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NBA releases full schedule for it 75th NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season

After releasing the games for the first 4 days of the season and the Christmas day matchup, the NBA has release the full schedule of its 75th NBA 2021-2022 Season.

The NBA 2021-2022 Season will be a 82-game schedule, since the 2018-19 season that was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, it also filled with star-studded matchups and notable reunions that the NBA have highlighted in a new article.

via nba.com;

• NBA TV will present a matchup between the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors on Monday, Nov. 1 (7:30 p.m. ET), marking the 75th anniversary of the league’s first regular-season game, which was played between the Knicks and Toronto Huskies on Nov. 1, 1946.

• The three franchises that have played in every NBA season – the Knicks, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors (who began as the Philadelphia Warriors) – will face each other across three nationally televised games during a five-day stretch in December: Warriors at Knicks on Tuesday, Dec. 14 (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT); Warriors at Celtics on Friday, Dec. 17 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN); and Knicks at Celtics on Saturday, Dec. 18 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV).

• On Friday, Jan. 7, the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Atlanta Hawks on ESPN (10 p.m. ET). The matchup will take place 50 years to the day (Jan. 7, 1972) that the Lakers defeated Atlanta for their 33rd straight victory, which remains the longest winning streak in NBA history.

• TNT will air 18 Tuesday doubleheaders and 12 Thursday doubleheaders in the 2021-22 season, while ESPN will televise 21 Wednesday doubleheaders and 13 Friday doubleheaders. Every doubleheader across both networks on those four nights will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/10 p.m. ET.

• NBA TV will tip off its live game coverage for the 2021-22 season on Saturday, Oct. 23 with a doubleheader as the Indiana Pacers host the Miami Heat (7 p.m. ET) and the Suns visit the Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET).

• NBA TV’s Center Court franchise will make its season debut on Monday, Oct. 25 with the Washington Wizards visiting the Nets (7:30 p.m. ET) and continue the following week with the NBA 75 Classic Matchup between the Knicks and Raptors. Center Court, which includes 20 games throughout the season, incorporates enhanced viewing options such as unique camera angles, next-gen analytics and social media integrations into the originally produced telecast.

• The top two overall picks in the NBA Draft 2021 presented by State Farm, the Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham (No. 1) and the Houston Rockets’ Jalen Green (No. 2), are scheduled to meet in the regular season for the first time when Detroit visits Houston on Wednesday, Nov. 10 on ESPN (7:30 p.m. ET).

• A TNT doubleheader will highlight the Martin Luther King Jr. Day schedule on Monday, Jan. 17. First, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Chicago Bulls (3:30 p.m. ET) in Memphis’ 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game. In the second game, the Bucks will face the Hawks in Atlanta (6 p.m. ET) in a rematch of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. The national television schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day will also include a matchup between the Jazz and Lakers in Los Angeles on NBA TV (10:30 p.m. ET).

• The seventh season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will premiere on Saturday, Dec. 11 when the Warriors visit the 76ers (8:30 p.m. ET). The Primetime series will have a game each Saturday from Jan. 29 – March 12 except Feb. 19 during the All-Star break.

• Six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry of Miami, who played the previous nine seasons with the Raptors and helped the franchise win the NBA championship in the 2018-19 season, leads the Heat in a road game against Toronto on Thursday, Feb. 3 on TNT (7:30 p.m. ET). The matchup is the first of the Heat’s two road games against the Raptors this season.

• The ABC Sunday Showcase series will return on Sunday, Feb. 13 when the Hawks visit the Celtics (2 p.m. ET). ABC will air Sunday Showcase doubleheaders at 1 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 27, March 6, March 13 and April 3.

• TNT will broadcast the first matchup between the Bucks and Suns since the NBA Finals 2021 presented by YouTube TV when the teams meet on Thursday, Feb. 10 in Phoenix (10 p.m. ET). In the second meeting, Milwaukee will host Phoenix on Sunday, March 6 on ABC (3:30 p.m. ET).

• ESPN and TNT will both televise doubleheaders on the final day of the regular season, Sunday, April 10. The matchups for ESPN (1 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. ET) and TNT (7:30 p.m. ET/10 p.m. ET) will be determined at a later date.

• The NBA on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV will present flexible scheduling throughout the regular season to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience.

• ESPN Radio will broadcast 24 games in the regular season, including Nets-Bucks on opening night and Warriors-Suns and Nets-Lakers on Christmas Day. It will also provide coverage from NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland and air the NBA Finals 2022 presented by YouTube TV.

The released schedule still does not include the 8 teams that will be in the 2022 NBA Play-In Tournament which take place April 12-15 (Tuesday – Friday). We won’t know those 8 teams until the later part of the regular season.

To checkout the full schedule of the 75th NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season, you can go here.

NBA announces key matchup and dates for it’s 75th Anniversary (2021-22) Season

NBA just release the games for the first 4 days of the season and the Christmas day match-up, which will surely hyped-up even the most casual fan.

The nationally televised games will be on TNT, ESPN and ABC for opening week and Christmas Day for its landmark 75th Anniversary Season. It’s also worth noting that the there will be a Play-In Tournament that will be held on April 12-15.

In the announcement, NBA said;

The first four days of the league’s 75th Anniversary Season (Oct. 19-22) will feature eight national television games as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2021, with TNT and ESPN airing two doubleheaders each. Those games will showcase 12 different teams, the last eight players to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award and three rematches from last season’s playoffs.

October 19, 2021

  • Brooklyn Nets @Milwaukee Bucks – 7:30 p.m.,,, on TNT
  • Golden State Warriors @Los Angeles Lakers – 10:00 p.m.,,, on TNT

October 20, 2021

  • Boston Celtics @New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m., on ESPN
  • Denver Nuggets @Phoenix Suns – 10:00 p.m., on ESPN

October 21, 2021

  • Dallas Mavericks @Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 p.m., on TNT
  • LA Clippers @Golden State Warriors – 10:00 p.m., on TNT

October 22, 2021

  • Brooklyn Nets @Philadelphia 76ers – 7:30 p.m., on ESPN
  • Phoenix Suns @Los Angeles Lakers – 10:00 p.m., on ESPN

As for the Christmas day games, NBA will feature arguably the top teams in both conference but the key matchup for the Christmas day games is the Brooklyn Nets visiting Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant versus Lebron James. Stephen A.’s reaction probably summed up all our excitement for the upcoming NBA season.

Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2021)

  • Atlanta Hawks @New York Knicks – 12:00 p.m., on ESPN
  • Boston Celtics @Milwaukee Bucks – 2:30 p.m., on ABC
  • Golden State Warriors @Phoenix Suns – 5:00 p.m., on ABC
  • Brooklyn Nets @Los Angeles Lakers – 8:00 p.m., on ABC/ESPN
  • Dallas Mavericks @Utah Jazz – 10:30 p.m., on ESPN

Kevin Durant leads Team USA to take home the Gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics over France (87-82)

Kevin Durant and the rest of the US Basketball team secured the gold medal for men’s basketball at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics. The Team USA defeated France 87-82, in a hard fought game, which the United States team are a favorite to win but an upset by the French team was also expected, since they are the only team that gave the US basketball team their only loss in the tournament.

This is KD’s third Olympic gold medal, scoring 29 point to cap off this year’s tournament. His previous record for the past 2 gold-medal was 30-points a piece.

Team USA needed all 40 minutes to secure the win, since France’s basketball team still saw a chance steal the gold, when the U.S. team missed 3 of their last 4 free throw before KD sink both of his free-throw to put the game away.

Image: @Tokyo2020

2021 NBA Lottery Results – Detriot Pistons gets the number 1 pick

If you missed the NBA Lottery Results 2021, here the full list below or you can watch the video above;

First Round

1. Detroit Pistons
2. Houston Rockets
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Orlando Magic
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Golden State Warriors (from Minnesota)
8. Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
9. Sacramento Kings
10. New Orleans Pelicans
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. San Antonio Spurs
13. Indiana Pacers
14. Golden State Warriors
15. Washington Wizards
16. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Boston)
17. Memphis Grizzlies
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami)
19. New York Knicks
20. Atlanta Hawks
21. New York Knicks (from Dallas)
22. Los Angeles Lakers
23. Houston Rockets (from Portland)
24. Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee)
25. Los Angeles Clippers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Brooklyn Nets
28. Philadelphia 76ers
29. Phoenix Suns
30. Utah Jazz

Second Round

31. Milwaukee Bucks (from Houston Rockets)
32. New York Knicks (from Detroit Pistons)
33. Orlando Magic
34. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cleveland)
35. Oklahoma City Thunder
36. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Minnesota)
37. Detroit Pistons (from Toronto)
38. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans)
39. Sacramento Kings
40. New Orleans Pelicans (from Chicago)
41. San Antonio Spurs
42. Detroit Pistons (from Charlotte)
43. New Orleans Pelicans (from Washington)
44. Brooklyn Nets (from Indiana)
45. Boston Celtics
46. Toronto Raptors (from Memphis)
47. Toronto Raptors (from Golden State)
48. Atlanta Hawks (from Miami)
49. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta)
50. Philadelphia 76ers (from New York)
51. Memphis (from Portland)
52. Detroit Pistons (from Lakers).
53. New Orleans Pelicans (from Dallas)
54. Indiana Pacers (from Milwaukee)
55. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Denver)
56. Charlotte Hornets (from Clippers)
57. Charlotte Hornets (from Brooklyn)
58. New York Knicks (from Philadelphia)
59. Brooklyn Nets (from Phoenix)
60. Indiana Pacers (from Utah)

Its been reported that this years draft class is considered by many as the deepest class with the top 5 players can be a “franchise-changing” player.

Source: nba.com

Phoenix Suns takes Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals via D. Ayton lob

Phoenix Suns defended their home-court by winning game two of the Western Conference Finals with the help of Deandre Ayton’s lob dunk with 0.9 secs left on the game clock. Prior to Ayton’s game winning dunk, Paul George missed two crucial free throws that could have given the Clippers a 3-point lead.

Here’s a clip of Ayton’s winning dunk in every angle via @NBA;

The series will now moves to Staple Center where the LA Clippers in a must win game 3.

Both the Phoenix Suns are the LA Clippers are without their superstars; Chris Paul is currently in NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol, while Kawhi Leonard is out with right knee sprain.

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are now officially basketball legends, since they are now officially, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kobe Bryant – The Black Mamba

The 13th pick of the the Lakers in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft, Kobe Bryant stayed with the Lakers for 20 years. He is an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP and 5-time NBA Champion. He holds the second most points scored in a single game in league history, when he scored 81-points in a 122–104 victory against the Toronto Raptors.

Kobe died in a helicopter accident last January 26, 2020. Vanessa and Natalia Bryant receive Kobe Bryant’s official Hall of Fame Class Jacket and Ring.

Tim Duncan – The Big Fundamental

Better known as the “Big Fundamental”, Tim Duncan was selected by San Antonio with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. Tim Duncan played all his 19 years as a Spurs, winning 5 NBA championship, a two-time NBA MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, 15-time NBA All-Star, and the NBA Rookie of the Year.

Tim Duncan is the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons. He is regarded as the greatest power forward of all time to ever played the game of Basketball.

Kevin Garnett – The Big Ticket

Drafted fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett was given the nickname “the Big Ticket” for his intensity, emphatic dunking and athleticism. He is one of 3 NBA players to win the Most Valuable Player, the Defensive Player of the Year awards and All-Star Game MVP.

He played with the Minnesota Timberwolves for 12 years then joined the Boston Celtics in a trade, there he teamed-up with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, to win the 2008 NBA champion.

More inductees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020;

  • Patrick Baumann – Contributor
  • Tamika Catchings – Player
  • Kim Mulkey – Coach
  • Barbara Stevens – Coach
  • Eddie Sutton – Coach
  • Rudy Tomjanovich – Coach

Source: NBA

Lakers routs Nets – 126-101

In a game that was considered as an NBA Finals preview, the Los Angeles Lakers, even without Lebron James and Anthony Davis, showed the Nets that they’re still the league’s defending champs by outscoring the Nets in the 1st, 3rd and 4th qtr by an average of 10 pts.

Laker’s buyout acquisition Andre Drummond contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder chipped-in 19 points before being ejected with Kyrie Irving in the third quarter.

The Los Angeles Lakers lead most of the games and was never really threaten by the Nets, even though getting 22 pts from Kevin Durant and 18 pts from Irving. The Nets are without their leading scorer James Harden who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Aside from Lebron and Davis, LA Lakers are also playing without Kyle Kuzma (left calf strain), Marc Gasol (left hamstring tightness) and Wesley Matthews (right Achilles tendon tightness).

The Lakers will visit New York Knicks while the Nets will go Minnesota on Monday.

Here’s the game highlights;

Nike officially unveil KD14, Kevin Durant’s latest signature shoes

Nike has officially unveil Kevin Durant’s latest signature shoes, the KD14. In their official announcement, Nike reintroduces the strap to the KD14, which was first used in KD7.

“It’s been a while since we incorporated the strap, which excites me,” says Durant. “My other favorite part about the shoe is the cushioning, which helps me feel low to the ground and still helps give me some of that energy back.”

The strap itself is a familiar sight, but the build is rich with Nike heritage. The design of the simplified one-piece midfoot strap, especially on the medial side, was inspired by the Nike Air Presto. The thin, elongated Swoosh is a nod to the original Bruin model. The engineered mesh upper means that graphics can be uniquely layered for detailed colorway options, covering topics like art, music and more.

The KD14 became available globally on April 10, 2021 and it will be available in Black/White colorway with an estimated price of $150 (around Php 7,500.00). The KD14 Cyber colorway will be available this April 11 in Greater China only.

Durant wore the KD14 during the Nets – Lakers game last Saturday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo signs five-year supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks

It looks like wait is over as Giannis Antetokounmpo signs the five-year supermax extension that the Milwaukee Bucks offered the two-time MVP.

Antetokounmpo sign the extension a week before the Dec. 21 deadline and basically removing this name off the free agents market next summer. The five-year, $228.2 million extension Antetoknoumpo signed will make him the highest-paid player in NBA history.

We may still Giannis Antetokounmpo in another uniform, since he will just be 31 years old by the time the 5-year extension ends and still in his prime.

Source: NBA

Barangay Ginebra one win away for its first All-Filipino Championship

Barangay Ginebra “Gin” Kings are one win away for taking home the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup “All-Filipino” Championship.

The Gin King withstand a late run by the TNT Tropang Giga, that saw their 17-pts lead cut down to just 3 with less than 5 mins left in the game. Veteran point guard LA Tenorio helped in weathering the TNT run by answering RR Pogoy three consecutive triples, with a back-to-back triples and a one-handed baseline floater to seal the game away at 98-88.

TNT Tropang Giga are playing without two of their key players because of injuriy, Bobby Ray Parks who have been sidelined since playing game 1 and Jayson Castro, who only played the first 3 quarters of Game 4, but was not able to return in the 4th quarter for aggravating a knee injury.

This latest win gives Ginebra Gin Kings a commanding 3-1 series lead with a chance to close out the championship series on Wednesday, December 9, at the AUF Sports Center and capture its first All-Filipino crown in 13 years.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 98 – Tenorio 22, Aguilar 22, Pringle 16, Thompson 11, Devance 8, Dillinger 7, Chan 6, Caperal 6, Mariano 0.

TNT 88 – Pogoy 34, Erram 19, Rosario 16, Enciso 10, Reyes 3, Semerad 2, Castro 2, Vosotros 2, Washington 0, De Leon 0, Montalbo 0.

Quarters: 17-14; 49-39; 76-60; 98-88.

NBA releases the first half schedule of NBA 2020-21 season

NBA just release the first half schedule of the NBA season 2020-2021 for all 30 teams. The first half the season will start on December 22, 2020 and will end on March 4, 2021.

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Together with the schedule, NBA also high-lighted keydates for notable games, which is headlined by LA Clippers against La Lakers on opening date.

Second half will be March 11, 2021 to May 16, 2021 but because of the threat of COVID-19, the second half schedule of the NBA season could still chance, this is to give way for any games that will be cancelled and reschedled from the first half of the season.

Complete NBA 2020 Draft results

NBA just concluded their 2020 Draft and if you missed the draft earlier here’s the complete of all the Draft picks from the 2020 NBA Draft, including proposed and official trades.

First Round

  1. Timberwolves draft Anthony Edwards
  2. Warriors draft James Wiseman
  3. Hornets draft LaMelo Ball
  4. Bulls draft Patrick Williams
  5. Cavaliers draft Isaac Okoro
  6. Hawks draft Onyeka Okongwu
  7. Pistons draft Killian Hayes
  8. Knicks draft Obi Toppin
  9. Wizards draft Deni Avdija
  10. Suns draft Jalen Smith
  11. Spurs draft Devin Vassell
  12. Kings draft Tyrese Haliburton
  13. Pelicans draft Kira Lewis Jr.
  14. Celtics draft Aaron Nesmith
  15. Magic draft Cole Anthony
  16. Trail Blazers draft Isaiah Stewart >> reportedly traded to the Pistons, after first being dealt to the Rockets
  17. Timberwolves draft Aleksej Pokusevski >> reportedly traded to the Thunder
  18. Mavericks draft Josh Green
  19. Nets draft Saddiq Bey >> reportedly traded to the Pistons, after first being dealt to the Clippers
  20. Heat draft Precious Achiuwa
  21. 76ers draft Tyrese Maxey
  22. Nuggets draft Zeke Nnaji
  23. Knicks draft Leandro Bolmaro >> reportedly traded to the Timberwolves
  24. Bucks draft RJ Hampton >> reportedly traded to the Nuggets, after first being dealt to the Pelicans
  25. Thunder draft Immanuel Quickley >> reportedly traded to the Knicks, after first being dealt to the Timberwolves
  26. Celtics draft Payton Pritchard
  27. Jazz draft Udoka Azubuike
  28. Lakers draft Jaden McDaniels >> reportedly traded to the Timberwolves, after first being dealt to the Thunder
  29. Raptors draft Malachi Flynn
  30. Celtics draft Desmond Bane >> reportedly traded to the Grizzlies

Second Round

  1. Mavericks draft Tyrell Terry
  2. Hornets draft Vernon Carey
  3. Timberwolves draft Daniel Oturu >> reportedly traded to the Clippers, after first being dealt to the Knicks
  4. 76ers draft Theo Maledon >> reportedly traded to the Thunder
  5. Kings draft Xavier Tillman Sr >> reportedly traded to the Grizzlies
  6. 76ers draft Tyler Bey >> officially traded to the Mavericks
  7. Wizards draft Vit Krejci >> reportedly traded to the Thunder
  8. Jazz draft Saben Lee >> reportedly traded to the Pistons
  9. Pelicans draft Elijah Hughes >> reportedly traded to the Jazz
  10. Grizzlies draft Robert Woodard >> reportedly traded to the Kings
  11. Spurs draft Tre Jones
  12. Pelicans draft Nick Richards >> officially traded to the Hornets
  13. Kings draft Jahmi’us Ramsey
  14. Bulls draft Marko Simonovic
  15. Bucks draft Jordan Nwora
  16. Trail Blazers draft CJ Elleby
  17. Celtics draft Yam Madar
  18. Warriors draft Nico Mannion
  19. 76ers draft Isaiah Joe
  20. Hawks draft Skylar Mays
  21. Warriors draft Justinian Jessup
  22. Kings draft Kenyon Martin Jr >> reportedly traded to the Rockets
  23. Thunder draft Cassius Winston >> reportedly traded to the Wizards
  24. Pacers draft Cassius Stanley
  25. Nets draft Jay Scrubb >> reportedly traded to the Clippers
  26. Hornets draft Grant Riller
  27. Clippers draft Reggie Perry >> reportedly traded to the Nets
  28. 76ers draft Paul Reed
  29. Raptors draft Jalen Harris
  30. Pelicans draft Sam Merrill >> reportedly traded to the Bucks

All players drafted in the first round are assured of at least $1 million in rookie salary and the higher the pick the higher the salary. According to RealGM, the number 1 pick for the 2020-2021 NBA Rookies can earn as much as $8 million in their first year and $9 million in the last year of the contract.

For those who are drafted in the second round, they can earn no less than the league minimum salary (over $560,000) if they sign with a team.

Players who are not drafted can try out to any team and sign as an undrafted (unrestricted) free agent, or join the NBA D-League to keep their NBA hopes alive.

Source: NBA

PBA suspends all PBA Philippine Cup games

It’s been 3 weeks since the start of the PBA “bubble” in Clark-Angeles, Pampanga, the league decided to postpone all games starting today, October 30, 2020, following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Department of Health (DOH).

The decision was made a week after a player from Blackwater and a referee tested positive for the coronavirus.

The postponement of games will surely delay the December target for the completion of the PBA 2020 Philippine Cup Conference.

Miami Heat wins a hard-fought Game 5, forces a Game 6

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat forces a game 6 by winning a very close game against the LA Lakers (111 – 108).

Jimmy Butler, who played all 47mins of the game is best player of the night, filling up the stat sheet with another triple-double, with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, He out-duel Lebron James in what can be considered a classic game between future Hall of Famers.

Butler had a lot of help from the other Miami Heat players; Duncan Robinson contributing 26 points, Kendrick Nunn chipping in 14 points, Bam Adebayo had 13 points, Tyler Herro had 12 and Jae Crowder 11. The seventh player, Andre Iguodala, didn’t score but was a big defensive contributor in the game.

The LA Laker got another big game from James with 40 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists but without Anthony Davis, who is already playing through a bruised heel and was limping down the stretch.

Game 6 will be Sunday night (4:00 AM, Monday, Riyadh time).

LA Lakers defeats Miami Heat in Game 4 (102-96), one win away for the 2020 NBA title

The LA Lakers are one win away to bring the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy back to Los Angeles and the franchise’s 17th championship.

Game 4 was a tight game until Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a corner three then a block by Anthony Davis on a Jimmy Butler drive. Davis later sealed the game with a 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left in the game.

Lakers take a commanding 3-1 lead in NBA Finals, the only team to come back from a 1-3 deficit in NBA Finals history, are the 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Lebron James, who is in a Laker uniform.

Breaking: Doc Rivers stepped down as coach of the LA Clippers

Doc Rivers will step down as coach of the LA Clippers, after the team’s second round exit against the Denver Nuggets.

The team announced that the split is a “mutual decision” between Chairman Steve Ballmer and Doc Rivers. “Doc has been a terrific coach for the Clippers, an incredible ambassador, and a pillar of strength during tumultuous times,” Ballmer said. “He won a heck of a lot of games and laid a foundation for this franchise.”

Considered as on of the most successful coach in the NBA, at 58, he is the most successful head coach in Clippers history, compiling a record of 356-208 over seven seasons. It’s unclear what’s next for Doc Rivers but is been reported that he received calls for 76ers and Pelicans for a Head Coach position. Doc Rivers have two years left on his contract.

You can the full text of LA Clippers announcement here.

Kai Sotto signs with new G League team

It’s official, Kai Sotto signs with new G League team. He will join fellow high school recruits Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix on the new team, the team new will not connected to any NBA club or any existing G League franchise.

In a report by Spin Philippines, Kai Sotto and fellow recruits will receive $125,000 salary for the five-month season, as well as “year-long opportunities for on and off-the-court professional development.”

Kai Sotto also made the announcement on his official @kzsottolive twitter account.

More than the monetary compensation, being in the new G League team will give Kai Sotto the training and exposure that will ultimately make him the first Filipino born NBA Player.

Source: ESPN, NBA
Image: @kzsottolive

Kai Sotto to skip college and will join NBA’s G League

Filipino basketball phenom Kai Sotto, will be skipping college and join the the G League, NBA’s official minor league basketball organization. He will join other NBA Prospect such as Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd & Daishen Nix to go the G League route in order to make it to NBA.

Kai Sotto, who’s celebrating his birthday today, Monday, May 11 – will be the first international prospect to sign with the G League professional pathway program, as reported by Shams Charania from The Athletic.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s Letter to Fans

NBA;

Dear NBA Fans,

As you know, we have temporarily suspended our season in response to the coronavirus pandemic. We made this decision to safeguard the health and well-being of fans, players, everyone connected to our game and the general public. This hiatus will last at least 30 days and we intend to resume the season, if and when it becomes safe for all concerned.

In the meantime, we will continue to coordinate with infectious disease and public health experts along with government officials to determine safe protocols for resuming our games. As we develop the appropriate course for future NBA games and events, we will keep you informed of any changes as soon as they happen. Tickets already purchased for a postponed game will be honored when the game is rescheduled. If games are not played or played in an empty arena, teams will work with fans on a credit for a future game or a refund.

We encourage you to visit NBA.com for the latest news, updates and interactive features to stay connected to the game. You will also find guidelines on how to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.

This remains a complicated and rapidly evolving situation that reminds us that we are all part of a broader society with a responsibility to look out for one another. That is what the NBA will continue to do, and we are grateful for your understanding and for being the best fans in sports.

Sincerely,

Adam Silver
NBA Commissioner

NBA suspends season due to Corona Virus

The NBA just announce that they’ve suspend the season after a Utah Jazz Player tested positive for corona virus or COVID-19. The announcement did not include the name of the player but in an ESPN reports, that player is Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

The suspension for all games moving forward will be in effect until further notice.

Source: NBA

June Mar Fajardo takes home his sixth Most Valuable Player award in the PBA

PBA just awarded the sixth Most Valuable Player award of June Mar Fajardo. Fajardo is the only PBA player to have the most MVP award in PBA history, he is two MVP awards ahead of Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio in the all-time MVP list.

Despite the award, the San Miguel Big man will miss out the action in the Philippine Cup, since he is currently recovering from a fractured shin. San Miguel is the defending Philippine Cup Champion.

Fajardo garnered a total of 3,140 points coming from statistical points, media votes, players’ votes and PBA votes to get MVP No. 6.

Other awards;

  • Mythical First Team: June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, CJ Perez, Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony
  • Mythical Second Team: RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Stanley Pringle, Japeth Aguilar and Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang
  • All-Defensive Team: June Mar Fajardo, Sean Anthony, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Ross and CJ Perez
  • Rookie of the Year: CJ Perez
  • Most Improved Player: Mo Tautuaa
  • Sportsmanship Award: Gabe Norwood

Source: PBA

Los Angeles Lakers retires Kobe Bryant’s Jersey No. 8 and No. 24

During the half-time break of the LA Lakers – Golden State Warriors game, Los Angeles Lakers retired Kobe Bryant’s Jersey No. 8 and No. 24, the first time an NBA team to retire two jersey number used by the same player on the same team. Kobe wore jersey no. 8 from his rookie 1996-97 season to 2005-06, then no. 24, which he wore from 2006-07 till his final 2015-16 season, both on the same team.

Kobe’s career highlights and awards;

  • 5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
  • 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
  • 18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
  • 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
  • 11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
  • 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2001)
  • 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
  • 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011)
  • 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2012)
  • 2× NBA scoring champion (2006, 2007)
  • NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
  • NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
  • Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)

Fellow NBA and Laker Star attended the ceremony including Shaq, Iverson, Magic Johnson Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.