NBA Teams – Page 105 – NBA Blog

On new Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Kevin Porter Jr.

New Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has made a concerted effort to highlight the talent already on Houston’s roster in his first weeks with the franchise, with the appeal of his new franchise stemming from far more than lottery hopes and the team’s significant salary cap space this summer.

Houston is hoping Udoka can play a major role in the development of the team’s collection of young pieces, many of whom struggled for extended stretches of 2022-23. One player who could see a significant boost from Udoka’s arrival? Look to the backcourt, where Kevin Porter Jr. will enter a season that is quite critical to the future of his career.

Porter remains an appealing piece despite the criticism lobbed his way in recent years, and on his better nights, he looks the part of a legitimate franchise point guard.

On Duncan Robinson and the Heat in the playoffs

Via the Miami Herald:

Duncan Robinson’s role and minutes have fluctuated throughout the season. He’s been out of the Miami Heat’s rotation at times and he’s also been relied on to play important minutes during stretches.

But no matter what, Robinson has remained ready.

That was on display in the Heat’s win over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday at TD Garden, when he finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range in 21 productive minutes off the bench after playing just seven minutes in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series. Robinson scored eight points while playing 8:27 in Friday’s fourth quarter.

Stephen Curry wins 2022-23 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has won the 2022-23 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as administered and selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA). Named after the NBA’s second commissioner, the honor is presented annually by the PBWA to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.

Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, was one of four finalists for the 2022-23 award, along with Los Angeles Lakers center Wenyen Gabriel, LA Clippers forward Paul George and Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.

The finalists were chosen by a committee of PBWA members from nominees submitted by NBA teams. The winner was determined by a vote of the entire PBWA, which is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA regularly for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.

“Few athletes have as great a reach or as powerful a platform as Steph Curry, and he has used it to the fullest to benefit others,” said PBWA President Howard Beck. “The members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association salute him and the other nominees for their exemplary work.”

On the Celtics offense in Game 1 loss to Heat

Via Boston.com:

Before they got blitzed by a 46-25 Miami run in the third quarter, the Celtics looked like they were in sync offensively.

Marcus Smart dished out 10 assists in the first half, during which the Celtics scored 40 points in the paint. They were enough of a threat from outside to keep Miami on its toes.
But that all came to a rather abrupt stop in the second half. The Celtics began the third quarter leading by nine and were down 12 at the end of it.

Obviously getting outscored by 21 points in a quarter has much to do with a loss of defensive intensity. But the fact is they weren’t able to keep up the pace offensively, either.

San Antonio Spurs win 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

The NBA today announced that the San Antonio Spurs have won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery, which was conducted at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago earlier this evening. The Spurs will have the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft that will be held on Thursday, June 22.

“The team and the city that sticks with us and put so much effort and love into the organization, it’s just amazing for them to get rewarded,” said Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt immediately following the Lottery. “So many folks have been with us a long time and now everybody can feel rewarded and excited. My joy was a ‘we’ type of fun and joy.”

For the third time in franchise history, San Antonio holds the top overall pick with the previous two being Hall of Fame big men David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan in 1997, who helped the Spurs start their NBA record 22-year Playoff streak from 1998-2019.

Going into tonight’s lottery, the Silver and Black held a 14.0% chance to land the No. 1 pick. Since the Draft Lottery was introduced in 1985, San Antonio has owned seven total lottery picks, fewest in the NBA.

Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane undergoes procedure on toe

Memphis Grizzlies wing Desmond Bane underwent a procedure today to address a fracture of the medial sesamoid bone in his right big toe.

Bane initially sustained the injury during the Grizzlies’ game on Nov. 11 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and missed the following 17 games, returning to competition on Dec. 23.

The team says that Bane is expected to make a full recovery, in advance of the 2023-24 season.

Via the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The Grizzlies can sign Bane to a rookie scale contract extension this offseason, and all signs point towards that happening.

“Des is a cornerstone, very significant piece of this group,” Grizzlies general manager and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said during exit interviews in April. “I think he has an opportunity to really establish himself as a key leader within this group.”

Sixers fire head coach Doc Rivers

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has parted ways with Head Coach Doc Rivers. Rivers was named the 25th head coach in 76ers’ franchise history on Oct. 2, 2020. He coached three seasons for Philadelphia, compiling a 154-82 (.653) regular-season record.

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey:

“Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer, and someone I respect immensely. We’re grateful for all he did in his three seasons here and thank him for the important impact he made on our franchise. After having the chance to reflect upon our season, we decided that certain changes are necessary to further our goals of competing for a championship.”

Via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

As a team, the Sixers this season posted their highest win total (54) since 2000-01, when they advanced to the NBA Finals. This season, they ranked third in the league in offensive efficiency (117 points per 100 possessions), eighth in defensive efficiency (112.7 points allowed per 100 possessions) and first in net rating in “clutch” time (plus-16.6), or when a scoring margin is within five or fewer points with five or less minutes remaining.

The Sixers also had the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record during the condensed 2020-21 regular season (49-23), improved their win total in each of the next two seasons, and became one of the league’s best road teams after previous struggles away from home.

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Warriors vs. Lakers Game 6 on ESPN did big TV ratings

Game 6 of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors NBA Western Conference Semifinals series on ESPN was the most-watched Conference Semifinals game broadcast in 12 years (since 2011), according to Nielsen.

The ESPN broadcast delivered an average of 8,640,000 viewers, peaking with 9,295,000 viewers at 11 p.m. ET. This was the most-watched program of the day for May 12 across all of television and in all key demographics.

The Game 6 viewership was up 38 percent from last year’s comparable game – Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies – which averaged 6,282,000 viewers.

2023 NBA Conference Finals series schedules

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Miami Heat (8)

* if necessary

Western Conference

Denver Nuggets (1) vs. L.A. Lakers (7)

* if necessary

Ja Morant suspended by Grizzlies after showing a gun in another Instagram Live video

Via the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

NBA All-Star point guard Ja Morant has been suspended from all team activities after brandishing a gun in another Instagram Live video, the Memphis Grizzlies announced Sunday.

The viral video was taken from Morant’s close friend Davonte Pack’s Instagram account. Pack was also with Morant on the night of a previous gun incident in a Colorado nightclub in March, and Pack was banned from Grizzlies home games earlier this season after a confrontation with players from the Indiana Pacers.

“We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant,” a statement from the Grizzlies read Sunday. “He is suspended from all team activities pending league review. We have no further comment at this time.”

Via ESPN.com:

“We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement Sunday.

On Saturday, during an Instagram Live session on Morant’s friend Davonte Pack’s account, the All-Star flashed a handgun while driving and singing along with a rap song. The video has since been deleted.

Morant left the Grizzlies and entered a counseling program in March after a video showed him holding a gun while intoxicated at a Denver club when the Grizzlies were in town to play the Nuggets. He was eventually suspended eight games after meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who called Morant’s conduct “irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous.”