basketball

Brittney Griner Makes Huge WNBA Career Decision

by

Brittney Griner has been through a lot over these past few months. About one year ago, Griner was taken to a Russian prison after being caught with weed cartridges in the airport. Overall, the timing could not have been worse as the war in Ukraine was just beginning at the time. Subsequently, Russia decided to take a hard stance against the Americans, leading to a diplomatic showdown. Griner eventually spent upwards of nine months in jail before ultimately being released thanks to a prison swap.

Since that time, Griner has been spending time with her family. She has gone through hell and back, and there is no doubt what she has been through is traumatic. However, some questions have still arisen in regard to whether or not she would ever come back to the WNBA. At the end of the day, no one would blame her if she decided to retire. Although, Griner loves basketball and the Phoenix Mercury fans would love to have her back. Overall, it would be the ultimate comeback story.

Brittney Griner Decides

As it turns out, Griner has decided that she will, in fact, come back to the WNBA next season. According to Josh Weinfuss, Griner has signed a one-year deal with the Mercury. This will allow her to enjoy at least one more season with the team she has spent so much time with. Moreover, it gives her the opportunity to potentially retire at the end of the season. After all, given all that she has gone through, no one would really blame her if this was her last season. However, she could certainly come back after this deal is up. For now, everything remains up in the air.

Regardless, once Griner makes it back to the court, it will be a huge celebration for fans. Just a few months ago, no one knew if Griner would be able to come home from Russia. Now, however, she is free and will be getting back on the court very shortly. Hopefully, WNBA fans embrace her with open arms as she makes one of the more unlikely comebacks in the history of sports.

[Via]

LeBron & Savannah James Go On A Much-Needed Baecation

by

LeBron James has been having a great time as of late. Of course, this is mostly due to the fact that he just broke a massive NBA Record. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record was one of those records that most people thought was impossible to break. However, LeBron was able to do it which now makes him the best scorer in league history. Overall, he may not be the best natural scorer, but he does have the most points, which counts for something. Now, he is trying to get his Los Angeles Lakers into the playoffs.

For LeBron and his wife Savannah, these have been a hectic last few months. For instance, the James’ are preparing to send off their oldest son Bronny to college. Although Bronny has yet to choose his college, there is a ton of fanfare over where he will go next. Moreover, with James breaking records, Savannah has been at more games than ever before. With all of this being said, one could make the assumption that both LeBron and Savannah are in need of some sort of vacation.

LeBron & Savannah Relax

As it turns out, a vacation is exactly what they just went out and did together. In the Instagram post from Savannah up above, you can see that these two went on quite the adventure. They went through some canyons and even had a romantic getaway at a hotel Overall, it seemed like a really amazing time for the both of them, especially with everything that has happened lately. Moreover, James is going to be in the All-Star game today. This is going to take place in Utah, and it is clear that LeBron wanted to take advantage of the short but sweet All-Star break.

Once he returns to the court, the Lakers will absolutely be putting the pedal to the metal. They have to go out and win the vast majority of their remaining games if they want to secure a playoff spot. It is not going to be easy, however, LeBron seems confident that the Lakeshow can get it done. As always, let us know what you think of the Lakers’ chances, in the comments below.

[Via]

Mac McClung Stuns NBA Fans With Dunk Contest Victory

by

If you don’t know the name Mac McClung, it is hard to really blame you. McClung is one of those players who really made a name for himself thanks to highlight tapes on social media. Throughout his time in high school and college, he was a dunking machine. Overall, he is just 6’2″ which makes his bounce truly impressive. However, aside from his amazing dunking ability, he has yet to really make much of an impact in the NBA. He originally signed with the Lakers only to be relegated to the G-League. Subsequently, this past week, he signed a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Additionally, McClung opted to put his name into the ring for the dunk contest. As we all know, the NBA Dunk Contest isn’t what it used to be as the star power isn’t there. This year, many fans were stunned by the lack of name recognition, and the presence of a G-League player made it that much less appealing for some people. However, Mac McClung went into the competition with the mindset that he would try and win an NBA role. In the end, he certainly did not disappoint.

Mac McClung Takes It All

In the video clip above, McClung was able to secure the Dunk Contest title with a 540-degree dunk. This is a move that certainly impressed all of the judges and those in the arena. Moreover, McClung was swarmed by fans, players, and celebrities upon making this dunk. It was a truly special moment for the young man, and we’re sure he was pumped by the reactions. In the eyes of many, he helped save the dunk contest.

As for NBA Twitter, they were also pumped about all of this. “Man was a viral HOH high school dunk phenom, still working his way to the League, but lemme go get that dunk contest trophy right quick and bring it back to life!!!” Steph Curry said. McClung also received immense praise from Magic Johnson, who said “Mac McClung has personally saved the slam dunk contest with his performance tonight.” Needless to say, the G-League star came through with a heroic effort that may just earn him some playing time in the NBA.

NBA Twitter Reacts

Damian Lillard Wins 3-Point Contest At NBA All-Star Weekend

by

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has won the 3-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, achieving what he says was a life goal of his. Lillard finished just one point ahead of Buddy Hield to secure the title on Saturday night. Other competitors in the event included Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen.

“This was a goal of mine because as a shooter, any time you come into a competition like this, you want to win it,” Lillard said after the win. “I had done it two times before this, and I feel like I just didn’t take it serious enough. You know, I wanted to just shoot my way to a win, and I wasn’t shooting the ball really disciplined. I was lazy. I wanted to win at least one time before I was done playing. That’s why I took this one a little more serious, and it just happened that way.”

Lillard’s Comments

Lillard explained that he was miscounting in his head during the match, and thought he only had a chance to tie Hield’s score of 26. “It got to a point where I was counting in my head because the first round I didn’t even finish the rack because I was trying to look and find my score,” Lillard said. “This time I started counting, and I lost track. So as I got down the stretch of that last two racks, I was counting. I knew I had to make all of them, but I thought I was on track to tie him. I actually lost count. But I knew I needed to make all of them. Then when I looked up, I was, like, ‘Oh, that’s 26.’ It’s ironic that it came down to that, and I had to tighten up and come up big at the end. But, that’s typical for me.”

Lillard is currently averaging 31.4 points, ranking him fourth in scoring for the league. The feat isn’t enough to carry the Blazers to a playoff spot as the team is only 28-30 on the season. They’re currently ranked 12th in the western conference. The NBA All-Star Game will tip-off at 8:00 PM, ET on Sunday night.

[Via]

Pau Gasol Credits Kobe Bryant With His Hall Of Fall Bid: “Always With Me”

by

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol credited Kobe Bryant with helping him get selected as a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame. The late NBA legend’s former teammate spoke about Kobe’s impact on his career, Friday, while in Utah to coach one of the teams in the Jordan Rising Stars championship. He also accepted his nomination for the Hall of Fame. Gasol explained that Bryant is in his heart “forever.”

“Every step of the way, he’s on my mind, he’s in my heart along with Gigi. And he’s going to be there forever,” Gasol said during All-Star Weekend in Utah. “I grew as a player, I played at a high-level thanks to him, in great part.” Gasol and Bryant were teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers from 2008 to 2014. Together they helped the team win back-to-back NBA Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Gasol With Bianka and Capri

“His leadership, his example, his approach really elevated my game, made me a better player,” Gasol continued. “My name, my number don’t go into those rafters without those championships. And we don’t win those championships without Kobe Bryant.” He added: “He will always be with me, in every moment, not just basketball recognitions, but personally too. His family is my family. We will continue to go forward thinking that he is watching. He’s definitely part of those moments.”

Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Bryant was 41 years old at the time while Gianna was just 13. Gasol and Bryant’s relationship extended off of the court. Less than a year after Bryant and Gianna’s passing, Gasol and his wife named their newborn daughter after Gianna.

In addition to Pau Gasol, other finalists for the Class of 2023 include Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, and former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. “The Class of 2023 will be remembered as one of the most distinguished classes the Hall of Fame will ever see, and we are extremely excited for this unparalleled collection of talent and achievement to be one step closer to Springfield,” Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo said of the finalists, according to the AP.

[Via]

21 Savage Scores Team’s 21st Point In NBA Celebrity All-Star Game

by

Sometimes basketball is more than just a game; it’s destiny. 21 Savage scored his team’s 21st point at the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game this weekend. Moreover, Dwayne Wade led 21 and his team against Utah Jazz Ryan Smith. While Milwaukee Bucks giant Gianns Antetokuonmpo coached the Atlanta rapper’s side, his teammates included Janelle Monáe and Hasan Minhaj. Even with rappers like Cordae as court opps, Savage still gave an impressive performance. Before the actual game, both teams competed in a 4-point challenge where players earned $4,000 for each bucket.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 17: 21 Savage plays in the Ruffles Celebrity Game during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend at Vivint Arena on February 17, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Furthermore, 21’s first quarter also contained an assist to tennis star Francis Tiafoe. After two turnovers and a hard foul, the “Privileged Rappers” MC scored a three-pointer, giving Team Wade the lead with 21 to 19 with a minute and a half to go in the first quarter. Meanwhile, their opposition sometimes took some breaks to cool off. Even though Cordae scored zero points, he enjoyed some courtside pizza with coach Fat Joe. Still, at the end of the day, Team Wade won the game in tense and unpredictable fashion.

Moreover, WWE superstar The Mix sank a half-court shot to secure victory, with the final score being 81-78. Also, accomplished Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf received MVP honors with 20 points, ten rebounds, and four blocks on 9-of-16 shooting. Of course, this is one of the more unorthodox but potentially iconic wins in 21’s recent history. Not only did he recently score a fateful shot for his victorious team, but he took some dubs in court as well. Recently, him and Drake settled their lawsuit from Condé Nast for their fake Vogue covers to promote their album Her Loss.

Well, maybe ‘win’ isn’t the right word for the settlement. After all, Condé Nast sought at least $4 million in damages for the falsified promotional material. However, reports did not specify the amount of said settlement, so maybe things didn’t get that steep. Overall, at least the “Umbrella” rapper can add “kismet baller” to his resumé after his Celebrity All-Star performance. Regardless of your own hooping skills, come back to HNHH for the latest on 21 Savage and the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend.

[via]

Kim Mulkey Takes Courtside Fashion To A Whole New Level

by

If there is one thing LSU Women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey knows how to do besides winning (and retaining a major ego), it is pulling off showstopper looks courtside. You might have seen a couple of her looks already on social media since she happens to be trending on TikTok. Most of her outfits contain a statement blazer, sweater, or business-approved high heels.

The Lady Tigers’ coach is winning both on the court, and in her closet. According to WBRZ, Queen of Sparkles boutique owner and designer Jamie Glas is responsible for designing some of her most iconic pieces. Kim Mulkey is clearly not a minimalist when it comes to her fashion choices, making statements with every new look. Additionally, statements are also made on the court, with her team holding a record of 24-1 and placing 2nd in the SEC thus far.

A Look into Kim Mulkey’s Wardrobe

Kim Mulkey prefers to wear heels over any other footwear while coaching, giving her the unofficial title of best-dressed women’s coach. She wears satirical pieces adorned with sequin-embellished tigers that complement her team. Sequins are not the only material Mulkey is accustomed to sporting. Feathers seem to be her other best friend, wearing several pieces with feathers attached to the sleeves. “As far as the clothes are concerned, I have lots of friends. People know I love to dress up and they will see something in the stores and buy it and bring it by the house. I’ll either like it or I won’t like it. If I do, I’ll give them a check for it. I really don’t know all the new styles. I leave that up to people much more knowledgeable than me. If it just feels good and looks good on me, I wear it.” Kim Mulkey tells The Advocate.

There is no question that her bold style choice coincides with her bold personality when coaching. On February 12th, the LSU Tigers faced their biggest challenge of the season playing the South Carolina Gamecocks. Although they lost by a tremendous 24 points, Mulkey never doubted the team. She maintained high spirits throughout the duration of the game. All in all, Kim Mulkey has remained a prominent figure in women’s college basketball and has now reached full-fledged fashion icon status.

[Via]

Gilbert Arenas Delivers Baffling Russell Westbrook Take

by

Gilbert Arenas is someone who has always had some interesting opinions about the NBA and its various players. Overall, when he was playing the game, he was known for being an amazing scorer. Players throughout the league respected his game, and as a result, his opinions are also respected. However, sometimes he will come out and say something that is hard to agree with. After all, he is a former player which means sometimes, he is biased when speaking about guys in the league. Even if they have been playing poorly, it is hard for him to get down on them too much.

One player who Arenas has defended quite a bit is none other than Russell Westbrook. Although he has played poorly, many, including Arenas, think Russ still has a lot to give. After a trade to the Utah Jazz, Westbrook will subsequently be bought out and will likely sign with a new team. Among the teams expected to sign Westbrook is the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, and Chicago Bulls.

Gilbert Arenas Speaks

In the most recent episode of his podcast, Arenas made some wild comments about Russ and just how much he means to the league. “This man alone changes who wins the championship this year,” Arenas said. Simply put, Arenas believes Russ can turn someone into a contender. Overall, it is very hard to see that happening. If that were actually true, then the Lakers would have been the ultimate contenders throughout the season. Instead, they were horrible and are still 13th in the Western Conference. Needless to say, fans aren’t so certain that Arenas is telling the truth here.

Either way, it will be interesting to see where Russ ends up. There are some good teams that could use a point guard now. The Clippers seem to be the best fit for Westbrook, although there is no guarantee that they pick him up. Hopefully, he can find a permanent home that truly appreciates what he brings to the table. Let us know what you think of Arenas and his take, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.

[Via]

LeBron James & Kevin Love Reunion Could Be In The Cards

by

LeBron James is someone who has played with a lot of amazing players over the years. During his second stint in Cleveland, he had a lot of stars come and go. One person who stuck by him through all four seasons was none other than Kevin Love. Love was brought in via trade, and overall, he was fantastic on that team. However, since LeBron left, Love has had very few reasons to actually stay with the Cavaliers. Now, Love is being bought out and he will get to go to another team.

As it stands, very few actually know what the market is for a player like Love. He hasn’t really shown much over the last few years, and there is skepticism that he will add a lot to a contending team. Although, that hasn’t stopped franchises like the Miami Heat from inquiring about K-Love. He is a veteran presence who has won before, and that is very valuable to some of these franchises. Perhaps even LeBron’s Lakers could use him.

LeBron James x Kevin Love?

During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst claimed that a LeBron James and Love reunion is certainly a possibility. In fact, the Lakers are “kicking the tires” in regard to a potential signing. Of course, bringing in Love definitely creates some risks. After all, he is not the player he once was and if anything, the Lakers should be going younger. Although, LeBron has a lot of pull within the Lakers, and if he wants Love to sign there, he can probably facilitate that reunion.

Apparently, the Phoenix Suns are also a potential place for Kevin Love to go. They are now the favorites to win it all thanks to the addition of Kevin Durant. That said, no team has made a final call on Love and they probably won’t for quite a bit of time. Either way, we’re sure Lakers fans are going to have some very strong opinions about all of this. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world. Additionally, let us know what you think of this possibility, in the comments down below.

[Via]

George Gervin Sues Ralph Lauren For Using His Name On New Sneakers

by

George Gervin is undeniably a legend in the sport of basketball. Having played in both the ABA and NBA, he sits high on many all-time lists. Most importantly, he is #45 overall in scoring in NBA history. Additionally, he is #39 in field goals made having only played 10 seasons in the NBA. Known also as “Iceman,” Gervin was celebrated as an incredibly clutch player and scoring pioneer. Because of that, he is still a household name decades later.

While hooping, Gervin typically wore high-top shoes, which were widely popular for basketball in the late 1970s to late 1980s. Because of this, Polo Ralph Lauren decided to use Gervin’s name for a recent sneaker they released. The “Gervin Mid,” a shoe made of leather and suede, clearly resembles a style of shoe players in Gervin’s era would rock on the court. Last April, Gervin’s wife Joyce received a text congratulating her husband for his new shoe deal. But, this left the family confused. George was never contacted or compensated for this opportunity.

George Gervin Fights Back

Head coach George Gervin of the Ghost Ballers looks on against the 3 Headed Monsters during Week One at Credit Union 1 Arena on June 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images for BIG3)

On Wednesday (Feb. 15), Gervin decided to take action. His legal team filed a lawsuit against Ralph Lauren in a Manhattan federal court. The suit stated that RL used his name and likeness without his permission for the line of basketball sneakers. More specifically, Gervin’s team claims that they “released a line of retro-styles 1970’s hightop basketball sneakers called the ‘Gervin Mid’ to profit off the back of Mr. Gervin’s commercially valuable identity, without once seeking his consent or authorization to use Mr. Gervin’s name or likeness or offer to compensate him for the use of his valuable name.”

Gervin is seeking $2 million in damages for this offense. Supporting its case, the suit also points to the shoes Gervin wore during his career. “There can be no doubt, therefore, given the unique history of Mr. Gervin’s association with the high-top shoe and the Nike’s Blazer’s popularity, that Ralph Lauren was exploiting Mr. Gervin’s unique and commercially valuable identity, name, and likeness to sell its products,” it reads. In the complaint, Gervin’s team states the excuse Ralph Lauren gave them. RL claims one of their French shoe designers named the shoe without any knowledge of who Gervin was. But that is obviously hard to believe. Either way, Ralph Lauren has since changed the name of the shoe to the “Court Vulc Mid-Top.” It’s currently unclear how well Gervin or Ralph Lauren will fare in court. But, public opinion will likely lean the Iceman’s way.

[Via][Via]