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Kyrie Irving expressed significant frustration specifically with Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard during the 2024 NBA Finals while playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Irving revealed this during a stream with former Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown. Irving cited Pritchard making incredible half-court shots on two separate occasions during the series, particularly impactful shots occurring just before halftime. These shots deeply rattled Irving, to the point where he humorously admitted, "I thought about swinging" at Pritchard. He emphasized the thought crossed his mind multiple times, questioning "How did that half-court shot happen two times?" However, Irving clarified these comments were made in jest and he simultaneously gave Pritchard credit, referring to him as "PP" and offering a "shoutout". Despite the contentious nature of his departure from the Celtics years earlier (where he initially promised to re-sign but instead joined the Brooklyn Nets), Irving also reflected fondly on his time in Boston during the stream. He described his initial arrival as "so exciting," highlighting family connections to the city, including his father attending school nearby and his mother graduating from Boston University, making it feel like the right place at the time.
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The Detroit Pistons ended their six-year playoff drought, establishing Cade Cunningham as an All-Star leader of an exciting young team. However, the offseason saw them lose guard depth with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder departing, and Malik Beasley potentially leaving due to off-court issues. To address this, the Pistons made a significant free-agent move by signing sharpshooter Duncan Robinson to a $48 million contract. Despite the Robinson signing, the Pistons' NBA Summer League team features Ron Holland II, the #5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who is showing star potential in the exact sharpshooter role. In his first three Summer League games, Holland scored 65 points and demonstrated significant improvement, hitting 7 of 15 three-point attempts while also excelling defensively with an average of 4.0 steals per game. Holland's Summer League performance suggests he could be a strong candidate to start at shooting guard alongside Cunningham. Crucially, unlike Robinson, Holland brings significant defensive strength, potentially forming a formidable defensive backcourt with Cunningham. While Summer League performance isn't a definitive indicator for the regular season, Holland's showing marks a stark improvement over his rookie year, where he shot only 23.8% from three-point range and averaged just over one steal every two games. His current sensational numbers suggest he might be poised for a significant leap forward. If Holland continues this trajectory, he could potentially challenge Robinson for the starting spot. Should Holland earn the starting role, the Pistons would benefit from bringing Robinson off the bench to provide valuable three-point shooting.
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The Philadelphia 76ers have suffered another injury setback involving star player Paul George before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. George underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to treat an injury sustained during a recent workout. He will begin rehabilitation and be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp in October 2025. This injury echoes the previous season, where the 76ers finished with a poor 24-58 record, largely attributed to significant injuries limiting Joel Embiid (19 games played) and Paul George (41 games played) to only a fraction of the season. While the Eastern Conference appears wide open due to injuries affecting contenders like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, NBA analyst Tim MacMahon expressed strong skepticism about the 76ers' championship aspirations. He cited the team's unreliable health history, particularly concerning Embiid and George, stating "if you want to turn the injuries off on 2k, then we can talk about the Sixers as a contender." MacMahon further questioned the feasibility of the team developing necessary chemistry, even if healthy. He pointed out the lack of playing time together and the plan to load manage players, stating it would require "microwave chemistry for a deep playoff run that Joel Embiid has never been able to lead," highlighting numerous "ifs." Although the 76ers drafted VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick, MacMahon emphasized that the health of Embiid and George remains paramount. He argued that the team's potential on paper is contingent on both stars staying healthy and the entire roster spending significant time training together to build cohesion.
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Aces President Nikki Fargas discussed the team's acquisition of forward NaLyssa Smith in a recent interview. Smith, traded from the Dallas Wings on June 30 for a 2027 first-round pick, recently spent her first night in her new Las Vegas apartment, highlighting the rapid transition. The 24-year-old, 6-foot-4 forward has averaged 6.8 points and five rebounds in her first five games with the Aces (10-11) and is set to face her former Dallas team soon. Smith described her transition as smooth, crediting significant help from teammates, especially three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson, whom she called the "biggest help" and who constantly coaches her. Despite initial distress upon learning of the trade (she posted feeling "sick to my stomach" on X), Smith expressed excitement about playing with Wilson, her WNBA "GOAT." The trade separated Smith from her partner, Wings guard-forward DiJonai Carrington. Dallas Wings General Manager Curt Miller stated the trade offer was "too good to pass up," emphasizing the balance between present and future needs, especially given the rarity of acquiring a first-round pick under the new CBA. Fargas explained the Aces' rationale for the trade: they identified a need to improve rebounding (offensively and defensively) and sought physicality, toughness, and scoring ability. Smith was seen as providing needed support for A'ja Wilson while fitting the team culture. Fargas also emphasized viewing Smith, despite her experience, as a "future investment" due to her youth and potential longevity with the organization, especially considering future uncertainties like expansion drafts and the CBA. Fargas confirmed that Aces coach Becky Hammon, who had previously spoken positively about Smith when she was drafted 2nd overall in 2022, was involved in the decision-making process.
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Mo Tautuaa stated he is moving past the controversy surrounding a dunk attempt in Game 1 of the PBA Finals, indicating he's "done trying to dunk" after a late interference call against him that he felt should have been left for the players to decide. Poy Erram's status for Game 3 is uncertain as he requires an X-ray following an injury. San Miguel Beermen defeated TNT Tropang Giga in the crucial moments of Game 2, capitalizing on TNT's cold shooting to tie the PBA Finals series at 1-1. Stanley Pringle has signed with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, marking a new chapter in his career. The National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) welcomed the UAAP's openness to potentially including golf as a collegiate sport. La Salle, UP, UST, and NU all secured victories against NCAA teams in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarterfinals. La Salle specifically defeated UST to clinch the top seed, while UP gained momentum heading into the quarters. NU secured the final semifinals spot. La Salle maintained an unbeaten record in the Filoil tournament. NU finished as the runner-up in the BLIA Cup. The NCAA is set to return to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum for its games. NCAA 101, the league's centennial season, will introduce significant format changes including group stages, play-in tournaments, and an expanded playoffs system. San Beda University celebrated a double championship in the NCAA (likely juniors division), while Lyceum of the Philippines University turned over hosting duties for Season 100 to Mapua University.
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The author describes the Malik Beasley gambling investigation story as the "craziest, most perplexing mystery" encountered in their NBA reporting career. A central question driving their investigation for the podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" was uncovering the identity of "Moose," hinting at a double meaning behind asterisks used in the narrative. ESPN's Shams Charania broke bombshell news on the eve of NBA free agency, revealing Malik Beasley was under federal investigation for allegedly gambling on his own games and prop bets. The report stunned the NBA community, including the author who wrote an immediate analysis that became their most-read piece of the year, indicating intense public interest. The Detroit Pistons were reportedly "blindsided" by the investigation despite preparing a $42 million contract offer for Beasley. No team or insider publicly anticipated the scandal—except for one cryptic social media post five months earlier. On January 30th, an obscure Twitter account predicted Beasley would face federal investigation, after which the account holder vanished, leaving the "Beasley Prophecy" as the only warning. This mysterious prediction led the reporting team—Pablo Torre, Amin Elhassan, and the author—to pursue what they termed a "Moose hunt" to uncover both the source of the prophecy and the significance behind the name "Moose."
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Veteran point guard Vasilije Micic, recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, has secured a new professional basketball opportunity overseas in the EuroLeague. Micic, 31, was acquired by the Bucks primarily as part of a transaction to move off Pat Connaughton's contract and future draft picks. The Bucks negotiated a buyout of Micic's $8.1 million expiring contract for 2025-26, with Micic returning $6 million. Milwaukee will stretch and waive the remaining $2 million over the next three seasons. After the Bucks' move, a post-NBA contract offer from Turkish EuroLeague champion Fenerbahce was rescinded. However, Micic quickly found a new team, agreeing to a deal with Spanish EuroLeague powerhouse Real Madrid. Other clubs like Olympiacos and Hapoel Tel Aviv were also reportedly interested. According to reports, Micic signed a two-season contract with Real Madrid worth €8.5 million. Last NBA season, split between the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 rebounds across 41 games (16 starts). He was traded multiple times: from Phoenix back to Charlotte on draft night (involving draft rights and Mark Williams), and then subsequently to Milwaukee before being waived. Micic has only two NBA seasons under his belt, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023-24 and the Hornets/Suns in 2024-25. Before joining the NBA, he had a decorated career in Europe, playing in Serbia, Germany, Turkey, and Lithuania. His most notable achievements include winning two EuroLeague championships (2021, 2022) with Turkish club Anadolu Efes, where he was also named EuroLeague MVP in 2021 and earned All-EuroLeague Team honors three times during his five-year tenure.
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The Las Vegas Aces (10-11), led by A'ja Wilson after her 34-point performance in a 104-102 win, will play on the road against the Dallas Wings (6-16) on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Vegas 34 and KFAA. In their previous game, the Aces secured a 104-102 home victory over the Golden State Valkyries. A'ja Wilson led the team with 34 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 75.0% shooting from the field, supported by Jackie Young who contributed 30 points, 6 assists, and 64.3% shooting. The Dallas Wings are coming off a 102-83 road loss to Indiana. Their top performers in that game were Paige Bueckers, who scored 21 points with 2 steals (60.0% FG, 2-4 from 3PT), and Li Yueru, who added 16 points on 72.7% shooting. The article encourages readers to prepare for this WNBA matchup.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have addressed their frontcourt needs this offseason by signing center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, though they lost veteran Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. While the roster appears more balanced overall, defensive concerns remain. Fox Sports analyst Jason McIntyre proposed that adding veteran shooting guard Bradley Beal—should he be bought out by the Phoenix Suns—would elevate the Lakers to favorites in the Western Conference. McIntyre argued this move would build on LA's 50-win season and enhance their offensive firepower alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić. However, McIntyre's suggestion faced immediate backlash. On "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," co-panelist Chris Broussard dismissed the idea, and NBA fans overwhelmingly criticized Beal's defensive shortcomings and questioned his competitive drive. Social media reactions highlighted skepticism that adding Beal would resolve the team's defensive liabilities.
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The Dallas Mavericks are evaluating candidates for their final two-way contract spot next season. Ryan Nembhard has demonstrated strong confidence and appears to be a solid fit for the rotation, positioning him well for one of the two-way roles. Miles Kelly, already on a two-way contract, is showcasing remarkable confidence as a shooter, carrying over his fearless mentality from Auburn. The Mavericks, anticipating Klay Thompson's eventual decline, see an urgent need for a reliable knockdown 3-point shooter like Kelly. While acknowledging the significant transition challenges (pace, longer 3-point line), the article suggests Kelly could potentially develop into a player resembling Thompson or at least trend towards becoming a valuable rotation player if his confidence persists. The piece draws parallels to Klay Thompson's rapid rise as an elite catch-and-shoot star under Steve Kerr's system. While the Mavericks' philosophy differs, Kelly's sheer confidence in shooting from deep is seen as a foundational trait. Mavericks Summer League coach Josh Broghamer has specifically praised Kelly's versatile shot-making, including movement shooting. However, Broghamer is also working with Kelly on expanding his game beyond shooting, focusing on rebounding and passing to help him stand out. The article argues Kelly's shooting directly addresses a critical Mavericks need, contrasting it with the inconsistent 3-point production from players like Spencer Dinwiddie last season. Kelly's performance, including scoring 11 points on 2-6 three-point shooting in 27 minutes (third-most on the team) during a loss to San Antonio, is presented as evidence of his potential. His significant playing time is interpreted as a sign the team sees future potential in him. Highlighting his undrafted status, the piece notes Kelly plays with a motivational "chip on his shoulder," aiming to prove teams wrong for passing on him. The Mavericks are portrayed as fortunate to have him. The potential for Kelly to learn directly from Klay Thompson through mentorship is mentioned as an exciting opportunity that could greatly benefit his development.
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Stephen Curry's placement in Bleacher Report's Top 100 NBA Players of All Time list, where he ranks 10th, has sparked significant debate. While universally acknowledged as an all-time great, the greatest shooter ever, a four-time champion, and a two-time MVP, his exact position on the all-time list is contentious. Bleacher Report justified Curry's high ranking by emphasizing his transformative impact on the game, surpassing even LeBron James in reshaping basketball. They highlighted that beyond his shooting, Curry uniquely leverages his gravity to exhaust defenses in multiple ways, making his teams fundamentally better. His scalability to play alongside anyone and his one-of-a-kind qualitative and stylistic impact were also cited, arguing the Warriors' success peaks with him. The primary controversy stems from Curry being ranked directly above Kobe Bryant at number 11. Many, particularly younger generations, consider Bryant one of the greatest players ever, making Curry's placement ahead of him a point of contention. Conversely, others argue Curry's ranking at 10 is too low. They point out he has more championships than Larry Bird (ranked 8th), more MVPs than Shaquille O'Neal (ranked 6th), and the same number of All-NBA selections as Magic Johnson (ranked 4th), despite playing in a more competitive league era.
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The Orlando Magic acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in an offseason trade, announced by President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman on June 25. The deal sent guard Cole Anthony, guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and multiple future first-round draft picks to Memphis in exchange for Bane. Bane is coming off a strong season, averaging 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 69 contests. He shot 48.4% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range, demonstrating his scoring efficiency. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley praised Bane's immediate impact, noting that he was already training with teammates Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. Mosley highlighted Bane's work ethic, character, care factor, and leadership as valuable additions to the team. Bane joins a roster led by All-Star forward Paolo Banchero and holds significant historical rankings with the Grizzlies. He is top 10 all-time in franchise history for points, assists, threes, playoff points, playoff rebounds, playoff assists, playoff steals, and playoff threes, where he is the franchise leader. The Magic finished the previous season as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 record, securing their second consecutive playoff appearance. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics in five games.
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The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is in the thick of its regular season in July, with intense competition as teams battle for top four positions and playoff seeding. Every game holds significant weight during this crucial period. A series of key matchups are scheduled between July 10 and 15 that could alter the standings. Highlights include: Mindoro Tamaraws vs. Ilagan Isabela Cowboys; Valenzuela City Magic vs. Abra Weavers (both fighting for top eight spots); Basilan Viva Portmasters vs. Pangasinan Abono Reapers (featuring veterans and young talent); and the dominant, undefeated Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. the Bacolod Tubo Slashers. Individual players are also shining. Philip Paniamogan of Batangas City carries momentum after setting a league record with 15 three-pointers in a single game last month. Michael Mabulac continues to impress with his interior play for Pangasinan. In the standings, the north division is led by undefeated Nueva Ecija, followed by Abra, San Juan, and Quezon Huskers, with Pampanga and Caloocan close behind. The south division features a tight race at the top between Quezon Huskers, Zamboanga Sikat, Batangas City, and GenSan Warriors. The MPBL's unique charm stems from its deep community roots, where regional rivalries generate passionate fan support for hometown teams. July is pivotal for shaping playoff destinies, influencing home-court advantage and playoff paths. Every decision, shot, and victory becomes crucial as teams aim to make history. Fans can anticipate record-breaking performances, upsets, and emerging rivalries during the thrilling push for the top spots.
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The Los Angeles Lakers signed center Deandre Ayton on July 6th after he agreed to a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton joined the Lakers on a two-year, $16.2 million contract, a significant discount compared to the $35.55 million he was scheduled to earn in the upcoming season. Prior to Ayton's availability, the Lakers were expected to sign two centers for a tag-team approach. One of the centers linked to them was veteran Brook Lopez, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks last season. However, Lopez, originally from the San Fernando Valley, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers instead. According to ESPN reporters, Lopez declined the Lakers (a team he played for in 2017-18) due to uncertainty surrounding LeBron James' future with the franchise. This uncertainty stems from LeBron James exercising his player option for the 2025-26 season on June 29th. On the same day, his agent, Rich Paul, issued a statement widely interpreted as opening the door for a potential trade request. Multiple reports suggest James and his camp have a strained relationship with the Lakers organization, with one claiming the team "would like to move on" from him. While James is likely to start the upcoming season with the Lakers, significant skepticism exists about whether he will remain with the team in the coming months.
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The news covers two upcoming WNBA matchups: Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever: The Dallas Wings (6-15) are on a two-game losing streak and playing the final game of a road trip. They have a poor 2-9 road record. Key Wings players: Paige Bueckers is averaging 20.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.5 steals over her last 10 games. Arike Ogunbowale (averaging 16.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals) is expected to return Sunday. Li Yueru and JJ Quinerly are coming off solid performances. The Indiana Fever (10-10) ended a two-game losing streak with a win over Atlanta and are playing the final game of a homestand. They have a 6-6 home record. Key Fever players: Caitlin Clark has struggled with shooting (9-for-27 in two games since returning from injury) but faces a Wings defense that allows the league's third-highest FG% to opposing guards. Kelsey Mitchell scored a team-high 25 points in the last game, her second 25-point game in four outings. Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard have both scored 20+ points within the last three games. Betting Line: Fever favored by 10.0 points. Over/Under total points set at 175.0. Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty: The only information provided for this game is the betting line: Liberty favored by 3.5 points. Over/Under total points set at 167.5. The news includes a general note that all player return dates mentioned are estimates.
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The Dallas Mavericks have decided to end Cooper Flagg's participation in the NBA summer league for the remainder of the Las Vegas session after just two games, as confirmed by sources to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. This decision follows Flagg's performance on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs, where the No. 1 draft pick scored 31 points while shooting 10-for-21 from the floor. This marked a significant improvement over his summer league debut against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, where he managed only 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting. After the Mavericks' 76-69 loss to the Spurs, Flagg commented on adjusting to the new environment, stating the team wanted him to be aggressive. He felt he achieved that better in the second game by drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, which helped him settle in, though he noted he missed several free throws. Mavericks summer league coach Josh Broghamer praised Flagg, saying he "just continues to make the right plays" and specifically highlighted the 6-foot-9 rookie's work "off the ball" during Saturday's game. The Mavericks' choice to shut down Flagg was initially reported on Sunday by veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein.
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The Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks, two of the WNBA's bottom-three teams, face off Sunday in their first matchup this season, with predictions highlighting scoring props and a favorable spread for the visiting Sun. Tina Charles is projected to exceed 15.5 points, supported by her recent offensive surge—scoring 20 and 29 points in the last two games while taking 40 shots and 18 free throws. This aligns with the Sparks' defensive struggles: they allow the league's second-highest points per game (87.2), second-worst field goal percentage (44.9%), and third-most points in the paint (37.1), creating ideal conditions for Charles' interior dominance. Additional predictions include Kelsey Plum surpassing 18.5 points, bolstered by her 20.9-point home average at crypto.com Arena, and the Sun covering the +11.5 spread. Team statistics reveal both franchises' defensive woes: the Sun hold the worst defensive rating while the Sparks rank last overall. Connecticut is 3-17 straight up but 9-11 against the spread, including six covers in their last 10 games. Conversely, the Sparks are 6-14 straight up and 0-3 ATS in recent home games. Historical trends heavily favor Connecticut, who have won the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Injury reports note absences for the Sun's Marina Mabrey and the Sparks' Cameron Brink.
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Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo criticized officiating during Caitlin Clark's performance in the Indiana Fever's game against the Dallas Wings. During ESPN's broadcast, Lobo highlighted a first-quarter sequence where Clark drove against JJ Quinerly, enduring multiple uncalled fouls before finally drawing a whistle. Replays showed clear contact, with Lobo stating: "There's a grab, there's a hold, there's another grab... every single one of them are fouls." Play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco agreed with Lobo's assessment of the physical defense. This incident reflects ongoing complaints from the Fever organization about inadequate foul calls protecting Clark throughout the season. Earlier criticisms came from player Sophie Cunningham and head coach Stephanie White. Concerns are heightened by Clark's history of lower-body injuries, which have caused her to miss nine games, putting added scrutiny on the physical play officials permit against her. Despite the lack of foul calls in this sequence, Clark converted both resulting free throws. The Fever maintained momentum heading into halftime, unaffected by the officiating controversies during this particular game.
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Maddyn Greenway, a late addition to the U19 Team USA basketball squad, is currently competing with the team at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Brno, Czechia. Team USA, placed in Group A alongside Israel, Hungary, and Korea, began their tournament with a dominant 134-53 victory over Korea. The game quickly became one-sided, with the USA leading 30-17 after the first quarter; Korea managed only eight points in the second quarter, effectively sealing the outcome early. Despite joining the team late, Maddyn Greenway (a 5-foot-8 Kentucky commit) delivered an exceptional performance. She tied Kate Harpring for the team high in assists with five, while also contributing 10 points and three steals, showcasing her impact on both offense and defense. Other key contributors in the win included top prospects Saniyah Hall and Sienna Betts, who combined for an efficient 48 points on 19-of-25 shooting. Sydney Douglas, a Kentucky recruiting target ranked No. 2 in the 2028 class, added 8 points and 4 rebounds in her 14 minutes of play. Team USA's Group A schedule continues with a game against Hungary on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup against Israel on July 15 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
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San Miguel Beermen emphasized redemption over halting TNT's Grand Slam aspirations, while coach Chot Reyes dismissed external expectations by highlighting their six All-Filipino titles. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the league will maintain 12 teams for its 50th season despite Terrafirma's ownership uncertainty. San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo downplayed injury concerns after experiencing hamstring tightness during their Game 7 victory against Barangay Ginebra. Gilas Pilipinas faces significant fatigue challenges ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup, according to head coach Tim Cone. The national team's preparation is complicated by player exhaustion from recent professional league commitments. In collegiate action, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and National University dominated NCAA teams during the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarterfinals. La Salle secured the tournament's top seed by defeating UST, while UP built momentum entering the knockout stage. La Salle maintained an undefeated record as NU completed the semifinal lineup. NU finished as runners-up in the BLIA Cup tournament, propelled by Tin Cayabyab's 31-point performance in the semifinals. Cayabyab's offensive outburst secured NU's place in the championship game. The NCAA unveiled sweeping format changes for its 101st season, introducing group stages, play-in tournaments, and expanded playoffs. San Beda University claimed multiple General Championships titles as hosting responsibilities transitioned from LPU to Mapua University. Mapua later became embroiled in a bench-clearing altercation during a game against a Chinese university team.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a historic season by leading the OKC Thunder to their first-ever NBA championship, defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Finals. He achieved the rare feat of winning the regular-season MVP, Finals MVP, and championship trophy in the same year. The 27-year-old maintained exceptional consistency throughout the season and playoffs, averaging 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting 51.9% from the field. His clutch performance included scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4 to secure a 3-2 Finals lead. His leadership propelled the Thunder to dominate the Western Conference with a league-best 68 wins. Teammate Alex Caruso praised Gilgeous-Alexander's unique skillset, noting the relief of not having to guard him. Caruso compared his playing style to MVP-era James Harden in driving ability and Kyrie Irving in mid-range artistry and ambidextrous finishing, highlighting his evolution into one of the NBA's premier players.
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Kyrie Irving, known for expressing strong opinions, has displayed increased maturity and leadership since joining the Dallas Mavericks in 2023. However, he recently directed criticism towards ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. During a livestream, Irving commented on Smith's new five-year, $100 million contract with ESPN, mimicking Smith's own style of analyzing big deals. Irving stated, "I'm going to discuss his contract. I'm going to discuss Stephen A.'s contract... I'm gonna say, 'I don't think you're worth it.'" Stephen A. Smith is well-known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions across sports since joining ESPN in 2003. Irving's comments, made while he recovers from a torn ACL, are seen as a response to Smith's past critical takes on Irving, particularly on Smith's show "First Take" and in discussions with Shannon Sharpe.
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NBA guard Kyrie Irving sparked controversy during a recent livestream by stating that ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith did not deserve his new five-year, $100 million contract. Irving specifically said, "I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I’mma say, I don’t think he’s worth it." Irving quickly attempted to clarify his comments, explaining that his remark was not a personal attack on Smith but rather intended to use Smith as a broader example in a discussion about how media figures are compensated. He anticipated his comments might be taken out of context, urging viewers to "watch the whole clip" because "somebody might try to clip it up." Despite Irving's clarification attempt, a clipped version of his comments went viral as he predicted. The timing of Irving's remarks is significant, coming just days after he signed a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, ending weeks of free agency speculation. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Stephen A. Smith had been one of Irving's most vocal defenders during those contract negotiations. On ESPN's "First Take," Smith had repeatedly argued that the Mavericks "low-balled" Irving, claiming the All-Star guard deserved more than the average of just under $40 million per year he received. Smith contended that Irving deserved at least $43 to $45 million annually, comparing his deal unfavorably to other star contracts in the league and expressing frustration that Irving didn't get the player option that would have paid him $43 million.
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The Memphis Grizzlies have made several offseason acquisitions, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome, and Cedric Coward, and anticipate development from young players like Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, and Jaylen Wells. Following a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Grizzlies are reportedly still active in the trade market. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the team has been shopping guards Cole Anthony and John Konchar in trade discussions both before and during the NBA Summer League. Sources indicate Anthony is unlikely to remain with Memphis. If a trade cannot be found, the two sides are expected to reach a buyout agreement. Anthony is entering the second year of a three-year, $39 million contract that includes a team option for the third season, making it effectively an expiring deal. However, trading him likely requires a player swap, and if Memphis refuses to attach additional assets, he will likely hit the buyout market. Anthony is coming off his fifth NBA season, where he averaged career lows in points and minutes per game. His path to playing time in Memphis is further blocked by the presence of guards like Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome on the roster.
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The Atlanta Dream, featuring Allisha Gray, will play against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in a WNBA game on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Viewers can watch the game live on Fubo. Caitlin Clark recently returned from a five-game injury absence. In her comeback game on Wednesday, she scored 10 points (4-12 shooting) as the Fever lost 80-61 to the Valkyries. Indiana has struggled this season, partly due to Clark missing significant time, but hopes to improve as she regains full strength. The Dream have won two of their last three games. They currently hold a 12-7 record, placing them three games ahead of the Fever in the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta aims to extend their lead by handing Indiana its third consecutive loss. The article emphasizes this is a must-watch WNBA matchup. It promotes watching the game live via Fubo, including a free stream on ION, noting regional restrictions may apply and that compensation may be received for subscriptions or registrations made through site links.
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Throughout his 17 years leading the Oklahoma City Thunder, General Manager Sam Presti has experienced significant successes in the NBA Draft, highlighted by recent max contract extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. However, Presti's draft record also includes notable misses, such as Aleksej Pokusevski and Ousmane Dieng. A specific past draft failure, Darius Bazley, is currently attempting an NBA comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers Summer League team. After playing in the Chinese Basketball League and the NBA G League last season, Bazley received an invitation to join the Lakers' Summer League roster this offseason. Through four Summer League games, Bazley has emerged as a reliable asset for the Lakers, primarily coming off the bench. He is averaging impressive all-around numbers: 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, while shooting 56.7% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. While his scoring has drawn attention, his defensive intensity, shot-blocking, switchability, and versatility, fueled by his length and athleticism, have been key to the Lakers' competitiveness. Bazley was originally selected 23rd overall by the Thunder in the 2019 NBA Draft, ahead of players like Jordan Poole and Nic Claxton. He spent three and a half seasons in Oklahoma City, showing flashes of potential (averaging 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds) but ultimately failing to consistently realize his potential as a two-way player. The Thunder traded him to the Phoenix Suns in February 2023 for Dario Saric, a future second-round pick, and cash. Bazley subsequently moved between teams before falling out of the NBA entirely after the 2023-24 season. Now 25 years old, Bazley aims to return to the NBA for the 2025-26 season. Based on his strong performance with the Lakers Summer League squad, he appears to be making significant progress towards achieving that goal.
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Former Tennessee basketball teammates Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler made their NBA Las Vegas Summer League debuts for the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. The Pistons secured a significant 104-86 victory over the New York Knicks, with the duo combining for 18 points. Lanier started the game, scoring 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-7 from three-point range. The 37th overall draft pick also contributed two rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and committed only one turnover. Zeigler came off the bench, playing a team-high 18 minutes among non-starters for either team. He scored eight points on efficient 2-of-4 shooting, making both of his three-point attempts. He added one rebound, one assist, and showcased his defensive ability. The debut garnered personal reactions, as Chaz Lanier's mother posted a picture of the two former teammates in action. Former Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark reposted the image, expressing that it made his "heart full." Social media highlights from the Pistons showed Lanier scoring his first bucket and making a tough jumper to beat the shot clock.
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