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Posts tagged as “Portland”

Portland, Oregon Awarded WNBA’s 15th Franchise   

September 19, 2024

WNBA;

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that it has awarded Portland, Oregon, the league’s 15th franchise. The Portland team, set to begin play in the 2026 season, will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. Portland is the third expansion franchise awarded by the WNBA during this round of expansion, following the Golden State Valkyries and a Toronto franchise, bringing the league from 12 to 15 teams.

This is the best time to have your own WNBA team, since the value of your team will surely increase with the “Caitlin Clark effect” and the influx of new players from the college rank like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins.

I predict that before the next media deal, after 11 years, the league will add 5 more teams, making it to a total of 20 WNBA teams and the league will have at least 50 to 60 games per season.

Larry Bird, Jabbar and Magic Posts on Bill Walton

May 28, 2024

Here are some but not all of the tributes and posts on Bill Walton, who passed away at 71, after prolonged battle with cancer.

NBA Legend Bill Walton Passes Away at 71

May 28, 2024

NBA Hall of Famer and Basketball legend Bill Walton, has passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Walton, a two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, died on Monday surrounded by family in a statement released by the NBA.

Bill Walton is a two-time NBA champion; 1976–77 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, also named Finals MVP, and 1984–85 season with Boston Celtics, earning the sixth man award. Walton is a member of both the NBA’s 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. For his college career, he is a two-time champion at UCLA and a three-time national player of the year.

Tributes are pouring in from across the basketball community. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Walton “truly one of a kind,” while former teammate Larry Bird described him as a “great friend” and “a thrill to play with.”

Klay Thompson scores 28 Points to help Warriors Edge Past Trail Blazers (118 – 114)

December 18, 2023

Klay Thompson was on fire for the Warriors, pouring in a game-high 28 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 10-of-10 from three-point line. He kept the Warriors afloat in the first half then helped build a 22-point lead in early in the 3rd qtr.

This is the 3rd game where Thompson scored more than 20 points; 30 points against the Clippers, 24 pts on the Nets and then 28 points tonight. Klay’s scoring prowess came at a time where Stephen Curry’s 3-pointer streak ends. It was a bad shooting night for Curry, scoring omly for 7 points, 2 of 12 from the field and 0-8 from beyond the arc, he did managed to dish-out 8 assist to help setup his team-mate.

Warriors also got a much needed help from Andrew Wiggins, who scored 25 points and 7 rebounds. Podziemski, who started his 3rd game of the season, added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Not to be outdone by the Warriors, Portland made things interesting by erasing the 22 point lead (82-28), on a Matisse Thybulle three pointer with still 2:14 remaining in the qtr, then tied the game (91-91) again in the 4th qtr when Anfernee Simons made a 8-foot jumper.

Golden State was just hanging on a 5 point lead with still 2 mins remaining in the game but the Trail Blazer could not get over the hump to steal the win. Jeremy Grant lead Portland with 30 pts, 7 rebs and 6 assists, Anfernee Simons added another 24 pts and 7 assists, which Shaedon Sharpe chipping-in 12 pts.

Golden State Warriors improved to a 12-14 standing, while Portland are now 6-19, who are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with the Spurs.

The Warriors will travel Boston while the Blazers will face the red-hot Suns at home both games will happen on the 20th, Wednesday night.

Steph Curry’s 31-points carries Golden State Warriors to a win over Trail Blazers in Tight Contest (110 – 106)

December 7, 2023

The Golden State Warriors emerged victorious in a thrilling matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, securing a 110-106 win at Chase Center. Stephen Curry led the charge for the Warriors, dropping a game-high 31 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the final minute to seal the deal.

The game remained close throughout, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. The Trail Blazers held a 55-48 lead at halftime, but the Warriors were able to responded with a run in the third quarter, Portland 34-31. However, the Blazers refused to back down, and fueled by Anfernee Simons’ 28 points, they were able to hold on to the lead until the 4:40 mark of fourth quarter.

The Warriors are just hold on to a 1-point lead, Curry stepped up and delivered a step-back triple to give Golden State a 4-point with 9.2 left in the game.

Draymond Green also played a crucial role in the Warriors’ victory. He was flirting with triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, anchoring the Warriors’ defense with 2 blocks.

For the Trail Blazers, aside from Anfernee Simons’s performance, Shaedon Sharpe had a big game with 26 points, 6 reds and 5 assists, followed by Jabari Walker’s 12 points and 5 rebs.

This victory was crucial for the Warriors, who improved their record to 10-11, which will put them 11th in the Western Conference standings. The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, fell to 6-14 and they share the bottom of the standings with the Spurs.

Portland Trail Blazers will host Dallas on Friday night, while the Warriors will visit Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

Kai Sotto finally played in the 2023 NBA Summer League

July 15, 2023

After receiving a DNP in the first 3 games, Kai Sotto finally played his first game in the NBA Summer League against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In his first game in the NBA Summer League, 7’3″ Kai Sotto made the most of his 13 mins play time by scoring 6 pts, 4 rebs, 1 assists and 3 blocks.

Sotto entered the game at the start of the 2nd qtr, replacing Robert Baker. Even though he did not score, Sotto was active on the defense blocking a Shaedon Sharpe layup and a couple of defensive rebounds. Kai Sotto made his first-ever basket on a putback with less than a minute to go in the 3rd.

In the 4th, he made a 14-foot jumper an assist from Quinndary Weatherspoon and a 2-foot dunk from a Tyger Campbell assists. An assists to Quinndary Weatherspoon then blocked a 6-foot hook shot by Rayan Rupert. Orlando Magic ended the Summer League with a 0 – 4 standing. Orlando still have a consolation game on Sunday against the Boston Celtics and hopefully Kai Sotto will have a much better outing than this one.

Golden State Warriors rally from 23-down to beat the Portland Trail Blazers

March 1, 2023

Golden State Warriors just won on what could be a start of a run by beating the Portland Trail Blazers, after being down by 23 points in the first half. Led by Jordan Poole’s 29 points, six assists and five rebounds, and Klay Thompson’s 23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assist and a steal. The Warriors also survived a hot-start by Lillard, contributing 25 points and seven assists, after scoring a franchise record of 71 points in the previous game against the Rockets.

Warriors made their comeback in the 3rd quarter after holding the Blazers to just 17 points in the quarter and at the same time making 39-points. Their 3rd quarter run was energized by Jonathan Kuminga’s high-flying one-handed dunk from the middle lane.

Draymond Green returned from a two-game absence with a bruised right knee, Andrew Wiggins still out due to family issued, while Steph Curry is expected to return this Thursday, against the Clippers after working out with Santa Cruz Warriors in G League.

Six Warriors players scored in the double-digits and the team are 40% from the three-point line. Steve Keer said during the post game press conference “It just feels like we’re coming together. Like there’s some chemistry. Some energy that’s forming,” which is a good sign, since the team have bene struggling the whole season.

Warriors will host the Clippers on Thursday night, while the Blazers will face New Orleans this Wednesday evening to complete their road-home back-to-back.

Damian Lillard takes home the 2023 NBA 3-Point Contest

February 19, 2023

In a contest of accuracy and coordination, Portland Superstar Damian Lillard proves why he is considered as one of the dangerous sniper in the league by taking home the 2023 NBA 3-Point Contest. This was his 3rd appearance in the 3-Point Contest but his first time winning it.

Full highlights of the 2023 NBA 3-Point Contest;

It was a close contest in the final round but Lillard made two “Starry” shots, each is worth and each of those baskets gave him three points in the decisive round, which helped him defeat Hield 26-25. Lillard won the game with his final shot from the corner, a two-point money shot.

Lillard is currently 31% at the 3-pt line this season and will also play in the 2023 NBA All Star Game on Sunday.