more details about the social media allegations that surfaced over the weekend.

However, at this point, no one involved is providing information.

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Josh Giddey Police Inquiry, Sources Say Minor, Family Won’t Cooperate | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/xdKG4IJfqN

— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) November 29, 2023

Erik Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, and his wife, Nikki Spoelstra, have completed the legal process of ending their marriage, as reported by the Miami Herald.

“We have made the difficult yet amicable decision to jointly file to formally end our marriage,” the ex-couple said in a joint statement. “We are both grateful for our relationship and remain fully committed to co-parenting our children and continuing to make them our shared priority.

“We appreciate everyone’s support as we move to the next stage of our lives and thank you for respecting our family’s privacy.”

Spoelstra and Nikki, a former Miami Heat dancer, concluded their seven-year marriage. The couple had parted ways in the past few months.

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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, wife Nikki Spoelstra getting divorced https://t.co/RUcaaniHCs pic.twitter.com/AouFBYeKT4

— New York Post (@nypost) November 29, 2023

Mark Cuban made it clear again on Wednesday that he has no intentions of running for president in 2024.

The buzz about Cuban’s future intensified after he agreed to sell a majority share in the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family and announced his departure from Shark Tank.

Cuban has been associated with a potential White House bid since he considered an independent run in 2020.

In a July email to NBC News, he emphasized that his family would strongly disapprove if he pursued a presidential candidacy.

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Mark Cuban Has ‘No Plans’ To Run For President In 2024 https://t.co/nCP4pLJl77

— RealGM (@RealGM) November 29, 2023

On Hoops Tonight, Jovan Buha from The Athletic affirmed the Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Zach LaVine, the Chicago Bulls’ guard.

However, he noted that there are a few other players from Chicago who could be more prioritized on Los Angeles’ wish list.

“I’ve actually heard that they’re more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso,” Buha said. “AC, he’s the one that got away. Lakers fans, it still bothers them.

“Inside the organization, it’s a very divisive topic. And then DeMar is someone that the Lakers have courted for several years. Both of those guys are on more manageable contracts (than LaVine).

“… I think both of those guys make more sense within what the Lakers need. There’s real interest in all three guys, but from what I’ve been told, DeMar and Alex are higher on their priority list.”

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L.A. Notes: Lakers, Trade Targets, Coffey, Hyland, Harden https://t.co/DHQv21dQ3s pic.twitter.com/jZkg0eWo5b

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 29, 2023

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff applauded Evan Mobley for his dominant all-around performance during last night’s 128-105 In-Season Tournament home win vs. the Atlanta Hawks (17 points/19 rebounds/1 assist/7 blocks/8-11 FG/1-1 3-PT/+25 +/-).

(via Cleveland Cavaliers):

Reporter: “Evan Mobley just all over the floor. How impactful was he tonight and how impactful can he be for this team going into the future?”

Bickerstaff: “I mean it’s cliche, but there is no limits to what Evan Mobley can be. He is a flat-out stud on both ends of the floor. There’s not many people who now or in the future will have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the floor the way that he can. Again, everybody is pressing, pressing, pressing: Score, score, score. But Evan Mobley is an elite basketball player. He’s not a one-dimensional guy. A stat doesn’t dictate how impactful he is on the floor. He’s all over the place: 17 points, 19 rebounds, 7 blocks. He’s all over the floor doing everything, and that’s the type of basketball player that he is. His numbers may not be or his points may not be what people want them to be, but Evan Mobley is a stud and he can dominate a game like he did tonight.”

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn had high praise for veteran Royce O’Neale after Tuesday’s 115-103 In-Season Tournament home win vs. the Toronto Raptors (18 points/7 rebounds/4 assists/2 blocks/2 steals/6-12 3-PT/+15 +/-).

(via Brooklyn Nets):

Meghan Triplett: “How big was Royce’s play tonight? It felt as if all of his threes came at the right time when this team needed a shot like that.”

Vaughn: “Without a doubt, at the right time, and he just continues to do it, and continues to be an unbelievable teammate, a person that I love. I love coaching him, I love seeing him every day in the gym, and he’s about the right things. When he gets the opportunity, he takes advantage of it, and boy, did he make some timely shots for us tonight.”