March 2019 Basketball Wiretap

Trae Young Becomes Third Rookie To Have 35 Points, 5 Assists In Consecutive Games

Feb 28, 2019 1:42 AM

Trae Young became the first rookie since Allen Iverson to finish with at least 35 points and 5 assists in back-to-back games. 

Young had 36 points and 8 assists against the Rockets, and 36 points and 10 assists against the Timberwolves.

Young also joined Iverson and Michael Jordan to become the 3rd rookie to reach the 35/5 mark in consecutive games since the 1976-77 season. 

NBA Stats

Tags: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Dwyane Wade On Buzzer-Beater: 'I Needed This One On My Way Out'

Feb 28, 2019 1:34 AM

Dwyane Wade called his game-winning 3-pointer to beat the Golden State Warriors a "special" moment. 

"It's special for me. Obviously as a team we needed this win bad, but we kept fighting, everybody. I've been in this position so many times, and so many times you don't make the shot. And the one I make is a one-legged flick from my chest, it's crazy. But great to do it in front of the fans. This is a fun moment. I told Steph [Curry] I needed this one on my way out...I think the one thing cool for me is to be able to do this when you've got younger teammates that heard about some of the things you do, but don't get always an opportunity to see it. So it was cool to be able to do it in front of those guys as well," said Wade.

It was Wade's 5th buzzer-beater since the 2003-04 season, and the first time the Warriors were beaten with a buzzer-beater under Steve Kerr, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

"It was definitely one of my toughest game-winners that I've hit. I remember many years ago when Kobe [Bryant] hit that game-winner on me in L.A. at the top of the key off the glass, and I couldn't understand how he could bank a 3 off the top of the key like that. Same thing. It doesn't make sense, but this definitely is special, especially in my last year. To be able to have special moments," added Wade. 

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Brad Stevens Following Fourth Straight Loss: Celtics 'Desperate For A Win'

Feb 28, 2019 1:20 AM

Brad Stevens said that the Boston Celtics pressed too much during their 97-92 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was their fourth straight loss.

“I actually just told the guys, like, you walk out of here a little bit more encouraged because the reason we lost, if anything, was we didn’t make shots. I think it was because we were pressing. I think we were disappointed in ourselves and we looked like a team that really wanted tonight to go well. And it didn’t...I think we’re desperate for a win and to feel good about ourselves," said Stevens. 

Marcus Smart agreed with the assessment, stating “we definitely were (pressing). We wanted to win this one really bad and we’re pressing, but that’s a good thing. I’ll take that any day, us trying to make plays for each other and trying to come out with a win than not.”

John Karalis/Mass Live

Tags: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Marcus Smart: Celtics Struggle Because 'Nobody Is Together'

Feb 27, 2019 6:49 PM

Marcus Smart blamed the Boston Celtics' recent losing streak on a lack of team cohesion, echoing a theme throughout the season.

"Nobody is together. We've got to have everybody on the same page doing the same things at the same time. What are the main ingredients to those collapses? Not being together. And that's it. We're just not together. Plain and simple," said Smart following their 118-95 loss to the Raptors.

The Celtics have lost 3 games in a row. 

"I mean, that's Marcus' opinion. I respect it," said Kyrie Irving when told of Smart's comments. 

NBA.com

Tags: Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Jayson Tatum 'Knows' He'll Be An All-Star Next Season

Feb 25, 2019 11:49 AM

Jayson Tatum has had an uneven second season in the NBA, but his talent remains clear. Tatum also continues to believe in his potential.

“I know I’m going to be an All-Star,” Tatum said. “It wasn’t this year, so it will be next year. There are definitely certain guys that are able to achieve things at faster rates than others, and I know I can be one of them. Nobody puts higher expectations on me than myself.”

Tatum's efficiency has dropped this season as his usage has increased amidst a disappointing regular season for the Celtics.

“It’s no secret: Everybody in the world can see that our team is different this year than last year,” Tatum said. “It’s taking some time. Every time we lose a game, it’s not the end of the world. We all have to bring it, and it starts with me too.”

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA All-Star, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Masai Ujiri On Basketball Africa League: Joel Embiid-Level Athletes Are 'Walking All Over'

Feb 24, 2019 8:20 PM

Masai Ujiri says there are "freak type" athletes like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo (who is of Nigerian descent) all over Africa. 

"You mean to tell me with the development of basketball on the continent, and what's to come, you're telling me there aren't two guys like that walking around on the continent? There's a lot of them. It's just, how do you develop courts? How do you develop leagues? How do you develop programs? How do you encourage youth? The NBA is doing a magnificent job. We need to do even more," said Ujiri.

Ujiri added that the Basketball Africa League, which will begin play in 2020, will have to overcome logistical difficulties but is a start.

"You have to be ambitious because the talent is there. The talent is one of the most difficult things to get. If you don't have it, then it's a different story, then you're just trying to make something out of nothing. But the talent is walking all over, and I think that's special," added Ujiri. 

Anthony Olivieri/ESPN

Tags: NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Kristaps Porzingis Wasn't 'Psyched' To Play With Kevin Durant

Feb 24, 2019 11:57 AM

Kristaps Porzingis was wary of potentially having to share the spotlight with Kevin Durant if Durant were to have signed with the New York Knicks this summer, according to Zach Lowe.

"I’m confident after talking to a lot of people, I don't think he was psyched about playing with Durant. I don't know how directly that was verbalized to the Knicks, but I'm confident that it wasn't something that was like his Plan A," said Lowe on a recent podcast.

Lowe added that Porzingis "wanted to be the face of the franchise" in New York before eventually getting traded to the Mavericks. 

Phillip Barnett/Warriors Wire

Tags: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Official Trade, NBA B-Ball IQ

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LeBron James Calls Out Lakers' Lack Of Experience And Urgency

Feb 24, 2019 2:27 AM

LeBron James said that the Los Angeles Lakers lacked a sense of urgency following their 128-115 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

"How many know what's at stake if you've never been there?...it's kind of a fine line when you talk about that, because when you've never been there or know what it takes to actually shoot for something like that, sometimes you're afraid to get uncomfortable," said James following the loss.

The Pelicans rested Anthony Davis in the game.

James added that the Lakers need to get out of their comfort zone as they chase a playoff spot. 

"So you got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. So I'm not saying that's what we are as a whole. It kind of looks that way at times, that sometimes we're afraid to be uncomfortable and kind of get out of our comfort zone and kind of, you know, have that sense of urgency from the jump, and not be afraid to actually go out and fail to succeed. So, I mean we have, what? Twenty-three games left. We'll see what happens."

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Steve Ballmer On Building New Clippers Arena: 'We Need Our Own House'

Feb 23, 2019 8:46 PM

Steve Ballmer reiterated the importance of the Los Angeles Clippers having their own arena.

The team is currently proposing a stadium in Inglewood, although there still remains several hurdles in the process.

[We] need our own house...we’re going through the permitting process. And an environmental process, and we’re going through that right now. We have some folks pushing back on us, primarily Madison Square Garden and the Knicks, if you will. They own The Forum, which is a concert venue, and they don’t want to see a new concert venue, which any new basketball arena would be. So we’re getting some pushback," said Ballmer.

Ballmer set 2024 as his target date for a new space, and says he wants to build an arena for basketball fans.

“We’re not putting hockey in the building. I don’t think most people know just how big a difference it can make to not have hockey. You get everybody closer to the floor. The sightlines are a lot better. We’re talking about how much leg room to give people, how much width. I like energy. I want people pumping and thumping in the seats. But you’ve still got to have some bars and clubs. We’re trying to pull you back in. Some buildings, in my opinion, try and push you out a little bit to the bars and clubs. Then it’s more of a different kind of social experience. We’re trying to support both. But we want people who really love the game in the building.”


Sekou Smith/NBA.com

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Anthony Davis To Sit Out Game Against Lakers Due To Rest

Feb 23, 2019 2:41 PM

Anthony Davis will not play in tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to rest.

The Pelicans lost to the Pacers last night 126-111. Davis played 20 minutes in the loss. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Paul George On Windmill In Overtime: 'That Was A Statement'

Royce Young/ESPN

Pelicans To Play Anthony Davis 20-25 Minutes, Will Also Reduce Jrue Holiday's Minutes

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Damian Lillard: 'I'm Not Willing To Sell Myself Out' To Win Title

Kevin Skiver/CBS Sports

Danny Ferry To 'Re-Engage' Discussion Of Resting Anthony Davis For Season

Marc Stein/The New York Times

Adam Silver Wants NBA To Have 'More Direct Involvement In The Development Of Players'

Derek Bodner/The Athletic

NBA Estimates 37-40 Percent Of Players Will Be Free Agents In 2019 Offseason

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

LeBron James: 'I've Always Loved Kyrie'

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Kevin Garnett Wants Giannis To Add 'One-Dribble, Two-Dribble Pull Up" To His Game

Alex Wong/Yahoo! Sports

LeBron James On Owning NBA Team One Day: I Got A Ton More Years To Play This Game

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Bradley Beal On Retiring As A Wizard: 'I'm All About Loyalty'

Fred Katz/The Athletic

Kyle Kuzma: I'd Rather Be Talked About Bad In L.A. Than Ignored In Other Markets

Dan Feldman/NBC Sports

Ted Leonsis Calls Sports Betting 'The Most Important New Business' For NBA

ESPN

Shaq: European Prospects "More Fundamentally Sound" Than American Counterparts

Candace Buckner/The Washington Post

Lakers No Longer Favored To Make Playoffs At Vegas Sportsbook

Ben Fawkes/ESPN

Giannis Antetokounmpo To Play In FIBA World Championships This Summer

ESPN

Dwyane Wade: Luka Doncic's Passing Ability Is 'Lebron James-like'

Robby Kalland/Dime Magazine

D'Angelo Russell Reached Out To LeBron James For Advice Last Summer

Leo Sepkowitz/Bleacher Report

Bradley Beal Travel No-Call Causes Dispute Between League Executive, NBRA

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Michael Jordan: Winning 6 Championships Harder Than Harden And Westbrook's Streaks

ESPN

Russell Westbrook Sets NBA Record With 10th Straight Triple-Double

NBA.com