Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Allen Iverson’s emotional Instagram post on John Thompson

Legendary former Georgetown Hoyas coach John Thompson has passed away. Here’s Philly Voice reporting on Allen Iverson’s reaction to the tragic news:

Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson died Sunday night at 78 years old, prompting an outpouring of tributes Monday morning.

Among them was a message from NBA Hall of Famer and Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson, who played under Thompson for two seasons from 1994-1996. Iverson became the Big East Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Hoyas to an Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament during his sophomore season.

But it went beyond basketball for Iverson, who credits Thompson for saving his life when he was jailed in connection with a 1993 brawl in his hometown of Hampton, Virginia. Thompson defied critics by standing behind Iverson, whose conviction was later overturned due to insufficient evidence.

Iverson’s post:

Legendary former Georgetown coach John Thompson dies

The world is taking lots of losses lately. The latest is that legendary former Georgetown college basketball coach John Thompson has died. Here’s the Washington Post reporting:

John Thompson, the Washington native who elevated Georgetown University basketball to national prominence, earned Hall of Fame honors and carved a place in history as the first African American coach to lead his team to the NCAA championship, has died at 78.

His family announced the death in a statement but did not provide additional details.

Physically imposing at 6-foot-10 and nearly 300 pounds and possessed of a booming bass voice that commanded authority better than a shrill whistle could, Mr. Thompson built his teams around similarly intimidating centers such as Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning and a physical, unrelenting approach to defense.

His most profound contribution to the game was his grasp of its power to lift disadvantaged youngsters to a better life. He used college basketball — and his stature in the sport — as a platform from which to demand greater opportunities for Black athletes to gain the college education they might otherwise have been denied.

And here’s the Washington Times:

All his life, Thompson grappled with the topic of race. Before winning the 1984 title, Thompson became the first black coach to lead a team to the Final Four in 1982. But when a reporter asked him about that achievement, he said he “resented the hell out of” the question.

“It implies that I am the first black man to be accomplished enough and intelligent enough to do this. It is an insult to my race,” Thompson said. “There have been plenty of others who could have gotten here if they had been given the opportunity they deserved.”

In perhaps the most famous story about Thompson, he scared off Rayful Edmond, a Washington drug lord in the 1980s, from fraternizing with some of his players at the time, including future NBA star Alonzo Mourning.

Thompson was one of the most beloved college basketball coaches of all time. He’ll be greatly missed.

Former NBA player Cliff Robinson has died

Statement from the Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Trail Blazers great Cliff Robinson. Robinson started his career in Portland in 1989 and stayed for eight seasons before continuing his 18-year career in the NBA. His personality and energy were unmatched, and his contributions on the court were unmistakable, helping the Trail Blazers into the playoffs each of his eight seasons with the team. His streak of 461 consecutive games played with the Trail Blazers still stands as a franchise record, which is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the team. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cliff’s family and loved ones. Uncle Cliffy will be greatly missed by the Trail Blazers and all of Rip City.

Statement from the Golden State Warriors

We’re shocked and saddened with the death of Clifford Robinson at the much-too-young age of 53. Clifford was the consummate professional who loved the game and played with an incredible sense of both joy and intensity during his outstanding 18-year career, including two seasons with the Warriors. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of “Uncle Cliffy” during this difficult time.

Mavericks news: Kristaps Porzingis diagnosed with knee injury

Dallas Mavericks forward-center Kristaps Porzingis has been receiving treatment for a lateral meniscus tear of his right knee and further treatment options are being explored at this time. Porzingis suffered the injury in Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Porzingis has not been medically cleared to play for the remainder of the Mavericks’ first-round series against the L.A. Clippers, and will not be available.

In three first-round games (all starts) against the Clippers, Porzingis averaged 23.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game while shooting 52.5 percent (21-40 FGs) from the field, 52.9 percent (9-17 3FGs) from beyond the arc and 87 percent (20-23 FTs) from the foul line.

The Clippers have a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 has been rescheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

NBA playoff game schedule updated after player strike

After NBA players essentially went on strike these last few days, not against the NBA but as a protest against anti-Black police brutality issues in the United States, the league had to reschedule some games. Action will pick up where it left off, with a Magic vs Bucks game.

Here’s the new and improved updated NBA playoff game schedule now that the player protest has ended:

All Times Eastern (ET)

NBA Game Schedule For Saturday, August 29

3:30pm: Magic vs Bucks Game 5, on ESPN

6:30pm: Thunder vs Rockets Game 5, on TNT

9pm: Blazers vs Lakers Game 5, on TNT

NBA Game Schedule For Sunday, August 30

1pm: Celtics vs Raptors Game 1, on ESPN

3:30pm: Clippers vs Mavericks, on ESPN

8:30pm: Nuggets vs Jazz, on TNT

Russell Westbrook likely active for Rockets vs Thunder Game 5

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, who has yet to play in the team’s first-round playoff series against the OKC Thunder but should be ready to go for Game 5:

Rockets guard Russell Westbrook is likely to make his series debut in Game 5 against the Thunder.

“He’ll go through practice today and if things are normal then we expect him to be ready to go,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said Friday. “I’m sure he’ll have time restraints. We have not talked about that at all, and that won’t be discussed until tomorrow. Planning on it, but you never know. Russell will be hard to hold down. I’m sure he’s anxious and ready to roll.”

The Rockets need him. With Russ out, there’s simply way too much pressure on James Harden to create almost every scoring opportunity for the team. Westbrook’s ability to break down defenses and drive by defenders is a literal game-changer for Houston.

The NBA was on hold for a few days due to players rising up and protesting, not against the league, but against police brutality against Black people in the United States. The playoffs will resume Saturday, though the updated game schedule hasn’t been released yet.

Knicks have reportedly chosen their new assistant coaches

The Knicks have reportedly decided on their assistant coaching staff. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Tom Thibodeau will have at least two guys on his assistant staff with whom he’s worked closely.

While the hirings of Kenny Payne, Johnnie Bryant and Mike Woodson had been cemented, Thibodeau will also add his longtime trusted lieutenants, Andy Greer and Dice Yoshimoto, sources confirm.

The Post first reported Greer and Yoshimoto as candidates back on May 31. Greer, who was with Thibodeau on the Knicks’ staff from 2001-03, and Yoshimoto, were alongside Thibodeau at his head-coaching stops in Chicago and Minnesota.

The Knicks haven’t announced the hirings as official yet, but they’ve been reported by multiple media outlets.

Coaching staff aside, the biggest questions, by far, regarding the Knicks revolve around which roster moves the team will make this offseason.

Sacramento Kings search for new general manager

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings and their search for a new general manager:

The search for a new general manager is underway in Sacramento. The Kings have talked for years about changing the culture within the organization. Now they have to find the right person for the job.

That would have been incredibly difficult, given the abbreviated offseason schedule with the NBA Draft set for Oct. 16 and the start of free agency set to begin Oct. 18, but it appears the Kings will catch a big break. All signs point to those dates being pushed back several weeks along with the start of the 2020-21 season, which was scheduled to begin Dec. 1.

Moving back the start of free agency will also move back the Oct. 17 guarantee date on Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica’s $7.2 million contract for next season. These delays would give the Kings time to wait for candidates whose teams are in the playoffs and increase the likelihood they will make a hire before they have to start making important roster decisions.

Pacers fire coach Nate McMillan

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have relieved head coach Nate McMillan of his coaching duties.

“On behalf of the Simon family and the Pacers organization, I’d like to thank Nate for his years with the team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it’s in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years (in Indiana and Portland).”

McMillan took over coaching duties of the Pacers prior to the 2016-17 season; and in his four years with the team he led them to a 183-136 record, including 3-16 in the playoffs. He has an overall coaching record of 661-588, with 17-36 in the playoffs. McMillan’s 183 wins as head coach of the Pacers is third in the team’s NBA history.

The search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Rockets guard Russell Westbrook status upgraded for Game 5 vs Thunder

UPDATE: Mere hours before scheduled tipoff this evening, Rockets guard Russell Westbrook was upgraded to Questionable.

Rockets guard Russell Westbrook put up 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in the regular season, but has yet to play in the 2020 NBA playoffs. His return will not take place today. Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting:

Rockets guard Russell Westbrook’s return from his strained quadriceps muscle moved closer Tuesday, but with the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder tied, 2-2, Westbrook was still ruled out for Wednesday’s Game 5.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni on Tuesday offered his most optimistic assessment of the potential of Westbrook playing since he was ruled out for the final seeding game and missed each of the four playoff games so far.

“I think it’s day to day, he’s listed,” D’Antoni said…

“Russ only has one level,” Rockets center P.J. Tucker said. “Russ got one speed. Russ got one mind, one energy (level.) If you get Russ, you get Russ. I think that’s a part of him taking his time to get back because he knows and we know the level he’s going to be at when he comes back.

Through four playoff games this year against the Thunder, fellow Rockets star guard James Harden has averaged 32.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. There is tremendous pressure on Harden to continue to carry the load. Getting Russ back would help a lot.