Mariners

The 2025 NBA Finals have been a back-and-forth chess match between two young, hungry teams. And with the series tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3, it was Indiana's turn to punch back &ndash; this time led by a new name under the spotlight.
In each Finals game so far, an unexpected hero has emerged. In Game 1, Lu Dort and Obi Toppin each hit five threes in a jaw-dropping display. In Game 2, it was Aaron Wiggins who erupted off the bench for Oklahoma City. Game 3, however, belonged to Bennedict Mathurin.
Here are our takeaways from Game 3&rsquo;s electric finish:
The Bennedict Mathurin Game
Every Finals series features a breakout game &ndash; the kind of moment that lives forever in a player&rsquo;s career highlight reel. Game 3 was that for Bennedict Mathurin. The second-year guard played with fearless aggression, attacking mismatches and knocking down big shots in rhythm.
Mathurin poured in a playoff career-high 27 points on 9‑for‑12 shooting in just 22 minutes off the bench &ndash; the first 25+ point performance by a Finals reserve since Jason Terry in 2011, providing the kind of offensive spark that shifted the energy of the game. His slashing, transition pace, and ability to finish through contact gave Oklahoma City&rsquo;s defense fits.
What made it even more impressive was the stage. In a chance to go up at home, Mathurin didn&rsquo;t blink. He embraced the moment &ndash; and owned it.
Turnovers tilt the game
Turnovers have been a recurring theme throughout these Finals. Game 1 saw the Pacers lose control with sloppy passes. In Game 2, they cleaned that up &ndash; and it was OKC who capitalized. But in Game 3, the Thunder once again found themselves sabotaged by their own mistakes.
Oklahoma City committed 17 turnovers &ndash; matching their season high &ndash; leading to easy runouts and momentum-shifting plays for the Pacers. Indiana turned those giveaways into, which made a huge difference in a tightly contested game.
For a young team built on pace and rhythm, turnovers are especially costly. They don't just stop your offense &ndash; they fuel the opponent&rsquo;s.
Indiana&rsquo;s bench strikes again
The Pacers' bench has been a massive factor in this series, and Game 3 only reinforced that. Led by Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin, Indiana&rsquo;s second unit outplayed OKC&rsquo;s reserves for the second time in three games.
McConnell controlled tempo, picked his spots, and brought his usual scrappy defensive presence. Toppin continued to provide floor spacing and timely cuts. The Pacers&rsquo; bench finished with 49 points, outscoring the Thunder&rsquo;s second unit and shifting the game&rsquo;s momentum every time they checked in.
For Indiana, this kind of depth has been a differentiator all postseason &ndash; and it&rsquo;s showing up again on the biggest stage.
Pacers tweak defensive coverage on SGA
One of the most critical adjustments Indiana made in Game 3 was its defensive coverage on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder star had dominated the first two games by manipulating pick-and-roll coverages with surgical precision. But Indiana threw him a different look this time.
&ldquo;They were higher tonight in the pick and rolls. They were above the screens,&rdquo; SGA noted after the game.
That higher positioning took away some of his downhill driving lanes and forced him into tougher midrange pull-ups. While Shai still found ways to impact the game, scoring 24 points, the defensive tweak clearly disrupted his rhythm early and helped Indiana build momentum.
Final thoughts
Game 3 proved once again that no moment is too big for these young Pacers. Between the bench depth, defensive adjustments, and Mathurin&rsquo;s coming-out party, Indiana has seized a 2-1 lead in the series, and the upper hand heading into Game 4, still in Indianapolis.
For Oklahoma City, it&rsquo;s back to the drawing board. The Thunder will need to take better care of the ball and find new counters for Indiana&rsquo;s evolving game plan if they want to tie things up again.
With each game rewriting the narrative, this Finals continues to deliver &ndash; and Game 4 is already shaping up to be another classic.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 off the bench and turnovers doomed OKC in a 116–107 Game 3 Pacers win. Indiana leads series 2–1.

Thunder-Pacers Game 3 takeaways: Bennedict Mathurin breaks out

The Chicago Bulls have announced plans to retire Derrick Rose's iconic No. 1 jersey during the 2025-26 NBA season, honoring the youngest MVP in league history and a native son of Chicago.&nbsp;
Rose, selected first overall by the Bulls in the 2008 NBA Draft, made an immediate impact by earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2009. His dynamic playmaking and leadership propelled the Bulls to multiple playoff appearances, culminating in his MVP award in 2011 at the age of 22&mdash;the youngest player ever to receive the honor.
Despite a career marred by injuries, Rose's resilience and dedication left an indelible mark on the franchise and the city. Reflecting on the honor, Rose expressed deep emotion, stating, "I never thought this day would come. To be up there with the greatest players in Bulls history is a dream come true."&nbsp;
Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf praised Rose's contributions, noting, "Derrick's impact on the Bulls and the city of Chicago is immeasurable. His determination and passion for the game embody the spirit of our franchise."&nbsp;
The retirement ceremony will see Rose's jersey join those of Bulls legends Michael Jordan (23), Scottie Pippen (33), Jerry Sloan (4), and Bob Love (10) in the United Center rafters. The specific date for the ceremony will be announced at a later time.&nbsp;
Rose's journey from Chicago's South Side to NBA stardom has been a source of inspiration for many. His jersey retirement serves as a testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on the Bulls organization and the broader basketball community.

The Chicago Bulls have announced plans to retire Derrick Rose's iconic No. 1 jersey during the 2025-26 NBA season.

Bulls to retire Derrick Rose's No. 1 jersey next season

It&rsquo;s 2024, and teams led by Stephen Curry and LeBron James are once again near the top of the Western Conference. The Warriors have surged to a 6-1 record, placing them tied for 2nd, while the Lakers aren&rsquo;t far behind, holding the 5th spot in a jam-packed situation with several other teams with a 4-3 start. These strong beginnings reflect the impact of both veteran leadership and tactical innovation from new coaching staff.&nbsp;
At the center of it all are James and Curry. The two will always be intertwined after all those years of squaring off in the Finals, even more so now after being the de facto faces of the league. Despite some rocky performances, both Steph and LeBron remain the league's gold standard for sustained excellence.
The Warriors have been on fire to start the season, and they&rsquo;re doing it through defense. They are first in the league in deflections through 7 games played, disrupting opposing teams&rsquo; schemes. More than their high-octane offense, it's their defense that&rsquo;s had a noticeable jump from last year and it&rsquo;s showing up early in the standings.&nbsp;
At the heart of the Warriors&rsquo; offense though is the generational talent in Steph. Curry's impact on the game remains unmatched &ndash; his consistent scoring and playmaking are invaluable and he commands the respect of defenses while creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Draymond Green&rsquo;s defensive influence has anchored Golden State&rsquo;s early success. Even without Curry for three games, the Warriors have continued their winning streak and Draymond was leading the pack with their leader sidelined. His energy and presence bring stability to the defensive end, setting the tone for the entire team. Green&rsquo;s communication and hustle provide a roadmap for the younger Warriors, exemplifying what&rsquo;s expected in terms of effort and awareness on defense.&nbsp;
Younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have brought depth and energy. Kuminga&rsquo;s athleticism and refined shot selection have given the Warriors a scoring boost, while Moody&rsquo;s steady hand and court vision have added depth.&nbsp;
Under head coach Steve Kerr and his new assistants Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, the Warriors&rsquo; dynamic rotations leverage both the experience of seasoned stars and the energy of rising talent.&nbsp; With a more reliable bench this season, head coach Steve Kerr has even more flexibility in his rotations. The team signed free agents Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and DeAnthony Melton &ndash; all solid role players that have contributed to their cause.&nbsp;
Along with second year players Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Warriors&rsquo; depth is crucial as it allows the team to maintain intensity and momentum when the starters rest. Each player is clear on their role, which keeps the Warriors competitive in all game situations and allows Kerr to implement strategic adjustments without compromising the team&rsquo;s flow.
The Lakers are also enjoying a strong start to the season despite recent disappointing losses. With new head coach JJ Redick bringing a fresh perspective and strategic shift to the team, the Lakers look an entirely different team from a year ago. Redick&rsquo;s emphasis on ball movement and three-point efficiency has provided the Lakers with an offensive boost, allowing their shooters to maximize space and versatility. His experience as a former player gives him a strong rapport with the team, allowing him to instill a confident and cohesive approach.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain crucial, with LeBron&rsquo;s court vision and leadership guiding the Lakers&rsquo; offense while Davis continues to dominate defensively and in the paint. Their veteran presence is balanced by young players like Austin Reaves, who has stepped up as a consistent scoring and playmaking option, enhancing the Lakers' depth.
Why LeBron and Steph, Lakers and Warriors, being good is great for the NBA
With James and Curry&rsquo;s teams on top, the NBA benefits from a renewed excitement to their teams. Both the Lakers and Warriors lead in national TV appearances this year &ndash; with 39 and 36 respectively &ndash; underscoring the pull of their megastar leaders.&nbsp;
These two franchises add a level of intrigue that fans and the league can&rsquo;t get enough of. In a landscape with younger stars emerging, LeBron and Steph&rsquo;s presence at the top underscores their lasting impact and broad appeal&mdash;creating a formula for success and driving fan engagement everywhere.
The simultaneous resurgence of both the Warriors and Lakers is not only exciting for their fans but also beneficial for the NBA. These two franchises, with storied rivalries and legacies, bring added viewership and energy to the league.&nbsp;
Their renewed competitiveness boosts the Western Conference&rsquo;s intrigue and sets up the potential for classic matchups in the playoffs, reigniting a rivalry that has captivated fans for years.&nbsp;
As the season unfolds, the Warriors and Lakers are proving that their presence at the top is essential for keeping the NBA as thrilling as ever.

It’s 2024, and teams led by Stephen Curry and LeBron James are once again near the top of the West --- it’s great for the game.

The Warriors and Lakers could be back, and it’s great for the NBA

Ryukyu Golden Kings 96, Macau Black Bears 93
The Ryukyu Golden Kings extended their undefeated run in Group B of the East Asia Super League (EASL) with a thrilling 96-93 victory over the Macau Black Bears. Ryukyu showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, surviving a late-game push from the Black Bears to secure the win.
Keve Aluma made a significant impact in his season debut, scoring 29 points and providing a crucial spark in the fourth quarter. Jack Cooley also played a pivotal role, contributing 24 points and grabbing 19 rebounds, demonstrating his dominance on both ends of the floor.
Macau fought valiantly, led by Damian Chong Qui, who scored 24 points, and William Artino, who secured 20 rebounds. Despite their efforts, they fell short as Ryukyu&rsquo;s defense held strong in the closing moments.
The game&rsquo;s turning point came when Ryukyu launched an 8-2 run late in the fourth quarter, ultimately keeping the Black Bears at bay. This victory keeps the Golden Kings at the top of Group B standings with a 2-0 record​
Hiroshima Dragonflies 88, Hong Kong Eastern 75
In the second matchup of the day, the Hiroshima Dragonflies cruised to a 88-75 victory over Hong Kong Eastern, earning their second consecutive win in the EASL. Hiroshima displayed a balanced offensive attack and tenacious defense, overwhelming Eastern from start to finish.
Kerry Blackshear Jr. led the Dragonflies with a stellar performance, scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, solidifying his position as a standout player in the tournament.&nbsp;
Hiroshima's three-point shooting was particularly impressive, connecting on 9 shots from beyond the arc, while Hong Kong struggled significantly, managing only 4 successful three-pointers throughout the game.
Christopher McLaughlin was the bright spot for Eastern, scoring 24 points, but the team was unable to overcome the Dragonflies&rsquo; defensive pressure, which forced 14 turnovers​.
This commanding win keeps Hiroshima undefeated in the tournament, and they look poised to continue their success as the season progresses.
Both Ryukyu and Hiroshima have established themselves as frontrunners in the EASL, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the season. The Golden Kings will aim to maintain their momentum, while Eastern will seek to regroup and find their footing in the upcoming matches.

Both Ryukyu and Hiroshima have established themselves as frontrunners in the EASL for an exciting continuation of the season.

EASL Game Day #4 recap: Ryukyu Edges Macau; Hiroshima Soars Past Hong Kong

With all of the things Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat could offer on the basketball court, one thing stands out: his confidence to play at a high level.&nbsp;
The 24-year-old has shown flashes of scoring at will as well as being the primary option on offense when Heat superstar Jimmy Butler was out. Herro has averaged 18.1 points per game in five seasons with Miami, with 20 points or more over the last 3 seasons. The 6-foot-5 combo guard appears to be one of the main pieces of the core centered around superstar center Bam Adebayo for the Heat&rsquo;s future as Butler ages out his final prime years.
Along with Herro in Miami&rsquo;s backcourt is Terry Rozier, who was brought into Miami at the trade deadline a season ago. The 30-year-old guard is a solid piece over the years, with stops in Boston and Charlotte making him one of the underrated guards in the league.&nbsp;
Both Herro and Rozier are guards that can score on all three levels, with varying skill sets that complement each other. With a full offseason and training camp behind them, Herro believes the backcourt could do something special this season.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re both really motivated &ndash; we both had really good summers. We wanted to come back stronger this year, obviously he has a motivation and I have a motivation,&rdquo; Herro shared in an interview with Bally Sports Sun: HEAT&rsquo;s Jeremy Tache.
The Heat lost last year in just 5 games against the Boston Celtics after beating them in 7 two seasons ago, and a large part of that were Herro and Rozier struggling to find their offensive rhythm.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re really excited to play together again to prove people wrong,&rdquo; Herro added. &ldquo;They really don&rsquo;t think the backcourt of us two can work. We both believe we&rsquo;re one of the best backcourts in the league and we both individually think we&rsquo;re one of the best guards in the league. I&rsquo;m definitely excited to just have that kind of player next to me &ndash; he&rsquo;s fast. I&rsquo;m young and I&rsquo;m ready to play fast and play faster than we have before, and I&rsquo;m definitely excited to see how it works.&rdquo;
However, Herro acknowledged there will be a lot of adjustments throughout the season but assures that they will do their best to make it work and at the same time make everyone on the team happy.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s gonna be things we have to work through as we continue to grow and get better. And we still have to think about all the other guys we have on our team to make sure that they&rsquo;re happy and to make sure that it all works together,&rdquo; Herro said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s gonna be a lot of fun. We&rsquo;ve had a lot of time throughout training camp at the Bahamas and I&rsquo;m sure today and the rest of the practices leading up to the first game will be a lot of me and Terry trying to work through some things. Whatever works, we&rsquo;re going to continue to work through it and it&rsquo;ll look good.&rdquo;
Herro, Rozier, and the Heat open their 2024-2025 season on October 24 against the Orlando Magic at home in the Kaseya Center.
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With a full offseason and training camp behind them, Herro believes the backcourt could do something special this season.

Tyler Herro on him and Terry Rozier: “We’re one of the best backcourts in the league”

Japan&rsquo;s B.League teams Hiroshima Dragonflies and Ryukyu Golden Kings scored separate tournament-opening victories in the East Asia Super League (EASL) October 16 game day on their respective home floors in Fukuyama and Okinawa.&nbsp;
Hiroshima got their opening win via a 78-67 decision over Hong Kong Eastern at F-Pico Arena. The Dragonflies led for much of the game against Eastern, who are coming in as newcomers in this brand new EASL season.
Hiroshima got key contributions from everyone in the roster led by Kerry Blackshear Jr. who tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Nick Mayo had 14, followed by Masato Ichikawa with 11 and Ryo Yamazaki with 10. The Dragonflies shot 46 percent from the field overall and made 12 threes in the game to fuel their first win.
Hong Kong&rsquo;s American imports Cameron Clark and Christopher McLaughlin led the way for their team with 24 and 20 points respectively but it was not enough as there were no other players who scored 10 points or more other than Glen Yang.&nbsp;
Over at Okinawa, the Ryukyu Golden Kings won a tight one over the Meralco Bolts, 77-74. This was the third meeting between the two teams in the EASL after having a 1-1 split last season.&nbsp;
The Golden Kings avenged their overtime loss last season with this close win after sustaining the Bolts&rsquo; furious 4th quarter run to end the game.
Ryukyu built their largest lead at 19 points, 56-37, midway through the 3rd quarter until Meralco, led by their American import DJ Kennedy, started chipping away in the final frame.
The Bolts eventually got to as close as three in the final possession of the game before their other American import Allen Durham missed the potential game-tying three at the buzzer for the game&rsquo;s final points.
Kennedy had a huge game with 30 points and 12 boards while Durham added 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists as Meralco dropped to a 1-1 record. The Bolts recorded their opening win against the Macau Black Bears at the EASL Tip Off event in Manila last October 2.
American imports Vic Law and Jack Cooley spearheaded the Golden Kings&rsquo; attack with 18 points apiece while Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki and Yoshiya Uematsu provided ample support with 9 points each as Ryukyu recorded their first win of the season.

Japan’s B.League teams Hiroshima Dragonflies and Ryukyu Golden Kings scored separate tournament-opening victories in the EASL.

EASL Game Day #2 recap: Japan teams Hiroshima, Ryukyu score tournament-opening wins

NBA legends Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups have been inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024 on October 12-13 in Springfield, Massachusetts.&nbsp;
Called &ldquo;half-man, half-amazing,&rdquo; Carter was known to be a human highlight reel with all his explosive dunks and gravity-defying athleticism. Carter was the no.5 pick in the 1998 NBA draft and went on to play for the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets, where he made most of his highlights and incredible plays.
Billups was nicknamed &ldquo;Mr. Big Shot&rdquo; for his play with the Detroit Pistons where he won a championship in 2004. Billups was the engine on offense for those Pistons teams that were known for their defense and Billups made his mark by hitting big shot after big shot in clutch time situations.&nbsp; Billups was named Finals MVP after averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists while shooting 50.9% overall, 47.1% on 3s and 92.9% from the line.
Among the other NBA legends inducted in this year&rsquo;s class are Michael Cooper (12 seasons with the LA Lakers) and Walter Davis (11 seasons with PHX Suns, 4 seasons with DEN Nuggets) for their specific contributions to their respective teams.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s the full list of the 13 inductees of the Class of 2024:
North American Committee (in alphabetical order): Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper, Walter Davis, Bo Ryan, Charles Smith&nbsp;
Women&rsquo;s Committee: Seimone Augustus&nbsp;
Men&rsquo;s Veteran Committee: Dick Barnett
Women&rsquo;s Veteran Committee: Harley Redin
International Committee: Michele Timms
Contributors Committee: Doug Collins, Herb Simon, Jerry West

NBA legends Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups have been inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024.

Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups get inducted to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

The 2024 NBA Free Agency underway. Here's everything you need to know about the makings and the moves around the NBA.

2024 NBA Free Agency Tracker: All the signings and deals in the offseason

Team USA players came inside the Kerry Sports basketball facility one by one, each sporting their preferred and comfortable gear from the blazing heat of the Philippine weather they were not so accustomed to. They were about to hold their first practices in Manila for the FIBA World Cup 2023, the sport&rsquo;s world championship meet.
Anthony Edwards was one of the last ones to enter the gym along with fellow NBA no.1 overall pick Paolo Banchero. He had his Adidas Adilette comfort slides put on with black Team USA jogger pants and an Adidas triple-colored hoodie. Edwards was fixated on his phone, walking past whispering reporters onto the team&rsquo;s huddle at center court, clearly being the center of attraction for the young Team USA squad.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s who they call the Ant-Man.&rdquo;
Once upon a time, Edwards&rsquo; name was held in a much lower regard. The 22-year-old is considered to be one of the best and brightest young players in the league but has yet to establish himself as one of the staples and premier superstars with an iconic and deep playoff performance that cements him in that tier.
Until these playoffs.
Edwards has separated himself from the pack of young superstars leading their teams and entered the upper echelon of basketball royalty in the NBA. With the league anticipating the &lsquo;changing of the guard&rsquo; as current faces LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant eventually diminish their shining glories as the league&rsquo;s best of the best, Edwards comes in as one of the hopefuls to take the mantle when that inevitable day comes.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been saying that he (Edwards) is the face of the league but he hates it when I say it &ndash; but it&rsquo;s true. The future&rsquo;s so bright you gotta put the sunglasses on when you&rsquo;re walking around him,&rdquo; Karl-Anthony Towns said, in their post-game interview after their first-round series with the&nbsp;Phoenix Suns.
Edwards glanced briefly at Towns, who was beside him at the podium. He had that little smile on his face while bowing down his head as his teammate praised him in front of the listening reporters. He looked at Towns again, this time shaking his head in disbelief, but it had the element of confidence. There was obviously a focus on what Towns was talking about but with Edwards&rsquo; elite level-headedness through it all.&nbsp;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a young superstar in the league and you have to face it,&rdquo; the statement emphasized on Edwards as he&rsquo;s trying to soak it all in.
Ever since Edwards has been adamant about not calling himself anything until he wins in the playoffs. Now that his Wolves beat the Suns to win the franchise&rsquo;s first playoff series since 2004, Edwards certainly has all the right in the world to give himself even the tiniest bit of praise.
He thought for a good three seconds, glancing at the reporter and the horizon for a moment. He was just asked if he was now able to give himself some grace in that regard when people call him that &lsquo;young superstar&rsquo; label. A small grin emerged onto his face, clearly oozing with confidence albeit a controlled one. He looked back with that smile on his face while nodding, he said:
&ldquo;Nah, not yet a man. Not yet.&rdquo;
Behind this usual brash, confident, and charismatic Edwards is a hungry side that never gets contented and satisfied until he achieves his ultimate goal: winning a championship. Maybe he&rsquo;ll have the guts to call himself one when they reach the Finals and end up going all the way. But that remains to be seen.
He&rsquo;s got the swagger, the personality, and the charisma to be marketable by the league. Edwards mentioned wanting to go kill everybody that&rsquo;s in front of him, and boy, he did.&nbsp;
Edwards swept the Suns featuring his childhood idol and favorite player of all time Kevin Durant, who he has been jawing back and forth at several times in the series. This was him going at his childhood hero, taking on the challenge and never backing down. However, the play of the series happened in Game 4 when Minnesota was trying to put the nail in the coffin for Phoenix.&nbsp;
With 2:18 left on the clock in the 4th quarter, Edwards blew by Beal and rose through the air as high as he could. Durant made the right business decision by not going up together with a rampaging bull as he should For a brief moment, he looked like the second coming of a certain Michael Jordan &ndash; yet again &ndash; after he&rsquo;s been labeled as such throughout the course of the season after each jaw-dropping spectacular play. Edwards threw down a ferocious poster slam dunk that might have literally blown the roof over the Footprint Center as the play signaled the beginning of the end for the Suns.
Durant and Edwards will play together in Team USA in August for the Paris Olympics, and these two for sure would go head to head making their practice sessions much more interesting. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely a good feeling because he&rsquo;s my favorite player of all time, and I can tell him that I was the one who sent him home. It&rsquo;s gonna be a fun summer for sure,&rdquo; Edwards said.
First game of the Western Conference Finals and up against the Nuggets, Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points. He dissected their entire defense, scoring in all types of ways imaginable for a superstar. Edwards hit threes, blown by some of the toughest defenders in the NBA Aaron Gordon, and hit fadeaway mid-range jumpers reminiscent of Jordan. More importantly, Edwards displayed the level of maturity a superstar has to make in the playoffs &ndash; playing off of your teammates and playmaking for the entire team. He has done it so far with relative ease and that&rsquo;s why the Timberwolves have found their early success in this postseason.
He&rsquo;s doing it against supposedly their biggest challenge &ndash; the defending champions &ndash; who sent them home a year ago. &ldquo;Last year we didn&rsquo;t have Jaden (McDaniels) and Naz (Reid) against them so it was quite frustrating. Now that we have both I think we can definitely do better,&rdquo; Edwards said about their biggest thing in this rematch series vs Denver is being healthy.
Before the season started, Edwards was this up-and-coming 22-year-old star leading his nation at the World Championships for a chance at glory. Although the Americans ended up not medalling after losing to eventual world champions Germany in the semifinals and to neighboring Canada in the third-place game, Edwards was clearly the best player on the team filled with young American talent. He led Team USA in scoring, and at 22 years old, this was only the start of a big year ahead.
Edwards then was the clear-cut best player for the third-best team in the West, with Minnesota having a 56-26 record. Those 56 wins were the most since 2004 when they had 58 and went to the Western Conference Finals. They were led back then by legend Kevin Garnett but that was also their last time seeing the playoffs.&nbsp;
20 years later, Edwards is now shouldering all the burden by taking this Wolves team back to relevance, basking in all the glory he&rsquo;s worked so hard to attain. He&rsquo;s one of the bonafide young rising superstars in the league, and he intends to take them all the way.
Edwards&rsquo; huge season and ascension to superstardom could be attributed back to something you see coming even from a mile away. And it all started in that summer lengthy yet productive summer in 2023.
While most players use their summers to recuperate, have a vacation somewhere, and spend time with families and loved ones, Edwards took a privileged yet opportunistic route: play with the National Team at the FIBA World Cup. Usually, NBA superstars all express their willingness to play with the National Team at the Olympics. For no definite reason, somehow the FIBA World Cup does not seem appealing to play for the older/senior superstar guys, so it&rsquo;s usually the juniors/young guys who represent Team USA. Anthony Edwards took up that challenge and became the best player for the team and in turn, he&rsquo;s reaping the benefits of it in the playoffs.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve put in work this summer. Big shoutout to the USA team, man. They got me ready for the season.&rdquo;
That killer mentality that Edwards has is something that&rsquo;s never seen often and has been with only a select few in the history of the game, particularly Jordan and Lakers great Kobe Bryant. Behind all that bold and tough personality, however, is a side of himself that genuinely enjoys playing with his teammates.
When asked about the prospect of having his Wolves&rsquo; teammates, the first thing out of his mouth was how he was excited to meet them while playing for their respective countries (Rudy Gobert for France, Karl-Anthony Towns for Dominican Republic, Kyle Anderson for China, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker for Canada). He looked forward to playing against them, citing how much fun he would have once it happened.
Despite his clear burgeoning superstardom, however,&nbsp; Edwards still deflected every credit thrown towards him. When asked what he feels as one of the guys being billed as one of the next faces of the league, Edwards dismissed the idea faster than a Math teacher dispersing students after giving out a tough assignment due &ndash;&nbsp; immediately answering without hesitation that he does not make anything of it.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just gonna keep working, man. I make nothing of it, yeah. I just hope that I keep getting better.&rdquo;
It was clear all along among all the people in the gym that fateful day: Edwards had the most aura out of them all. It was just oozing, something you can feel when you&rsquo;re around certain people. It&rsquo;s kind of intimidating, but only to a certain extent. You can just feel the energy brewing and that certain look when you come across one of the ones. The underlying factor before the season was Minnesota only having five national TV games all season long. With most of their games out of the eyes of the majority, Edwards assured one thing going into the season sternly and convincingly.
&ldquo;We just gonna try to keep playing, man. We&rsquo;re not really worried about the national TV games. As long as we win, we&rsquo;ll be on TV when we make it into the playoffs. The world will know about us.&rdquo;
As their playoff mantra suggests, the Timberwolves have been waiting for this moment since 2004. From the annals of the great Kevin Garnett&rsquo;s era to ushering this new one paved by superstar-in-the-making, young Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves have arrived.

The underlying factor before the season was Minnesota only having five national TV games all season despite having Anthony Edwards.

‘WOLVES BACK’: Anthony Edwards introduces the Timberwolves back to the world

Day 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs featured the Miami Heat taking a game off the mighty Boston Celtics, stealing their home-court advantage. It was a tough win for the Heat, who were without superstar Jimmy Butler and midseason acquisition Terry Rozier. The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the other hand, handled their business against the New Orleans Pelicans by blowing them out of the house after a tight game 1 win.
Check out the recap here:
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FINAL SCORE THREAD 🧵<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 2 🏀 MIA 111 - 101 BOS - Series lead 1-1 Heat 🔥 Tyler Herro 📊 24 PTS | 14 AST | 5 REB | 6-11 3P<a href="https://twitter.com/Bam1of1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bam1of1</a> 📊 21 PTS | 10 REB | 9-13 FG<a href="https://twitter.com/Calebmartin14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Calebmartin14</a> 📊 21 PTS | 5-6 3P Celtics ☘️ Jaylen Brown 📊 33 PTS | 8 REB | 13-23 FG Jayson&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/bb1IYtEyEv">pic.twitter.com/bb1IYtEyEv</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1783314142667129053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 2 🏀 NOP 92 - 104 OKC | Thunder lead series 2-0 Thunder ⚡ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 📊 33 PTS | 13-19 FG | 3-5 3P | 5 AST | 2 STL Chet Holmgren 📊 26 PTS | 9-13 FG | 3-6 3P | 7 REB Jalen Williams 📊 21 PTS | 10-17 FG | 7 AST | 5 REB Pelicans 🦤 Jonas&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/bru0y32XOH">pic.twitter.com/bru0y32XOH</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1783349982009127289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Day 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs featured the Heat taking a game off the mighty Celtics to steal their home-court advantage.

2024 NBA Playoffs Day 5 Recap: Miami surprises Boston, OKC routs NOLA

The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat renew their playoff rivalry when they meet yet again in the playoffs. The two teams have faced each other three times (2020, 2022, 2023) over the past four postseason actions, with Miami having the advantage overall (2-1).
This year, the Celtics come in as the no.1 overall seed in the East while the Heat match them up as the no.8 seed. However, coming into these playoffs, there will be no expectations for Miami after learning their superstar Jimmy Butler would be out for at least several weeks following his knee injury in their play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
They will be up against a dominant Celtics team that finished the regular season with a 64-18 record and the third-highest net rating of all time at 11.8, just behind the legendary Chicago Bulls teams led by the one and only Michael Jordan.
The Heat have faced the Celtics multiple times over the years and they now probably know some ways to effectively stop them, having schemes to try and limit their offensive executions as well as throwing some counters on offense to have their defense off-balanced.
Without Butler, this would be an uphill climb for Miami after what has been a roller coaster season for them and now facing their rivals who have become overwhelming favorites in this series.
However, there might be some things the Heat could do to make the dominant Celtics bleed a little for them to win some games (or even eventually win the series). Here&rsquo;s a look at those moves:
Duncan Robinson should play more
Along with Butler, Miami is coming into the series also without guards Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson due to their respective injuries. Without those three, the Heat&rsquo;s guard rotation has taken a significant hit with Tyler Herro, Delon Wright, and even forward Caleb Martin having to take a much bigger load offensively.
Enter Duncan Robinson.
Despite his usual suspect defense that has him riding the bench in the playoffs, coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat could use his gravity as a shooter against the Celtics. Robinson has also steadily improved his playmaking this season, averaging a career-best 2.8 assists for the year. A better effort defensively has also made him a passable team defender, and he can hold his own against some players.
Gone are the days when the only option for Robinson was dribble handoffs for his threes as he has now shown the ability to attack off the catch and even developed the ability to make plays out of those dribble handoffs. Robinson is not the same player that he was before, expanding his game from being just more than a shooter to now being a secondary or third playmaker.
To further hide his defensive deficiencies and lessen the possible mishaps when he&rsquo;s on the floor, Robinson can be set up to match some of the Celtics&rsquo; easiest covers like Sam Hauser for both of their minutes. Robinson could come in at the same time as Hauser to match him up shot for shot, match his production from the three-point line, and try to see it from there.
The Heat should matchup-hunt and punish the Celtics&rsquo; average at-best defenders&nbsp;
Another thing that the Heat could do to tarnish the Celtics&rsquo; seemingly impenetrable team is to target their average-at-best defenders Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet. The Heat should hunt for Pritchard and Hauser on switches when they&rsquo;re on the floor and make them near to unplayable. They should also ask for switches on the high pick and roll with Kornet to leave him on an island at the top of the key. If they do this, the Heat could create two on-the-ball advantages that would be very useful in getting other guys open.
Miami has lineups that can exploit these players. Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., a prolific post-up player, could hunt Pritchard for post-ups, and then the Heat could surround him with shooters and short-roll decision-makers. If Boston sends two to the ball to help, it is an easy kick out to the open man and now the Heat have a chance to hit their wide-open looks.
If these players do end up getting played off the floor, the Celtics&rsquo; rotation will shrink and their top six guys will have to work as much as they can, exerting more effort than they should and usually do, and then maybe they&rsquo;ll tire out &ndash; which could be largely beneficial for the Heat in the long run. This is when the Heat&rsquo;s depth could come in handy &ndash; when Boston would need to rely only on their top six guys to win games.
Jaime Jaquez would need to be big
Despite being a rookie, Jaquez is about to shoulder a bigger load than he should be, and even with the daunting expectations, he should &ndash; or at least he needs to &ndash; match them.&nbsp;
Will he be able to exceed expectations and perform what&rsquo;s expected of him? That remains to be seen. But if there&rsquo;s any indication from this season with the way he played and carried himself throughout the year, this rookie would step up to the plate.&nbsp;
In the final play in vs Chicago, Jaquez had 21 points on 6 rebounds and 6 assists, leading the Heat to the 8th seed. He scored in a variety of ways, including threes, hard drives to the rim, post-ups, and fadeaway jumpers &ndash; reminiscent of Butler&rsquo;s game.
However, without Butler, Jaquez would have to carry a much bigger load as he will be asked to be one of the main threats. Last year Butler&rsquo;s masterclass saved them vs the much-favored Bucks and Celtics, but now that they don&rsquo;t have him, the Heat would need production from everyone in this series with little to no room for errors or any mental mistakes.&nbsp;
It might be too much to ask for a rookie to handle these kinds of situations, but Jaquez should be equipped and ready for the challenge as Miami enters this series vs Boston.

There will be no expectations for Miami after learning Jimmy Butler would be out for at least several weeks following his knee injury.

2024 NBA Playoffs: How the Heat could make the Celtics bleed

Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson has had his fair share of ups and downs in the NBA. 
After going undrafted and becoming a key player in the 2020 NBA Finals, he got paid the big bucks and then was unplayable at times in the playoffs. Now, Robinson has once again emerged as a vital piece in Miami&rsquo;s offense under Erik Spoelstra.
At 6-foot-7, Robinson can shoot the lights out. The threat of his shooting from beyond the arc stretches the defense out, allowing Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to operate from inside the paint.
However, over the past two seasons, Robinson was close to unplayable (especially in the postseason) as teams exploited his inability to put the ball on the floor by running him off the three-point line and attacking him on defense.&nbsp;
Robinson made it a point in the offseason to develop his in-between game and how to attack closeouts off the catch (either getting to the rim or dishing to teammates). This work paid off, as Robinson is currently averaging a career-high 2.8 assists in addition to his 13.2 points and 40.6% shooting from deep.
By improving his ability to put the ball on the floor on dribble handoff actions &ndash; a staple of the Heat&rsquo;s offense &ndash; Robinson is earning significant playing time again. He now makes it a point to find his rim-running teammates and make kick-out passes to the wings.
On Monday against the Sacramento Kings, this was on full display as Robinson dished out a career-best 11 assists as the Heat played without their main playmakers Butler, Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro Robinson&rsquo;s previous career-high in assists was 7 (which he did four times -- three of which came this season). This is a testament to his incredible growth as a facilitator, and he deserves credit for correcting his biggest weakness.
Most of Robinson&rsquo;s assists were from Adebayo&rsquo;s dribble-handoff actions, finding him multiple times by going downhill and dropping it off in the paint. When Adebayo wasn&rsquo;t available for the roll, Robinson kicked it out to Caleb Martin for a corner three.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Duncan Robinson dribble handoffs <a href="https://t.co/f2WFMAfWa7">pic.twitter.com/f2WFMAfWa7</a>
&mdash; Mon Anthony Valmoria (@Morval_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morval_/status/1762495914915377268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
On these couple of possessions, Robinson connected with Kevin Love in another dribble handoff that flowed into a pick-and-pop three as well as finding Love on the run for a transition triple.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Duncan Robinson connecting with Kevin Love <a href="https://t.co/XnmluzNFXJ">pic.twitter.com/XnmluzNFXJ</a>
&mdash; Mon Anthony Valmoria (@Morval_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morval_/status/1762496414628958336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
Robinson is giving Miami's offense a different look and an additional option. Rather than just shooting off of screens, he's looking to set up his teammates by picking his spots and playing at his own pace.
Gone are the days when teams can run Robinson off the three-point line because he can't attack closeouts, and that's great news for Miami come playoff time.

Duncan Robinson worked hard to fix his biggest weakness, which has added a new dimension to the Miami Heat's offense.

Duncan Robinson’s evolution gives Miami Heat another dimension on offense

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today at NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 the selection of 14 finalists from the following committees: North American, Women&rsquo;s, Men&rsquo;s Veterans, Women&rsquo;s Veterans, International, and Contributors.
The finalists will then be put forward to the Honors Committee to be considered for election as members of the Class of 2024. The new class will be announced in Phoenix on April 6 at the NCAA Men&rsquo;s Final Four.
North American Committee Finalists (in alphabetical order):
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Chauncey Billups</li>
<li>Vince Carter</li>
<li>Michael Cooper</li>
<li>Walter Davis</li>
<li>Bo Ryan</li>
<li>Charles Smith</li>
</ul>
Women's Committee Finalists:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Seimone Augustus</li>
<li>Marian Washington</li>
</ul>
Men&rsquo;s Veteran Committee Finalist:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Dick Barnett</li>
</ul>
Women's Veteran Committee Finalist:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Harley Redin</li>
</ul>
International Committee Finalist:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Michele Timms</li>
</ul>
Contributors Committee Finalists:
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Doug Collins</li>
<li>Herb Simon</li>
<li>Jerry West</li>
</ul>
"Being named a Finalist for the Class of 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is a testament to the highest echelons of achievement in the sport,&rdquo; said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. &ldquo;It's an honor that reflects not only individual greatness but also the long-lasting impact on the game itself. From the strategic brilliance of coaches to the unmatched abilities of players and the influential roles of a coach/broadcaster, an esteemed owner, and a dynasty-building executive, each Finalist embodies the pinnacle of basketball excellence. Their inclusion underscores the diverse contributions that have shaped and enriched the sport, making this recognition truly exceptional."
The Class of 2024 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass., on August 16-17. VIP packages for the 2024 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend are now available. Single-event tickets will go on sale on April 6, following the 2024 Class Announcement.
North American Committee Finalists:
CHAUNCEY BILLUPS&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash; Nicknamed "Mr. Big Shot" for his ability to deliver crucial plays in pivotal moments, Billups was a five-time NBA All-Star and the 2004 Finals MVP after leading the Detroit Pistons to their third NBA championship. During his 17-year career, Billups&rsquo; averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, while his&nbsp; 89.4&nbsp; free throw percentage is sixth best in NBA/ABA history. Billups was drafted third overall in 1997 by the Boston Celtics after earning Second Team All-American honors at Colorado. He is the current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
VINCE CARTER&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash; Renowned for his high-flying dunks, the former North Carolina standout was an eight-time All-Star in his 22 NBA seasons (1998-2020). Carter, who won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, was named the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year and is the only player in NBA history to play in four different decades. Carter averaged 16.7 points per game (21.3 as a starter) and also played a pivotal role in the success of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, clinching a gold medal with the U.S. Men's Basketball Team. He currently holds the single-season franchise scoring record for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors.
MICHAEL COOPER&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Cooper was named to eight NBA All-Defensive Teams, taking home First-Team accolades five times and winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1987. The former third-round draft pick (60th overall) out of the University of New Mexico spent his entire 12-year NBA career (1978-90) with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships while routinely matching up with the opponent&rsquo;s top shooter. Following his playing career, Cooper entered the coaching ranks and earned WNBA Coach of the Year accolades in 2000 with the Los Angeles Sparks before winning back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001-02.
WALTER DAVIS&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;The all-time leading scorer in Phoenix Suns&rsquo; history was a six-time All-Star (1978-81, &lsquo;84, &lsquo;87) during his 15-year NBA career with the Suns (1977-88), Denver Nuggets (1988-92) and Portland Trail Blazers (1991). Before Phoenix chose Davis with the fifth pick in the 1977 draft, the standout player from North Carolina won a gold medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics. He then averaged 24.2 points per game in his first NBA season and was named the 1978 Rookie of the Year. The late Davis had&nbsp;his No. 6 retired by the Suns, and in 2004, he was enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor.
BO RYAN&nbsp;[Coach] &ndash;&nbsp;Ryan went 747-233 (.762) in 32 seasons as a collegiate head coach with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (1984-89), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1999-2001) and University of Wisconsin (2001-15), including a 364-130 (.737) ledger in 14-plus seasons in Madison. Ryan, honored four times as the Big Ten Coach of the Year, led Wisconsin to unprecedented success, clinching four Big Ten regular-season titles, winning three Big Ten tournament championships, and making back-to-back Final Four appearances (2014-15). The four-time Division III champion (1991, &lsquo;95, &lsquo;98-99) was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
CHARLES SMITH&nbsp;[Coach] &ndash; Smith is Louisiana's all-time winningest high school head coach, surpassing the previous mark of 1,071 in 2020. With eight state championships to his name, Smith&rsquo;s coaching tenure at Peabody Magnet High School began in 1985 after starting as a math teacher in 1975. He guided the Warhorses to a pair of perfect seasons, going 41-0 in 2004 and 2010 and earning national top-five rankings. Smith, ESPN&rsquo;s National Coach of the Year in 2010, was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021. In addition, Smith served as a head coach at the McDonald&rsquo;s All-American game in 2020.
Women&rsquo;s Committee Finalists:
SEIMONE AUGUSTUS&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Augustus, who was selected first overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft, was a four-time champion and eight-time All-Star during her 15-year WNBA career (2006-2020). The cornerstone player for the Minnesota Lynx, where she spent 14 of her 15 seasons, averaged 15.4 points per game and was named the 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2011 Finals MVP. At LSU, Augustus led the Tigers to three straight Final Four appearances and won the Naismith College Player of the Year and Wooden Awards in back-to-back campaigns (2005-06).
MARIAN WASHINGTON&nbsp;[Coach] &ndash; Washington led the University of Kansas women&rsquo;s basketball team for 31 seasons (1973-2004) and recorded a school-record 560 wins. The Jayhawks made 11 NCAA tournament appearances under her guidance, including two trips to the Sweet 16 (1996, &lsquo;97). Washington, who also served as Kansas&rsquo; director for women&rsquo;s athletics from 1974-79, was named her conference&rsquo;s Coach of the Year on three occasions (Big Eight: 1992, &rsquo;96; Big 12: 1997). She was a pioneer on the international stage, becoming one of the first two African American women to compete in basketball internationally at the 1971 World Championships and the first black woman to coach a United States team in international play at the 1982 R. William Jones Cup. Washington, who was the first female president of the Black Coaches Association, was inducted into the Women&rsquo;s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Men&rsquo;s Veteran Committee Finalist:
DICK BARNETT&nbsp;[Player] &ndash;&nbsp;Barnett first gained prominence at Tennessee A&amp;I University, where he led the Tigers to three straight NAIA national championships (1957-59), the first historically black school to claim a men&rsquo;s basketball title. The &ldquo;Skull&rdquo; played 14 NBA seasons with the Syracuse Nationals (1959-61), Los Angeles Lakers (1962-65) and New York Knicks (1965-73), winning a pair of titles in the Big Apple (1970, &lsquo;73) and making his lone All-Star team in 1968. The Knicks retired his No. 12, and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honored his 1957&ndash;59 Tigers squad in 2019.
Women&rsquo;s Veteran Committee Finalists:
HARLEY REDIN&nbsp;[Coach]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Redin went 431-66 in 18 seasons leading Wayland Baptist&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s basketball program and captured six AAU National Championships. He coached the Flying Queens to two undefeated women&rsquo;s seasons (1956, &lsquo;57), 17 top-five finishes, and went 110-2 during his first four campaigns at Wayland Baptist. Redin also coached the Women&rsquo;s U.S. National Team in 1959, the 1971 Pan-American Games, and the 1963 World Tournament in Peru. He was the recipient of the Jostens-Berenson Service Award by the Women&rsquo;s Basketball Coaches Association for his lifetime of service to women&rsquo;s basketball in 1992, inducted into the Women&rsquo;s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999, and honored with the Naismith Award for Outstanding Contribution to the game of women&rsquo;s basketball in 2000.
International Committee Finalist:
MICHELE TIMMS&nbsp;[Player]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;A trailblazer in Australian women&rsquo;s basketball, Timms became well-known as one of the best point guards in the world, representing the Australian national team throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Timms won a pair of Olympic medals with the Opals, winning bronze in 1996 and silver in 2000, and was the first Australian, male or female, to play professional basketball internationally when she suited up for Lotus M&uuml;nchen in Germany. In addition, Timms spent five seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, guiding the team to a berth in the 1998 WNBA Finals and earning an All-Star selection in 1999. The Sport Australia Hall of Fame inducted her in 2003, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. The Mercury retired her No. 7 jersey in 2002.
Contributor Committee Finalists:
DOUG COLLINS&nbsp;[Coach/broadcaster]&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Collins' versatile career in basketball is marked by significant achievements in roles ranging from player to coach to broadcaster, underscoring his wide-ranging impact on the sport. Following an NBA career where he was a four-time All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers, he transitioned into coaching and accumulated over 400 wins with the Chicago Bulls (1986-89), Detroit Pistons (1995-98), Washington Wizards (2001-03) and 76ers (2010-13). Collins, who coached Hall of Famer Michael Jordan in both Chicago and Washington,&nbsp;also served as an analyst for various NBA-related broadcasts for CBS, NBC, TNT, TBS, and ABC/ESPN, along with working for NBC at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
HERB SIMON&nbsp;[Owner] &ndash; Simon, the longest-tenured governor in the history of the NBA, purchased the Indiana Pacers, along with his late brother Mel, back in 1983. Under Simon&rsquo;s stewardship, the Pacers won numerous Central Division titles and made the franchise&rsquo;s first NBA Finals in 2000. Throughout his ownership period, the Pacers have been home to legendary players like Jermaine O&rsquo;Neal, Rik Smits, and Reggie Miller (Class of 2012). Beyond ownership, Simon's influence extends deeply into the heart of the Pacers&rsquo; organization, shaping its identity and impact both on and off the court through his philanthropic endeavors and civic engagement.
JERRY WEST&nbsp;[Executive] &ndash; Enshrined as a player in 1980, West then went on to establish himself off the court as one of the most successful executives in the sport&rsquo;s history. West played a pivotal role as the architect of a pair of Los Angeles Lakers&rsquo; dynasties during the 1980s and 2000s, drafting key players like Magic Johnson and James Worthy, acquiring Kobe Bryant, signing free agent Shaquille O'Neal, and hiring head coach Phil Jackson. He totaled eight NBA championships in Los Angeles (1980, &lsquo;82, &lsquo;85, &lsquo;87-88, 2000-02) and was named Executive of the Year twice (1995, 2004). Following his time in the Lakers&rsquo; front office (1979-2000), West served as GM of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2002-07 before earning two additional NBA championships as an executive with the Golden State Warriors (2015, &lsquo;17).

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 14 finalists for the class of 2024 including Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announces 14 finalists in class of 2024

The Miami Heat have acquired guard Terry Rozier in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick, as reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski</a>.
Rozier, 29, is averaging a career-best 23.2 points this season along with 6.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds through 30 games this season. So far, the 37-year-old Lowry, a 2019 NBA champion, has put up 8.2 points, 4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game through 37 games.
The move gives Miami (24-19, sixth in the East) a significant upgrade at the point-guard position with a player in his prime in Rozier. Lowry was moved to the bench for the past two games in favor of Caleb Martin as his age has caught up to him and led to a decline in his quality of play.
According to Wojnarowski, the 2027 first-round pick is lottery-protected in 2027 and becomes unprotected if it conveys through 2028.
The Hornets, under new ownership (Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin) in the post-Michael Jordan era, are starting to make moves and embrace a full rebuild around young star LaMelo Ball and 2023 first-round selection Brandon Miller. 
With Charlotte planning to continue accumulating future assets, notable veterans Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and PJ Washington are names to monitor as the NBA's Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.

The Heat have acquired Terry Rozier in a trade with the Hornets in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round pick.

Hornets trade Terry Rozier to Heat for Kyle Lowry, first-round pick

The Charlotte Hornets spoiled Karl-Anthony Towns&rsquo; career night with a come-from-behind 128-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Towns scored a career-best 62 points, but the Hornets came through with a 36-18 fourth quarter to steal the game in the Wolves' den.
The 6-foot-11 big man surpassed his previous career-best of 60 points and set a new franchise record in the process. Towns put up 44 big points in the first half, which is the fourth-most points scored in a half in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).
However, he only scored 4 points in the fourth quarter as the Hornets keyed in on him defensively while making tough shots of their own. Brandon Miller, Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges all contributed to the game-changing run in the fourth to give Charlotte just its 10th win of the season.
Despite the loss, Towns made history in several other categories:
<ul>
<li>Seventh player in NBA history with multiple 60-point games</li>
<li>First player in NBA history with 10+ two-point makes, 10+ three-point makes and 10+ free-throw makes in a single game</li>
<li>First center in NBA history with 60+ points and 10+ threes in a game&nbsp;</li>
<li>Most points in a loss since Devin Booker&rsquo;s 70-point game</li>
</ul>
Along with Joel Embiid&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/joel-embiid-erupts-for-70-points-to-beat-victor-wembanyama-spurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">historic 70-point night</a>, tonight was the first time in 45 years that two players scored 60 points or more on the same night (and the fourth such instance in NBA history).
Minnesota&rsquo;s loss drops their record to 30-13. Although they are still the No. 1 seed in the West, they are now in danger of relinquishing the top spot for the first time since November with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets right on their heels. Tomorrow, the Thunder play the Blazers while the Nuggets play the Pacers, and both teams have a chance to tie the Wolves atop the West.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored a career-best 62 points, but it wasn't enough to put away the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets spoil Karl-Anthony Towns career-best 62 points, beat Wolves

The NBA today announced that Los Angeles has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2026. The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, home of the LA Clippers, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, and the first time the Intuit Dome will host the annual midseason showcase reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement today during a press conference at Intuit Dome, where he was joined by Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr.
&ldquo;The Intuit Dome promises to present a unique and innovative live basketball experience which will be an extraordinary venue for the NBA All-Star Game in 2026,&rdquo; said Silver. &ldquo;Thanks again to Steve Ballmer, Gillian Zucker, and the Clippers organization for their commitment to delivering a world-class showcase of the very best of our sport.&rdquo;
Intuit Dome, which is set to open in August 2024, is a multipurpose venue that will be the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
&ldquo;We are building Intuit Dome to house and showcase the best basketball players in the world, and we are honored they will all be under our roof for NBA All-Star,&rdquo; said Ballmer. &ldquo;Along with Inglewood and Los Angeles, we thank the NBA for bringing the league&rsquo;s marquee event to Intuit Dome in 2026.&rdquo;
The Clippers worked in collaboration with the Los Angeles Sports &amp; Entertainment Commission to bring NBA All-Star 2026 to Los Angeles.
NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 13 at Intuit Dome with NBA Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On Feb. 14, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Challenge and AT&amp;T Slam Dunk. NBA All-Star 2026 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15. The NBA will host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout Los Angeles and Inglewood, including at Kia Forum and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
These events, including NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&amp;T, the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and an NBA All-Star fan fest, will feature basketball programming and entertainment for fans as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.
The league will also continue to celebrate its commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2026. Through partnerships with schools, local and national nonprofit organizations, the league will reach thousands of children and families in Los Angeles, Inglewood and the surrounding areas and provide critical resources to community-based programs.
NBA ALL-STAR HISTORY IN LOS ANGELES
This will mark the record seventh NBA All-Star in the Los Angeles area, which hosted the event in 2018, 2011, 2004, 1983, 1972 and 1963, and the first time the midseason showcase has been held at the Intuit Dome. The previous six NBA All-Star events in Los Angeles (including two at The Forum in Inglewood) have showcased extraordinary performances by some of the best players in league history. Each NBA All-Star Game MVP in Los Angeles was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and selected to at least 11 All-Star Games: LeBron James (MVP in 2018), Kobe Bryant (2011), Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal (2004), Julius Erving (1983), Jerry West (1972) and Bill Russell (1963).
The most recent NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles (2018) featured a dramatic finish as Team LeBron rallied from a 13-point deficit with seven minutes to play to defeat Team Stephen 148-145 in the first All-Star Game without a matchup between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. As the captain of Team LeBron, James made a game-tying three-pointer with 1:30 remaining and a go-ahead layup with 34.5 seconds left in the game. NBA All-Star 2026 will mark the 15th anniversary of the 2011 midseason celebration in Los Angeles, where the Clippers&rsquo; Blake Griffin played on the winning teams in the All-Star Game and Rising Stars and was crowned Slam Dunk champion as a rookie. That year, the Los Angeles Lakers&rsquo; Bryant earned his record-tying fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award after scoring 37 points to lift the Western Conference past the Eastern Conference 148-143.

Los Angeles has been selected to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Clippers' new arena, Intuit Dome, in Inglewood.

Los Angeles to host 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend at Clippers' Intuit Dome

Blake Stern previews the NBA's Central Division, breaking down each team's projected lineup and burning question entering the year.

NBA Central Division Preview: Burning questions, rotation projections

Today, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) announced their continued partnership in hosting the fifth&nbsp;annual Top 50 Basketball Camp. The camp will take place July 27&ndash;29 at Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. &nbsp; The best players from each conference will be featured at the camp in a model like the NBPA's Top 100 Camp. Players at the Top 50 Camp will participate in basketball skill training exercises and attend leadership and life development sessions off the court. &nbsp; "NBPA members have a true appreciation for HBCUs, and the Top 50 Camp is a great way for the NBPA to continue strengthening its connection with the HBCU community," said Purvis Short, the NBPA's Chief of Player Programs. "Our partnership with the SIAC and SWAC has given us a unique opportunity to host a productive learning experience for HBCU athletes to better themselves as men on and off the court." The camp also aims to cultivate and create coaching and talent pipelines for current and retired NBA players exploring the transition into careers in intercollegiate athletics. &nbsp; "The Southwestern Athletic Conference is elated to continue our partnership with the NBPA Top 50 Camp," said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. "This partnership is an amazing opportunity for our student-athletes to participate in athletic and professional development initiatives that will positively impact them both on and off the court. This event has steadily grown and has quickly become a signature event that our student-athletes look forward to participating in on an annual basis." &nbsp; In addition to skill development and on-court drills, the camp will include a series of highly-competitive scrimmages and games, allowing the players to showcase their talent against the best of their neighboring conference. &nbsp; "I commend the NBPA for its commitment to HBCUs as The Top 50 Camp serves as a basketball combine for our student-athletes to showcase their talents while receiving instruction from current and former NBA players," said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman. &nbsp; Camp participants from the SIAC include:
<table border="0" width="432" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">First Name</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Last Name</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">College or University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Aziel</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Blackwell</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kentucky State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Devin</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Booker</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Tuskegee University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Eleik</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Bowles</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Savannah State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Gregg</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Boyd II</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Tuskegee University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Steven</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Dulley</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Tuskegee University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Ashton</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Hawkins</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Spring Hill College</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Martez</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jones</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Tuskegee University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Robert</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kendrick</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Fort Valley State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kong</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kong</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kentucky State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Myson</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Lowe</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Fort Valley State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Steven</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Lyles</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Spring Hill College</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Chris</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Martin</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Clark Atlanta University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Joemel</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">McNair</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Morehouse College</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jamir</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Moore</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Albany State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Sean</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Paige</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Central State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Ayjay</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Plain</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Savannah State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Antwoin</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Reed Jr</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Central State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kerry</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Richardson</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Morehouse College</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jordan</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Simpson</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Albany State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Raevon</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Thomas</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Central State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Terin</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Wofford</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Albany State University</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>&nbsp; &nbsp; Camp participants from the SWAC include: &nbsp;</div>
<table border="0" width="432" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">First Name</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Last Name</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">College or University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Chase</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Adams</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jackson State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jaylen</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Bates</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Florida A&amp;M University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Eric</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Coleman</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Zeke</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Cook</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jackson State university</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Dhashon</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Dyson</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Bethune Cookman University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Ken</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Evans Jr.</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jackson State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jeremiah</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Gambrell</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alcorn State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kolby</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Granger</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Texas Southern University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Zion</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Harmon</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Bethune Cookman University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">P. J.</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Henry</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Texas Southern University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Elijah</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Hulsewe</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Bethune Cookman University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Byron</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Joshua</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alcorn State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jeremiah</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kendall</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alcorn State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">T. J.</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Madlock</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Romelle</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Mansel</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jackson State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Kylen</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Milton</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">University of Arkansas Pine Bluff</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Zytarious</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Mortle</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Texas Southern University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Festus</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Ndumanya</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Southern University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Omari</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Peek</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Dailin</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Smith</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">D. K.</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Thorn</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alcorn State University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Cameron</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Tucker</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Ernest (EJ)</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Williams</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Alabama A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Rashad</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Williams</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">University of Arkansas Pine Bluff</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Coltie</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Young</td>
<td nowrap="nowrap">Jackson State University</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The NBPA, SIAC and SWAC will host the fifth annual Top 50 Basketball Camp from July 27-29 in Atlanta.

NBPA, SIAC and SWAC to host 5th annual Top 50 Basketball Camp

The 2023 NBA Draft could go down as a special class, with talented prospects such as Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller and the Thompson twins as well as some interesting depth pieces.
But will it ever be considered one of the best draft classes in NBA history? That remains to be seen.
Today, we're going to identify the cr&egrave;me de la cr&egrave;me of NBA draft classes.
The 2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft featured multiple generational talents that would come to define the NBA for the next two decades. Led by LeBron James, this class also included household names such as Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Not only did this draft have star power, it was also very deep. Twenty-seven players from the 2003 class played at least 10 seasons in the NBA: James, Wade, Anthony, Bosh, Kyle Korver, David West, Zaza Pachulia, Nick Collison, Boris Diaw, Kendrick Perkins, Leandro Barbosa, James Jones, Chris Kaman, Kirk Hinrich, Dahntay Jones, Steve Blake, Mo Williams, Luke Ridnour, Willie Green, Matt Bonner, Travis Outlaw, Keith Bogans, Darko Milicic, Mickael Pietrus, Sasha Pavlovic, Josh Howard and Luke Walton. This class featured nine All-Stars and plenty of quality role players.
The 1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft stands as a legendary class, and some might argue that it's the greatest draft of all-time. Two of the top three picks &mdash; Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon &mdash; would ultimately etch their names in the annals of basketball history and redefine greatness. In addition to Jordan and Olajuwon, players like Charles Barkley, John Stockton and Alvin Robertson showcased their immense talent as well. This class produced five Hall-of-Famers and seven All-Stars.
The 1996 NBA Draft
The 1996 NBA Draft changed the landscape of the league, heralding the arrival of future Hall-of-Famers and icons. Led by the legendary Kobe Bryant and the enigmatic Allen Iverson, this class boasted an array of talent that reinvigorated the game. This class also featured Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Jermaine O'Neal, Ben Wallace, Stephon Marbury, Peja Stojakovic, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Antoine Walker, Marcus Camby, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Derek Fisher. The 1996 NBA Draft was deep, producing 10 All-Stars and five Hall-of-Famers. Jon Finkel recently revisited this star-studded class in his book "1996," and he <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/revisiting-the-starstudded-1996-nba-draft-kobe-bryant-ray-allen-steve-nash-allen-iverson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ran a terrific excerpt on Basketball News</a>.
The 1985 NBA Draft
The 1985 NBA Draft was certainly special. This class featured 10 All-Stars including Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Joe Dumars, Detlef Schrempf, Xavier McDaniel, Charles Oakley, &nbsp;AC Green, Terry Porter and Michael Adams. The class also featured Arvydas Sabonis, an overseas legend and terrific Portland Trail Blazer. Like the 1996 NBA Draft, this class has the star power and depth to be considered one of the best drafts in NBA history.
The 2009 NBA Draft
While not as immediately illustrious as some of the other classes on this list, the 2009 NBA Draft proved to be a treasure trove of talent. This class exemplified the importance of patience and player development, as Stephen Curry, James Harden, Blake Griffin, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague would all go on to become All-Stars. Griffin missed his rookie year with an injury, but dominated as soon as he stepped on an NBA court. Curry battled injuries early in his career, but would become a four-time champion and two-time MVP. Harden went from being an elite sixth man to an MVP once he got the opportunity in Houston. This class also featured Brandon Jennings, Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, Patty Mills, Danny Green, Taj Gibson and Patrick Beverley among others.
Which class is the greatest in NBA history? <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tweet us your thoughts</a>!&nbsp;

Basketball News examines the crème de la crème of draft classes throughout NBA history.

Exploring the 5 best draft classes in NBA history

Every now and then, a trade comes along that ends up shifting the landscape of the NBA.
There are quite a few NBA legends who have been traded, forever altering the course of franchises. Today, we're revisiting some of the biggest trades in NBA history.
Bill Russell to the Boston Celtics
One of the most significant trades in NBA history occurred in 1956 when the Celtics acquired Bill Russell from the St. Louis Hawks in a draft-day trade. In a stroke of genius by Celtics coach and general manager Red Auerbach, Boston acquired No. 2 overall pick Russell in exchange for Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley. Russell, a dominant defensive force and rebounder, quickly became the linchpin of the Celtics' dynasty, leading them to an unprecedented 11 NBA championships in his 13 seasons with the team. His shot-blocking prowess and unyielding will to win solidified his legacy as one of the greatest winners in sports history. The trade not only transformed the Celtics into a perennial powerhouse but also established Russell as a symbol of defensive excellence and team-oriented basketball. His impact on the franchise and the league as a whole remains unparalleled, making this trade a cornerstone of NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1975, the Milwaukee Bucks sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers. At that time, Abdul-Jabbar was already established as one of the league's dominant forces, but his desire for a change of scenery led to this monumental deal. The Lakers gave up Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman and Dave Meyers for Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley. This trade proved to be a game-changer for the Lakers, as Abdul-Jabbar's presence immediately elevated them to championship contention. Abdul-Jabbar and his unstoppable skyhook led the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, solidifying Kareem as one of the greatest players in basketball history and cementing this as one of the most impactful NBA trades of all-time.
Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers
In another major trade that reverberated throughout the NBA, Wilt Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968. Chamberlain, already an established superstar and prolific scorer, brought his dominant presence and unparalleled scoring ability to the Lakers. The trade was a strategic move by the Lakers to bolster their roster and create a formidable trio of Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Chamberlain's arrival in Los Angeles marked the beginning of a successful era for the Lakers, culminating in a championship in 1972. The trade reshaped the Lakers' fortunes and added another illustrious chapter to Chamberlain's storied career, solidifying him as an all-time great.
Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers
While Kobe Bryant only ever suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his 20-year NBA career, he was actually drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. However, immediately after the selection, a pre-arranged trade sent Bryant to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac. This trade, orchestrated by general manager Jerry West, proved to be a stroke of genius that forever altered the course of the Lakers' franchise. Bryant went on to become one of the most iconic figures in NBA history and a five-time champion. This trade not only transformed the Lakers' future but also set the stage for Bryant to become one of the greatest players to ever grace the basketball court.
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/kg.png" alt="" width="723" height="363" />
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics
In 2007, the Boston Celtics orchestrated a masterstroke by acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join forces with Paul Pierce. While these were two separate trades, Garnett and Allen were in communication throughout the process and Boston pulled off both moves over the course of three days &ndash; transforming the Celtics from a struggling franchise to a powerhouse contender. The Celtics' Big Three revolutionized the concept of superstar collaborations, and their union culminated in an NBA championship in 2008, rejuvenating the storied Celtics franchise and igniting the era of superteams.
LeBron James to the Miami Heat
While many NBA fans know about "The Decision" and LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach, they may not realize that James ultimately landed in Miami via a sign-and-trade. James, the league's reigning MVP, made the highly controversial decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Heat. In exchange for parting with James in the sign-and-trade, the Cavs received two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap (as well as a large traded-player exception).
The move instantly transformed the Heat into a juggernaut and created a new era of superteams. While "The Decision" ignited a firestorm of criticism, it also showcased the power and influence that superstar players had in shaping the league's landscape. With James leading the way, the Heat reached the NBA Finals in all four years of his tenure, winning two championships in 2012 and 2013. This trade not only marked a pivotal moment in James' career but also had a profound impact on the way teams approached team-building, ushering in the player-movement era in the modern NBA.
What's your favorite league-altering trade? <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tweet us your thoughts here</a>! And for <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/fa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a list of the biggest free-agency signings of all-time, click here!</a>

Basketball News looks back on six blockbuster trades that altered the course of NBA history.