Warriors

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the race for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters heats up, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain the fan favorites in the second round of All-Star voting returns, the league announced Tuesday.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers&rsquo; Doncic holds the top spot overall in fan votes, while the Bucks&rsquo; Giannis remains the leader in the Eastern Conference heading into the next phase of voting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Doncic&rsquo;s lead in the West continues to grow as fans rally behind the Lakers star, with more than 2.2 million votes. He remains ahead of other top Western Conference contenders like Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, all of whom hold strong early support as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the East, Giannis sits atop the leaderboard with just over 2.09 million votes, keeping his nod as the conference&rsquo;s most popular All-Star candidate among fan voters. Behind him, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey have moved into the next spots, while Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell round out the top five in the East.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fan voting accounts for 50 % of the total vote used to determine All-Star starters, with current NBA players and a media panel each contributing 25 %. Voting continues through Jan. 14, with the second batch of results providing a key snapshot of who&rsquo;s trending early in the 2026 All-Star campaign.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the All-Star Game set for Feb. 15, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif., and a new USA vs. World format on the horizon, every vote &ndash; and every fan push &ndash; could make the difference in who steps on the court when the league&rsquo;s brightest assemble later this season. </span></p>

Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain the fan favorites in the second round of All-Star voting returns.

Luka, Giannis continue to lead 2026 NBA All-Star Game voting in second returns

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The race for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters kicked off with a bang as the league released the first fan voting returns, and two of the game&rsquo;s biggest stars are pacing the leaderboard. Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers leads all players in total fan votes, while Giannis Antetokounmpo tops the Eastern Conference returns.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luka has surged ahead in the early returns with more than 1,249,500 votes, leading the Western Conference and all NBA players in fan support. Behind him in the West are stars like Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama &ndash; each drawing strong early backing from fans.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the East, Giannis has taken an early edge with over 1,192,200 votes, besting fellow All-Star hopefuls including Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fan voting represents 50 % of the ballot share for All-Star starters, with current NBA players and media panels accounting for the remaining 50 % (25 % each). The results are just the first step in a voting process that continues through mid-January, including a special &ldquo;3-for-1 Day&rdquo; where each fan vote counts three times.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This season&rsquo;s All-Star Game &ndash; featuring a new USA vs. World three-team round-robin format &mdash; is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the midseason showcase now shaping up to highlight international stars like Luka and Giannis at the top, fans have plenty of time to weigh in as voting progresses in the coming weeks.</span></p>

The race for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters kicked off with a bang as the league released the first fan voting returns.

Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo lead first All-Star Game voting returns

<div>It's rare for young NBA stars to develop without labels. The comparison of every skill, hesitation move, or late-game possession to someone who came before is inevitable.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Cade Cunningham, who is the foundation of the Detroit Pistons' franchise, keeps hearing about Brandon Roy. The comparison is not based on hype or nostalgia. The outcome depends on how Cunningham plays the game.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<h2>Why Brandon Roy&rsquo;s Name Resonates</h2>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Brandon Roy&rsquo;s NBA career was short, but he left a mark that sticks around. When he was on, Roy could do it all&mdash;he&rsquo;d score with ease, attack from either side, and close out games without losing his cool. He didn&rsquo;t need to outrun everybody; he just controlled the tempo and figured out how to get past defenders with smart moves. Cunningham watches Roy, sees what made him special, and wants to play the same way. You can see it in how he approaches the game.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;I mean, Brandon Roy, he was a legend in my eyes,&rdquo; <a href="https://r.org/2025/12/19/cade-cunningham-honored-to-hear-brandon-roy-comparisons/">Cunningham said</a>. &ldquo;He was special &mdash; did it all. Both hands, inside, outside game. So to even be compared, I feel honored. I think it&rsquo;s a cool comparison. I&rsquo;ve definitely tried to implement things from his game into mine.&rdquo;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Appreciation is not based on imitation. The objective is to comprehend the principles that made Roy effective and apply them to a contemporary game.</div>
<h2>A Style Built on Feel, Not Flash</h2>
<p>Comparisons can either slow a player down or light a fire under them. Cade Cunningham? He&rsquo;s all about that second one. He studies Roy&rsquo;s moves&mdash;the way he uses his feet, how he waits for the right moment, how he glides into open space. Then Cade takes what he sees and makes it his own.</p>
<p>Someday, people won&rsquo;t bother stacking him up against Brandon Roy. Not because they&rsquo;ve forgotten Roy, but because Cade&rsquo;s carved out his own place, he becomes the measuring stick. For now, being compared to Roy isn&rsquo;t a weight on his shoulders. It&rsquo;s just a nod, and Cade&rsquo;s running with it.</p>
<p>&ldquo;There are similarities,&rdquo;<a href="https://landonbuford.com/brandon-roy-cade-cunningham/"> Roy said</a>, pointing to Cunningham&rsquo;s ability to read defenders and operate in tight spaces.</p>
<h2>Respect From Players Who&rsquo;ve Been There</h2>
<p data-start="2129" data-end="2279">The comparison isn&rsquo;t limited to former players on television panels. Current teammates and respected voices around the league echo the same sentiment.</p>
<p data-start="2281" data-end="2319">Vince Carter sees long-term greatness.</p>
<p data-start="2281" data-end="2319">&ldquo;I like Cade,&rdquo; Carter said. &ldquo;I think he has a chance to be very good, and he&rsquo;s gonna be a perennial All-Star, in my opinion.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2448" data-end="2551">Isaiah Stewart, who sees Cunningham daily, emphasized the balance between similarity and individuality.</p>
<p data-start="2553" data-end="2703">&ldquo;Cade&rsquo;s game is Cade&rsquo;s game,&rdquo; Stewart said. &ldquo;Smooth operator. You can find some similarities, obviously &mdash; B Roy is B Roy &mdash; but Cade has his own game.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2705" data-end="2901">That distinction matters. Roy was often a scorer first. Cunningham leans more naturally into playmaking, comfortable initiating offense and making reads that don&rsquo;t always result in personal stats.</p>
<h2 data-start="2705" data-end="2901">Different Eras, Shared Toughness</h2>
<p data-start="2940" data-end="3041">Ryan Hollins offered one of the most layered perspectives, acknowledging both overlap and separation.</p>
<p data-start="3043" data-end="3198">&ldquo;They&rsquo;re different players,&rdquo; Hollins said. &ldquo;Brandon Roy was a playmaker who could score. Cade is a natural point guard. But both are uniquely unstoppable.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="3200" data-end="3370">Hollins also underscored something fans sometimes forget: how dominant Roy truly was before injuries intervened. Being mentioned in the same breath is not casual praise.</p>
<h2 data-start="3200" data-end="3370">Carrying the Comparison Forward</h2>
<p>Cunningham doesn&rsquo;t see the comparison as a burden. He takes it in, sees what he can learn. He watches Roy&rsquo;s footwork, notices his patience, and pays attention to how he moves through space. Then he takes those lessons and makes them his own, folding them into his own style.</p>
<p>Someday, people won&rsquo;t line up Cunningham next to Brandon Roy anymore. Not because they&rsquo;re suddenly so different, but because Cunningham&rsquo;s own track record will be loud enough that nobody needs to make the comparison. Right now, though, the comparison isn&rsquo;t holding him back. It&rsquo;s a nod of respect&mdash;and a reminder that being smart, tough, and in control never really goes out of fashion.</p>
<p data-start="3200" data-end="3370">&nbsp;</p>
<div>&nbsp;</div>

Cade Cunningham reacts to comparisons with Brandon Roy as NBA veterans praise his poise, control, and evolving impact with the Detroit Pistons.

Cade Cunningham and the Brandon Roy Comparison: Respect Earned, Identity Preserved

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one of the most bizarre moves in the league ever, the Los Angeles Clippers have announced they will be &lsquo;sending home&rsquo; former star guard and now veteran Chris Paul.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a news first broken by NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Clippers are reportedly releasing the 38-year-old point guard, whose prime years were spent and played with in the city of angels.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers front office led by president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank issued a statement shortly after the surprising move, saying, the franchise is parting ways with Paul and is willing to &ldquo;work with him on the next step of his career.&rdquo; The statement praised Paul&rsquo;s impact, calling him &ldquo;a legendary Clipper,&rdquo; and emphasized that the decision was not a result of assigning blame for the team&rsquo;s poor start &ndash; rather, the front office accepted responsibility for the overall underperformance.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers entered this season with high hopes after re-signing Paul to a one-year, US$3.6 million deal, returning to the franchise where he starred from 2011&ndash;2017. Paul previously announced he&rsquo;s retiring at the end of the season, marking this season as his last in the league.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As of the release, LA sits at a 5&ndash;16 record, a disappointing record that ranks among the worst in the Western Conference &ndash; and far off the expectations set for a veteran-heavy club. Paul&rsquo;s own bench production this season was modest &ndash; but stats show him averaging career-low numbers in limited minutes backing up starting guard James Harden.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sources say the decision came in the middle of a road trip, with Paul learning about his release late in the night before a scheduled game. In a now-viral social media post, Paul wrote simply, &ldquo;Just found out I&rsquo;m being sent home,&rdquo; accompanied by a peace emoji.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ANALYSIS: For Paul &ndash; a 12-time All-Star, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and a central figure in the Clippers&rsquo; &ldquo;Lob City&rdquo; era &ndash; the release ends a reunion that many hoped would serve as a farewell tour.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite sitting on the fringes of the rotation this season, Paul remains one of the NBA&rsquo;s all-time leaders in assists and steals, and his resume includes remarkable longevity and consistency.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the Clippers&rsquo; perspective, the move appears driven by a desire to shake up a struggling roster and reset direction &ndash; a sign the front office believes the veteran-heavy mix no longer fits their timeline or strategy. Frank&rsquo;s statement explicitly noted the franchise&rsquo;s underperformance, not the player, as the impetus. This likely signals the Clippers signing a younger player to help the team, especially in the athleticism department. The Clippers might also shake it up and make some additional moves, including possibly trading away some players on the roster to try and get better.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul&rsquo;s next steps &ndash; whether another team picks him up, he searches for a trade, or he heads toward retirement &ndash; are uncertain. Given his age (40) and status, this could well mark the end of his storied NBA tenure.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers must now adjust their guard rotation and re-evaluate their direction, possibly leaning more on younger players or exploring trades as they navigate a disappointing start.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The optics and fan reaction are likely to be heated &ndash; releasing a beloved franchise icon mid-season is rare and has generated significant criticism among fans and analysts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This turn of events might go down as one of the most bizarre and talked-about roster shifts of the season. What looked like a leadership move &ndash; a returned legend finishing his career in L.A. &ndash; ended instead with a stark severance.</span></p>

In one of the most bizarre moves in the league ever, the Clippers have announced they will be ‘sending home’ team icon Chris Paul.

Clippers release franchise legend Chris Paul in shocking early-season move

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with head coach Willie Green following a 2-10 start to the 2025-26 season, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Associate head coach James Borrego, who previously coached the Charlotte Hornets, has been named interim head coach for New Orleans.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pelicans Executive VP of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars said in a statement, &ldquo;After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach &hellip; I have the utmost respect for Willie Green &hellip; We wish him and his family all the best in the future.&rdquo; Owner Gayle Benson echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the difficulty of the move but expressing confidence in Dumars&rsquo; decision.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Green departs New Orleans with a 150-190 record over more than four seasons. He led the team to the playoffs twice (2021-22 and 2023-24), but was unable to advance past the first round in either appearance.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This season&rsquo;s slow start was marked by more than just losses. The Pelicans began 0-6 and suffered multiple blowouts; per ESPN research, they became the first team in franchise history to lose three of its first six games by 30+ points. Key injuries have compounded the problems &ndash; Zion Williamson has appeared in only five games due to a hamstring injury, and other notable players have missed time, further destabilizing the roster.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Borrego, who takes over for the remainder of the season, has head coaching experience and the Pelicans are relying on him to stabilize the team and refocus its competitive identity.</span></p>

The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with head coach Willie Green following a 2-10 start to the 2025-26 season.

Pelicans fire head coach Willie Green after dismal 2-10 start

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A&rsquo;ja Wilson has added another chapter to her legacy as the Las Vegas Aces forward was named the WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a record fourth time, becoming the first player in league history to reach that mark. She previously won the award in 2020, 2022, and 2024.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson&rsquo;s MVP isn&rsquo;t just about accumulating hardware &mdash; it&rsquo;s about doing it while lifting her team. After a shaky start (11-11 mid-season), she carried the Aces down the stretch. The Aces closed the regular season with an unprecedented 16-game winning streak, finishing with a 30-14 record and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Across the full campaign, Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game. She again led the league in scoring and blocks, while ranking near the top in rebounds and steals. Her ability to influence games on both ends made much of the difference.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The MVP voting was never really close once the streak took hold. Wilson collected 51 of 72 first-place votes and a total of 657 points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finishing behind her were Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) with 534 points and Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury) with 391. They, along with Allisha Gray and Kelsey Mitchell, were among the top finalists.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson is now the first WNBA player ever to win MVP four times, surpassing legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who each won three. She also co-wins the Defensive Player of the Year this season, further underscoring her all-around impact.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wilson this season has broken the single-season record for most 30-point games (13), further adding to a stat line that includes one of the best seasonal efficiency ratings in recent WNBA history.</span></p>

A’ja Wilson has added another chapter to her legacy as the Las Vegas Aces forward was named the WNBA MVP for the 4th time.

WNBA: A’ja Wilson wins 2025 WNBA MVP to make history as first-ever 4x winner

<div dir="ltr">An Open Letter To RG3</div>
<div dir="ltr">&nbsp;</div>
<div dir="ltr">Dear RG3,
<div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>My son Malcolm was one of the biggest RG3 fans growing up.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-1_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></div>
<div>
<div>In 2011, The Washington Commanders had an open scrimmage for fans and the community. I took my son there and we watched the entire practice from start to finish including stretching, warm ups, everything. So afterwards, we were standing on the side and you walked by Malcolm and said,&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;Hey you got braids like me&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>And Malcolm replied,</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;No, I have dreadlocks&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>And you laughed, and Malcolm asked if he could take a picture with you and from that day on, he was the biggest RG3 fan on earth. So that meant so was I.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>We went to the games, sat out in the stadium in the freezing cold, bought the RG3 jerseys, bought him an RG3 poster with you pointing up to the heavens and me and my wife used it to illustrate that athletes like you and Steph Curry in particular always give thanks and praise to Jesus Christ for everything they accomplish whether it was a touchdown (RG3) or 3 pointer (Steph Curry).</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Young Malcolm received the message and put the poster on his bedroom door. He would tap it every day as he walked by. We were full blown RG3 fans as a family. He even dragged his little sister Imani to the games.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-3_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></div>
<div>
<div>I remember that infamous game in the 2012-2013 NFL Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks where you re-aggravated your knee injury during the game and ultimately tore your ACL and LCL. I remember watching my son asking over and over the entire game from the first snap why you were even playing. He kept saying,&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;If RG3 is hurt and playing, couldn&rsquo;t he get hurt more ?&rdquo;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>He was literally yelling,&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>"Look at his face daddy, he is in pain why is he still playing if he is in that much pain?"</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>When you went down, the look on Malcolm&rsquo;s face is something I will never forget. It was sheer horror followed by anger. I remember he couldn&rsquo;t even sleep that night he was so upset.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/robert-griffin-iii-an-open-letter/2013/01/07/5e4da812-58fd-11e2-beee-6e38f5215402_blog.html">The next day I wrote an article for The Washington Post mainly to convey Malcolm&rsquo;s frustration over the entire situation as we both felt that you should&rsquo;ve never been cleared to play and the medical staff, the coaches, and the entire organization failed you.&nbsp;</a></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Even now, whenever I am discussing the topic of a team neglecting a player&rsquo;s safety and well being by playing them injured and risking their health for &ldquo;The Big Game&rdquo; I use you as an example. It is a cautionary tale for athletes that should be repeated which I did recently in my article titled, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-indiana-pacers-rg3d-tyrese-haliburton?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLfDdtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmNyk6lZSSvwHjakPrXhs6dC9sgeHiJSuaRNTmALm5an_9ymtdg4Px4VUq94_aem_q_a1E4M2rtFYSDjf4ZGzWw">&ldquo;The Indiana Pacers RG3&rsquo;d Tyrese Haliburton&rdquo;&nbsp;</a></div>
<div>
<p>We as a family always supported you. I even did a few Fatherhood Panels with your father at different churches in the DMV including my church First Baptist Church Of Glenarden, Reid Temple, and we went to Wise High School. My daughter became friends with your niece. My wife hugs your mother every time she would see her in church. We loved your entire family.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So now, years later I have to ask you, what happened to you since retiring and going into the media ?&nbsp;</p>
<p>Let me say this, you are incredibly talented behind the mic.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don&rsquo;t have to agree with all of your perspectives and takes to be able to acknowledge that. You have the gift of gab, a big personality on screen, and I am happy you found something you are passionate about especially as I feel and will always stand on the fact that your career was unfairly taken from you by the Washington Commanders coach, medical staff and everyone else who still to this day failed to take responsibility for playing you and in essence ruining your entire career.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But somewhere something changed. You morphed into someone I would have never expected.&nbsp;</p>
<p>By now everyone has seen what transpired with you and your comments regarding a racist disgusting tweet aimed at Angel Reese.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Quick recap, for those who are not aware, Angel Reese was named one of 3 athletes who will grace the NBA 2K26 cover and in response to that news, a now viral tweet replaced her face with that of an ape. So you responded with a tweet condemning the racist depiction and declared that racism has no place in society and can&rsquo;t we all just get along. The tweet was going just fine, but then it took a turn and you brought back up your notion that according to your anonymous sources Angel Reese does in fact hate Caitlin Clark so you was right along. And that&rsquo;s where you lost me.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-4_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></p>
<p>You couldn't just say it was racism, terrible and disgusting and leave it at that? Why would you feel the need to continue this narrative about Angel Reese hating Caitlin Clark ? Why even bring that up? Whether intentional or unintentional, you are fanning the flames for the Caitlin Clark white grievance mob.&nbsp;</p>
<div>You may not be aware of this but let me explain what you are doing again whether intentionally or not.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The Angel Reese is jealous of Caitlin Clark narrative you continue to parrot has been implemented for a reason. This entire situation has been manufactured ever since Angel Reese beat Caitlin Clark (The Great White Hope) in college. There is historical context to this.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Back in 1910, Boxer Jack Johnson beat James Jeffries (The Great White Hope of the time) this fight was marketed and widely viewed as a &ldquo;referendum on white superiority&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>The hate and anger was instant as his victory ignited&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://timeline.com/when-a-black-fighter-won-the-fight-of-the-century-race-riots-erupted-across-america-3730b8bf9c98" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://timeline.com/when-a-black-fighter-won-the-fight-of-the-century-race-riots-erupted-across-america-3730b8bf9c98&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752743372198000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2BLD6dkizo_qfoiccJB3jZ">bloody confrontations and violence</a>&nbsp; all throughout the country actually leaving two dozen people dead, almost all of them Black and hundreds injured and arrested. And that&rsquo;s when Jack Johnson became hated by the white masses.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href="https://theconversation.com/when-a-black-boxing-champion-beat-the-great-white-hope-all-hell-broke-loose-163413" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theconversation.com/when-a-black-boxing-champion-beat-the-great-white-hope-all-hell-broke-loose-163413&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752743372198000&amp;usg=AOvVaw39vP21OkVB_BH6KU_53lal">https://theconversation.com/<wbr />when-a-black-boxing-champion-<wbr />beat-the-great-white-hope-all-<wbr />hell-broke-loose-163413</a></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Fast forward to 2023, when a new Great White Hope arises (Caitlin Clark) and is defeated by Angel Reese but not only did she beat her, she told her about it along the way accompanied with the hand gesture in her face, and taunts (which Caitlin Clark did first accompanied with trash talking and taunts of her own that nobody had an issue with but I digress)&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Well, this isn&rsquo;t the 1910s so the Caitlin Clark mobs couldn&rsquo;t respond the way the James Jeffries mob did, but they could take their hate, anger, vitriol, racism, etc etc online, which they did all directed toward Angel Reese. She didn&rsquo;t just become a villain, as she told reporters she had been actually receiving death threats online for over a year.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/loss-iowa-lsu-angel-reese-death-threats-rcna146023" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/loss-iowa-lsu-angel-reese-death-threats-rcna146023&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1752743372198000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AAvUloVRuhTsBBuhBsniM">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/<wbr />nbcblk/loss-iowa-lsu-angel-<wbr />reese-death-threats-rcna146023</a><wbr />&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>So, now back to you pushing this&nbsp;</div>
<div>Angel Reese is jealous of Caitlin Clark narrative. Do you realize exactly whose narrative you are promoting ? I don&rsquo;t see how you couldn&rsquo;t. You see your comment sections every time &nbsp;you disparage, demonize, and discredit Angel Reese. You even mocked her with your wife sitting in the background drinking tea like the movie &ldquo;Get Out&rdquo; or something.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Maybe you&rsquo;re not aware of this but this entire situation is now being weaponized by a certain demographic of Caitlin Clark fans. She is now being used as a symbol of white grievance which directly correlates to the MAGA narrative that the whole country is out to get the &ldquo;good christian white folks&rdquo;.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Despite the fact that Caitlin Clark has repeatedly asked not to be weaponized as a symbol of racism and bigotry, this has become much bigger than Caitlin Clark so it really doesn&rsquo;t matter what she requests.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The narrative is to protect the white damsel in distress in correlation to historically how even the thought of a &ldquo;white delicate flower&rdquo; being harmed or in danger or disrespected or whistled at would result in a vicious white mob attacking, lynching, mutilating, and murdering the suspected perpetrator.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>That&rsquo;s why the narrative that the entire WNBA are intentionally fouling her or viewing her with Latonya Harding eyes skating past Nancy Kerrigan, is not only inaccurate but also promotes this same dangerous mentality.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href="https://foxsportsradio.iheart.com/content/2024-09-23-jason-whitlock-says-dijonai-carrington-assaulted-caitlin-clark-in-attack/">Media members like Jason Whitlock purposely used the words &ldquo;assault&rdquo; and &ldquo;attack&rdquo; and &ldquo;stab in the eye&rdquo; when discussing a foul by Dijonai Carrington.</a></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/basketball/wnba/fever/2024/09/24/caitlin-clark-says-dijonai-carrington-eye-poke-wasnt-intentional-wnba-playoffs-indiana-fever-sun/75365622007/">All of the intentionally stoked outrage prompted Caitlin Clark to publicly denounce the narrative and state, &ldquo;the foul was unintentional."</a></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>And then and only then did people like Jason Whitlock back away from the narrative. But that&rsquo;s exactly what you are doing. You are pushing a very dangerous narrative.&nbsp;</div>
<p><a href="https://x.com/torreysmithwr/status/1943333887163158840?s=46&amp;t=FiXBDRUe_KpN8Ix5Vb08vg">Former Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith was 100% spot on when he tweeted:</a></p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-5_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></p>
<p><a href="https://x.com/realrclark25/status/1943702842818052426?s=46&amp;t=FiXBDRUe_KpN8Ix5Vb08vg">Ryan Clark was also spot on when he tweeted:</a></p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-6_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Here is my sincere honest question to you. Are you attempting to follow the breadcrumbs left by people like Jason Whitlock ? Meaning someone who purposely takes on certain positions and perspectives that you know will be applauded amongst a certain demographic?&nbsp;</p>
<p>Coincidentally, this is a meme that I saw floating around social media of you. I put it next to a meme that has been floating around social media of Jason Whitlock for sometime now and you are better than this !!! I know you are, but this is exactly what you are morphing into, and it hurts my heart to see.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-7_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Comedian Goddfrey was spot on how he described your spat with Ryan Clark a few months ago when he said,&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Every time you publicly dog a Black Woman, you&rsquo;re dogging your mother, your grandmother, your aunties.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>I don&rsquo;t know if you heard his message to you but please listen to his entire video. He agreed with you that children and family should be left out of the conversation which Ryan Clark also acknowledged and apologized to you for. But that aside, their points still stand.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ8EbTdJwlc/?igsh=N2g0eHBpcmJmczJp">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ8EbTdJwlc/?igsh=N2g0eHBpcmJmczJp</a></p>
<p>Let me paint a another illustration.</p>
<p>Savion Glover&rsquo;s character Manray in the Spike Lee Classic Bamboozled.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Remember at the end when he was looking in the mirror as he was about to put on the Black Face and his conscious started to attack his soul and he just couldn&rsquo;t do it anymore. He couldn&rsquo;t participate in their minstrel show so he came on stage without the Black Face ? My hope and prayer for you is that you eventually get to the place where you simply can&rsquo;t do it anymore and you wipe the Black Face off, and come on to the stage as Robert Griffin III.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/4-etan-thomas-9_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Dear RG3: Please Don’t Turn Into Jason Whitlock

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NBA has officially unveiled the All-NBA teams for the 2024&ndash;25 season, highlighting the league's top performers.This year's selections feature a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, reflecting the dynamic talent across the league.</span></p>
<p><strong>All-NBA First Team</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The MVP earns his third consecutive First Team selection, leading the Thunder to a league-best 68&ndash;14 record.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secures his seventh straight First Team honor, continuing his dominance on both ends of the court.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The three-time MVP and Nuggets' cornerstone earns his second consecutive First Team nod.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marks his fourth straight First Team appearance, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier forwards.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Achieved his first First Team selection, contributing significantly to the Cavaliers' strong season.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Notably, Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo, Jokić, and Tatum were unanimous selections, each receiving all 100 first-place votes from the global media panel.</span></p>
<p><strong>All-NBA Second Team</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earns his second consecutive Second Team honor, averaging 26 points and 7.3 assists per game.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secured his 11th All-NBA selection, continuing to be a pivotal force for the Warriors.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Receives back-to-back Second Team honors, showcasing his growth into a franchise leader.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Extends his record with a 21st All-NBA selection, matching his number of seasons played.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Makes his All-NBA debut following a Defensive Player of the Year season.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>All-NBA Third Team</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Achieved his first All-NBA selection, leading the Pistons with standout performances.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earns his second consecutive Third Team honor, continuing his ascent among elite guards.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>James Harden (Los Angeles Clippers)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Returns to All-NBA status for the first time since the 2019&ndash;20 season, marking his eighth overall selection.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secures his third Third Team nod, contributing significantly to the Knicks' deep playoff run.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Makes his All-NBA debut, playing a key role in the Thunder's impressive season.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Thunder, Cavaliers, and Knicks each had multiple players honored, underscoring their successful campaigns.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The All-NBA teams were selected by a global panel of 100 media members, with voting conducted without regard to player positions. Players received five points for each First Team vote, three for Second Team, and one for Third Team.The accounting firm Ernst &amp; Young LLP tabulated the ballots to ensure accuracy.</span></p>

The NBA has officially unveiled the All-NBA teams for the 2024–25 season, highlighting the league's top performers.

NBA announces 2024–25 All-NBA Teams: SGA, Jokic, Giannis lead the way

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anthony Edwards' meteoric rise in the NBA continues relentlessly. The 23-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves superstar has added another chapter to his burgeoning playoff legacy, leading his team to a 4-1 series victory over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. This triumph not only propels the Timberwolves to their second consecutive Western Conference Finals but also reinforces Edwards' growing reputation as the league's premier "legend killer."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The term "legend killer" may have been used in jest by fans and analysts, but it's becoming more apt with each passing series. Edwards is carving out one of the most impressive early playoff resumes in recent memory, routinely stepping up against the game's brightest stars and emerging victorious.</span></p>
<p><strong>Slaying giants and legends is becoming a playoff tradition for Edwards</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edwards' postseason journey reads like a who's who of NBA royalty. Last year, he spearheaded the Timberwolves' stunning run through the Western Conference, eliminating a Phoenix Suns team led by future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. In the following round, they went toe-to-toe with reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and the defending champion Denver Nuggets &ndash; and prevailed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This season has followed a similar narrative. In the first round, Edwards and the Wolves dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Edwards outdueled both LeBron James and Luka Doncic on both ends of the floor and delivering clutch baskets in high-pressure moments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, in the semifinals, he's taken down a Warriors team that boasted championship pedigree and playoff-tested veterans in Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green &ndash; and would have had Stephen Curry, were it not for injury.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's no wonder the nickname "legend killer" has started to stick. Edwards is not just winning playoff series; he's ending runs and ushering in a new era of stardom. Few players his age have compiled such an impressive list of postseason victims &ndash; and he's doing it as the unquestioned leader of a franchise that hadn&rsquo;t been to the Conference Finals in 20 years before his arrival.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Golden State&rsquo;s fortunes took a major hit just minutes into Game 1 when Stephen Curry pulled up lame, clutching his left hamstring. The team initially called it &ldquo;tightness,&rdquo; but subsequent scans revealed a strain that would sideline the two-time MVP for the remainder of the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Curry&rsquo;s absence was devastating. In Game 1, the Warriors managed to win despite him being out for the majority of the game, and Golden State was within striking distance. But without him, the Warriors lacked spacing, cohesion, and a consistent scoring threat. Butler, whom the Warriors acquired midseason for a late title push, averaged a decent amount of points in the series but struggled to find rhythm without Curry drawing double teams. Draymond Green&rsquo;s defensive prowess and playmaking were neutralized by Minnesota&rsquo;s size and physicality.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota, meanwhile, smothered Golden State with a vaunted defense led by Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and Edwards. The Wolves&rsquo; game plan was simple yet effective: deny Butler clean looks, collapse on drives, and force role players to beat them. Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield were rather inconsistent, while Jonathan Kuminga, though promising, lacked the polish to carry the scoring load for the entire series. The Warriors ultimately lost four straight games after taking the opener.</span></p>
<p><strong>Timberwolves' strategic mastery</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota&rsquo;s resurgence is as much about front-office vision as it is about Edwards&rsquo; emergence. The franchise made a controversial decision last summer, trading long-time star Karl-Anthony Towns &ndash; the face of the franchise for nearly a decade &ndash; to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Initially panned as an overreaction to last year&rsquo;s Conference Finals loss, the move has aged like fine wine. Randle brought a rugged interior presence and a scorer's mindset that perfectly complements Rudy Gobert&rsquo;s defense-first approach. In these playoffs, Randle has arguably been playing the best basketball of his life, often bullying smaller defenders in the post while spacing the floor just enough to allow Edwards room to operate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">DiVincenzo, a tenacious defender and underrated shooter, has been an x-factor despite struggling a bit in the playoffs. He has consistently hit timely threes while guarding opposing guards with a relentless motor. His chemistry with Edwards has flourished, allowing the Wolves to maintain intensity on both ends without sacrificing floor spacing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add in the steady leadership of Mike Conley and the rim protection of Gobert and Naz Reid off the bench and the perimeter defense by McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and you&rsquo;ve got one of the most well-balanced teams left in the playoffs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this series win, the Timberwolves have secured their second straight appearance in the Western Conference Finals &ndash; a feat that once seemed unimaginable for a franchise long plagued by mediocrity. They fell to Dallas in last year&rsquo;s WCF, but the lessons from that loss are clearly paying off.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This version of the Wolves is deeper, more experienced, and far more adaptable. They&rsquo;ve shown they can win gritty, defensive battles or shoot it out when the game opens up. Coach Chris Finch has masterfully balanced rotations and drawn up sets that accentuate Edwards&rsquo; strengths while keeping Randle, Gobert, and DiVincenzo involved.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The next step now is breaking through to the NBA Finals &ndash; something no Timberwolves team has ever accomplished.</span></p>
<p><strong>Being the &lsquo;face of the league&rsquo;</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the NBA&rsquo;s long-standing icons gradually wind down their careers, the league is searching for its next torchbearer. While players like Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all in the mix, few have made as loud a postseason statement as Anthony Edwards.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His playoff numbers &mdash; 27.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists per game &mdash; don&rsquo;t just tell the story of a rising superstar, they scream franchise cornerstone and future MVP. More importantly, Edwards has embraced the spotlight, asking for it and owning the pressure of delivering wins against the best in the world.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He&rsquo;s charismatic, fiercely competitive, and fearless. His ability to elevate his game in the postseason, rise above elite opponents, and close out games has drawn comparisons to legends of the past. And with every &ldquo;legend&rdquo; he defeats, Edwards inches closer to becoming one himself.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anthony Edwards isn&rsquo;t just adding to his playoff resume &mdash; he&rsquo;s building a legacy. One legendary opponent at a time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And if the &ldquo;legend killer&rdquo; keeps this up, the next generation of NBA stars might be defined by who manages to take him down.</span></p>

Anthony Edwards continues his rise as the NBA’s “Legend Killer,” leading the Timberwolves past the Warriors to reach the WCF again.

Anthony Edwards adds to ‘legend killer’ legacy as Wolves eliminate Warriors in 5

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a remarkable turnaround, Kenny Atkinson has been honored as the 2024&ndash;25 NBA Coach of the Year, recognizing his impactful first season at the helm of the Cleveland Cavaliers.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Atkinson guided the Cavaliers to a 64&ndash;18 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference and marking the second-highest win total in franchise history.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cavaliers' season was highlighted by a 15-game winning streak to start the year, tying the second-best start in NBA history. Later, the team achieved a franchise-record 16-game win streak between February and March.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Atkinson's coaching prowess was further acknowledged as he received 59 out of 100 first-place votes from a global media panel, surpassing Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This accolade places Atkinson alongside Bill Fitch and Mike Brown as the only Cavaliers coaches to receive the Coach of the Year honor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Atkinson's previous head coaching experience includes a tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, where he led the team to a playoff appearance in 2019. He also served as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, contributing to their 2022 NBA Championship run.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Under Atkinson's leadership, the Cavaliers not only achieved regular-season success but also advanced past the Miami Heat in the playoffs with a record-setting point differential, before facing the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Atkinson's Coach of the Year award underscores his significant impact on the Cavaliers' resurgence and his esteemed position among NBA coaching ranks. </span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p>

Kenny Atkinson has been honored as the 2024–25 NBA Coach of the Year, recognizing his impactful first season with the Cavaliers.

Kenny Atkinson named 2024–25 NBA Coach of the Year

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota ends LA&rsquo;s season in 5-game shocker despite being huge underdogs going into the series</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Minnesota Timberwolves weren&rsquo;t supposed to be here.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to ESPN&rsquo;s panel of 10 analysts, not one picked them to win their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Most had the Lakers in five, six, or seven games. On paper, the Timberwolves were outmatched: LeBron James and Luka Doncic led a top-heavy but star-studded Lakers team expected to steamroll their way to the second round.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead, Minnesota didn&rsquo;t just win the series &ndash; they dominated it. Minnesota capitalized on team chemistry and strategic execution to control the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Timberwolves' victories were marked by consistent performances:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Game 1</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: 117&ndash;95 win in Los Angeles</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Game 3</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: 116&ndash;104 win in Minnesota</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Game 4</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: 116&ndash;113 win in Minnesota</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Game 5</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">: 103&ndash;96 win in Los Angeles</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their only loss came in Game 2, a 94&ndash;85 defeat.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Timberwolves dismantled the Lakers in five games, closing them out with a tough Game 5 win on the road. Minnesota outplayed Los Angeles in every area of the game: they were quicker in transition, stronger on the glass, sharper in their sets, and more connected defensively. It was a comprehensive, no-doubt-about-it series win &mdash; the kind that turns skeptics into believers.</span></p>
<h3><strong>&ldquo;Nobody picked us. We saw everything.&rdquo;</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That&rsquo;s what Anthony Edwards said after Game 5, and he wasn&rsquo;t exaggerating. The Timberwolves were largely disrespected in national discourse heading into the playoffs, viewed as a feel-good story after an up-and-down regular season rather than a real threat. But inside the locker room, that doubt was fuel. The Timberwolves took it personally, and they responded with purpose.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In five games, the Timberwolves held the Lakers to just 103.2 points per game, the second-lowest mark of any team in the first round. They crushed them on the boards (+8.4 per game), generated more fastbreak points (+6.6 per game), and executed cleaner offensive sets, often using misdirection to manipulate LA&rsquo;s defense and create clean looks.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota&rsquo;s identity &ndash; defensive toughness, ball movement, and unselfish play &ndash; never wavered. And it overwhelmed a Laker team that relied too heavily on isolation from LeBron and Luka.</span></p>
<p><strong>Julius Randle flips the narrative</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No Timberwolf had more to prove entering this postseason than Julius Randle.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Traded for Karl-Anthony Towns at the deadline, Randle arrived in Minnesota with a cloud of playoff failure hovering over him. His previous stints with the Knicks were marred by inefficient scoring and defensive lapses. But this time, the moment didn&rsquo;t swallow him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Randle was tremendous throughout the series, averaging 22.6 points and 7.8 rebounds on 49% shooting. He scored 20+ points in four of the five games and was particularly vital when Edwards got blitzed in pick-and-rolls or trapped off the catch. He became Minnesota&rsquo;s release valve &mdash; someone who could isolate against mismatches, hit midrange shots, and punish switches.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Game 5, Randle posted 23 points and 5 boards, matching the Lakers&rsquo; physicality and responding to every mini-run with a tough bucket. It was a performance that not only helped close the door on LA but also redefined how people talk about him as a playoff performer.</span></p>
<p><strong>Jaden McDaniels: From role player to a solid 3rd option</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jaden McDaniels has always been known for his defense. But in this series, he showed off the other side of his game.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McDaniels averaged 17.4 points in the five games &ndash; a significant jump from his regular-season average of 10.1. His 30-point outburst in Game 3 was the breakout moment, but it was the consistency that stood out more. He hit spot-up threes, attacked closeouts, and even created off the dribble when needed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Defensively, he was the primary Luka Doncic defender in most matchups and made life difficult for the 26-year-old superstar. McDaniels&rsquo; ability to be a two-way presence gives Minnesota a third dynamic option &ndash; something every championship team needs.</span></p>
<p><strong>The bench unit made its mark and proved itself</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota's bench unit, featuring Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker &ndash; arguably the best in the league &ndash; came through for Minnesota.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reid, DiVincenzo, and Alexander-Walker formed the best second unit in the series &mdash; and perhaps in the league. Reid chipped in 11.6 points per game in all 5 games off the bench, providing floor spacing and physicality as the backup big. DiVincenzo, the 2022 NBA champion, brought his usual defensive energy, three-point shooting, and smart cuts, while Alexander-Walker hit timely shots and proved to be an elite on-ball defender.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All three could start for most NBA teams. Together, they gave Minnesota an edge that the Lakers simply couldn&rsquo;t match when their stars sat. Their collective impact underscored the Timberwolves' depth and resilience, and together with veteran starter Mike Conley (who also hit a big shot late in Game 5), the Timberwolves ended up winning the series.</span></p>
<p><strong>Gobert finds his moment</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rudy Gobert was quiet in the first four games of the series, which was borderline ineffective at times.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But in Game 5, with Edwards struggling and LA blitzing every ball screen, Gobert reminded everyone why Minnesota traded for him. He finished with 27 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks on 11-of-13 shooting. It was his best playoff performance in years, and it couldn&rsquo;t have come at a better time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gobert&rsquo;s physicality in the paint overwhelmed the Lakers&rsquo; smaller frontcourt, and his offensive rebounding (eight) created second-chance opportunities that swung the game. While he may not be the focal point every night, this was a reminder that when locked in and depending on matchups, he can still change games.</span></p>
<p><strong>Anthony Edwards, the flamboyant superstar</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even with a 0-for-11 night from three in Game 5, Anthony Edwards was the best player in the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He averaged 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists &ndash; but stats don&rsquo;t tell the whole story. He controlled the tempo, made the right reads when doubled, and never let the moment get too big. His Game 4 masterpiece &mdash; 43 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists on the road &ndash; was the most dominant single performance of the series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This wasn&rsquo;t just a great young player having a good stretch. This was a future face-of-the-league moment. In a series featuring LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Edwards looked like the best player on the floor. The passing of the torch isn&rsquo;t always clean or scripted. But it felt like it happened here. Edwards, over his last 2 playoff runs, has knocked out Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic. Now that&rsquo;s an impressive playoff resume at just 23 years old, and he&rsquo;s likely going to add more in the years to come.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beating the Lakers wasn&rsquo;t just about advancing to the next round. It was about validation. It was about shedding the underdog label. It was about proving that this Timberwolves team isn&rsquo;t some overachieving feel-good story &ndash; they&rsquo;re a legitimate contender that can go deep into the playoffs this season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota&rsquo;s identity is strong, their chemistry is undeniable, and their defense travels. With Edwards emerging, Randle stepping up, McDaniels evolving, and the bench thriving, the Timberwolves just sent a loud howl to the rest of the NBA.</span></p>

The Timberwolves stunned the Lakers in a dominant 5-game series win, behind Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and a deep bench unit.

Underdog Timberwolves upset Lakers behind Edwards, Randle, and elite bench

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has been honored with the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2024&ndash;25 season, recognizing his significant contributions off the bench.​</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his fifth season with the Celtics, Pritchard played in 80 games, starting only three, and averaged career highs of 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He led all NBA reserves with 1,079 total points and set a new league record by making 246 three-pointers as a reserve, shooting 40.7% from beyond the arc.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pritchard received 82 out of 100 first-place votes from a global media panel, totaling 454 points. He outpaced Detroit Pistons' Malik Beasley, who finished second with 279 points and 13 first-place votes, and Ty Jerome of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who placed third with 91 points and two first-place votes.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This accolade places Pritchard among notable Celtics who have won the Sixth Man of the Year award, including Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Malcolm Brogdon.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pritchard's recognition as Sixth Man of the Year underscores his dedication and adaptability, solidifying his role as a vital component in the Celtics' pursuit of consecutive championships.​</span></p>

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has been honored with the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2024–25 season.

Payton Pritchard named 2024–25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year​

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off, every team in the Eastern Conference brings with it a burning question. Some are looking to validate their dominance, others are hoping to make noise for the first time, and a few are simply trying to recapture playoff magic from the past. Here&rsquo;s one key question for each East playoff squad heading into this year&rsquo;s postseason.</span></p>
<p><strong>Cleveland Cavaliers &ndash; Are they for real?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cavaliers were expected to take a leap under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, but few predicted it would be this significant. Cleveland posted a 64-18 record, up from 51 wins last season, and ranked eighth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.8) while climbing to the best in the league in offensive rating (121.0). It&rsquo;s a massive leap in two-way consistency, anchored by Evan Mobley&rsquo;s breakout campaign and a more dynamic offense tailored around Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mobley&rsquo;s development has been a game-changer. The 22-year-old averaged career-highs in points (18.5), rebounds (9.3), and assists (3.2), while maintaining elite rim protection (1.6 blocks per game). Offensively, his confidence as a shot creator and short-roll playmaker opened up space for the rest of the team. The Cavs now run more actions through Mobley, especially from the elbows, and his improved jump shot has made him far more difficult to guard.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But make no mistake &ndash; Mitchell remains the barometer. The All-Star guard battled injuries down the stretch but still averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds on 44.3% shooting. If he can stay healthy and lead confidently on both ends, Cleveland has the pieces to make a legitimate run to the conference finals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cavs have the metrics, the momentum, and the maturity. Now it&rsquo;s about proving they belong with the league&rsquo;s elite when the lights are the brightest.</span></p>
<p><strong>Boston Celtics &ndash; Can they go back-to-back?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The reigning champions enter the playoffs with a sense of unfinished business &mdash; not because they failed last year, but because they&rsquo;re now chasing greatness. The Celtics finished 61-21 this season for back to back 60-win seasons. They had the league&rsquo;s second best net rating at +9.4, fueled by elite balance: second in offensive rating (119.5) and fourth in defensive rating (110.1).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jayson Tatum continues to evolve as one of the NBA&rsquo;s most complete stars. His 26.8 points per game came with improved efficiency (58.2% true shooting) and a career-high 8.7 rebounds. Tatum has learned to pick his spots better, moving the ball when doubled and attacking mismatches when given space. Jaylen Brown, fresh off his Finals MVP last season, has become a more consistent creator as well, averaging 22.2 points.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Add in Kristaps Porzingis&rsquo; floor spacing and rim protection, Jrue Holiday&rsquo;s stability on both ends, and Derrick White&rsquo;s ability to do everything in between, and the Celtics are again the most complete team in basketball. But repeating is never easy. No team has done it since the Warriors in 2018, and even small injuries or matchup issues can derail a title defense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boston is built for this moment, but with every other East contender gunning for them, the question looms large: can they close the deal twice in a row?</span></p>
<p><strong>New York Knicks &ndash; Can they stay healthy?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When fully healthy, the Knicks look like a team that can hang with anyone &mdash; and that includes Boston and Cleveland. But that&rsquo;s been the caveat all season. Jalen Brunson missed 17 games, Karl-Anthony Towns sat for 10, and OG Anunoby dealt with multiple absences due to elbow and hamstring issues. New York&rsquo;s starting five of Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns had time to play with pace and their own style, and they looked formidable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brunson has been the Knicks&rsquo; engine, averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists while continuing to elevate in crunch time. His pairing with Towns gave New York a new level of offensive versatility, and Mikal Bridges&rsquo; ability to guard top wings allowed them to scheme freely. But concerns about wear and tear remain &mdash; especially under Tom Thibodeau, whose rotations have leaned heavily on his starters. All five starters have averaged in the top 15 of the most minutes played in the league, and that can likely put a strain on their bodies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depth is another concern. The Knicks rely on Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne, Delon Wright, and Landry Shamet to absorb the bench minutes. A deep run hinges on all starters being available and fresh throughout the postseason. If any one piece breaks down, New York could fall short of its championship aspirations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is their most talented team in years &mdash; but availability may be just as important as ability.</span></p>
<p><strong>Indiana Pacers &ndash; Do they have enough to make a deep run once more?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last year, the Pacers surprised many by reaching the second round, aided in part by injuries to their first-round opponent. This year, expectations are higher &mdash; and the margin for error is thinner. Indiana finished 50-32 and ranked 9th in offensive rating at 115.4. Their identity remains clear: run fast, shoot threes, and trust in Tyrese Haliburton to control the tempo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Haliburton posted 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game this season, and despite shooting efficiency dipped slightly as teams began pressuring him more aggressively, he bounced back quite nicely and got back to the high level he was playing at. That&rsquo;s where Pascal Siakam comes in to help him and provide a stabilizing frontcourt presence, while defending opposing bigs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depth-wise, the Pacers have the tools. Myles Turner remains one of the league&rsquo;s best shot blockers, Andrew Nembhard has been solid alongside Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin has been a spark off the bench, and Aaron Nesmith&rsquo;s development as a 3-and-D wing adds much-needed versatility. Still, the question remains: can they win when the pace slows and every possession becomes a grind?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Indiana is fun, fast, and fearless. But deep playoff success often requires more grit than style &mdash; and this postseason will test how much of both they truly possess.</span></p>
<p><strong>Milwaukee Bucks &ndash; How lethal can the Giannis-Dame combo be?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&rsquo;s been a bumpy road for the Bucks since pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but they enter the playoffs with renewed hope. Injuries limited their time together but when both were on the floor, Milwaukee looked like a top 4 team in the East. The potential for a dominant inside-out attack remains, even as questions swirl around their chemistry and late-game execution.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Giannis put up another MVP-caliber campaign (30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG) on 60.1% shooting, while Lillard added 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game, albeit with a slight dip in efficiency (44.8 FG%, 37.6 3P%). Their pick-and-roll tandem has shown flashes of brilliance, especially with spacing provided by their teammates. But Milwaukee&rsquo;s defense remains a glaring concern, particularly at the point-of-attack.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Much of that responsibility falls on new head coach Doc Rivers, who took over midseason and has spent much of his tenure reshaping the defensive schemes. The team has shown better connectivity lately, but consistency is key. If the Bucks can get solid two-way contributions from Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, and Kyle Kuzma, their ceiling rises considerably.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This postseason is the first true test of the Giannis-Dame partnership after a failed one last year. Can it deliver in crunch time and carry Milwaukee back to the Finals?</span></p>
<p><strong>Detroit Pistons &ndash; Can they win a playoff series?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most surprising stories of the season, the Detroit Pistons went from dead last in 2024 to securing the No. 6 seed in 2025 with a 44-38 record. It&rsquo;s a dramatic turnaround fueled by internal growth, better health, and the emergence of Cade Cunningham as a legitimate star. Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, and improved his shooting splits across the board &mdash; including a respectable 35.6% from three.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Head coach J.B Bickerstaff deserves credit for stabilizing the young roster. Jaden Ivey (despite being out for the year to injury), Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren have all taken steps forward in their roles, and the addition of veterans Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris has added much-needed floor spacing and leadership. The Pistons ranked 10th in defensive rating at 112.5 &mdash; a massive leap from their abysmal finish last season</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still, playoff basketball is a different animal. Detroit lacks experience, and their margin for error will be slim. Can Cunningham carry the offense when defenses trap him? Can their shooters hit timely shots? And can Duren hold his own against seasoned playoff bigs?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Winning a series would be monumental for the franchise &mdash; and a sign that Detroit&rsquo;s rebuild is truly behind them.</span></p>
<p><strong>Orlando Magic &ndash; Can their offense hold up?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There&rsquo;s no questioning the Magic&rsquo;s defensive pedigree. They finished second in defensive rating (109.1) and boast a switch-heavy scheme built around length, versatility, and discipline. But the big question entering the playoffs: can they score enough? Orlando ranked just 27th in offensive rating (108.9), and the loss of Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner due to injuries further thins their already-limited shot creation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner carry the bulk of the offense, but both have faced inconsistent stretches. Teams often sag off sub-par shooters like Cory Joseph or Jonathan Isaac, daring Orlando to hit perimeter shots &mdash; something they&rsquo;ve struggled to do all year. Against Boston&rsquo;s elite defense, those issues could be magnified.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Orlando will try to control tempo, force turnovers, and win the possession battle. They&rsquo;ve been excellent in close games, but whether they can consistently generate efficient halfcourt looks remains uncertain.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Defense may win championships, but the Magic need buckets to even stay in the fight.</span></p>
<p><strong>Miami Heat &ndash; Will they be able to replicate the Heat playoff magic this year?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Heat have built a reputation as a team you never want to face in the playoffs &mdash; especially as a lower seed. In 2023, they made the Finals as an 8-seed. In 2024, they made the Celtics work despite key injuries. But can they pull off another surprise run this year? The roster remains largely intact, but injuries, aging stars, and inconsistency have clouded their outlook.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo must step up on offense while anchoring the defense. Tyler Herro&rsquo;s scoring punch is much needed, and the role players should contribute as well. But questions linger around depth and chemistry within their lineups after a shaky year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Heat finished just 21st in offensive rating (112.4) and 9th in defensive rating (112.0), a sign that the margins are tighter than ever. Still, if any team knows how to punch above its weight class, it&rsquo;s this one. Erik Spoelstra will maximize every mismatch, he always finds a way to manipulate the opposing team.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Don&rsquo;t count them out just yet but don&rsquo;t expect the same magic to happen each and every time as well.</span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p>

Breaking down the biggest question facing each team in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.

2025 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs: Each team’s biggest question in the playoffs

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">​In a surprising development, the Memphis Grizzlies have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the team's solid 44-29 record and a fifth-place standing in the Western Conference, Jenkins would be fired with days remaining before the playoffs start. Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season for the Grizzlies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jenkins, 40, departs as the winningest coach in franchise history, amassing a 250-214 record since his appointment in June 2019. During his tenure, he led the Grizzlies to three playoff appearances and was instrumental in the development of key players.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">General Manager Zach Kleiman stated that the decision was made in the best interest of the team's future, emphasizing that it was his sole decision and not influenced by players.&nbsp; The move comes as the Grizzlies have faced a recent downturn, losing five of their last seven games.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tuomas Iisalo, who steps in as interim head coach, brings a wealth of experience from European basketball. Prior to joining the Grizzlies as an assistant, Iisalo served as the head coach for Paris Basketball, leading them to a EuroCup victory, and was named Coach of the Year in Finland in 2024.&nbsp; His promotion marks him as the first Finnish-born head coach in NBA history.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Grizzlies face a challenging schedule ahead, with eight of their final nine games against teams contending for playoff or play-in spots.&nbsp; The organization and fans alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds under Iisalo's leadership as they approach the postseason.​</span></p>

​In a surprising development, the Memphis Grizzlies have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Grizzlies part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins before playoffs

<div>
<p>In the first few days of his second presidential term, Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders that will have an impact on the healthcare industry, some issuing new policies and some rescinding policies set forth by prior administrations. This has had a devastating impact on the American people.</p>
<p>While the country is on pins and needles awaiting the next bomb (both literally and figuratively) to drop from the Trump administration, Michael Jordan has figured out a way to actively combat one of the casualties (U.S. Health Care) of Trump&rsquo;s plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and extended tax cuts for the upper echelon of the American population.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div>From an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/republicans-medicaid-cuts">article in The Guardian titled:&nbsp;&ldquo;Medicaid recipients fear &lsquo;buzzsaw cuts&rsquo; for Trump&rsquo;s agenda&rdquo;</a>, it reads&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;Republicans are considering a rollback of the federal social safety net, particularly Medicaid, which has nearly 80 million enrollees in all 50 states. The budget plan proposes an $880bn reduction in funding for the insurance over the next 10 years, an amount that experts warn would hollow out the program and have ripple effects across the entire American healthcare system.&rdquo;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>From an <a href="https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-president-trumps-latest-executive-orders-impacting-health-care">article in the MaynardNexsen titled &ldquo;President Trump&rsquo;s Latest Executive Orders Impacting Healthcare&rdquo;</a> it reads &ldquo;President Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden&rsquo;s order that extended the enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) plans in most states, and granted additional funding for third parties aiding enrollment in ACA insurance. While ACA enrollment nearly doubled under the Biden administration to about 24 million people, those gains are attributed primarily to government subsidies that lowered the cost of ACA premiums. The effect this rescission will have on enrollment trends is one thing to watch in the coming years&rdquo;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>While all this is happening in real-time, Michael Jordan opened his fourth health clinic in North Carolina on February 19 in Wilmington. This new clinic, established in collaboration with Novant Health, focuses on providing care to uninsured and underinsured patients.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/michael-jordan-etan-thomas-2_690w.jpeg" alt="" width="740" height="492" /></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>MJ has spoken publicly exhibiting a tremendous amount of sincerity and passion about how important these clinics are and how many people they will help. He has addressed the growing issue of healthcare disparities and affirmed his dedication to providing healthcare to all people regardless of their income or economic status in particular in his hometown of North Carolina.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Many people are pleasantly surprised to see this side of MJ, but it goes along with what I witnessed as his teammate for the Washington Wizards.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>I recall one time in particular when I was sitting in the training room getting treatment and he was getting his knee drained, which fans didn&rsquo;t know at the time he had to often do in order to continue playing. MJ asked me about a book (Soul On Ice by Eldridge Cleaver) he saw me reading on the plane and we engaged in a deep conversation about race, politics, the community, and much more.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
<p>Sitting in earshot was his bodyguard, George, who chimed in and said jokingly, &ldquo;Yeah Michael doesn&rsquo;t like to tell anybody the things he does, so people don&rsquo;t think he does anything&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div>He then proceeded to tell me a story of when MJ was all set to have this big event at an exclusive golf resort in Georgia back in the day, and he found out that they were still keeping an old tradition of not allowing Black People to join the club, but of course, they would let MJ participate. Well, long story short, right before the event, MJ informed the organizers that he was going to cancel everything if they didn&rsquo;t change their policy and of course, they capitulated to his demands.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/michael-jordan-etan-thomas-4_690w.jpeg" alt="" width="743" height="563" /></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>I remember responding saying, &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a great story that people need to hear. Why wouldn&rsquo;t you tell people that ?&rdquo; And MJ looked at me and said, &ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t do it for that.&rdquo; I remember looking at George and him saying, &ldquo;See, he doesn&rsquo;t want to tell anybody anything&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>I tell this story for this reason. Playing with MJ for two years with the Wizards, I saw him do a lot of things quietly that nobody knew about. And from time to time I would whisper to him, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not gonna tell anyone about this either huh?&rdquo; And he would just smile and shake his head. In fact, he didn&rsquo;t even tell anyone that he donated his entire salary to the victims of 9-11. I remember being in the locker room when he was watching the coverage on TV and made the decision. Nobody found out until later that he did that.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Now, for years I have been on panels and programs talking about activism and athletes and they would always bring up MJ as the antithesis to the activist athlete and his infamous statement &ldquo;Republicans Buy Shoes Too&rdquo;. They would always paint MJ as the athlete who doesn&rsquo;t care about the community or really anything outside of himself and I would always push back on that because that&rsquo;s just not what I saw when I was his teammate. Now, did he lend his voice to causes or speak out on political issues that directly impact the Black Community? No, he didn&rsquo;t. But did he do nothing behind the scenes and have no interest or care for the community? I can&rsquo;t say that because that&rsquo;s not what I saw.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>People don&rsquo;t know about MJ&rsquo;s community impact platform, known as the Black Community Commitment (BCC), which is a 10-year, $100 million initiative focused on creating equitable futures for Black Americans through education, economic justice, narrative change, and social justice.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>They also don&rsquo;t know about him funding nonprofit institutional grantees and grassroots organizations across the country through his Open Call Community Grants program.&nbsp;They don&rsquo;t know about his Jordan Brand Wings Scholars Program which has sent hundreds of kids to college on full scholarships. But like George told me in the training room, he doesn&rsquo;t tell anyone so people assume he does nothing in the community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Now, going back to MJ&rsquo;s 4th healthcare clinic.&nbsp;There is indeed currently a national healthcare crisis in the United States.&nbsp;In 2025, an estimated 27.1 million Americans of all ages are projected to be uninsured, representing an uninsured rate of 8.2%, according to data from the National Health Interview Survey. MJ&rsquo;s efforts have helped thousands of uninsured Americans actually receive care.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/michael-jordan-etan-thomas-3_690w.jpeg" alt="" width="741" height="494" /></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Furthermore, as many Americans have found out the hard way, being insured does not guarantee full coverage. There is a large percentage of working-class Americans who are currently drowning in medical expenses, faced with increased costs of medications (thanks to the Trump administration), and higher co-pays all while having limited access to essential treatments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>An article by Vishwesha Kumar of Fadeaway World, described Jordan&rsquo;s Health Clinic as,&nbsp;&ldquo;After witnessing the positive impact of these centers, Jordan donated $10 million to Novant Health to expand the project, leading to additional clinics being built in Wilmington. His efforts have helped thousands of patients receive their first-ever primary care visits, reinforcing his dedication to improving healthcare access.</div>
<div>
<p>The new Wilmington facility spans 7,300 square feet and includes 12 patient rooms, offering comprehensive medical services to uninsured and underinsured individuals. In addition to primary care physicians, the clinic will have a community health worker to connect patients with essential local resources. The facility will be open on weekdays, aiming to serve as a lifeline for many who struggle to access consistent coverage.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Micheal Jordan doesn&rsquo;t have to do any of this. He could ride off into the sunset and not care about what anyone thinks about him. He doesn&rsquo;t need any additional notoriety. He already has all the fame a man could possibly have. He doesn&rsquo;t need pats on the back or nods of approval from anyone. He does this because he genuinely cares.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div>&ldquo;Michael Jordan gives back but you didn't know it. Like LeBron does, but it's just seldom they show it.&rdquo;~Nas</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>

While all this is happening in real-time, Michael Jordan opened his fourth health clinic in North Carolina.

In This Trump Era, Michael Jordan’s Free Health Clinics Are Very Much Needed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended without pay for 25 games following a violation of the NBA's anti-drug policy, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The suspension, announced on February 20, 2025, comes after Portis tested positive for Tramadol, a painkiller recently added to the league's list of banned substances. The suspension commenced with the Bucks' game against the Los Angeles Clippers and will sideline Portis until at least April 8, 2025.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Portis and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, have stated that the ingestion of Tramadol was unintentional. According to Bartelstein in a released statement, Portis mistakenly took Tramadol, believing it to be Toradol, an approved pain medication. Bartelstein emphasized Portis's integrity and professionalism, describing the incident as an "honest mistake."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The suspension carries significant financial implications for Portis and the Bucks. Portis will forfeit approximately $2.85 million in salary, equating to $114,348 per game. Additionally, the Bucks are unable to sign a replacement player until the sixth game of the suspension.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ANALYSIS: Despite the setback, the Bucks secured a 104-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on February 22, 2025. The team was also without Damian Lillard, who was rested for the game. Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma stepped up, contributing 18 and 19 points respectively, to lead the team to a hard-fought win.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Portis, a key contributor to the Bucks' 2021 championship team, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season. His absence poses a challenge for the Bucks as they navigate the remainder of the regular season and prepare for the playoffs.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All eyes will now be on Kyle Kuzma, who was acquired at the trade deadline. Kuzma is a 6-foot-9 forward who can play with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and with Portis&rsquo; absence, Kuzma&rsquo;s role will increase from here on out as the Bucks prepare for the playoffs.</span></p>

Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended for 25 games following a violation of the NBA's anti-drug policy.

Bobby Portis suspended 25 games for violating Anti-Drug Policy

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis have both been ruled out of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game due to injuries. Antetokounmpo is sidelined with a left calf strain, while Davis is recovering from a left adductor strain, according to news reports from NBA insiders Shams Charania and Chris Haynes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In their absence, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving have been selected as replacements. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made and relayed the selections, and it was chosen for the reason of the next in line of voting from the NBA head coaches. The NBA All-Star reserves are selected through a voting process from all 30 league head coaches.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Young, making his fourth All-Star appearance, is averaging 23.5 points and 11.4 assists this season. Irving, now a nine-time All-Star, has posted averages of 24.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format, consisting of a four-team, three-game mini-tournament at Chase Center in San Francisco. Young and Irving's participation is highly anticipated, as fans look forward to their dynamic playmaking abilities on the All-Star stage. </span></p>

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis have both been ruled out of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game due to injuries.

Antetokounmpo, Davis ruled out from 2025 NBA All-Star Game; Young, Irving in

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New Orleans Pelicans have traded forward Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes. In return, the Pelicans will receive forwards Bruce Brown Jr. and Kelly Olynyk, along with a first-round and a second-round draft pick.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After months of speculation with Ingram not signing an extension with the team, the Pelicans finally moved Ingram.</span></p>
<p><strong>Trade Details:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Toronto Raptors Receive:</strong></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brandon Ingram</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>New Orleans Pelicans Receive:</strong></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruce Brown Jr.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kelly Olynyk</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2026 first-round draft pick (top-four protected, via Indiana Pacers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2025 second-round draft pick</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ANALYSIS: Brandon Ingram, 27, has been sidelined since December due to an ankle injury, limiting him to 18 games this season. Despite his absence, he has averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Ingram is in the final year of a five-year, $158.3 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in June. He will now have to decide whether or not to sign his extension with the Raptors, sign a new contract with the team, or what the Raptors would offer to him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruce Brown Jr. has averaged 8.4 points per game with the Raptors this season, while Kelly Olynyk has contributed 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds over 24 games.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This trade should bring the Raptors' to possibly contend for a play-in spot next season considering how the roster is built currently. On the other hand, the Pelicans acquire valuable assets that they can use or move to support their future endeavors.</span></p>

The New Orleans Pelicans have traded forward Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors, according to NBA reporter Chris Haynes.

Pelicans find trade partner for Ingram in Raptors

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chicago Bulls have reached an agreement with point guard Lonzo Ball on a two-year, $20 million contract extension, as reported by NBA reporters Shams Charania and Chris Haynes.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The deal, accordingly, includes a club/team option for the second year.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ball, 27, returned to action this season after missing over two years due to multiple knee surgeries. He made his season debut in October but was sidelined for 15 games due to a sprained right wrist. Since rejoining the starting lineup in late January, Ball has averaged 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over eight consecutive starts. Overall, he has contributed 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 30 games this season.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This extension comes amid trade rumors surrounding Ball. Notably, the new contract structure could either make him a more attractive asset in potential trade discussions or a nice piece for the rebuilding Bulls squad on a relatively cheap contract.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nevertheless, this is a feel-good moment for Ball after making a successful and productive return this season after being away from the game for two whole seasons due to a nagging knee injury.&nbsp;</span></p>

The Chicago Bulls have reached an agreement with point guard Lonzo Ball on a two-year, $20 million contract extension.

Bulls, Lonzo Ball agree to two-year, $20 million extension

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season after tearing his right Achilles tendon during a game against the Boston Celtics, as reported by NBA reporters Chris Haynes and Shams Charania.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The injury occurred in the first quarter when Murray fell to the ground while grabbing his rebound. He was assisted off the court and did not return. An MRI confirmed the severity of the injury.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pelicans head coach Willie Green expressed sympathy over Murray's injury, stating, "It's a tough blow for us. Dejounte has been a significant part of our team, and our thoughts are with him as he begins his recovery."&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ANALYSIS: This is a huge blow for the Pelicans in a tough season as Murray, 28, was averaging 17.5 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.5 rebounds over 31 games. He joined the Pelicans in the offseason after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks for Dyson Daniels.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pelicans, already dealing with injuries to key players such as Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Brandon Ingram, now face an even greater challenge as they cope with Murray's absence.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is not Murray&rsquo;s first major injury; he missed the entire 2018-19 season due to a torn ACL and had recently returned from a broken hand earlier this season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pelicans will need to rely on their depth as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their key contributors.</span></p>

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season after tearing his right Achilles.

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