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Heat center Bam Adebayo says he must step up vs. Knicks

Via the NY Post:

Bam Adebayo didn’t mince words about his performance against the Knicks Tuesday night, shouldering the blame for Miami’s Game 2 loss at the Garden.

Game 3 will be Saturday in South Florida, with a salty Miami team and a highly motivated Adebayo looking for payback.

And redemption.

“I just got to play better,” Adebayo said. “I feel like this game was on me, and I lost it for us. I’ve got to be better. I played terrible. I put this one on me.”

None of the Heat did, but Adebayo fell on the proverbial sword nonetheless.

Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair wins 2022-23 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year award

The NBA announced today that Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair has been named the 2022-23 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year. McNair is the third general manager in franchise history to win the yearly award, joining Joe Axelson (1972-73) and Geoff Petrie (1998-99, 2000-01) and is the second to receive the honor in the Sacramento era.

McNair received 16 of the 30 first-place votes and earned 98 total points from the voting panel, which is comprised of team basketball executives across the NBA. This is the first NBA Executive of the Year Award for McNair, who has served three season as the head of basketball operations for the Kings. Under his leadership, the Kings ended the 2022-23 season with the seventh-best record (48-30) in the NBA and finished third in the West to earn a postseason berth for the first time in 16 seasons and the best finish since the 2004-05 season.

Last May, the Kings hired Head Coach Mike Brown, who was named the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year and became the first coach in NBA history to win the award unanimously. McNair bolstered the Kings roster by selecting Keegan Murray with the fourth overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft. Murray earned two consecutive Rookie of the Month honors to become the fourth Kings rookie to win the award in consecutive months and the fifth to earn the award multiple times. A former Iowa standout, Murray, was named to the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars, became the NBA’s All-Time Rookie 3-Point Leader with 206 3-pointers made and was a prime candidate for the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

In July 2022, McNair continued to strengthen the Kings’ roster by acquiring guard Kevin Huerter in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks and signing guard Malik Monk as a free agent. Huerter averaged a career-best 15.2 points per game and 2.9 assists in his first season with the Kings while also setting career highs in 3-pointers made (205) and 3-point field goal percentage (40.2%). Monk saw one of his best seasons throughout his career, recording the most points by a reserve during the 2022-23 season in the NBA (1,041) and the third-most by a Kings reserve in franchise history in a single season. In addition, Monk was one of seven players to record multiple 20-point games as a reserve (12 games) and finished the season ranking fifth in scoring off the bench (13.5) and third in assists per game (3.9) and in total assists (298) while knocking down 143 3-point field goals, which ranked for the third-most by a bench player this season.

McNair helped orchestrate one of the most prolific offensive teams in NBA history as the Kings had the highest-ever offensive rating (118.6) in league history and set the franchise record in scoring with a 176-175 win in double overtime against the LA Clippers on February 24. The game also marked the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. During the season, Kings center Domantas Sabonis set the Sacramento era record for the most triple-doubles in a season (14) as he and De’Aaron Fox became the first set of Kings teammates to be named All-Stars in the same season since 2004. Among league leaders, Sacramento ranked second in field goal percentage (49.4%), third in assists (27.3), fifth in three-pointers made (1,128) and ninth in three-point percentage (37.3%). The Kings also ranked first in true shooting percentage (60.8%), second in effective field goal percentage (57.2), second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.02), eighth in net rating (2.6) and seventh in assist percentage (62.6%).

Knicks vs. Heat playoff series shifts to South Beach tied 1-1

Via the NY Daily News:

As the 1-1 series shifts to South Beach and Jimmy Butler’s ankle gets three days to heal, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was gearing up for a battle that the Roman Empire could appreciate.

“If you’re a basketball aficionado, you have to love this series. You have great competition. Guys going after it,” Spoelstra said. “Leaving nothing to chance. Both teams probably could use an extra day just to gear up for the gladiator battle that’s about to ensue on Saturday.”

The Knicks won the hustle game Tuesday night, specifically on the glass down the stretch. The possession that shifted the victory toward New York lasted over a minute and included four offensive rebounds, ending with a Josh Hart corner 3-pointer that knotted the score at 96 with 4:45 remaining.

Joel Embiid wins 2022-23 NBA MVP award

The NBA announced today that Philadelphia 76ers six-time All-Star center Joel Embiid has been named the 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. Embiid is the fifth 76er ever to capture league MVP honors, joining Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson, and Moses Malone. The Cameroon native is the seventh international player to be named MVP since the award’s inception.

Embiid led the NBA in scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging 33.1 points per game, joining Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain as the only 76ers ever to post an average of 33-plus points in a season. He is the first NBA player to win consecutive scoring titles since teammate James Harden (three straight, 2017-20) and the first 76er to do so since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson (2000-02).

Embiid led the 76ers to a 54-28 regular season, the team’s best since 2000-01. The third seed in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia is in the midst of an Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Boston Celtics.

“I’ve watched Joel grow and evolve into one of the greatest players in 76ers franchise history over the last nine years. Today is a proud day for our organization as Joel becomes the fifth Sixer ever to capture League MVP honors,” Managing Partner Josh Harris said. “Joel overcame adversity at the start of his career with a combination of perseverance and grit, and now, his intense work ethic has pushed him into the NBA history books. It’s been a joy to watch him dedicate himself to the team and the city of Philadelphia. Cpngratulations to Joel, our fans, and our city on an honor we will always remember.”

“We have all witnessed the greatness of Joel Embiid during his entire career as a 76er and I am thrilled to see his exceptional hard work and dedication recognized by being named NBA MVP,” 76ers Co-Managing Partner David Blitzer said. “Joel is a once-in-a-lifetime talent whose impact extends far beyond the court. When you think of the greatest players to ever wear a 76ers uniform, your mind naturally goes to legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson. Tonight, Joel has cemented his place on that special list and we are all excited to see him continue to add to his legacy.”

This season also saw Embiid add in 10.2 rebounds on a career-high 54.8% shooting from the floor. He’s the third player in NBA history to average at least 33 points and 10 rebounds on 54% shooting from the floor, joining Chamberlain (1965-66 MVP) and fellow Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971-72 MVP).

Defensively, Embiid posted 1.7 blocks (seventh in the NBA) and 1.0 steals per outing. He and 2022-23 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. were the only two players in the league this season to average at least 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals.

“Let me start by saying I am absolutely thrilled for Joel on winning the MVP award. He is the real deal and deserves every bit of recognition that comes his way. He embodies everything that the honor stands for. His drive to improve is unmatched, and like the saying ‘a dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes hard work’, he’s put in the work. What’s most impressive is the why. He puts in the work because he wants to be a winner,” said 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers. “This MVP award is part of that journey. While this may be an individual award, in many ways it’s also a team award. Joel’s teammates have been unbelievable in contributing to his success. I couldn’t be prouder of all of them. It takes a village. From our staff, our coaches, our players and the entire organization, congratulations to the big fella.”

“I’ve always believed that greatness emerges when talent meets relentless dedication. Joel’s season was legendary, and the MVP award is the latest milestone of his decorated career,” President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said. “His impact on both sides of the ball places him in rarified air among all-time greats such as Hakeem, Kareem and Wilt. It has been a privilege to watch Joel over the last three seasons and I know this won’t be his last accomplishment as we continue to strive toward our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.”

Warriors against Lakers is a fascinating playoff matchup

Via the OC Register:

Who could possibly have seen this coming, even as late as a couple of months ago?

The best, most interesting and maybe most competitive series in the second round of the NBA playoffs tips off Tuesday night and it involves the 6 and 7 seeds in the Western Conference – not just any 6 and 7 seeds, of course, but the Lakers and Golden State Warriors, winners of five of the NBA’s last nine championships, including the most recent.

It is absolutely not surprising that ABC wanted Game 3 of this series for its Saturday evening (5:30 PDT) showcase. Say what you want about the other conference semifinal matchups – and Knicks-Heat and Celtics-76ers each have plenty of juice, while Denver-Phoenix features the best regular-season team still standing in the Nuggets and two of the game’s brightest stars in two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Suns’ Kevin Durant.

But this series has Bron and Steph. In a league where superstars move the needle to a degree not seen in any other sport, and often are recognizable on a first-name basis, LeBron James and Steph Curry are quite the starting point.

FULL ARTICLE

Julius Randle misses Game 1 of Knicks vs. Heat playoff series

The New York Knicks versus Miami Heat second round playoff series began today in NYC, with the home squad starting the series short-handed. Via ESPN.com:

Knicks forward Julius Randle will not play Sunday in Game 1 of New York’s Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Heat because of a sprained left ankle, the team announced.

The Knicks also said swingman Quentin Grimes will play in Game 1 but will not start. Grimes missed the final two games of the first round after suffering a shoulder contusion in Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero wins 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year.

For his accomplishments, he will be awarded the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy by the league.

Banchero joins Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Mike Miller (2000-01) as the only Orlando Magic players ever to be named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Banchero received 494 points (98 first place votes) from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero played and started in 72 games this season with Orlando, averaging a team-high 20.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 3.7 apg. in 33.7 minpg. He ranked among all NBA leaders in rebounding (T-38th) and minutes played (T-37th). Banchero led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among rookie leaders in rebounding (5th), assists (3rd), free throw percentage (7th), steals (4th) and blocked shots (7th).

Banchero became just the sixth NBA rookie in the last 50 seasons (since 1973-74) to average 20+ ppg., 6+ rpg. and 3+ apg. (minimum 50 games). He scored 20+ points 40 times and 30+ points six times this season, the most by any NBA rookie. The 40 20+ point games were the second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 60, 1992-93) and tied for fifth-most in NBA history for most 20+ point games by a rookie age 20-or-younger. Banchero’s six 30+ point games were also second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 10, 1992-93).

Banchero was named the Kia NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times from December 2022-March/April 2023, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) as the only players in franchise history to win the honor four straight times.

The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy features a player palming two basketballs at once. Chamberlain’s 1959-60 season is unmatched for an NBA rookie. He averaged 37.6 ppg. and 27.0 rpg. in 46.4 minpg. for the Philadelphia Warriors, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His career highlights include two NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, four league MVPs, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Trail Blazers will have their own G League team starting in the 2023-24 season

The Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA G League today announced that the Trail Blazers have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will launch in the Chiles Center on the University of Portland’s campus in North Portland. The team is expected to debut in the 2023-24 season. With today’s announcement, the NBA G League expands to a record 31 teams for the 2023-24 season. The name and brand identity of the team will be announced at a later date, as well as the front office and coaching staff.

Chiles Center serves as the home for the University of Portland’s Division I athletics programs competing in the West Coast Conference. Opened in 1984, the 4,852-seat convocation dome has hosted numerous high-profile events, including college basketball’s Phil Knight tournaments last November, as well as the 1992 and 2007 West Coast Conference Basketball Championships. The University has previously partnered with the Trail Blazers on hosting countless NBA events over the last decade, including a successful partnership that resulted in the 2030 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four recently being awarded to the City of Portland.

“I’m excited to welcome Jody Allen and the Trail Blazers ownership group to the NBA G League family,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “The NBA G League continues to grow to meet the developmental demands of NBA teams, and today’s announcement is further proof of the value the league provides to the NBA every day. I can’t wait to watch the team tip off at the Chiles Center next season.”

“It was very important to our organization to enter the G League with an affiliate here in Portland and strategically strengthen our dedication to player development,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “I would especially like to thank Jody Allen, who is aligned with Dewayne Hankins and myself, to make it a priority to have this team ready for next season as it will serve not only as a developmental tool for players but also for aspiring coaches and staff while we continue to be a mainstay in the community as a whole.”

“Entering the G League with a team of our own will increase development in numerous areas,” said Dewayne Hankins, Portland Trail Blazers President of Business Operations. “Not only will this team be an asset for developing young talent on the court, but developing talent off the court as well. We’ll be leaning into an innovative approach that will improve all aspects of our business across both teams. With the team launching at the University of Portland, we’re excited to continue engaging with the North Portland community.”

“Pilot Nation is thrilled to welcome the Trail Blazers G League franchise to their home on The Bluff,” said University of Portland President Robert D. Kelly, PhD. “UP has a rich and storied athletic tradition, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue that tradition by hosting this new franchise on our beautiful campus. I am grateful to our friends from the Portland Trail Blazers and our Athletic Department staff for making this wonderful partnership happen, and I can’t wait for the inaugural season to begin!”

Houston Rockets hire Ime Udoka as new head coach

The Houston Rockets yesterday named Ime Udoka the team’s new head coach.

Udoka becomes the team’s 15th head coach in franchise history.

In his lone season as head coach of Boston in 2021-22, Udoka helped the Celtics bounce back from a .500 record the previous season to win 51 games, capped off with an impressive run to the NBA Finals which included Game 7 victories over Milwaukee and Miami.

“We are excited to welcome Ime to the Houston Rockets,” said Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone. “Ime’s intelligence, drive and toughness were the traits we were looking for in a coach to lead our team through this next stage of our development as we strive to become a champion. We were honored to have the opportunity to speak to multiple outstanding candidates throughout the interview process and felt that Ime’s vision best aligned with the goals the Fertitta Family and myself have for the future of the Rockets.”

Udoka’s Celtics ranked first in the league in both field goal defense and fewest points allowed in 2021-22 after the team ranked 13th in defensive rating the previous season. He was a two-time winner of the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award and finished fourth in voting for Coach of the Year.

Prior to becoming head coach of the Celtics, Udoka was an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio staff from 2012-13 through 2018-19, Brett Brown’s Philadelphia staff in 2019-20 and Steve Nash’s Brooklyn staff in 2020-21, Those teams made the playoffs in each of Udoka’s nine seasons as an assistant, with the Spurs winning the title in 2013-14. Udoka was also a member of Popovich’s staff for USA Basketball during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Per the Houston Chronicle, “Udoka led Boston to the 2022 Finals in his first season as a head coach but was suspended in September and dismissed in February for having an improper relationship with a staff member, considered a violation of team rules. During the All-Star break two months ago, the Celtics agreed to a long-term contract with Joe Mazzulla, who began the season as their interim coach.”

More from the Chronicle: “Udoka issued a statement after he was suspended, apologizing for his actions without specifically addressing them. He has not commented since. “I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said in the statement. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

As a player, Udoka spent parts of seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-04 through 2010-11 while appearing in 316 games with 80 starts. After going undrafted in 2000, he had brief stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York but spent most of his time in the NBA Development League and playing overseas. Udoka’s first full NBA season was as a 29-year-old for Portland in 2006-07 and the following season, he helped the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals. Besides Popovich, Udoka played for Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Nate McMillan and Paul Westphal.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out for Clippers at Suns Game 5

It’s looking rough for the Clippers. Via ESPN.com:

In Game 5 against the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers will attempt to save their season sans Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Prior to Tuesday’s game in Phoenix, the Clippers ruled out both of their franchise stars on Monday. With one more victory, the Suns can clinch the Western Conference first-round series against the Clippers since they are up 3-1.

Due to a right knee sprain he sustained in Game 1, Leonard has been sidelined since Game 2. Leonard managed to play despite the ailment in Game 2, but it became worse and will keep him out for a third game in a row.