Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Kyrie Irving still reportedly opposes plan to resume NBA play next month

Here’s the New York Post reporting Nets guard Kyrie Irving’s most updated views regarding the NBA’s plan to resume play next month:

A new player coalition has been formed, led by injured Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, to continue a push to derail the NBA’s Orlando restart because of concerns over taking the spotlight away from the Black Lives Matter movement.

The coalition, of which Lakers’ reserve Avery Bradley is also an organizer, is being put together to provide a voice for players who, according to ESPN, “fear retribution if they openly voice their concerns’’ about racial injustice. ESPN reported 40 players got on a conference call Monday to discuss the matter.

Irving, out after shoulder surgery and unable to play in Orlando, started the revolt in a Friday conference call among 80 players, questioning the timing of the 22-team restart with training camp set to begin around July 10.

It’s not yet clear exactly what percentage of NBA players do want play to resume next month, vs. how many do not.

WNBA plans to play 2020 season at IMG Academy in Florida

After significant discussions with the league’s key stakeholders, including the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), the WNBA today announced elements of plans to return to the court to begin the WNBA 2020 season. The league is finalizing a partnership that would make IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the Official Home of the 2020 WNBA season highlighted by a competitive schedule of 22 regular-season games followed by a traditional playoff format.

Beginning in July, IMG Academy will be the home for each of the league’s 12 teams and serve as a single site for training camp, games and housing. The top priority continues to be the health and safety of players and staff, and the league is working with medical specialists, public health experts, and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place. Due to the fluid situation resulting from the pandemic, the league and players will continue to review the appropriate health and safety protocols and make necessary changes to the plan prior to arriving on site for the start of training camp and throughout the season.

“We are finalizing a season start plan to build on the tremendous momentum generated in the league during the offseason and have used the guiding principles of health and safety of players and essential staff to establish necessary and extensive protocols,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We will continue to consult with medical experts and public health officials as well as players, team owners and other stakeholders as we move forward with our execution plan. And, despite the disruption caused by the global pandemic to our 2020 season, the WNBA and its Board of Governors believe strongly in supporting and valuing the elite women athletes who play in the WNBA and therefore, players will receive their full pay and benefits during the 2020 season.”

“As home to some of the world’s leading athletes, coaches and performance experts, IMG Academy is thrilled to partner with the top basketball players in the world and the entire WNBA family,” said Tim Pernetti, Executive Vice President, IMG Events & Media. “We are truly looking forward to becoming the Official Home of the 2020 WNBA Season and working closely with the league in providing our best-in-class training and competition environment.”

Throughout this unique season format where all players will be at the same place, at the same time, a first in the league’s history, the WNBA will build on its commitment to social justice and will support players in launching a bold social justice platform as a call to action to drive impactful, measurable and meaningful change. The WNBA 2020 season will include a devoted platform led by the players that will aim to support and strengthen both the league and teams’ reach and impact on social justice matters. As recently announced, this began with the WNBA making donations from sales of its “Bigger Than Ball” women’s empowerment merchandise to the Equal Justice Initiative. “The WNBA opposes racism in all its forms, and George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are the latest names in a list of countless others who have been subject to police brutality that stems from the systemic oppression of Black Lives in America, and it is our collective responsibility to use our platforms to enact change,” said Engelbert.

“In our discussions with the league, we emphasized and they agreed that a strong commitment to a 2020 season will give the WNBA the chance to show the world that it’s taking the steps needed to secure our livelihood and well-being, while also providing the opportunity to amplify our collective voice,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. “We have always been at the forefront of initiatives with strong support of #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, the LGBTQ+ community, gun control, voting rights, #MeToo, mental health and the list goes on. This is not only necessary from a humanitarian perspective, but it may be one of the biggest opportunities that this league has and will ever have.”

“As in recent CBA negotiations, the WNBPA Executive Committee worked tirelessly to represent the interests of all players as the league planned to launch a 2020 season,” said WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson. “Our society has learned or perhaps has been reminded of an important lesson: women are integral to the economic stability of their families and their communities. The league and the teams’ commitment makes a statement.”

Under the current plan, teams will report to IMG Academy in early July and regular-season action will tip off in late July after a team training camp period. Although the WNBA 2020 season will be played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league will continue to build on the current momentum around the WNBA and the players, while offering fans a front row seat at home thanks to broadcast partners ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV and their ongoing commitment to women’s sports. Regular season matchups and times for WNBA 2020 Tip-Off presented by AT&T, will be announced at a later date.

Patrick Beverley says if LeBron James wants NBA to resume play, it’ll happen

Clippers guard Patrick Beverley believes in Lakers forward LeBron James. Not to beat the Clippers, of course. But in regard to LeBron’s wishes for the future of the 2019-20 NBA season and playoffs. Here’s the New York Post:

If LeBron James wants the NBA to return, then that’s what will happen. That’s Patrick Beverley’s prediction, no matter what Kyrie Irving, Dwight Howard or anyone else says.

The Clippers’ pesky defensive-minded guard went on Twitter to make that clear, writing Sunday that “Hoopers say what y’all want. If @King James said he hooping. We all hooping. Not personal only BUSINESS.”

James, who reportedly was not on the call, is believed to be in favor of the plan to return to action.

So far, the only official thing in the NBA’s possible return to action this summer has been the competitive format, including the number of teams (22) playing a limited number of games leading to what will hopefully be a complete playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks designate Juneteenth as a permanent holiday

The Atlanta Hawks will now designate Juneteenth as a permanent paid company holiday for all its employees. The decision comes as many organizations are identifying specific ways to thoughtfully recognize and honor the full experience of African Americans in the shadow of the country’s on-going racial tensions.

According to juneteenth.com, this holiday is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery on January 1, 1863.

“I am proud of the decision our organization has made to recognize Juneteenth as a company holiday this year and going forward,” said Camye Mackey, Chief People, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. “This is one of many steps we’ll take to support the positive change we need to see in society.”

Trail Blazers founder and president emeritus Harry Glickman has died

Portland Trail Blazers founder and president emeritus Harry Glickman died yesterday, June 10, 2020. He was 96 years old.

Glickman has long been considered the father of professional sports in Oregon, having brought a wide variety of sporting and entertainment events to the region over the course of his long and illustrious career. He was well known for his most famous mantra, “My word is my handshake.”

Glickman’s crowning achievement came in 1970 when the National Basketball Association granted Portland an expansion franchise. Glickman brought together the original ownership group of Herman Sarkowsky, Larry Weinberg and Robert Schmertz, who paid the NBA’s $3.7 million expansion fee. Glickman was one of the shareholders who sold the club to Paul Allen in 1988.

Glickman served as the leader of the franchise, including as general manager, from its inception until his retirement in 1994, when he became president emeritus. Under his leadership, the Trail Blazers won the NBA Championship in 1977 and Western Conference championships in 1990 and 1992. Also, during his tenure, the Trail Blazers set an American professional sports record by selling out 814 consecutive home games.

“The Trail Blazers have long been the beneficiary of Harry’s vision, generosity, and inspiration,” said Jody Allen, Chair of the Trail Blazers. “As the team’s founder and first General Manager, his leadership was instrumental in igniting our city’s pride and passion for sports. I am grateful for Harry’s many contributions to the franchise over the years. He will be missed by many.”

Glickman was born and raised in south Portland, graduated from Lincoln High School and in 1948 graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. While at Oregon, Glickman worked as a stringer for the Oregon Journal. Following college, Glickman served three years in the U.S. Army, where he saw action in the European theater with the 12th Armored Division, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star.

Through the 1950’s, Glickman’s Oregon Sports Attractions promoted a wide range of events, including an annual NFL exhibition game at Multnomah Stadium (now Providence Park), the Shrine Football Game, the Harlem Globetrotters, and world championship boxing via closed-circuit television. Glickman also served as general manager of Multnomah Stadium in 1958 and 1959.

In 1960, Glickman founded the Portland Buckaroos hockey team that played in the newly built Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. In the 12 seasons with Glickman at the helm as the club’s co-owner and president, the Bucks advanced to the Lester Patrick Cup championship seven times, winning three, including the inaugural 1960-61 season, and set numerous attendance records.

In 1964, Glickman had the assurance of an NFL expansion franchise from friend Pete Rozelle, who had become Commissioner, but Portland voters rejected the proposed 40,000-seat Delta Dome by a mere 10,000 votes.

“Harry was the definition of a true Trail Blazer,” said Chris McGowan, President & CEO of the Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “Through his dedication and persistence, Harry not only created a successful sports franchise in a small western market, but has united hundreds of thousands of people around the world through a shared love of basketball. Rip City will forever be thankful to Harry and his forgotten raincoat.”

Glickman was the recipient of numerous honors and awards including:

2019 Honored by the Mighty Endeavor (Veterans’ Legacies)

2019 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

2016 University of Oregon Pioneer Award

2012 Oregon History Maker, Oregon Historical Society

1999 University of Oregon Hall of Achievement

1995 International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

1992 Portland First Citizen Award

1986 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame

1970 Slats Gill Man of the Year (Oregon Sports Awards)

1965 Hockey News Executive of the Year

In 1977, Glickman published his autobiography, Promoter Ain’t A Dirty Word, which is a candid look inside the workings of the professional sports business in Portland.

“Harry Glickman laid the foundation and established the benchmark for small market success in the NBA,” said Neil Olshey, President of Basketball Operations. “He was the driving force that set the stage for the 1977 NBA Championship, a seminal moment that elevated Portland and allowed it to join the elite of professional sports franchises. His contributions to the city of Portland and the Trail Blazers are immense and for that we all owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

Due to the postponement of the NBA season, the Trail Blazers will announce how they plan to honor Glickman at a later date.

In Harry’s memory, please consider making a donation to the Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education, Congregation Beth Israel, or the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

Glickman is survived by his wife, Joanne, son Marshall, daughters Jennifer and Lynn, grandsons Joel and Laz, and granddaughter Sydney.

There will be a private burial service for Glickman. A public memorial service will be held at Congregation Beth Israel at a later date

Brian Shaw to coach G League Select Team

In recent years, the standard route for top high school basketball players has been to go to college, play one NCAA season, then head to the pros.

But now, with the introduction of the G League “Select” team, a handful of high school stars will now have the chance to skip college and head straight to a special, brand new G League team that exists just for their purposes, with their goal of making the NBA in mind.

As of today, that G League team has its first head coach: Brian Shaw.

More info: Brian Shaw named head coach of new G League Select Team

No LaMarcus Aldridge for Spurs at Disney World this summer

Along with 21 other teams, th Spurs are going to Disney World this summer. This assuming the NBA’s plan gets put into place, with league play resuming in modified fashion in late July at Disney Wide World of Sports, featuring a handful of regular season games leading into what will hopefully be a full playoffs.

But the Spurs will be doing so without one of their star players. After undergoing surgery today, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge won’t be playing again until the 2020-21 season, which may not start until December, though that is completely up in the air right now.

Read full details by clicking this link: LaMarcus Aldridge undergoes shoulder surgery, done for 2019-20 NBA season

NBA Players Union statement on NBA return to play plan

The NBA Players Association likes what the NBA has come up with so far in their plan to resume play in late January at Disney Wide World of Sports with most of the league’s teams, but there’s clearly more that needs to be worked out.

Their statement today as as follows:

“The Board of Player Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has approved further negotiations with the NBA on a 22-team return to play scenario to restart the 2019-20 NBA season. Various details remain to be negotiated and the acceptance of the scenario would still require that all parties reach agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”

NCAA sets date for basketball players to withdraw from 2020 NBA draft

NCAA BASKETBALL STATEMENT

Men’s basketball student-athletes will have until 10 days after the NBA draft combine or Aug. 3, whichever comes first, to withdraw from the postponed 2020 NBA draft and retain their eligibility.

Due to the uncertainty of the NBA’s pre-draft process brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee decided Aug. 3 allows a reasonable amount of time for all men’s basketball student-athletes to make a choice about starting a professional career.

This option provides student-athletes up to two months beyond the original withdrawal date of June 3 to decide.

The goal of the decision is to match the intent of the current rule, which offers players the opportunity to be evaluated by and seek feedback from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee and to participate in team workouts and the draft combine if invited.

The Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee worked collaboratively with the National Association of Basketball Coaches to ensure that these changes support a player’s decision-making process related to professional opportunities, while also protecting their collegiate eligibility.

Since it is undetermined what the NBA pre-draft process and timeline may be this summer, the oversight committee believes this is the most equitable alternative available in these unprecedented circumstances.

“This provides the utmost flexibility to student-athletes testing the waters to make the most informed decision about their future during this uncertain time,” NCAA Senior Vice President for Basketball Dan Gavitt said. “And by deciding before classes start for the fall semester, it also encourages student-athletes who choose to return to school to be fully engaged in their academic pursuits and the tremendous experience and opportunity to play college basketball.”

Atlanta Hawks statement on NBA return to play plan

STATEMENT FROM THE ATLANTA HAWKS

Yesterday the NBA announced a format to restart the 2019-20 season with 22 teams participating. This certainly wasn’t how we hoped our season would come to an end, and it’s fair to say that we are disappointed that our young team will not be allowed to gain more valuable time playing together by being included in the restart of the season. With that said, we understand and respect the countless difficult factors that entered into this decision for the league, and we realize that there are much more important things taking place in our community right now that deserve our attention.

We would like to recognize and thank our players for their dedication, connectedness and patience during this unprecedented time. We saw promising growth during the season and significant improvement individually and collectively from the start of the campaign through March 11. Since that time, our players, with the support of our coaching and athletic training staffs, have been diligent and professional in staying prepared, in the hopes of having the opportunity to restart their season and finish strong.

We remain engaged in finding ways for our team to compete and continue the important growth and development that was a core focus for our team this season.