Rich Paul on Lakers’ Luka Doncic trade: “Names don’t win championships. Rosters do”

Photo: Boston Celtics/Twitter Celtics President Brad Stevens has expressed optimism about ongoing contract extension discussions with star player Jaylen Brown. While Stevens couldn’t provide specific details, he emphasized the Celtics’ desire to keep Brown with the team for the long term. “We want Jaylen to be here for a long,…

The New Orleans Pelicans recently signed guard Jalen Crutcher. Crutcher, 6-2, 175, appeared in 33 games last season with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, in which he averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 34.5 minutes per game. The University of Dayton product has appeared…

Coach Becky Hammon, San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty legend, is one win away from guiding the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title. Hammon spent sixteen seasons playing in the WNBA and never reached the mountaintop. After she retired from her playing career, she joined the San…

Photo: FIBA Basketball Kostas Sloukas’ late layup secured Panathinaikos Athens’ win over Anadolu Efes in the Pavlos Giannakopoulos preseason tournament final. Sloukas’ basket, with just 12 seconds remaining, broke the tie and gave Panathinaikos the victory. Despite Efes’ comeback from a 62-53 deficit to tie the game at 63, Sloukas’…

Photo: Peter Baba The Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic was held to a season-low 15 points before coach Jason Kidd pulled him with seven minutes to go against the Portland Trail Blazers 136-119 on Saturday night. After the game, Doncic addressed the Trail Blazers’ defensive approach: “They were doubling…

Sports columnist Jason Whitlock has stirred controversy by accusing sports analyst Stephen A. Smith of perpetuating alleged anti-white racism in his commentary on recent NBA performances. Whitlock pointed out what he perceives as a double standard in Smith’s reactions to standout scoring performances by Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic. Smith…