mardi 31 mai 2016
Kings' Collison arrested on domestic violence charge
The Sacramento Kings released a statement Tuesday following the arrest of point guard Darren Collison for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife.
#Breaking MUGSHOT .@SacramentoKings guard Darren Collison arrested on felony domestic violence charge http://pic.twitter.com/5peKohtBXm
— stevelarge_cbs13 (@largesteven) May 31, 2016
"We've been made aware of the situation. The Sacramento Kings condemn violence of any kind. We are gathering additional information and once the facts are known we will take the appropriate steps."
Collison, who inked a three-year, $16-million deal with the Kings in 2014, appeared in 74 games for Sacramento this season.
Kings' Collison arrested on domestic violence chargeWatch: Hundreds of fans greet Thunder at airport
Airport arrival. More the 1000 fans welcome team home. #ThunderNation, you are amazing!https://t.co/HyXgnWWKQ8
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 31, 2016
Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder blowing a 3-1 series lead and bowing out of the playoffs with a Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, their fans still showed their appreciation as the team returned home.
Upon arrival in Oklahoma on Tuesday, the Thunder were greeted by more than 1,000 fans, who cheered as the team made its way off the tarmac.
After winning 55 games during the regular season, the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference finals by eliminating the Dallas Mavericks and upsetting the San Antonio Spurs.
Watch: Hundreds of fans greet Thunder at airportHeartbreak City: Latest Thunder collapse nothing new
The curse of the Seattle SuperSonics lives on.
With the Golden State Warriors' comeback in the books, the Oklahoma City Thunder face yet another summer of self-doubt. It's more than just the haunting regret of dropping three consecutive elimination games - Kevin Durant is slated to become a free agent, and while it makes complete financial sense for him to return, he may not sign up for more heartbreak.
A squad once looked upon as Sam Presti's team of destiny has never felt its mortality so deeply. A future once bearing sweet dreams of championships galore has given way to nauseating nightmares that this promising core might not win together after all.
Should this iteration of the Thunder enter the annals of basketball history as the greatest team to not win the championship, they'll only be able to look back on the sequence of events that left them empty-handed. Since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, it's been one heartbreak after another.
2012 - Losing to prime LeBron, moving Harden
The Thunder made their appearance in the Finals with a young but wickedly talented core of Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden. They were inexperienced, but nobody could match their sheer athleticism. And while they just happened to run into LeBron James in his heyday, there was a feeling that the Thunder would return year after year.
They haven't made it back since.
That summer, they moved Harden, who was thought an expensive luxury at the $52 million he was seeking. The team had a chance to keep the roster together for a reasonable salary by amnestying the bloated contract of Kendrick Perkins, but opted instead to extend Ibaka and trade Harden for a boatload of prospects.
Steven Adams is the only prospect who remains from the deal, and the Thunder have been desperate for some bench help since dealing their Sixth Man of the Year.
2013 - Beverley takes out Westbrook
Shipping out Harden immediately came back to haunt the Thunder when they ran into Harden's Houston Rockets in the first round.
But it wasn't Harden himself who hurt the Thunder - it was defensive pest Patrick Beverley. While Westbrook called for a timeout, Beverley dove in for a steal after the whistle and took out Westbrook's knees.
Westbrook needed surgery and missed the remainder of the playoffs. Without their star point guard, the Thunder eventually fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round.
Nevertheless, the Thunder won 60 games and had the best record in the West. So long as Westbrook made a full recovery, it looked as if a championship was still in the cards.
2014 - Ibaka goes down
Westbrook's knee didn't initially heal properly. He underwent two arthroscopic surgeries to reduce swelling within three months.
The Thunder still won 59 games thanks to the brilliance of Durant, who posted an MVP season for the ages. That season also saw the emergence of backup point guard Reggie Jackson, who grew into a strong starter in the absence of Westbrook.
Westbrook was able to return in time for the playoffs, but injuries once again struck at the worst time. Ibaka was sidelined for two games of the Western Conference finals with a calf strain, which allowed the San Antonio Spurs to build a 2-0 lead. The Thunder evened the series after a hobbled Ibaka returned, but a throwback performance by Manu Ginobili in overtime of Game 6 sealed the deal.
2015 - Durant breaks foot, Thunder derail completely
The injury situation only got worse after Durant suffered a broken foot in preseason. He'd end up playing just 27 games around three foot surgeries.
Westbrook also went down for a month. He would return to unleash a string of superhuman triple-double performances, but couldn't keep the Thunder afloat in the playoff race - especially after Ibaka suffered an injury in the last month of the regular season.
The Thunder watched the postseason from home after the New Orleans Pelicans took an improbable victory off the Spurs on the last day of the season to secure the 8-seed.
2016 - Finally healthy, still no championship
At last, the Thunder were fully healthy in 2015-16. But it was a bumpy ride. They made habit of blowing fourth-quarter leads (15 of them in the regular season), and although they finally got revenge on the Spurs, they couldn't close out a 3-1 series lead against Golden State.
The Warriors outscored the Thunder by 37 points in the fourth quarters of Games 5-7 as an amalgamation of their weaknesses caught up to them all at once.
Heartbreak City: Latest Thunder collapse nothing newWarriors-Thunder Game 7 was highest-rated NBA game on cable ever
There's nothing better than Game 7.
With the Golden State Warriors on the precipice of completing one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history against a formidable Oklahoma City Thunder team chalk-full of star power, viewers were glued to their televisions.
Monday's game delivered a 11.2 household metered-market rating, the highest of any NBA game ever on cable, according to Turner Sports who carried the broadcast on TNT.
That came on the heels of Game 6 delivering a 7.9 rating, which set the previous high for the highest-rated game of the 2015-16 season.
Warriors-Thunder Game 7 was highest-rated NBA game on cable everlundi 30 mai 2016
Schedule set for Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals
Warriors' Green on Finals rematch: 'It will be fun'
Warriors' Green on Finals rematch: 'It will be fun'
nba
Schedule set for Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals
23m ago
Watch: Curry delivers fatal blow to Thunder
Steph just clowning. http://pic.twitter.com/CTUSFdJlbv
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) May 31, 2016
Stephen Curry told Golden State Warriors fans at Oracle Arena in Game 5 that the team was "not going home."
At the time, the defending NBA champions had only cut the Oklahoma City Thunder's lead in the Western Conference finals from 3-1 to 3-2, so there was still plenty of work to be done.
The comeback is now complete, though, with this 3-pointer in Game 7 by the back-to-back league Most Valuable Player serving as the final blow to the Thunder's chances, as well as a first-class ticket for the Warriors back to the NBA Finals.
Watch: Curry delivers fatal blow to ThunderThunder handed Crying Jordan treatment after collapse
Bernie Sanders, Danny Glover take in Warriors-Thunder Game 7
Bernie Sanders, Danny Glover take in Warriors-Thunder Game 7
nba
Thunder handed Crying Jordan treatment after collapse
40m ago
Warriors set up Finals rematch with Game 7 win over Thunder
Bernie Sanders, Danny Glover take in Warriors-Thunder Game 7
Bernie Sanders, Danny Glover take in Warriors-Thunder Game 7
nba
Warriors set up Finals rematch with Game 7 win over Thunder
22m ago
Curry gets last laugh on OKC stars with behind-the-back dribble, layup
Steph Curry driveson Kevin Durant, finishes on Russell Westbrook and laughs at both of them while running up court http://pic.twitter.com/mwDOtNASFf
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 31, 2016
Stephen Curry was all smiles late in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Monday night, and rightfully so.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who recently poked fun at the two-time NBA MVP for his questionable defending, were made to look like fools on defense themselves courtesy of The Chef on this possession.
That smile couldn't possibly get any bigger.
Curry gets last laugh on OKC stars with behind-the-back dribble, layupWatch: Green yanks Adams to floor in latest controversial play
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
nba
Watch: Green yanks Adams to floor in latest controversial play
1d ago
Watch: Curry drops Roberson with behind-the-back dribble
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
nba
Watch: Curry drops Roberson with behind-the-back dribble
4h ago
Adams puts Bogut on a Game 7 poster
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
nba
Adams puts Bogut on a Game 7 poster
1d ago
Watch: Curry swishes deep 3 in Adams' grill
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
nba
Watch: Curry swishes deep 3 in Adams' grill
4h ago
Warriors insert Iguodala into starting lineup for Game 7
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
Old habits plagued Westbrook, Durant in Game 6 loss
nba
Warriors insert Iguodala into starting lineup for Game 7
1d ago
Watch: Curry nails tunnel shot ahead of Game 7
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
'This is your time,' Curry told Klay during Game 6 comeback
nba
Watch: Curry nails tunnel shot ahead of Game 7
3h ago
Kobe once warned Iguodala he would drop 50 points on him
Andre Iguodala turned in a stellar defensive performance against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Game 6, but he doesn't consider it his best work.
While speaking to Marcus Thompson of the San Jose Mercury News about the game, Iguodala recalled the time he shut down Kobe Bryant in his prime.
It was Nov. 11, 2005 and Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers were visiting Iguodala's Philadelphia 76ers. Iguodala, who was in his second season with the 76ers at the time, was all over Kobe that night.
Kobe, a Philly native, finished the game with 17 points on 7-for-27 shooting.
"It was on the front page of the paper," Iguodala said. "After the game, Phil Jackson said it was the best he'd seen someone defend Kobe."
The next time the pair faced each other that season, Kobe stopped by the 76ers dressing room before the game and left a message for Iguodala with one of his teammates.
"'Tell Andre 50 tonight,'" Iguodala said. "You know how much he got - 48."
Kobe once warned Iguodala he would drop 50 points on himCarroll opens up about injuries during 1st season with Raptors
While the Toronto Raptors recently finished up their most successful campaign in franchise history, not every player on the team enjoyed a career year.
After signing a four-year, $58-million contract last summer, starting small forward DeMarre Carroll struggled with consistency during his first season in Toronto, which he attributes to the multitude of injuries he suffered.
Carroll opened up about his inaugural year north of the border in his personal blog, writing that his season turned for the worse after sustaining a knee injury during a mid-November game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
"We all thought it was just a little sprain," he wrote. "My pain tolerance is so high just because of what I've been through in my life. (Being shot, my liver condition, broken nose and pinky, etc.) I kept playing knowing my knee was swollen and it didn't seem to get any better."
The injury eventually forced Carroll out of the lineup at the beginning of January, and he missed the next three months recovering.
"I knew playoffs was the biggest reason behind my signing," he continued. "I had all these things running through my mind. I told myself … if I can walk, then I can play. Days leading to my deadline, I told everybody I will play. I knew my knee was not fully recovered but I was not going to let anybody down."
Not only did Carroll's knee never fully recover, but he also picked up several other ailments during the postseason, which only exacerbated his problems. In 20 playoff contests, Carroll averaged 8.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, shooting just 39.6 percent from the field.
While Carroll admits he failed to play up to his standards, he doesn't have any regrets about returning early, especially after going on another deep postseason run.
"I understand the risk I put my body in but I felt the risk was worth the reward," he added. "I felt I owed this not only to my team but to the City and Country all I could give. I say this 'I gave all I could give' because my body was not at its best but my HEART was at its best. If I had to do it all over, I would risk my body again for this City, Country, and for this team."
Carroll opens up about injuries during 1st season with RaptorsBiyombo would consider hometown discount to stay with Raptors
After enjoying his most successful season to date, Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo is hoping to remain north of the border when free agency rolls around this summer.
"Honestly I do (expect to be back in Toronto next season)," Biyombo told Andrew Walker of Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
While Raptors fans might love to see Biyombo return, it won't be easy to fit his salary into the cap, especially with two-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan expected to command a max-level deal this summer. Biyombo is reportedly expected to garner an annual salary of at least $16 million himself, meaning Toronto would likely need to trade a contract to retain both players.
Related: Ujiri says Raptors have to 'get creative' to retain both DeRozan and Biyombo
Biyombo said money isn't the only thing that drives him, however, and he's willing to consider taking a hometown discount to stay in Toronto.
"Yeah, it can always be worked out. When the right moment comes I'd be open to figuring out something," Biyombo said.
After struggling during his first four seasons in Charlotte, Biyombo enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Raptors in 2015-16 - particularly in the postseason. The 23-year-old averaged 6.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in the Eastern Conference finals, making life difficult for the Cleveland Cavaliers with his relentless defense and rebounding.
After being part of the Raptors' most successful season to date, Biyombo wants to help build upon the team's historic campaign.
"I think we have some unfinished business," Biyombo said.
Biyombo would consider hometown discount to stay with RaptorsMasai: Casey's our coach for the future
After taking his team to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, it appears Dwane Casey will continue to serve as Toronto Raptors head coach for the foreseeable future.
"Coach Casey is our coach for the future, that is very easy; that we can do in our sleep, I think," Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri told reporters Monday.
Following back-to-back first-round exits, Casey likely needed an extended run in this year's postseason to make a strong case for keeping his job. Reports surfaced earlier this month that he would've been fired had his team lost to the Indiana Pacers, which Ujiri declined to comment on.
"I cannot say if we lost (the Indiana) series what would have happened, because we didn't lose it," Ujiri added.
Toronto has improved on its win total in every year since Casey's arrival in 2011-12. Casey has accumulated a record of 210-184 over five seasons with the Raptors, and is coming off a franchise-record 56-win campaign.
Casey has a team option valued at $4 million for the 2016-17 season, but the Raptors are reportedly already working on a contract extension with the 58-year-old.
Masai: Casey's our coach for the future3 teams that overcame a 3-1 deficit in the conference finals
After trailing 3-1 in the Western Conference finals, the Golden State Warriors have forced a Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the back of hot shooting from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
If the Warriors win Monday, they'll become just the fourth team in NBA history to win a conference finals series after trailing 3-1 - and the first to do so in 35 years.
Here are the other three conference champions who were able to turn their fortunes around:
1967-68 Boston Celtics
It appeared as though the 1967-68 Celtics season was over after they dropped three straight to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference finals. Led by Sam Jones and John Havlicek, Boston managed to win three straight, defeating the Sixers in seven games to reach their 11th Finals in 12 years.
1978-79 Washington Bullets
The San Antonio Spurs looked well on their way to the first Finals in franchise history after taking three of four versus the Washington Bullets. However, the Spurs failed to close out in the next three contests, and the Bullets advanced to the 1979 Finals.
1980-81 Boston Celtics
Things looked bleak for the 1980-81 Celtics after dropping Games 3 and 4 to the 76ers, who were led by future Hall of Famer Julius Erving. Boston stormed back to beat Philly in the conference finals again, winning the last three contests by a combined five points.
3 teams that overcame a 3-1 deficit in the conference finalsdimanche 29 mai 2016
Report: Carlesimo won't join 76ers coaching staff
If P.J. Carlesimo returns to an NBA sideline, it won't be with the Philadelphia 76ers after all.
The longtime coach was reportedly set to take over the Sixers' lead assistant role after Mike D'Antoni's departure for Houston left a vacancy on Brett Brown's staff, but sources told ESPN's Marc Stein that family reasons will keep Carlesimo from joining the team while he continues his broadcast work for ESPN.
Carlesimo, who has a relationship with both Brown and Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo - he was an assistant coach in Toronto while Colangelo ran the Raptors - has been out of coaching since his interim role as the Brooklyn Nets' head coach came to an end in 2013.
The 67-year-old has amassed a career head coaching record of 239-315 over parts of nine seasons with Portland, Golden State, Seattle, Oklahoma City, and Brooklyn. His work as an assistant coach has also taken him through San Antonio and Toronto.
Report: Carlesimo won't join 76ers coaching staffLove, Shumpert pay homage to 'Game of Thrones' character
Watch: Cavs' Irving, Shumpert, McRae harmonize together before Game 6
Watch: Cavs' Irving, Shumpert, McRae harmonize together before Game 6
nba
Love, Shumpert pay homage to 'Game of Thrones' character
1d ago
Silver: 'Best you can hope for is the fans believing in integrity of officials'
NBA commissioner Adam Silver must be beginning to feel like his predecessor David Stern - unable to escape endless conspiracy theories regarding the league's officiating.
On Sunday, Silver addressed that topic candidly, discussing the decision not to suspend Draymond Green for his leg finding Steven Adams' crotch, and it having something to do with a supposed NBA preference for the Golden State Warriors to reach the Finals.
"I hear it and it's the most sensitive issue for me and it goes to the core integrity of the league and frankly to my integrity," Silver told ESPN's Michelle Beadle and Ramona Shelburne. "All I can say is we do the best we can - I acknowledge that was a close decision on upgrading Draymond's kick to a flagrant-2. Ultimately we made a decision that he did not intentionally try to kick (Adams) in the groin."
Silver stressed that it is a myth the league would prefer one franchise winning over another, something some Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors fans suggested given some calls or non-calls during the conference finals.
"I've been around the league long enough that I hear these conspiracy theories every year - that's not unique to this year - and I'll say in the case of Oklahoma City, that they have two players on that team who are global superstars," Silver said.
"One of the points I've made consistently since we negotiated the last collective bargaining agreement, and when you throw social media into the mix, is that players can be located anywhere these days and be superstars, that the difference in market size is not significant when we're talking about a global market."
Silver conceded that the conspiracy theories are probably never going away, and all the league can do is its best.
"There's no doubt that human error is a part of this game," he said. "What the best you can hope for is the fans believing in the integrity of the officials, and that no one has a finger on the scale."
The commissioner also had some candid remarks regarding various local broadcasters in the NBA, saying that siding with their employers on TV over officiating calls, helps compound fan viewpoints that their team might be getting a raw deal.
"In our sport in particular, because we have so many local games, the announcers are often homers," Silver said. "And I mean it's not a secret ... if you go to their production meetings, they're trained to be homers. They're fans."
Silver: 'Best you can hope for is the fans believing in integrity of officials'samedi 28 mai 2016
Watch: Curry lets Thunder crowd know series is headed to Game 7
Curry mentions Klay's defense, Kerr's plan in response to Durant's comments
Curry mentions Klay's defense, Kerr's plan in response to Durant's comments
nba
Watch: Curry lets Thunder crowd know series is headed to Game 7
1d ago
Watch: Curry ices Game 6 with tough layup
Curry mentions Klay's defense, Kerr's plan in response to Durant's comments
Curry mentions Klay's defense, Kerr's plan in response to Durant's comments
nba
Watch: Curry ices Game 6 with tough layup
1d ago
Klay Thompson breaks NBA record for 3s in a playoff game
Russ sinks warmup shot, runs off floor like man possessed
Russ sinks warmup shot, runs off floor like man possessed
nba
Klay Thompson breaks NBA record for 3s in a playoff game
2h ago
Watch: Thunder's Adams gets revenge on Green by dunking all over him
Watch: Green's latest kick nearly takes out Westbrook, Roberson
Watch: Green's latest kick nearly takes out Westbrook, Roberson
nba
Watch: Thunder's Adams gets revenge on Green by dunking all over him
1d ago
Curry goes scoreless in 1st quarter for 1st time this postseason
Steph Curry didn't get off to the kind of blazing start Warriors fans had hoped for during Saturday night's Game 6 matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Curry was held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time of the 2016 playoffs - going 0-for-3 in 12 minutes of action. It also marked the fifth quarter of the postseason in which the unanimous MVP failed to score, with four coming in the Western Conference finals.
He recorded his first points at the 7:20 mark of the second quarter.
While Curry struggled in Game 4, he bounced back the following contest, recording 31 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a 120-111 Warriors win.
The 28-year-old was averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the West finals entering Saturday's outing.
Curry goes scoreless in 1st quarter for 1st time this postseasonReport: Bucks to hire Justin Zanik as 'GM-in-waiting'
The Milwaukee Bucks are zeroing in on their general manager of the future.
The Bucks will hire Utah Jazz assistant GM Justin Zanik as their "general manager-in-waiting," The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reports, citing league sources.
Zanik will immediately serve as Milwaukee's assistant GM, and will eventually succeed current GM John Hammond. The timetable for that is currently unknown.
After joining the Jazz during the summer of 2013, Zanik quickly moved up the executive ranks. He spent the previous nine years as a player agent at ASM Sports.
Hammond has served as the Bucks general manager since 2008, earning Executive of the Year honors during the 2009-10 season. He reportedly has one year remaining on his contract.
Report: Bucks to hire Justin Zanik as 'GM-in-waiting'Russ sinks warmup shot, runs off floor like man possessed
Durant takes veiled shot at Curry's defense
Durant takes veiled shot at Curry's defense
nba
Russ sinks warmup shot, runs off floor like man possessed
1d ago
Westbrook rocks tiger print jacket ahead of Game 6
Watch: Westbrook's crossover puts Thompson on skates
Watch: Westbrook's crossover puts Thompson on skates
nba
Westbrook rocks tiger print jacket ahead of Game 6
1d ago
Pelicans' Bryce Dejean-Jones dies at 23
Bryce Dejean-Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans has died, the team confirmed on Saturday.
He was 23.
Dejean-Jones died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, his agent told ESPN.
The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that Dejean-Jones was shot and killed after he "kicked open the front door" to a Dallas apartment, and the man inside fired a gun at him. The NBA player then collapsed in the breezeway of the complex before being taken to hospital.
Dejean-Jones went undrafted in 2015 after playing his final college season with the Iowa State Cyclones. The 6-foot-6 guard also played at USC and UNLV.
After starting this season in the D-League, the Los Angeles native signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Pelicans before agreeing to a three-year, partially-guaranteed deal on Feb. 19. The shooting guard was thrust into action due to a phalanx of injuries to the New Orleans roster, and showed some promise in 14 games before suffering a wrist fracture himself.
"Bryce overcame a lot of obstacles to get to this point in his career," his agent Scott Nichols told ESPN's Justin Verrier. "He was a joy to be around, a talent just turning the corner in his career."
Pelicans' Bryce Dejean-Jones dies at 23vendredi 27 mai 2016
LeBron throws down huge baseline cram, jaws with Drake
LeBron: I've been part of adverse situations, this wasn't one of them
LeBron: I've been part of adverse situations, this wasn't one of them
nba
LeBron throws down huge baseline cram, jaws with Drake
1d ago
Watch: LeBron hammers home Irving's alley-oop feed on the break
LeBron throws down huge baseline cram, jaws with Drake
LeBron throws down huge baseline cram, jaws with Drake
nba
Watch: LeBron hammers home Irving's alley-oop feed on the break
1h ago
Raps' Valanciunas, Cavs' Jefferson get into dustup
Valanciunas appears amused by young lookalike
Valanciunas appears amused by young lookalike
nba
Raps' Valanciunas, Cavs' Jefferson get into dustup
1h ago
Biyombo hit with costly flagrant for elbow to Love
If the Toronto Raptors manage to force a Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Bismack Biyombo will not be playing in it.
Biyombo was retroactively hit with a flagrant-1 foul for the first-quarter elbow above in Game 6. No foul was initially called on the play, with Biyombo awarded a basket after grabbing an offensive rebound and clearing out Kevin Love. The play was reviewed, however, and when the flagrant was assessed, the basket was negated.
Coming into the game, Biyombo had amassed three flagrant points in the postseason, one shy of the threshold for suspension. If the Raptors win Friday, he'll serve the suspension Sunday, unless this flagrant is rescinded.
Biyombo hit with costly flagrant for elbow to LoveSuspended Bautista wants to take in Raptors game
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has the night off Friday thanks to a one-game Major League Baseball suspension stemming from his involvement in the May 15 brawl with the Texas Rangers.
Given the circumstances, he's thinking of heading down the street to catch the Toronto Raptors try and stay alive against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals.
Bautista wasn't pleased with #MLB upholding his appeal, plans to go to #RTZ game if it's ok with #Bluejays. #Jays http://pic.twitter.com/QEXhjZRVfc
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) May 27, 2016
He began canvassing for tickets, even though the Blue Jays' owner, Rogers Communications, also owns a chunk of the Raptors.
Hey @PKSubban1 got an extra ticket to the @Raptors game?
— Jose Bautista (@JoeyBats19) May 27, 2016
Noted Raptors fan and Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban seems to have worked out a deal with the slugger.
Suspended Bautista wants to take in Raptors gameI'll trade you my ticket for a bat flip tomorrow. Deal ?!?! ☝ https://t.co/M5vyA9QnVK
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 27, 2016
D'Antoni hire raises questions about Howard's future in Houston
The Houston Rockets knew the consequences of hiring Mike D'Antoni as their head coach.
Put aside the X's and O's. D'Antoni carries a long history of breathtaking offenses and iffy defenses - a style that should fit James Harden perfectly. The bigger question of the D'Antoni hire points to the elephant in the room.
Dwight Howard and D'Antoni have history. A lot of history. Howard could opt out of the final year of his contract. Does hiring D'Antoni mean the Rockets plan to move forward without their star center? Are they trying to force him out?
Related: Howard not expected to return to Rockets if they hire D'Antoni
Howard and D'Antoni crossed paths during a tumultuous season with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2012. Having assembled four all-stars, hope was never higher in La La Land. But the Lakers were a massive flop in part because the star coach and their superstar pivot couldn't get on the same page. Howard left for Houston the summer thereafter.
After Howard left, Lakers executive Jeanie Buss explained the rift with D'Antoni divided the team.
"It came down to hiring a coach," Buss told ESPN. "When you have a big man and a guard, you have to decide whom you're going to build your team around. The choice was to build it around Steve Nash and what suited Steve Nash instead of what suited Dwight Howard."
The Lakers ran their offense through Nash and Kobe Bryant instead of spoonfeeding post-ups to Howard, and that upset the big man, who thought the offense should run through him.
Any of that sound familiar?
As fate would have it, a similar situation has unfolded in Houston. Howard and Harden were billed as a lethal 1-2 combination, but after three unhappy years of the experiment, both players wanted each other traded. Harden took the lion's share of shots while leaving Howard to feed off scraps.
Publicly, Harden said he loves having Howard around and wants him to stay, but their body language toward one another tells a different story.
Howard, again, complained to management about his role, but, as he explained to ESPN, general manager Daryl Morey gave him a rude response.
"I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to Daryl and said, 'I want to be more involved.' Daryl said, 'No, we don't want you to be.' My response was, 'Why not? Why am I here?' It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach."
Morey was blunt with his words. His actions have been even more direct. After desperately shopping Howard at the trade deadline, and now with his hiring of D'Antoni, it's clear that the Rockets want Howard to leave.
But ultimately, the decision to stay put and to collect $23 million stays with Howard, and he's shown a history of curious opt-ins - just ask the Orlando Magic.
D'Antoni hire raises questions about Howard's future in Houstonjeudi 26 mai 2016
Curry mentions Klay's defense, Kerr's plan in response to Durant's comments
If Stephen Curry and his 73-win, defending champion Warriors needed any bulletin board material to get back in their Western Conference finals series against the Thunder, they may have found it Thursday night.
Following Golden State's Game 5 win to stave off elimination and send the series back to Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook laughed off a question about Curry's defense. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, who was stripped by Curry on a key, late-game possession, noted that Curry doesn't usually guard the game's best point guards, something left for Warriors like Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston.
When told about their remarks at his own post-game media conference, Curry refused to take the bait, saying that Thompson is a better perimeter defender than he is, and that he simply executes the game-plan that head coach Steve Kerr executes.
The two-time MVP did add, however, that he has been working to improve his defense for the last four years or so.
Curry's defensive improvement is quite obvious to anyone who's paid attention over the last couple of seasons, and while Durant mentioned that he likes the matchup for OKC when Curry guards Westbrook, the numbers suggest KD should enjoy anything but.
Per ESPN Stats and Information, Russell Westbrook is 8-of-25 FG with 7 turnovers when Steph Curry is his primary defender in this series.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 27, 2016
Here’s how Russ shot against Curry, Livingston, Iguodala, Green in Game 4: http://pic.twitter.com/7Dyyr0LXdk
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 25, 2016
Curry and the Warriors can continue to work their way towards getting the last laugh when Game 6 tips off Saturday night in Oklahoma City, while the Thunder can punch a ticket to the NBA finals with one more win.
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