NBA Thread

[ManFan]

Up by 6 with 2 min left.

 

[Rayyman]

C'mon Kawhi score

 

[ManFan]

Hope Kwahi can end the Warriors this year.

He pulled through with injuries even though he got carried in Game 6.

Well done; Board Man Gets Paid!

 

[JaDed]

Raptorssasss

 

[JaDed]

One of the most
Luckiest win i would say but happy to see Raptors get their first win!!!
Wish Lebron had stayed at Cavs and we could had seen Kwahi vs Lebron

 

[JaDed]

The Dynasty ended with injuries though!

 

[Rayyman]

Congrats my Canada boys
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=138508]aloo paratha[/MENTION] [MENTION=8597]kingusama92[/MENTION] and others

But Kawhi coming to NY now to bring us a chip

 

[JaDed]

Congrats my Canada boys
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=138508]aloo paratha[/MENTION] [MENTION=8597]kingusama92[/MENTION] and others

But Kawhi coming to NY now to bring us a chip

Is it confirmed? I see miserable Kyrie coming there

 

[ManFan]

Congrats my Canada boys
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=138508]aloo paratha[/MENTION] [MENTION=8597]kingusama92[/MENTION] and others

But Kawhi coming to NY now to bring us a chip

Kawhi, KD, and Kylie all coming to NY?

 

[JaDed]

Kawhi, KD, and Kylie all coming to NY?

Exactly haha , at end of day no one might sign in lol

 

[JaDed]

Do raptors have the shortest players?
Vanvleet , kyle?

 

[ManFan]

Exactly haha , at end of day no one might sign in lol

Most likely no one will; NY is cursed man.

But I am so happy for Kawhi getting a ring and Finals MVP after all he has been through in the last two years.

 

[JaDed]

Most likely no one will; NY is cursed man.

But I am so happy for Kawhi getting a ring and Finals MVP after all he has been through in the last two years.

Yes Kwahi is so strong, he played unselfishly and that is amazing to see.

And nets will get Kyrie, Knicks meh..might get KD ..

 

[MMHS]

Great win for a team that represents one passionate country. This is a fantastic Raptors team in making with most core players in their 20s, under a young coach. We just need to keep the roster together and one powerful centre, Raptors might make NBA finals for few consecutive years. Raptors has lots of space in wage cap - if KL signs a long term contract and we can bring someone like Anthony Davis ......

Kyle VanVleet

Davis

Kawhi Pascal
-------------------------------------------------
Serge, Mark, Danny, Lin, Norman, Anunoby

It can be the start of a dynasty.

 

[MMHS]

Kawhi, KD, and Kylie all coming to NY?

Kawhi won't ever team up with Durant.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Congrats to Canada. I was rooting for Raptors, but if Durant was healthy there is no chance Toronto would have won. So enjoy this one Raptors fans, because it will not happen again anytime soon.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

The Dynasty ended with injuries though!

The Dynasty is not over, unless KD leaves. I think he resigns, and they will win next year.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Congrats my Canada boys
[MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=138508]aloo paratha[/MENTION] [MENTION=8597]kingusama92[/MENTION] and others

But Kawhi coming to NY now to bring us a chip

If by NY you mean the Knicks, keep on dreaming. You are not getting Kawhi, or KD, or Kyrie, or even Kemba.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Great win for a team that represents one passionate country. This is a fantastic Raptors team in making with most core players in their 20s, under a young coach. We just need to keep the roster together and one powerful centre, Raptors might make NBA finals for few consecutive years. Raptors has lots of space in wage cap - if KL signs a long term contract and we can bring someone like Anthony Davis ......

Kyle VanVleet

Davis

Kawhi Pascal
-------------------------------------------------
Serge, Mark, Danny, Lin, Norman, Anunoby

It can be the start of a dynasty.

Kawhi is most likely leaving, but even if he stays you have zero chance of getting AD.

 

[MenInG]

The Toronto Raptors have made NBA history by winning Game 6 of the Finals Thursday night, marking the first time a Canadian team has won the championship.

The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors 114-110 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

“Canada, we brought it home, baby. Canada, we brought it home,” Kyle Lowry emphatically said after the team was presented with the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.

Kawhi Leonard, who scored 22 points in Game 6, was named Finals MVP.

Toronto had a strong first quarter and at one point led it by nine points. Kyle Lowry sunk four three-pointers and Pascal Siakam another two. Despite rotating leads in the second quarter, the Raptors went into the half leading 60-57.

As the Warriors took a lead in the third quarter, Klay Thompson — who scored 30 points — suffered an apparent knee injury. He was briefly assessed by doctors before returning to the court to shoot two free throws on a foul, but left right after for further assessment. Toronto and Golden State were neck and neck in the remaining quarter, but the Raptors came out on top.

In the end, the Raptors showed a stronger offensive effort in Game 6. Toronto scored 12 three-pointers — two more than scored throughout Game 5. Golden State scored 10.

Lowry ended up scoring 26 points while Siakam got 26 points. Fred VanVleet scored 22 points.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr congratulated the Raptors on their win Thursday night.

READ MORE: Drake at Jurassic Park to watch Raptors play Game 6 against the Warriors

“They’re a fantastic basketball team — great defensively, they share the ball, play a beautiful style, a lot of great two-way players,” he said.

“Winning a championship is an ultimate in this league and they’ve got a lot of guys who’ve earned this. So congrats to Toronto, to their organization, to their fans — they are a worthy champion.”

Thursday’s win caps a stunning playoff run for the Raptors. Toronto defeated the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks to face off in the Finals against the two-time defending champions.


Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Raptors President Masai Ujiri set the lofty goal of securing the top NBA title. The acquired Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs along with Danny Green in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. Marc Gasol was later added to the roster at the trade deadline in February.

Thousands of fans who attended Jurassic Park and surrounding streets outside the arena took over the streets in celebration of the Raptors. People could be seen on vehicles and climbing signs.

Other cities in Ontario, such as Mississauga, Barrie, Kitchener, Burlington, and in Canada held viewing parties on Thursday and throughout the NBA Finals.

https://globalnews.ca/news/5374267/toronto-raptors-win-nba-finals/


===

I recall when I used to live in Toronto in mid 90's how people used to make fun of this team - what a victory!

 

[MenInG]

Videos of celebrations in Toronto

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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 181.818%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/wkr4a/lbrkfr" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Really happy for the people of Toronto

 

[ManFan]

Great win for a team that represents one passionate country. This is a fantastic Raptors team in making with most core players in their 20s, under a young coach. We just need to keep the roster together and one powerful centre, Raptors might make NBA finals for few consecutive years. Raptors has lots of space in wage cap - if KL signs a long term contract and we can bring someone like Anthony Davis ......

Kyle VanVleet

Davis

Kawhi Pascal
-------------------------------------------------
Serge, Mark, Danny, Lin, Norman, Anunoby

It can be the start of a dynasty.

It won’t because they almost blew two games from a 3-1 position and the Warriors were literally playing with two players by the end (Steph and Green).

The Raptors shot very poorly as the series progressed and their coach is not the most astute in crunch-time as evident by his timeout.

Toronto has a good chance of coming back to the Finals but the Warriors will definitely win it next year.

 

[ahmedzee]

Yeah, Toronto Raptors won!!!
I was a high schooler when Carter missed that last shot. The same high schooler in me is sooooooo happy for this win. Wish I was in Toronto to celebrate this.

 

[Syed1]

Crazy celebrations in Toronto... people were going proper jangli climbing on street cars, poles, sign boards you name it. Seems like people's pent up jahalat was coming out



In any case lovely to be alive and tuning in to watch the Toronto Raptors win their first even NBA championship. Amazing scenes. I drove back home from where I was watching the match with my hand on the horn.


Now if only somehow Pak win WC this will truly be a VERY historic year.

 

[Rayyman]

It won’t because they almost blew two games from a 3-1 position and the Warriors were literally playing with two players by the end (Steph and Green).

The Raptors shot very poorly as the series progressed and their coach is not the most astute in crunch-time as evident by his timeout.

Toronto has a good chance of coming back to the Finals but the Warriors will definitely win it next year.

Klay (ACL) and KD (Achilles) are out next year.

Steph will go crazy but they're not even getting to the Finals in 2020.

Crazy celebrations in Toronto... people were going proper jangli climbing on street cars, poles, sign boards you name it. Seems like people's pent up jahalat was coming out



In any case lovely to be alive and tuning in to watch the Toronto Raptors win their first even NBA championship. Amazing scenes. I drove back home from where I was watching the match with my hand on the horn.


Now if only somehow Pak win WC this will truly be a VERY historic year.

Awesome bro. Enjoy those vibes

 

[ManFan]

Klay (ACL) and KD (Achilles) are out next year.

Steph will go crazy but they're not even getting to the Finals in 2020.


Awesome bro. Enjoy those vibes

Even without KD and Klay, they can definitely make it to the WCF.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Congrats to Raptors, superb performance !

Unlucky GSW but they had some bad fortune, if Durrant wasn't injured they would have cleaned up easily but this is the nature of sport.

 

[sweep_shot]

It's a record-setting spoil of sports victory - a massive championship ring for the Toronto Raptors players, to mark their National Basketball Association title. And what says a crowning victory more than 640 diamonds?

Even superfan, Nav Bhatia, who has attended every single home game in 24 years, got one.

The biggest ring in NBA championship history depicts the Larry O'Brien trophy over the Canadian city's skyline - the iconic CN Tower included, and all accentuated with custom-cut baguette diamonds - along with the team jersey logo.

It has more diamonds than any other professional championship ring, the most diamond total carat weight, and the largest single diamond - all Canadian sourced to commemorate the historic Raptors' victory against the Golden State Warriors in June.

The Raptors received their rings in a ceremony earlier this week.

Peter Kanis, president of Baron Championship Rings, the jewellery maker behind the Raptors' new adornments, told the BBC the rings are "their trophy on their fingers" for the players.

"Every team wants to have a ring that stands out," he said.

The wearable memorabilia was designed with the help of point guard Kyle Lowry, franchise owners, and management.

Players were quick to show off their new accessory, including Raptors forward Serge Ibaka, who released his own version of the popular online "unboxing" videos to showcase his new sparkler.

Skip Twitter post by @RaptorsEnd of Twitter post by @Raptors
Superstar rapper Drake, the team's global ambassador, showed off his ring alongside his own second custom piece.

Earlier this year, the New England Patriots unveiled the largest Super Bowl ring ever made to celebrate the franchise's sixth Super Bowl title - a bauble deemed a "masterpiece perfectly fit for a champion".

The 10-karat gold ring features the Patriots logo in a custom-cut, red and blue stone surround by 38 diamonds and an additional diamond in the logo's star.

"The logo rests atop six Lombardi trophies, intricately set with 123 diamonds, each accented with a marquise-cut diamond," a news release about the ring states. "The trophies on the ring top are surrounded by an additional 108 pave-set diamonds."

Another 76 diamonds adorn the edges of the ring along with 20 round blue sapphires.

It seems a prediction by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who floated the idea to USA Today in 2011 that championship rings "are done", was wrong.

So how did the time-honoured tradition of these bejewelled legacies start?

In baseball, it's believed the first championship rings were given out after the 1922 World Series when the New York Giants beat the Yankees 4-0.

The National Football League's Super Bowl ring began in concert with the annual championship contest, though the first example in 1967 only had a single diamond at its centre. It graced the fingers of the Kansas City Chiefs' players.

For the National Hockey League, championship rings date back to 1927, first awarded to the Ottawa Senators who beat the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup that year.

In the NBA, rings were first handed out in 1947.

Richard Powers, with the University of Toronto and an expert in sports marketing, says championship rings are unique to the North American sports lexicon.

They symbolise two things: the team - rings are not given out to individual athletes but to all the players - and its collective achievement.

"The ring really signifies why we play the game," three-time Super Bowl winner Jerry Rice reportedly said.

They may be "gaudy" and "flashy" but advertise what will likely be the pinnacle of an athlete's pro-sports career - and carry a deep significance to the players, says Mr Powers.

"I've never seen a small championship ring," he notes.

The prized possessions - physical evidence of membership in an exclusive club of championship winners in professional sports - can also be an asset to players later in life and there is a healthy market for their resale.

Basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made news earlier this year when he put up for auction four of his six championship rings - as well as some of his other sports memorabilia - for charity.

One of the rings was sold for almost $400,000 (£311,000).

Mr Kanis says that key to the design of the Raptors' ring was to highlight the "story points" of the victory - from the 74 diamonds on its face symbolising the number of games won in the season to the Toronto skyline in diamonds and gold.

There is no equivalent in the UK, says sport and culture columnist Matthew Syed, although some sports award caps to individuals for every international appearance. They have great sentimental value but, unlike the rings, they are quite worthless.

He says "the meaning of sport is bound up in stories" and the championship rings quite literally tell the tale of those sporting triumphs.

"Tradition and ritual is very important in sports," he says. "Artefacts become imbued with a deep amount of symbolic meaning."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50157895.

 

[MenInG]

Basketball great Shaquille O'Neal says the NBA should "scrap the season" because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2019-20 campaign was halted in March with five regular-season games and two months of play-offs remaining.

"Everybody go home, get healthy, come back next year," said four-time NBA champion O'Neal, 48, who now works as a television pundit.

"To try and come back now and do a rush play-offs as a player? Any team that wins this year, there's an asterisk."

O'Neal added: "What if a team that's not really in the mix of things all of a sudden wins with a new play-off format? Nobody is going to respect that.

"So scrap it. Worry about the safety of the fans and the people. Come back next year."

With over 80,000 deaths and nearly 1.4m cases, the United States is the country most affected by the coronavirus crisis in the world.

A 'bubble' plan has been suggested by the NBA in which teams gather in a single area - such as the Bahamas, Disney World or Las Vegas.

Players would be housed in a secure area with testing to check for the virus.

But National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts says the option feels like "incarceration".

O'Neal, who won the NBA title with the LA Lakers from 2000 to 2002 as well as with the Miami Heat in 2006, told USA Today: "I understand how players are feeling. I really do.

"But any team that gets it done this year, there's going to be an asterisk on that championship. However long it takes for us to get 100% back to normal, I'm willing to wait.

"All it takes is one person. After the game, you've still got to go home. What if one person gets sick? Then we start from zero again."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/52579300

 

[Bhaijaan]

Rating for All Time NBA players

1. Jordan
2. LeBron
3. Kareem
4. Bill
5. Magic


What do you think of this?


I will put Bill at #2, LBJ at #3 already

 

[big_gamer007]

Don't follow NBA rigorously, however, Jordan has to be on top.

Kareem
Chamberlain
LeBron
Bill

These 4 will round up my top 5.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Larry, Kobe, Hakim, Wilt definitely to make top 10

Any other contender from this generation?

 

[Firebat]

NBA in talks to resume season at Disney in late July

The NBA is in talks to resume the season at Florida's Disney World Resort in late July.

The season was paused on 11 March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex can be a "single site for games, practices and housing".

The league is "engaged in exploratory conversations" with the National Basketball Players Association and the resort, according to NBA spokesperson Mike Bass.

"Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all involved, and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place," Bass added.

The regular season is yet to be completed. Milwaukee Bucks currently lead the Eastern Conference and Los Angeles Lakers are top of the Western Conference.

There have been 1.64m confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States and more than 96,000 deaths.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/52784614

 

[MenInG]

The rest of the NBA season is set to be played at Florida's Disney World Resort from 31 July.

The season was suspended on 11 March because of coronavirus measures.

Thirteen Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams will contest eight games each to determine seedings for the play-offs.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando includes a 5,000-seat indoor basketball facility.

On Thursday, the NBA board of governors approved the plan to resume the season.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players' Association must now reach an agreement on a programme of testing and safety protocols.

How will the format work?

The Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Nets and Magic currently occupy play-off spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Grizzlies are in play-off positions in the Western Conference.

Those 16 teams will be joined by the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference and the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference.

The latest date possible for finishing the season - what would be game seven of the NBA finals - is 12 October.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/52924523

 

[KingKhanWC]

Fantastic news.

Sport is returning.

 

[The Viper]

Microsoft, NBA team up to put virtual fans in basketball arenas

When the National Basketball Association restarts its coronavirus-interrupted season on July 30 in its “bubble” in Orlando, Florida, the stands could have more than 300 fans - none of whom will actually be in the arena.

Microsoft Corp and the NBA said on Friday they have joined forces to put “virtual” fans in the stands of each game using Microsoft’s Teams app and giant screens.

The two will equip each game court with 17-foot-tall (5.2 m) LED screens that wrap three sides of the arena. The virtual stands will be filled with fans who use the Teams app to log in and sit alongside each other using a new feature of the app called “Together mode” meant to simulate a group of people sitting in a room.

The NBA suspended its season in March after a player for the Utah Jazz tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The league plans to restart the season in a so-called bubble at Walt Disney World Resort where players, staff and media will be tested and quarantined in an effort to keep everyone inside safe from contracting the virus.

NBA officials also said on Friday they were revamping their approach to televising the games, with cameras positioned closer to the players to emulate the vantage point of fans sitting in seats near the court. But for player-safety reasons, “the majority of our cameras near the court will be robotic for the first time,” Sara Zuckert, head of next-generation telecasts at the NBA, told a news conference on Friday.

NBA officials said audio from the virtual fans will be played in the arena and televised. Virtual seats will be limited to 320 fans, a number based on the size of the venue and screens. Fans will be selected by the home teams, and each team is working to decide how to handle the selections, Zuckert said.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-m...-fans-in-basketball-arenas-idUKKCN24P2CI?il=0

 

[Bigboii]

I love basketball and I am a big Knicks fan (please pray for my sanity)
Why are we so trash, garbage, pathetic straight losers it's beyond me but I can't help it
I thought Nets could help but Brooklyn is not NY you don't get the same feeling as a fan
I wish there was a way we could get rid of the owners they have a cash cow and they'll never let it go maybe organized boycott could help but no the corporate m*s will keep on buying the tickets

I think I'll die without ever know what it feels to be from a city with championship that beautiful silverware

I am sorry for the rant I needed to get it outta my system

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I love basketball and I am a big Knicks fan (please pray for my sanity)
Why are we so trash, garbage, pathetic straight losers it's beyond me but I can't help it
I thought Nets could help but Brooklyn is not NY you don't get the same feeling as a fan
I wish there was a way we could get rid of the owners they have a cash cow and they'll never let it go maybe organized boycott could help but no the corporate m*s will keep on buying the tickets

I think I'll die without ever know what it feels to be from a city with championship that beautiful silverware

I am sorry for the rant I needed to get it outta my system

Liberate yourself from having loyalty to one team. I enjoy the NBA playoffs as a neutral. Whichever team has the players i like i root for them in the series. However if i like players on both teams, sometimes in the same game i root for both sides. So every year is a good year.

 

[Firebat]

LeBron James leads Black Lives Matter protests as NBA season restarts

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James called for players to "keep our foot on the gas" in the push for racial justice as the NBA season resumed in Orlando.

The staff of the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans - the four teams in action on Thursday night - all knelt during the pre-match anthem.

"In the past when we've seen progress, we've let our foot of the gas a little bit. We can't do that," said James.

"We want to keep our foot on the gas."

Before the anthems, television coverage of the matches broadcast an introductory segment - narrated by rapper Meek Mill - that promoted social justice initiatives and the campaign for societal change sparked by viral video of the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis in May.

Instead of displaying their names on the back of their jerseys, several players wore a slogan from a list approved by the league organisers, including "Black Lives Matter," "Say Their Names" and "I Can't Breathe."

Spoiler

James, 35, who kept his own name on his jersey as none of the slogans "seriously resonated" with his goals, said that basketball has the power to make a change globally.

"The game of basketball has always been bigger than just the ball and the rim and 10 guys on the floor," he told TNT.

"It's an opportunity to use this platform to be able to spread a lot of positive, a lot of love, throughout the whole world."

New Orleans Pelicans' meeting with the Utah Jazz was the first NBA match in more than four months after the league had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 22 teams with a chance of making the post-season play-offs have assembled in a bio-secure 'bubble' at Walt Disney World, Orlando to play out the remainder of the season at the resort's elite-level basketball facilities.

All matches are taking place without fans and even the opening-night anthems, performed by jazz star Jon Batiste and Compton Kidz Club respectively, were performed virtually and displayed via video link.

The headline match-up of the evening, which pitted James against Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, lived up to billing with the Lakers shading a see-saw contest 103-101.

Earlier the Jazz, who are fourth in the Western Conference, came on strong in the final quarter to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 106-104.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/basketball/53580644

 

[MenInG]

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac became the first NBA player not to kneel during the national anthem since the league resumed on Thursday.

Later on Friday San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant coach Becky Hammon also stood.

On Thursday all players from the four teams in action all knelt during the pre-match anthem.

Isaac, who chose not to wear a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, said: "Absolutely I believe Black Lives Matter."

He added: "A lot went into my decision ... kneeling or wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt doesn't go hand in hand in supporting Black lives."

Isaac had told his team-mates earlier in the week of his decision. They all chose to kneel before their 128-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

"That's a personal decision," said Magic coach Steve Clifford. "We're all supporting each other in this. And if guys are not comfortable kneeling and they want to stand, nobody has a problem with that. I support him. His team-mates support him. The organisation supports him. That's part of living in our country."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/53619676

 

[nextover666666]

Anyone catch the Portland vs Boston game what an amazing Portland almost pulled off a nice comeback

 

[nextover666666]

What a win by Portland vs rockets
The trailblazers might be a team to watch out for also the buzzer beater by booker for Suns to beat clippers was insanee

 

[MenInG]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James says that basketball will not miss Donald Trump after the US president said he turns off games featuring social justice protests.

Trump has accused players of "disrespect" by taking a knee during the national anthem.

"I really don't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership," said James.

"I can speak for all of us who love the game and we could [not] care less."

Four-time NBA most valuable player James, who is fronting a campaign in the run-up to November's presidential election to protect African-American voting rights, said that the sport's fans appreciated the players' stand on social and political issues.

"Our game is in a beautiful position and we've got fans all over the world," James added. "Our fans love and respect what we try to bring to the game, what's right and what's wrong."

It is not the first time that James has criticised President Trump. James called Trump a "bum" and referred to him as a "so-called president" in 2017. Trump in turn has suggested he prefers Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan as a player.

The vast majority of NBA players and staff have chosen to kneel during the playing of the pre-game national anthem in protest at racial injustice.

President Trump has said that the gesture "is not acceptable to me".

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who wore a cap with the slogan 'Vote' during Wednesday's action, echoed James' sentiments.

"Well, we lost one guy," Rivers said.

"We know that justice is on our side. This hat that I'm wearing is what our president is trying to get us to not to, which I think is just as disgraceful."

On the court, James and the Lakers, top of the Western Conference and one of the favourites to take the title, suffered a surprise 105-86 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors racked up their seventh straight win, beating the Orlando Magic 109-99.

The NBA has announced a new foundation that will invest $300m (£228m) in providing employment and career opportunities for black communities.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/53675792

 

[Firebat]

NBA play-offs: Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic makes 40-point triple-double

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic became the youngest player in NBA play-off history to make a 40-point triple-double as he hit a buzzer-beater against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Doncic's 43 points helped the Mavericks win 135-133 to level the series.

The Slovenian joins Charles Barkley and Oscar Robertson as the only players to score at least 40 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a play-off game.

"I can't explain the emotions I had when I saw the ball go in," he said.

"When I saw the whole team coming towards me that was one of the best feelings I have ever had as a player."

A triple-double is achieved when a player records a double-digit total in three of the following categories: points, total rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

In addition to his 43 points, 21-year-old Doncic made 17 rebounds and 13 assists despite playing with a sprained ankle.

With the series tied at 2-2, game five is on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray both scored 50-plus points as Mitchell's Utah Jazz beat Murray's Denver Nuggets 129-127 to take a 3-1 series lead.

It is the first time in NBA play-off history that opponents have both scored 50-plus in one game, with Mitchell scoring 51 - including four three-pointers - while Murray made 50.

Mitchell also joins Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson as only players to score 50-plus twice in the same play-off series.

Defending champions the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics both completed 4-0 sweeps over the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers respectively and will meet each other in the next round.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/53886207

 

[The Viper]

BREAKING: The NBA has postponed all three scheduled playoff games on Wednesday after Milwaukee Bucks players boycotted Game 5 of their series against the Orlando Magic in protest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

 

[MenInG]

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks both reached the second round of the NBA play-offs after games resumed on Saturday.

The Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 131-122 to win their Western Conference best-of-seven series 4-1.

The Bucks also secured a 4-1 series win in the Eastern Conference by beating the Orlando Magic 118-104 in game five.

The games were rescheduled after they were postponed in protest following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

An agreement to resume the play-offs came after a "candid, impassioned and productive conversation" between NBA officials, players, coaches and staff.

LeBron James, who scored 36 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds against Portland for his 25th career play-off triple-double and now has a perfect 14-0 record in the first round of the play-offs, said the Lakers wanted to "get better as the series went on".

"And we did. We have an opportunity to decompress just a little bit and wait for our next opponent," added James, after his side brushed past the Trail Blazers, who were badly missing injured star player Damian Lillard.

The Lakers will play either the Houston Rockets or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West's second round, while the Bucks will play fifth seeds the Miami Heat in the East.

The Rockets, led by James Harden's 31 points, thrashed the Thunder in game five of their series to lead 3-2 going into Monday evening's game six.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/53963656

 

[QalandarFan]

Hoping Westbrook lights it up today!

 

[Firebat]

John Thompson: Legendary African American basketball coach dies

Coach John Thompson, who led the Georgetown University Hoyas basketball team to victory at the 1984 national championship, has died aged 78.

Thompson, who was the first black coach to win the title, is credited with boosting minority representation in college basketball during the 1980s.

He recruited more than 20 players who went on to join the NBA and four who - like him - are in the Hall of Fame.

Thompson was also known for protesting against racial injustice as a coach.

Known to fans and players as Big John, Thompson was raised in Washington DC and played professionally for the Boston Celtics when the team won the championship in 1965 and 1966.

He was hired in 1972 to coach Georgetown University, a predominantly white Jesuit university in Washington DC.

His appointment led to controversy. University faculty and fans rallied around him after he was met with racial abuse.

He coached Georgetown for 27 seasons, and in 1988 led the US Olympic basketball team to a bronze medal.

In 1989 he walked off the court in protest of a league rule that he said was biased against under-privileged students.

Former Philadelphia 76er and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was among those paying tribute online, thanking the coach for "saving my life".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53977215

 

[Firebat]

NBA play-offs: James Harden's late block helps Houston Rockets beat Oklahoma City Thunder

A late defensive play by James Harden helped the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and set up a Western Conference semi-final against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Harden blocked a three-point attempt by Thunder's Luguentz Dort with 4.8 seconds left to preserve the Rockets' one-point lead in the series decider.

A Robert Covington free throw with 1.1 seconds left then sealed a 104-102 win.

Game one of the best-of-seven semi-final takes place on Friday.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat beat Milwaukee Bucks 116-114 to go 2-0 up in their semi-final series.

The Bucks, who came into the play-offs with the best regular season record, levelled the game with 4.3 seconds left when Khris Middleton hit three free throws.

However, Heat forward Jimmy Butler was fouled attempting a potential game-winner on the buzzer, allowing him the chance to score two free throws and secure the win.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54009276

 

[aloo paratha]

NBA is becoming a clown show with all this BLM and social justice non sense. Ratings are way down.

 

[MenInG]

LeBron James scored a team-high 36 points and became the all-time leader in NBA postseason wins as the Los Angeles Lakers claimed a 112-102 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of the Western Conference semi-finals on Tuesday night.

Game leaders
Los Angeles Lakers

Points: LeBron James - 36
Assists: Rajon Rondo - 9
Rebounds: Anthony Davis - 15


Houston Rockets

Points: James Harden - 33
Assists: James Harden - 9
Rebounds: James Harden - 9


Lakers lead series 2-1

https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/...yoff-record-in-lakers-game-3-win-over-rockets

 

[KingKhanWC]

NBA is becoming a clown show with all this BLM and social justice non sense. Ratings are way down.

Agree. Mockery of sport.

But tonight there is a good game in progress.

Rockets 22-26 Lakers

Rockets need to win this one imo and Harden needs to step up.

 

[aloo paratha]

Agree. Mockery of sport.

But tonight there is a good game in progress.

Rockets 22-26 Lakers

Rockets need to win this one imo and Harden needs to step up.

The Clippers can stop the Lakers. Rockets are too weak, Westbrook and Harden are way overrated

 

[CanadianG00se]

Big game for Raptors tonight. Hopefully we don’t choke tonight!

Mr Nurse, do us a favour and bench Siakam tonight.

 

[MenInG]

The Denver Nuggets became the first NBA side to recover from 3-1 down twice in the same play-offs by beating the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven to reach the Western Conference finals.

Jamal Murray scored 40 points as the Nuggets won 104-89 on Tuesday to complete another stunning turnaround.

 

[MenInG]

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 126-114 to go 1-0 up in the NBA Western Conference final in Florida.

Anthony Davis top-scored with 37 points and 10 rebounds in what was the Lakers' first conference final series appearance since 2010.

The second match of the best-of-seven series takes place on Monday.

"It took a quarter for us to kind of figure it out," said LeBron James, who added 15 points, 12 assists and six rebounds for the Lakers.

"I'm not saying we fully figured them out because it's too early in the series to say that."

The opening quarter was edged by the Nuggets but the Lakers overpowered their opponents in the second period.

Power forward Davis' 33 points by the end of the third quarter guided the Lakers to a handsome 23-point lead and one step closer to winning their first NBA title in a decade.

"We haven't done anything special," Davis said. "We basically took care of home court. We have three more to go."

NBA play-offs: LeBron James stars as Lakers reach conference final
Ill discipline from the Nuggets, including star trio Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap, ultimately hampered a comeback.

Jokic and Murray's contribution of 21 points each was not enough - and Nuggets coach Mike Malone afterwards criticised his side's defence.

"Our offense was able to score the ball but there was little defence," Malone said, after the Lakers were gifted 24 free-throws in the second quarter.

"Twenty-four times in one quarter, and we were called for 16 personal fouls in that quarter," Malone said.

"On top of that, seven turnovers - again fuelling their break."

The Nuggets will now have to muster the spirit they showed in coming from 3-1 down in their previous two series wins to reach their first-ever NBA final.

The Miami Heat play the Boston Celtics on Sunday for a chance to go 3-0 up in their Eastern Conference final.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54216308

 

[Bhaijaan]

LBJ, 16th All Star season.

16/17

Insane record

 

[Firebat]

Lebron James annoyed as Antetokounmpo earns second MVP award

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the second successive season.

He becomes only the third player, after Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon, to earn the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season.

Antetokounmpo, 25, received 85 of the 101 first-place votes and earned 962 points in the voting.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James was second on 753 points.

Speaking after the Lakers went 1-0 up in the Western Conference finals, James said he was annoyed at finishing in second place and receiving 16 of the 101 first-place votes, compared to Antetokounmpo's 85.

Houston Rockets star James Harden was in third with 367 points.

"Michael Jordan, one of the best players who's ever done it, if not the best," said Antetokounmpo, speaking from Greece.

"Hakeem, a guy that I look up to, he came from where I'm from, Nigeria, where I have roots.

"Just being in the same sentence with them, that means a lot to me."

Antetokounmpo averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 63 regular-season games in 2019-20.

In nine play-off games he averaged 26.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

However, the Bucks were eliminated in the second round of the play-offs by the Miami Heat.

"I'm happy for this award, but I want more," said Antetokounmpo. "I want to be a champion."

'I'm going back to my room, drink some wine'- James

Reacting to the voting, four-time MVP James, 35, playing in his 17th season said: "Out of 101 votes, I got 16 first-place votes. You know, not saying that the winner wasn't deserving of the MVP. But that p*ssed me off. And I finished second a lot in my career, either from a championship, and now four times as an MVP."

James, who is still in contention to win his fourth NBA title, said he believed the criteria for winning the award had "changed a lot" during his team in the league.

"Sometimes it's the best player on the best team. Sometimes it's the guy with the best season statistically. Giannis had a hell of a season, I can definitely say that."

He added: "I mean, I'm fine. We're 1-0 in the Western Conference finals I'm absolutely great now. I'm going back to my room, drink some wine and sleep very well tonight. Let's not get it twisted. I'm great."

Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis, who finished sixth in the voting, said of James: "What he's been able to do for our team, the things he's been doing individually, on a consistent basis, night-in, night-out... it's not even a question who deserves it."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54213521

 

[Firebat]

NBA Western Conference finals: Denver Nuggets beat Lakers to trail 2-1

The Denver Nuggets saw off a final-quarter surge from the Los Angeles Lakers to win 114-106 in the Western Conference finals in Florida.

The Nuggets now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series after Jamal Murray scored 28 points and Jerami Grant 26.

It brought the Lakers' six-game winning streak to an end, despite LeBron James' 30 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

"We're in this series," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said to his players after the win.

"We let them know we're not going anywhere. That's what you guys have done this whole post-season.

"That's why everybody is rooting for us. Keep on showing that grit and resilience and playing for each other."

Nikola Jokic added 22 points and Murray had 12 assists and eight rebounds for Denver, who have never won a conference title.

The Lakers closed the gap to 99-96 in the final quarter, but missed four three-point attempts to give the Nuggets back control.

"We turned the ball over too much and we put them on the free-throw line," said James.

"I give credit where credit is due. They played better than us. They were more aggressive than us for three quarters."

Lakers coach Frank Vogel added: "I thought Denver played with great energy throughout the game. We didn't match it early. We matched it late."

The Lakers lost just one game in each of their first two play-off series, while Denver came back from 3-1 down in both of theirs.

Game four will take place on Thursday. In the Eastern Conference finals, Miami Heat lead the Boston Celtics 2-1 with game four on Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54261465

 

[Firebat]

NBA Eastern Conference finals: Miami Heat beat Boston Celtics 112-109 in game four

Rookie Tyler Herro scored a career-high 37 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 112-109 in game four of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Heat now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can ensure their place in the NBA Finals with victory in game five on Friday.

Shooting guard Herro, 20, made 14 of 21 shots coming off the bench, while Jimmy Butler added 24 and Goran Dragic 22.

Jayson Tatum top-scored for the Celtics with 28 points, all in the second half.

On Herro, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said: "He has a great competitive humility about him.

"He has a confidence. He has a fearlessness that is uncommon. But he's humble enough to work, to be coachable, to take the mentorship from the veteran players that we have on our team, and he just continues to gain more confidence as we go."

The Heat had held a 12-point advantage early in the third quarter before Tatum, who hadn't scored in the first half, came to life with 16 points in the period to narrow the gap to just a solitary point at the start of the fourth.

The Celtics surged ahead in the fourth quarter before a Bam Adebayo basket and five points from Herro, taking him to 30, restored the Heat's lead.

They led by nine points with 56.2 seconds left on the clock, but the Celtics could only reduce that to three by the time the buzzer sounded.

Game four of the Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets takes place on Thursday. The Lakers lead the series 2-1.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54276302

 

[Firebat]

NBA Western Conference finals: Los Angeles Lakers beat Denver Nuggets 114-108 in game four

The Los Angeles Lakers moved to within one win of the NBA Finals with a 114-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference finals in Orlando.

Anthony Davis scored a game-high 34 points while LeBron James added 26, plus nine rebounds and eight assists.

Jamal Murray top-scored for the Nuggets with 32 points but missed all of his three-point efforts.

The Lakers lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 with game five on Saturday.

"I feel like we played with a lot of energy tonight," Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope told TNT. "Game three, I feel we had a lack of energy starting the game.

"I thought tonight we came out strong. We kept a lead the whole game."

The Lakers closed out their previous two series' - against the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets - in five games.

They look set to meet the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, as they also hold a 3-1 over the Boston Celtics lead in the Eastern Conference finals with game five on Friday.

After Thursday's match, James paid tribute to Breonna Taylor - a black woman who was shot multiple times as police officers stormed her home in Louisville, Kentucky, on 13 March.

Two white officers have not been charged over the shooting, while a third, also white, was charged with endangering 26-year-old Taylor's neighbours.

"The emotions were very high. We have a team-mate who is from Louisville, so as heavy as it has been on us, it's even heavier on him," said James.

"We lost a beautiful woman in Breonna, that has no say so in what's going on right now.

"We want justice no matter how long it takes."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54291440

 

[Bhaijaan]

Jamal Murray, what a game he had against Lakers!!! Reminded of young Michael Jordan. First time i took notice of him and he seems like someone destined for big things.

 

[Firebat]

NBA Eastern Conference finals: Boston Celtics win to cut gap on Miami Heat

The Boston Celtics outscored the Miami Heat 70-50 in the second half to stay alive in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Celtics rallied from 58-51 down to win 121-108 but the Heat, bidding to reach their first NBA Finals since 2014, lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 with game six on Monday (00:30 BST).

Jayson Tatum scored 17 of his game-high 31 points in the third quarter while Jaylen Brown added 28 points.

"We knew we had to play better. We were fighting for our life," said Tatum.

"It was going to take a collective effort in the second half, and that's what we did."

"Our deal was to come out and play, come out and compete, give it our best shot," added Celtics coach Brad Stevens.

"We played pretty well in the second half. We're going to have to do it again and again because of the position we're in."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54306842

 

[Rayyman]

Jamal Murray, what a game he had against Lakers!!! Reminded of young Michael Jordan. First time i took notice of him and he seems like someone destined for big things.

?

Murray is barely a Top 30 player in the NBA lol

What a irrational comment

 

[Bigboii]

?

Murray is barely a Top 30 player in the NBA lol

What a irrational comment

lol I didn't comment but Murray reminding him of young Jordan
I am like stop bugging man!
Jordan must be crying himself to sleep if he heard that comment

If he said Zion is reminding him of young Jordan that's ok but Murray c'mon!

 

[Rayyman]

lol I didn't comment but Murray reminding him of young Jordan
I am like stop bugging man!
Jordan must be crying himself to sleep if he heard that comment

If he said Zion is reminding him of young Jordan that's ok but Murray c'mon!

Jamal Murray is a dawg tho. He trains like a warrior.

He has improved a lot in the bubble. He went from not being an All-Star and averaging 17 in the season to now averaging 27 in the playoffs.

This might just be a hot streak tho. He has to do it in a full season to be an elite point guard like Curry, Lillard, Paul, Westbrook, Wall and Irving.

 

[Bigboii]

Jamal Murray is a dawg tho. He trains like a warrior.

He has improved a lot in the bubble. He went from not being an All-Star and averaging 17 in the season to now averaging 27 in the playoffs.

This might just be a hot streak tho. He has to do it in a full season to be an elite point guard like Curry, Lillard, Paul, Westbrook, Wall and Irving.

People were saying Damien Lillard is the next Lebron, he is the king, he is the next coming of Jordon

Know he is good but not that good

Personally I am not taking these bubble performances seriously some guys are just mentally week who cant handle pressure
Ill wait till the bubble is over to declare anyone anything

 

[Bhaijaan]

?

Murray is barely a Top 30 player in the NBA lol

What a irrational comment

lol I didn't comment but Murray reminding him of young Jordan
I am like stop bugging man!
Jordan must be crying himself to sleep if he heard that comment

If he said Zion is reminding him of young Jordan that's ok but Murray c'mon!

Some of his shots in Game 4 would have made Jordan and Kobe proud. Respect where it's due. He really gave it all.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Lakers cruised to the finals today with LBJ having a great game.

Seems like Lakers vs Miami in the final.

 

[Firebat]

Eastern Conference Finals: Miami Heat wrap up 4-2 series win to reach NBA Finals

The Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 as a 125-113 win over the Boston Celtics wrapped up a 4-2 series victory.

The three-time NBA champions will play Western Conference winners Los Angeles Lakers in the best-of-seven finals, with game one on Wednesday.

Bam Adebayo top-scored for the Heat with a career-high 32 points and 14 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler added 22.

Defeat was the Celtics' third Eastern Conference finals loss in four years.

Adebayo had shouldered the blame for the Heat's loss in game five but "left it all on the court" to redeem himself on Sunday.

"I had to realign myself with who I really want to become and I showed that tonight," he said.

"Being in that moment and embracing it and taking over as we win the conference finals is a great thing for me."

Head coach Erik Spoelstra led the Heat to back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 when LeBron James starred for the franchise.

James will be on the opposite side of the court this time around having led 16-time champions the Lakers to their first NBA Finals in 10 years.

"The main key, and it's been like this for a very long time, if you want to win, you're going to have to go through a LeBron James-led team," said Butler.

"At the end of the day, that's what it normally comes down to, and that's what we got to focus in on. Honestly, we can't just focus in on him because he has so many really good players around him.

"But you're going to get the same test over and over again until you pass it. That test is LeBron James."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54322006

 

[MenInG]

If the 2020 NBA Finals were a BBQ - then the Los Angeles Lakers are at the grill, apron on cooking the steaks (or meat-free alternative).

The Miami Heat on the other hand - could be considered that unexpected knock on the door, the uninvited guest met with puzzled looks.

No-one expected them to be at this party, but they've turned up, are going to make themselves at home and be the last ones to leave.

As the Lakers prepare to meet the Heat, BBC Sport takes a look at the storylines behind the Finals and speaks to those inside the NBA bubble at the Disney World Resort in Florida.

"I think the one thing the Heat have shown throughout the play-offs is that you can underestimate them," two-time NBA champion-turned TV analyst Kenny Smith tells BBC Sport.

"The longer the series goes on the better chance Miami have, if you look at this game on paper, yes Los Angeles are favourites, but the game isn't played on paper," he adds.

Ask most experts and the general consensus seems to be the same: This is the Lakers' Championship to lose.

NBA Finals schedule (UK times and dates)
Game 1 Thursday, 1 October (02:00 BST)
Game 2 Saturday, 3 October (02:00 BST)
Game 3 Monday, 5 October (00:30 BST)
Game 4 Wednesday, 7 October (02:00 BST)
Game 5 (if necessary) Saturday, 10 October (02:00 BST)
Game 6 (if necessary) Monday, 12 October (00:30 BST)
Game 7 (if necessary) Wednesday, 14 October (02:00 BST)
I promise I'll continue your legacy - James' message to Bryant
Kobe Bryant celebrates winning the 2010 NBA title with his daughters Natalia and Gianna
Bryant led the Lakers to their last title, a decade ago, beating the Boston Celtics in seven games
In 2010 the Lakers won their 16th NBA title, led by Kobe Bryant. Bryant, who collected his second consecutive Finals Most Valuable Player award, guided his team to victory over bitter rivals the Boston Celtics in an epic seven-game series that will be forever remembered as one of the great play-off contests.

It would be another 10 years before the second-most successful franchise in NBA history visited the Finals again.

A decade later and led by another NBA great in LeBron James, the Lakers have added incentive to bring the NBA trophy back to LA. In January of this year Bryant was killed when a helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Calabasas, California.

All nine passengers onboard died, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Bryant spent his 20 year career with the Los Angeles Lakers - the current team have said winning the trophy would be the highest way to pay their respects to a man who spent his life serving the game.

After his death, James, who passed Bryant on the NBA's all-time scoring list the night before the accident, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram and promised to "continue your legacy".

"I think this would be great for a city that is in mourning," said Smith. "I think basketball fans in general are in mourning with the passing of Kobe. I know how much the Lakers claim him but I think the world also claims him, he's an international figure not just a Laker figure.

"Jimmy Butler had a great relationship with Kobe from what I hear and all the players in the league respected him and they admired him. The whole year has been a Kobe Bryant tribute."

Not for the first time Lebron James is at the centre of the storyline. Now 35 he has been the face of the league for more than a decade.

The veteran superstar is vying for his fourth NBA Championship - with his third team - achieving that feat will see him join a select club.

"The best ability is availability and he's been that. The fact he's managed to stay virtually injury free during his 17 year career is remarkable," said Smith. Referring to the fact that this will be James' 10th Finals appearance.

NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who helped bring James to Los Angeles two years ago, said the 35-year-old told him he would get the team back to the Finals.

Smith adds: "For me Michael Jordan is still the best player I have ever seen. What does a win do for LeBron James' legacy? It doesn't change it, it just cements it. However what it does do is it puts him in the five best of any era. Not many have done what he's done."

'Butler & Heat working as a team'

Standing in James' way is the Miami Heat - a team he previously played for from 2010-2014 - winning two championships with them.

The Heat are now led by Jimmy Butler. Sometimes described as a 'problem player', Butler has struggled to find a team and a system where he can flourish, until now.

After spells with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers - the 31-year-old will feature in his first NBA Finals.

"I think it works and more importantly it shows us that the problem has never been him [Butler]. When you put winners in winning environments great things happen," Smith says.

And while James can single-handedly takeover and win games - Butler and his Heat team-mates work more as a collective.

"Jimmy Butler has proven he's a winner and he doesn't settle for mediocrity in terms of effort, and I think that might have rubbed players who he's played with in the past in the wrong way," Smith adds.

The Disney World bubble & player protests
Since resuming in July, the NBA season is being played at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Initially 22 teams were invited inside the 'NBA Bubble' - that number has now been reduced to two.

Coronavirus restrictions mean no fans are allowed and players, officials and media are tested regularly.

"The bubble has kind of become a ghost town. When we first got here it was bustling. There were 1,500 players, coaches and staffers," Ben Golliver, an NBA reporter for the Washington Post, tells BBC Sport.

"We've gone from three gyms to one, from three hotels to one. A couple more weeks and the bubble will be no more - it kind of feels like a game of last man standing."

Golliver has spent more than 70 days inside the bubble - and says he's almost forgotten what life "on the outside was like".

"I take a walk on this 1.5 mile loop daily and every day I used to see Brad Stevens, coach of the Boston Celtics. And one day I didn't see him and it felt so weird. Then I had to remind myself that he'd gone back to home back to freedom because the team was eliminated."

Since restarting, the NBA is on record as saying there have been zero positive coronavirus tests inside the bubble. In fact, while the pandemic was initially seen as the greatest threat to the season being completed, it was events outside that put it in jeopardy.

The shooting of Jacob Blake on 23 August led to protests from NBA players and staff. The Milwaukee Bucks refused to leave their locker room - resulting in their game against the Orlando Magic being postponed.

For three days no games were played.

Although no details have been released to the public before the start of Wednesday's game, there is expected to be some acknowledgement of the Black Lives Matter movement and its aims.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54352275

 

[MenInG]

LeBron James says the Los Angeles Lakers still have "a lot more work to do" after they comfortably beat the injury-hit Miami Heat 116-98 in game one of the NBA Finals.

Anthony Davis scored 34 points for the Lakers, with James adding 25 points and nine assists.

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Jimmy Butler had 23 points for the Heat, who lost point guard Goran Dragic and forward Bam Adebayo to injury.

James said: "The job is not done. We're not satisfied winning one game."

Speaking after Thursday's game, he added: "You have to get a feel for how hard Miami plays. We got a sense for that. We got more work to do. It's that simple."

The Lakers went into the series as overwhelming favourites to land a record-equalling 17th NBA Championship title, 10 years after their last finals appearance.

However, it was the Heat who began the game on top, racing into a 13-point lead in the first quarter.

That advantage would not last long, though, as the Lakers scored 11 three-pointers to complete a 30-point turnaround by the end of the first half - before surging clear in the second.

"They're a great team. They're here for a reason," said Lakers forward Davis. "They came out very hot, we came out slow.

"We can't come out like that in game two.

"If we want to win this series and become champions we've got to come out better from the start."

Miami's evening was made worse by Dragic and Adebayo both being forced out of the game.

Dragic, Miami's leading scorer in the post-season, suffered a foot injury in the second quarter, while Adebayo left with a shoulder strain in the third.

Butler was also forced to leave the court with a sprained ankle, but was able to return in the fourth quarter.

"I'll be OK. Some treatment and I get ready to go again. I've got to be ready to go," he said.

Game two of the best-of-seven series is on Friday (02:00 BST on Saturday).

 

[Firebat]

NBA Finals: LeBron James calls Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis 'a force in every facet of the game'

LeBron James hailed his team-mate Anthony Davis as a "force in every facet of the game" after the pair combined for 59 points as the Lakers crushed the Heat 116-98 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Davis scored a game-high 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting and made a perfect 10-of-10 free throws. James stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Miami, who lost starters Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo to injuries during the game, had no answer to the dominance of the Lakers' superstar duo.

While Davis' performance undoubtedly impressed many, 35-year-old James, who is gunning for his fourth NBA championship, said it is simply what he has come to expect from his team-mate.

"He has been preparing for this moment all season. I am happy to be on the same floor with him and in the same uniform," said James. "He was, once again, a force in every facet of the game, offensively and defensively."

All-Star forward Davis has waited his entire career to reach the NBA Finals and was asked about his feelings on reaching the game's greatest stage for the first time.

"Obviously (I) want to come out and play well and you want to come out and win. I've always put pressure on myself," Davis said. "Your adrenaline is going early because you are so excited just to be here. When the ball tips up, that goes away and it's just basketball.

"I just wanted to come out with a lot of energy and be aggressive on the offensive glass. Not settling for too many jumpers, just being able to play in the paint and dominate that area. That was my mindset coming into the game.

"It was a great experience for me but the job is not done. We've got three more (wins to get)."

James echoed the sentiments of his team-mate and admitted the Lakers' performance was far from flawless, pointing to their sluggish start to the game.

"We pay attention to detail," he said. "I don't think in the beginning we were physical enough. You have to get a feel for how hard Miami play. They smacked us in the mouth and we got a sense of that. We knew how hard we had to play if we wanted to make it a game.

"From that moment (in the first quarter) when it was 23-10 (to Miami), we started to play to our capabilities. We started flying around, we started getting some defensive stops, we started sharing the ball a lot better offensively and got into a really good rhythm.

"We have got so much more work to do. The job is not done and we are not satisfied from winning one game. It's that simple.

"You can learn so much more from a win than you can from a loss. I can't wait for us to get together tomorrow to watch the film and see ways we can be better.

"See some of the break downs we had, especially in that fourth quarter and in the first six minutes of the first quarter. We can be so much better defensively and offensively."

https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/...hony-davis-a-force-in-every-facet-of-the-game

 

[MenInG]

LeBron James says he hopes the Los Angeles Lakers made Kobe Bryant's family "proud" after they doubled their lead over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals with a 124-114 win in game two.

James scored 33 points and Anthony Davis contributed 32, as the Lakers wore 'Black Mamba' uniforms in honour of Lakers legend Bryant.

The Lakers are now two wins away from their first NBA title since 2010.

Game three will take place in the NBA bubble on Sunday (Monday 00:30 BST).

Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January.

The Lakers are unbeaten while wearing the commemorative jersey and James said: "It is always special to represent someone who meant so much - not only to the game but obviously for the Lakers organisation for over 20 years.

"For us to honour him on the floor, this is what it is all about. We are thinking of the Bryant family and they are with us.

"We love you guys and hopefully we made them proud tonight."

James had nine rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers led for the majority of the contest in the NBA bubble near Orlando, Florida, while the impressive Davis converted 15 of 20 shots.

The pair dominated a Heat defence missing the injured Bam Adebayo and James said Davis, who is playing in his first NBA Finals, is a "big time player".

"He understands the position he is in and he comes through. He doesn't say much but he is very determined to do what he needs to do individually, and to better the team," added James.

Heat's Tyler Herro created history in game two by becoming the youngest player to start in the NBA Finals, aged 20 years 256 days - beating the previous record, set by Magic Johnson in 1980.

Herro finished with 17 points as an injury-hit Heat, who were also missing Goran Dragic, outscored their opponents 39-35 in the third quarter to make a game of it. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.

Davis' dunk in the final two minutes sealed the Lakers' victory and James says his side "can be better" despite taking a 2-0 lead in the seven-game series.

"I'm looking forward to watching the game again to see ways in which we can be better," he added.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54398620

 

[MenInG]

LeBron James says he hopes the Los Angeles Lakers made Kobe Bryant's family "proud" after they doubled their lead over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals with a 124-114 win in game two.

James scored 33 points and Anthony Davis contributed 32, as the Lakers wore 'Black Mamba' uniforms in honour of Lakers legend Bryant.

The Lakers are now two wins away from their first NBA title since 2010.

Game three will take place in the NBA bubble on Sunday (Monday 00:30 BST).

Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January.

The Lakers are unbeaten while wearing the commemorative jersey and James said: "It is always special to represent someone who meant so much - not only to the game but obviously for the Lakers organisation for over 20 years.

"For us to honour him on the floor, this is what it is all about. We are thinking of the Bryant family and they are with us.

"We love you guys and hopefully we made them proud tonight."

James had nine rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers led for the majority of the contest in the NBA bubble near Orlando, Florida, while the impressive Davis converted 15 of 20 shots.

The pair dominated a Heat defence missing the injured Bam Adebayo and James said Davis, who is playing in his first NBA Finals, is a "big time player".

"He understands the position he is in and he comes through. He doesn't say much but he is very determined to do what he needs to do individually, and to better the team," added James.

Heat's Tyler Herro created history in game two by becoming the youngest player to start in the NBA Finals, aged 20 years 256 days - beating the previous record, set by Magic Johnson in 1980.

Herro finished with 17 points as an injury-hit Heat, who were also missing Goran Dragic, outscored their opponents 39-35 in the third quarter to make a game of it. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.

Davis' dunk in the final two minutes sealed the Lakers' victory and James says his side "can be better" despite taking a 2-0 lead in the seven-game series.

"I'm looking forward to watching the game again to see ways in which we can be better," he added.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54398620

 

[Firebat]

NBA Finals: Jimmy Butler stars as Miami Heat beat Los Angeles Lakers 115-104 to take game three

Jimmy Butler starred as the injury-hit Miami Heat took game three of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers 115-104.

Butler's triple double of 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds helped lead the Heat to victory and they now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

"They can be beaten as long as we do what we are supposed to do," he said.

"We are here to compete. We're not going to lay down, we're going to fight back in this thing."

Game four of the series will take place on Tuesday (Wednesday 02:00 BST).

Butler inspires Heat to keep series alive

No NBA team has come back from a 0-3 series deficit to win in seven games, but the Heat were facing that prospect when they squandered a 14-point third-quarter lead.

But the talismanic Butler was able to haul them over the line, becoming the third player in Finals history to score 40 points in a triple-double (double-digit figures in three of five categories - points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks), after opponent LeBron James and Lakers legend Jerry West.

He played 45 minutes for the second straight game as the Heat were once again without Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, who were injured in game one.

The 31-year-old says he is ready to do everything it takes to help his team-mates.

"I go out there and I go to war for those guys because whenever they're out there, they're going to war with and for me," he said.

"You've got to empty the tank on every possession. I've got the easy job. These guys create so much space for me, I get to shoot it whenever I'm open, pass it whenever I'm not. I really do have the easy job.

"But none of us, none of us are ever going to leave anything in the tank. We're going to lay it all out there on the floor."

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says Butler is rightly considered to be one of the best players in the NBA.

"It's really hard to analyse or describe Jimmy until you actually feel him between the four lines. He is a supreme, elite competitor and we needed it," he said.

"This was a very desperate, urgent game and he was doing in on both ends of the court, putting his imprint at every important part of the game.

"He's in the top percentile of this entire association in terms of conditioning and he got stronger as the game went on."

Spoelstra also revealed it was Heat legend Dwyane Wade who persuaded Miami president Pat Riley to sign Butler from Philadelphia 76ers last year.

"Dwyane swore to us and looked Pat and I dead in the eye and said 'This is your guy, this is the next guy,'" he added.

James praises 'phenomenal' Butler

James led the way for the Lakers with 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but Anthony Davis was in foul trouble early on and managed just 15 points.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 13 points during a sloppy first quarter featuring 10 turnovers, but clawed it back to within four points by the half, only for Miami to move into a 14-point lead in the third.

The Lakers again fought back to lead 91-89 with under nine minutes to play, but Butler responded with eight straight points to move the Heat into a lead they never relinquished.

"I thought Jimmy was phenomenal," said James. "He did everything that they needed for him to do tonight and he came through big time in a big-time game."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54414850

 

[Rayyman]

Jimmy Butler what a beast man. I remember he was so good with Chicago in the playoffs. That team with Nate Robinson. Now Butler is doing it with Miami and carrying them in da finals. What a dawg.

 

[The Viper]

The Los Angeles Lakers are a game away from winning their first championship in 10 years after they beat Miami Heat 102-96 to go 3-1 up in the NBA Finals.

Their last title in 2010 was led by Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January.

LeBron James starred with 28 points for the Lakers, while Anthony Davis' crucial three-pointer saw them edge clear late in the fourth quarter.

 

[MenInG]

The Miami Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-108 to win a thrilling game five in the NBA Finals and take the series into a sixth game.

The Lakers led by a point with 21.8 seconds left, before two foul shots by Jimmy Butler nudged the Heat in front.

Danny Green missed a late three-pointer to win the game for the Lakers, as the Heat kept the best-of-seven match series alive at 3-2.

Game six will take place in Orlando, Florida on Sunday (Monday, 00:30 BST).

James v Butler

In an end-to-end contest, the lead exchanged hands four times in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

Game five was poised to be another battle between the Lakers' LeBron James and the Heat's Butler, who showed he was up for the fight as he tangled with Dwight Howard in the opening five minutes.

James amassed 40 points in his pursuit of his fourth NBA title and was driving the Lakers forward late on, while Heat talisman Butler's 35-point triple double proved decisive.

Heat rookie Tyler Herro added another two free throws in the dying moments to extend his side's lead to three points.

Butler, who was also the hero in the Heat's first victory of the series in game three, said his side "have to stay in the trenches" to draw level in the series.

Jimmy Butler
Tensions were high as Jimmy Butler and Dwight Howard clashed early on
"We played hard," said Butler.

"I left it all out there on the floor along with my guys. It was a bit of luck Danny Green missed that shot at the top of the key."

James, meanwhile, said he "trusted" Green to make "one of the best shots we could have got".

"I was able to draw two defenders below the free-throw line and find one of our shooters, for a wide-open three at the top of the key to win a championship," said James.

"I trusted him and we trusted him but it just didn't go. You live with that.

"Danny had a hell of a look but it just didn't go down. I know he wishes he could have it again and I wish I could have made a better pass."

The Lakers, who wore their 'Black Mamba' uniforms in honour of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, had an early injury scare as the influential Anthony Davis limped off the court in the first quarter.

He remained on the sidelines but returned to the action later in the second quarter, in a boost to the Lakers, who can still claim their first title since the late Bryant led them to success in 2010, with victory in game six.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January, and the defeat for the Lakers was their first while wearing the commemorative jersey.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54490116