By Connor Letourneau Updated 5:38 pm, Thursday, June 7, 2018 CLEVELAND — After watching Kevin Durant will the Warriors to a Game 3 win over the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, basketball scribes were quick to compare Durant’s latest three-point dagger to the go-ahead three-pointer he hit in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals. The similarities were striking: same arena, same series, same teams, same game, same quarter and almost the same second. Asked to draw parallels between Durant’s two shots, LeBron James — well-known for his photographic memory — bristled, noting that Wednesday’s three-pointer was "four or five feet" behind last year’s attempt. There was also the fact that Golden State was trailing by two in 2017 and leading by three in 2018. However, James — ever the stickler for details — failed to mention probably the most important difference between Durant’s memorable three-pointers: While … [Read more...] about Kevin Durant turns tables on LeBron James
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Former Spur Steve Smith says Pop, LeBron should team up
By Jabari Young Published 3:08 pm, Friday, May 18, 2018 Photo: NICK WASS, STR / AP Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 Washington Wizards' Jerry Stackhouse (42) moves to the basket past San Antonio Spurs' Steve Smith (8) during the second half of the Wizards' 105-103 win quarter, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) less Washington Wizards' Jerry Stackhouse (42) moves to the basket past San Antonio Spurs' Steve Smith (8) during the second half of the Wizards' 105-103 win quarter, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, in Washington. (AP ... more Photo: NICK WASS, STR / AP Former Spur Steve Smith says Pop, LeBron should team up 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Steve Smith focused on the NBA playoffs and young players in the May 13 Off-Topic conversation. This week, the NBA TV analyst and former Spur goes more … [Read more...] about Former Spur Steve Smith says Pop, LeBron should team up
Kevin Durant outduels James Harden as Warriors take Game 1
By Connor Letourneau Updated 8:36 pm, Monday, May 14, 2018 HOUSTON — Late in the third quarter Monday night, after draining a 16-foot pull-up jumper to give the Warriors a 13-point lead, Warriors forward Kevin Durant was subbed out for Shaun Livingston. As Durant stomped to the bench, he glanced at head coach Steve Kerr and asked, “Why?” Fifty seconds later, after the Rockets cut their deficit to single digits, Durant checked back into the game to a chorus of boos. It was an ominous sight: With Durant leading the way, Golden State quickly retook control for a 119-106 win over the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. In 40 minutes, Durant had 37 points on 14-for-27 shooting to outduel his former teammate, Houston guard James Harden, who had 41 points and seven assists in defeat. It was a sobering development for a Rockets team that has spent months openly professing their obsession with beating the Warriors. With Game 2 Wednesday, Houston can … [Read more...] about Kevin Durant outduels James Harden as Warriors take Game 1
For Kawhi Leonard’s camp, trade discussions non-existent, but league chatter continues
By Jabari Young Published 12:08 pm, Tuesday, May 1, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-17', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 17', … [Read more...] about For Kawhi Leonard’s camp, trade discussions non-existent, but league chatter continues
CJ McCollum For Paul George – Does It Make Sense?
I get the feeling that the Portland Trail Blazers are at a crossroads after getting swept out of the playoffs. Even though everyone from President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey to starting guard CJ McCollum insist everything’s fine (repeating that tired, pointless “Third seed!” refrain over and over even though seeding didn’t make a pissing difference against the New Orleans Pelicans), the Blazers have earned a reputation as a streaky regular season team that turns into fresh meat in the postseason. That might be enough for Olshey and McCollum, but the star of the team, Damian Lillard, likely feels otherwise. Lillard met with team owner Paul Allen a couple of months ago to express his feelings about the Blazers’ mediocrity and lack of ability to compete for a championship. Even though the Blazers went on a 13-game winning streak shortly after news of that meeting went public, they eventually were exposed under the microscope of the playoffs, where … [Read more...] about CJ McCollum For Paul George – Does It Make Sense?