Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. wins 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. was named the 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA announced today.

This marks the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for Jackson Jr., who becomes the second player in franchise history to receive the honor (Marc Gasol in 2012-13). Jackson Jr. is the second-youngest player in NBA history (Dwight Howard) to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and becomes one of four 23-year-olds to win the award (Kawhi Leonard in 2014-15; Howard in 2007-08; Alvin Robertson in 1985-86).

The 6-foot-11 Jackson Jr., whose defense helped propel the Grizzlies to a 51-31 record (second in the Western Conference) and the team’s second straight Southwest Division championship, received 391 points (56 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Jackson Jr. led the NBA in blocks per game (3.0) and block percentage (9.6) for the second consecutive season and tied for second in total blocks (189). He surpassed his own single-season franchise records in all three categories while also establishing career bests with 18.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Behind Jackson Jr., Memphis led the Western Conference and ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating (110.7) and held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (45.3%) and largest field goal percentage difference (-2.2%). Individually, when serving as the primary defender, Jackson Jr. led the NBA in field goal percentage allowed at the rim (46.9% on 454 contests) with a minimum of 20 shots defended.

Jackson Jr. also averaged 1.0 steals per game and led the NBA in combined steals and blocks per game (career-high and franchise-record 4.0). He became one of four players since the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award was instituted in the 1982-83 season to lead his team to a Top 5 defensive rating while also averaging at least 1.0 steals and 3.0 blocks, joining Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Ben Wallace.

The five-year NBA veteran was named to the 2021-22 NBA All-Defensive First Team last season. He was selected by Memphis with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft following his freshman year at Michigan State University, where he won the 2017-18 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez (309 points, 31 first-place votes) and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (101 points, eight first-place votes) finished second and third in the voting, respectively.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero had an outstanding rookie season

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

As the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero faced a plethora of expectations — internally and externally.

He met his own exceptions as a rookie while exceeding others.

“I wouldn’t say I exceeded them but I definitely met them,” Banchero said. “I did everything I wanted to do in my first year. It’s definitely time to take it to another level this next year. That’s what I’m excited about.”

While shifting his focus to his offseason work, Banchero also took time to reflect on the season that led to him being the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.

With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, he became the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo dealing with a back contusion

Via the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

It might not have appeared that way Sunday, but the Milwaukee Bucks have already shown this season they can have their way with the Miami Heat even when Giannis Antetokounmpo is not fully healthy.

That is especially meaningful at the moment with the Bucks All-Star forward dealing with a back contusion and Milwaukee down 1-0 to Heat in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference opening round NBA playoff series that continues Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.

On March 24, despite Antetokounmpo being lost 6:28 into the game due to a knee injury, the Bucks throttled the Heat 128-99.

List of referees working first round of 2023 NBA Playoffs

The NBA recently announced the list of 36 officials who have earned spots to work the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

The same group also comprised the officiating staff for the 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament.

“Qualifying for the postseason is the goal of NBA coaches and players, and the same is true for our NBA officials,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “Congratulations to this group of 36 officials on their on-court achievements and selection to work the 2023 NBA Playoffs.”

Below is the list of officials for the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs:

Ray Acosta, Brent Barnaky, Curtis Blair, Tony Brothers, Nick Buchert, Sean Corbin, Kevin Cutler, Eric Dalen, Marc Davis, JB DeRosa, Mitchell Ervin, Tyler Ford, Brian Forte, Scott Foster, Pat Fraher, Jacyn Goble, John Goble, David Guthrie, Bill Kennedy, Courtney Kirkland, Karl Lane, Eric Lewis, Mark Lindsay, Tre Maddox, Ed Malloy, Rodney Mott, Gediminas Petraitis, Kevin Scott, Aaron Smith, Michael Smith, Ben Taylor, Josh Tiven, Justin Van Duyne, James Williams, Sean Wright and Zach Zarba.

Ray Acosta and Aaron Smith are making their debut as members of the playoff staff.

The following officials are alternates for the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs:

Lauren Holtkamp, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago, Dedric Taylor and Scott Twardoski.

Miles Bridges suspended 30 games by the NBA

PER THE NBA:

The NBA announced today that Miles Bridges has been suspended for 30 games without pay as a result of a domestic violence incident involving the mother of his children.

The incident occurred on June 27, 2022, in Los Angeles, after which Mr. Bridges was arrested and charged with multiple offenses. On November 3, 2022, Mr. Bridges entered a plea of no contest to a felony domestic violence charge and the remaining counts against him were dismissed.

The NBA conducted its own investigation into this matter, reviewing all available materials and interviewing numerous third-party witnesses, as well as the parties involved. The NBA also consulted with a group of domestic violence experts who provide the league with guidance in such cases. The 30-game suspension is based on all facts and circumstances of this matter and considers the conduct and its result, as well as the outcome of the criminal matter, among other factors.

Following his arrest and plea, Mr. Bridges did not sign an NBA contract for the 2022-23 season, missing all 82 games. In recognition of that outcome, the NBA has deemed 20 games of the suspension to have been already served. If Mr. Bridges signs an NBA contract, he will be required to miss the first 10 games for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play.

Orlando Magic relocating their G League team to Kissimmee, rebranding them as the Osceola Magic

The Orlando Magic will relocate its NBA G League affiliate to Kissimmee, FL, and it will be rebranded as the Osceola Magic. Their new home will be in Osceola Heritage Park, beginning play at Silver Spurs Arena in November 2023, CEO and Managing Partner Alex Martins announced today.

“We are excited to bring the Magic and NBA G League basketball to Osceola County, Kissimmee and Osceola Heritage Park,” said Martins. “We would like to thank Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer, County Manager Don Fisher and Osceola Heritage Park General Manager Robb Larson in assisting us in making this move a reality. We look forward to being an invested community partner in Kissimmee and Osceola County.”

“Osceola County’s strategic planning continues to attract top tier organizations that share in our vision for the community,” said Janer. “We are honored to have the Osceola Magic make their new home at OHP. When it comes to sports and entertainment, we already host many premium events and organizations. Today, I’m proud that the Orlando Magic organization is joining the list of marquee partners that call Osceola County and Osceola Heritage Park their home. We look forward to cheering on our new team and welcoming fans from all over to experience the magic of Osceola County.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Osceola Magic to our community and to Osceola Heritage Park,” said Larson. “This partnership will not only bring exciting professional basketball games to Osceola County, but also provide opportunities to local businesses and tourism. We look forward to working closely with the team to create a memorable experience for fans and players alike.”

2023 NBA Playoffs: Playoff Seeds and Play-in Tournament Game Schedule

2023 NBA Playoffs Overview

The 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Team Seeds: 1) Bucks, 2) Celtics, 3) Sixers, 4) Cavaliers, 5) Knicks, 6) Nets.

East Play-in Tournament teams: Heat, Hawks, Raptors, Bulls.

2023 Western Conference Playoff Team Seeds: 1) Nuggets, 2) Grizzlies, 3) Kings, 4) Suns, 5) Clippers, 6) Warriors.

West Play-in Tournament teams: Lakers, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder.

The Play-in Tournament will determine playoff seeds 7 and 8 for each conference.

2023 NBA Play-in Tournament Schedule

Tuesday: 7:30PM ET Hawks at Heat, 10PM ET Timberwolves at Lakers, TNT.

Wednesday: 7PM ET Bulls at Raptors, 9:30PM ET Thunder at Pelicans, ESPN.

Friday: Two games, schedule TBD.

Lakers sign Shaquille Harrison and Tristan Thompson, waive Davon Reed

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Shaquille Harrison and center Tristan Thompson.

And in a related move, the Lakers requested waivers on forward Davon Reed.

Harrison (6’4”, 195) most recently played for the Portland Trail Blazers after signing a 10-day contract with the team on March 30. In five appearances with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals in 24.0 minutes. In 180 career games (23 starts) across six NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers (2022-23), Nets (2021-22), Nuggets (2020-21), Jazz (2020-21), Bulls (2018-20) and Suns (2017-18), Harrison has averaged 5.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 15.4 minutes per game. The 29-year-old has played in nine career playoff games with the Nuggets (2020-21), averaging 1.0 points in 4.5 minutes. The 2021-22 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year appeared in 32 regular season games (all starts) for the South Bay Lakers this season, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.1 steals in 32.5 minutes per game and was the only player in the NBA G League this season to be in the top five in both assists and steals per game.

Thompson (6’9”, 254) has appeared in 730 career games (478 starts) across 11 seasons with the Bulls (2021-22), Pacers (2021-22), Kings (2021-22), Celtics (2020-21) and Cavaliers (2011-20), averaging 9.0 points (.519 FG%), 8.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 26.8 minutes. The 2016 NBA Champion has played in 88 career playoff games (70 starts) with the Bulls (2021-22), Celtics (2020-21) and Cavaliers (2014-18), averaging 7.4 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 56.4 percent from the field. Thompson most recently appeared in 57 games (six starts) for Chicago, Indiana and Sacramento during the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game. Thompson has recorded 185 double-doubles throughout his career and has shot over 50 percent from the field in his previous eight seasons.

Reed appeared in eight games for the Lakers this season, averaging 1.0 points in 3.4 minutes per game. The 27-year-old was acquired by Los Angeles on Feb. 9.