NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog
NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops
NBA news blog
Via ESPN.com:
Before Tuesday night’s Game 5, Nikola Jokic and Mat Ishbia had another courtside interaction, but this time it involved the Denver Nuggets player giving the Phoenix Suns’ owner a basketball and giving him a heartfelt embrace.
Jokic finished his pregame warmup and headed off the court to where Ishbia was seated courtside. Jokic held a basketball out before chucking it to Ishbia in good fun. Jokic embraced Ishbia after shaking hands with him and giving him a pat on the back.
Via ESPN.com:
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year last month, headlined the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team, which the league unveiled Tuesday afternoon.
Jackson was joined on the first team by the two other finalists for the top defensive honor — Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley — along with Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso.
Jackson’s teammate Dillon Brooks was one of five players named to the league’s All-Defensive Second Team. He was joined by Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
Via ESPN.com:
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams — the other two finalists for the award — were all named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team on Monday afternoon, as the league continues its postseason awards rollout.
Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin and Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray joined them on the All-Rookie First Team, with Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, teammate Jalen Duren, San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan and Houston Rockets forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason comprising the All-Rookie Second Team.
The Milwaukee Bucks have parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Budenholzer, hired before the 2018-19 season, oversaw one of the most successful five-year runs in the history of the franchise during which the team went 271-120 (69.3%) in the regular season under his leadership.”
“The decision to make this change was very difficult,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst. “Bud helped lead our team for five incredible seasons, to the Bucks’ first title in 50 years, and into an era of sustained success. We are grateful for the culture of winning and leadership that Bud helped create in Milwaukee.
“This is an opportunity for us to refocus and reenergize our efforts as we continue building toward our next championship season.”
More from the Journal Sentinel: “Budenholzer was named the NBA coach of the year after the Bucks won 60 games in 2018-19 and they followed that up with a 56-win season in the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.”
Via the Arizona Republic:
Phoenix Suns are averaging 97 points through two games against Denver in the Western Conference semifinals after racking up 122 a game in eliminating the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round in five games.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are accounting for 59.2% of their points against the No. 1 seeded Nuggets.
Couple that with Chris Paul expected to miss the next two games with a strained left groin suffered in Game 2’s loss, Suns coach Monty Williams is looking to find some points production off the bench.
“I can do a better job of putting more scorers on the floor and living with whatever warts may come with that just to free those guys up so they don’t have to do it every single time down the floor,” Williams said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’ll make those adjustments accordingly.”
Enter Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren.
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.
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%).
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.”
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.
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.