Enjoy video highlights of some of the hottest plays of the 2014 NBA Conference Finals, where the Spurs wound up eliminating the Thunder, while the Heat eliminated the Pacers:
Month: June 2014
Timberwolves will host 2014 preseason game in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The Minnesota Timberwolves will return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa this fall to host a preseason game, marking the franchise’s first trip back to the area since 2002. The Wolves are scheduled to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m.
“We’re looking forward to an incredible event in Cedar Rapids this October. This off-site game is a great opportunity to connect with our phenomenal fans and partners in Iowa and bring the excitement of NBA basketball right to their front door,” said Timberwolves President Chris Wright. “We are thrilled that this game will give back to the community by supporting the important work and programs of the United Way of East Central Iowa.”
Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher Knicks coaching discussion could happen soon
Here’s New York Newsday with an update on the Knicks and their need for a new head coach:
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Phil Jackson can now speak to Derek Fisher about the Knicks’ coaching vacancy, and that conversation could happen soon.
Fisher, 39, the leading candidate to coach the Knicks, saw his season and perhaps his playing career come to an end with the Thunder’s overtime loss to the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals late Saturday night. Fisher is leaning toward retirement and told reporters after the game that he would need a little time to regroup and decide what he wants to do.
Jackson wants Fisher to coach the Knicks. Fisher also could be a candidate for the opening with his former team, the Lakers. He expects to speak to both teams.
“There’ll be, I’m sure, conversations and talks at some point,” Fisher said. “But this is still pretty raw and pretty fresh, what just happened.
Flip Saunders says he expects Timberwolves to keep Kevin Love
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During a weekend trip to Boston, All-Star forward Kevin Love has been taking pictures with fans and seeing the sights, leading Celtics fans to speculate that he’s going to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Garnett as the next Minnesota star to come to town and turn around a struggling franchise.
Not so fast, Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said.
“The last I knew Kevin was under contract with us, and I expect him to be playing for us next year,” Saunders said Sunday after a workout of draft prospects. “I don’t really dictate where guys go on vacation or what they do. They can go wherever they want to go.”
Love can opt out of his contract after next season, and the three-time All-Star has yet to make the playoffs in six years with the Timberwolves. He was also angered when former executive David Kahn refused to give him a full, five-year extension and instead gave him a four-year deal with a player option after three. That’s led many to believe that he will leave next summer to play for a contender in a bigger market.
— Associated Press
NBA launching limited-edition NBA-branded shoe called NBA Anniversary 2014
The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced it will launch a limited-edition NBA-branded shoe, NBA Anniversary 2014, on June 6. Only 1,946 pairs will be available to commemorate the NBA’s first year in 1946. The launch will coincide with the start of the 2014 NBA Finals. They will have a suggested retail value of $119.
Each pair of shoes will be a collector’s item, identified with a unique four-digit serial number, sequentially numbered from 0001 to 1946 and includes an Official NBA Certificate of Authenticity.
The shoe features a red, white and blue design inspired by the NBA logo, while the 30 stars on the heel commemorate the league’s 30 teams and its world class athletes. The shoe is packaged in a specially crafted box with the league’s most significant milestones and the 30 team logos etched in gold on the inside of the cover.
Tim Duncan excited for Heat Finals rematch
Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on veteran Spurs star Tim Duncan, who sure seems ready for an NBA Finals rematch with the Heat:
The normally bland Duncan offered some surprising thoughts on facing the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals for a second straight year. The best-of-7 series opens Thursday in San Antonio.
“We’re back here now and we want to get it done this time,” Duncan said.
The Spurs advanced after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. Last year they lost in seven games to the Heat despite holding a 3-2 lead in the series. The Heat won the last two at AmericanAirlines Arena, but this time the Spurs hold homecourt advantage.
“We were ready last year, too,” Duncan said. “People keep talking about it like we weren’t close to winning it. We were ready last year, and we just couldn’t get over that hump. We’re happy to be back here this year, we’re happy to have another opportunity at it.”
Duncan said the Spurs still have a “bad taste” in their mouths after last year. This season began with coach Gregg Popovich addressing the team about how close they were.
Heat must win on road in NBA Finals
Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on the upcoming NBA Finals series between the Heat and Spurs:
The season began with the Miami Heat hearing about how their biggest rival in the Eastern Conference wanted to earn homecourt.
Now, the Heat have to listen of how their latest challenge embraces being the home team.
For the Heat to win a third straight NBA title, they will have to defeat the San Antonio Spurs as the visiting team.
“Once the time came when the playoffs started, we knew whoever we were going to play there was a chance that we were going to have to win on the road,” guard Ray Allen said.
Last year homecourt proved valuable in the Heat defeating the Spurs in the Finals. They trailed 3-2 when the series returned to Miami. The Heat then won the last two games to capture a second consecutive championship.
Spurs beat Thunder in OT, advance to 2014 NBA Finals
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San Antonio fought off Father Time, the league MVP and an injury to its best player to return to the NBA Finals.
The Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107 in overtime Saturday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals to set up a rematch with the Miami Heat.
San Antonio will host Game 1 on Thursday night and will try to avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss. San Antonio led Miami 3-2 before losing Game 6 in overtime, then dropping Game 7…
San Antonio pulled this one out despite All-Star point guard Tony Parker missing the entire second half and overtime with left ankle soreness. Popovich said Parker had been struggling with the ankle since Game 4 of the series. The Spurs overcame it the way they have for more than a decade — with teamwork, passing and great performances by role players…
Russell Westbrook had 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals, and MVP Kevin Durant added 31 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder. But Oklahoma City committed 20 turnovers that led to 33 points for the Spurs. Westbrook and Durant each had seven turnovers.
— Associated Press
Video: Top plays from Spurs-Thunder Game 6
Here are video highlights of the top plays from Spurs vs Thunder Western Conference Finals Game 6. The Spurs won 112-107 in overtime to advance to the 2014 NBA Finals, where they will face the Miami Heat in a rematch of last year’s matchup.