Just five years ago, James Harden was the most impressive scorer in the entire NBA. However, there have been a few narratives surrounding him. Firstly, he never performs in the playoffs. Secondly, he has struggled as a scorer now that he is getting older. Since coming to the Philadelphia 76ers, he has mostly been a facilitator for Joel Embiid. That said, he can turn on the jets when he needs to, and that is exactly what happened last night. It was good timing as the Sixers took on the Celtics in Game 1 of their second-round matchup.
Coming into the game, no one was giving the Sixers a chance. Overall, this is due to the fact that Joel Embiid was out with an injury. His status for the rest of the series is unknown, and fans are concerned about his overall health. Although, Harden managed to carry the team on his back in a 119-115 victory. It was a vintage performance for Harden, who scored 45 points. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics tried to keep up, with 39 points of his own.
James Harden Was A Beast
With the Sixers’ win coming on the Celtics’ home court, many were very surprised. There was a sense that the Celtics could easily take this series in five or six games. Especially with Embiid out of the picture. Now, however, many aren’t so sure. The Celtics showed weakness in the Hawks series, Harden could expose them further over the course of seven games. Furthermore, NBA Twitter as a whole was very pleased with what they were seeing.
In the tweets down below, you can see what many had to say about Harden and his incredible performance. For the most part, many were stunned by what they saw. Moreover, there were others who were just happy to rain on the Celtics and their premature parade. While this series is far from over, the Sixers have most definitely set the tone. Let us know who you think is going to take this series, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.
Kevin Durant is very much someone who fights back against NBA media narratives. Overall, he doesn’t have much time for all of the talk about who is better than who. He really couldn’t care less whether or not he makes it inside of your Top 5. Additionally, if you don’t put him on your Mount Rushmore, he probably wouldn’t think twice about it. Simply put, KD plays for the love of the game. He wants to have fun while playing basketball and no one will stop him from doing that.
Recently, KD returned to the floor for the Phoenix Suns. He had been out for a few weeks with an ankle injury and wanted to show he’s still got it. Although he did struggle, there is no doubt that Suns fans were excited to see him. Alongside his return to the court was a recent report from Shams Charania of The Athletic. Within this interview, Durant spoke about all of the legacy talk that surrounds him. As you will see, Durant has some strong words about those who want to debate his many contributions to the sport.
Suns superstar Kevin Durant unplugged at @TheAthletic: “I don’t care about legacy. I used to…I truly just want to go out there and produce.” On “gymnastics” done to discredit, summer workout with Devin Booker, Nets exit, more.https://t.co/pEgv2LzZJ4
“I don’t care about legacy,” Kevin Durant said. “I truly, truly don’t care. I truly just want to go out there and produce. Be the best that I can be, go home, hang with my family. That’s it.” Some fans may hate this mentality, although, you cannot help but respect it. Some athletes are extremely wrapped up in what they need to achieve. However, these guys are all human beings with real lives away from the court. At some point, you have to seek happiness from something other than your day job.
Ironically enough, KD may very well affirm his legacy very soon. The Phoenix Suns are primed and ready for a deep playoff run, and there is this sense that they could go win it all. With Devin Booker and Chris Paul next to Kevin Durant, it is easy to see why people would think this. Let us know what you think the Suns’ chances are, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.
Drummond is in his first year in Chicago and with his sixth team in his career. The former Uconn Huskies star has spent time with Detroit, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. Drummond has appeared in 62 games this season with the Bulls, coming off the bench. This season, Drummond is averaging 6 points and 6 rebounds a game. Both of those numbers are well below his career average, which sits at 13 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game.
Andre Drummond Takes A Step Back
Deleting all my social apps my Managment will take over , also changing my number .. Time to focus on my mental health . If you too are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone it’s okay to ask for help
Drummond is in his eleventh season in the NBA, which is taxing physically just as much as it could be mentally. He last appeared in a game for Chicago just two nights ago, when the Bulls met the Los Angeles Clippers. In that game, Drummond played a little over 14 minutes, gathering 11 points and 8 rebounds on the night. Supporters of Drummond quickly flocked to Twitter to reach out and let him know that they supported his decision. Drummond is being praised for his announcement, and rightly so. Mental health is a serious priority.
Drummond’s announcement that he is stepping away from social media to focus on his mental health is a gentle reminder to all of us. It is okay to reach out for help. It also reminds us that we all may be going through something that people may not even realize. In a world that may seem dark at times, being kind can go a long way. Andre Drummond has taken a great first step toward his mental health. Stick with us here at HNHH for the latest news in the sports world. In the comment section below, let us know your thoughts on mental health affecting professional athletes.
If you are a New York Knicks fan, you know just how legendary Willis Reed was. Overall, he is someone who has represented the Knicks organization with tremendous class. Moreover, he was on the team during their most prosperous years. In 1970 and 1973, he helped the team win the NBA championship. During the first of these title runs, Reed won both league MVP and Finals MVP. Sadly, the NBA legend passed away today at the age of 80. Following this news, the New York Knicks released a statement on the matter.
“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,” the statement read. “As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind — the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions. His is a legacy that will live forever. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Willis Reed Remembered
Former NBA player Willis Reed arrives at Tony La Russa’s 3rd annual Leaders & Legends Gala benefitting the Animal Rescue Foundation at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on November 22, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Animal Rescue Foundation)
For those who may not know, Reed had an incredible moment in the 1970 NBA Finals that has stood the test of time. During that series, he had suffered an awful injury that many thought would be impossible to come back from. However, the legend came back in Game 7 when his team needed him the most. Reed subsequently went on to score two quick baskets, and his team took care of the rest. It was one of the defining moments of the NBA during that era, and Reed will always be remembered for his tenacity.
Overall, this is a massive loss for the NBA community. Reed is one of those incredible players who helped the league become what it is today. Additionally, if you love the Knicks, Reed is someone that should absolutely be revered in your household. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, and the NBA world during this time. RIP to a legend.
Discussing the best NBA 2K games of all time can be a touchy subject for basketball gamers. Every person has their respective opinions on the franchise’s best and worst entries. 2K games have done their best to stay relevant and modern. For example, including popular rappers as part of the game’s player career mode. However, sometimes this isn’t enough to wipe the bad taste of gameplay out of the player’s mouth.
This ranking will not take my opinion into account. Instead, I will breakdown the 5 most well received editions based on their Metacritic scores. This way the best games can be identified solely on how well rated they were. In addition, the amount of copies sold will also be included. Without further adieu, here are the top 5 NBA 2K games of all time.
5. NBA 2K12
Releasing in 2011, NBA 2K12 takes the 5th spot on the list. This game serves as a staple in the 2K community. Seemingly, the older games in the franchise tend to be the favorites. The current versions do not appear to hold up to how well received older versions are. This installment sold an incredible 4 million copies in total. Many other games have never even reached that high.
2K strived to build off of the last game and improve the immersion of the experience. Previously, they failed to properly capture the energy of the crowd. The atmosphere lacked in several ways. That finally changed in 2K12. Crowd attendance would be significantly different depending on record. If you were a team with more losses than wins, you typically would see less fans attending. As someone who plays a lot of sports games, atmosphere is important. It pulls you into the game, and adds a sense of realness.
Available on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, this game scored a 90 overall on Metacritic.
4. NBA 2K13
Following up NBA 2K12 is the game that come out the next year. NBA 2K13. Starting off, this game was executively produced by the legendary rapper, Jay-Z. A major name to be involved on a franchise like this. In it’s first 24 hours, it seemingly sold 9.5 million copies. A massive step up from the year prior. Rightfully so. This game proved to be even better than the last. Many players still go back and play this classic as it is still one of the very best.
A metascore of 90 as well, this installment improved on a lot from before. Career mode become more immersive than ever before. New ways to dress your player and make an impact on how people feel about you. It was a standard set for all career modes across sports games. In addition, the game added an All-Star Weekend mode. The mode allowed you to play through all of the different events during the All-Star break.
3. NBA 2K17
The most current 2K game to appear on this list, this version once again changed plenty to continue improving and growing. Career mode followed through with being a story-driven, immersive experience. Only this time, they pulled in promising young actor, Michael B. Jordan. A massive edition for a sports video game at this time period. This version in the franchise sold 8.5 million copies.
Scoring yet another 90 on Metacritic, 2K17 may be the last basketball game that fans truly enjoyed of recent years. The game made steps towards making the MyLeague mode better. They added the ability to add expansion teams along with relocating any team. The mode also introduced the ability to manipulate the rules of your league. Graphics were also truly starting to become quite impressive. It is disappointing that NBA 2K games since this one have gone downhill. We can only hope they try to build off of feedback from the community.
2. NBA 2K1
While coming in second, this title is actually tied for 1st with the final edition to this list. Nothing beats a classic. At least, that’s how reviewers feel towards the franchise. This isn’t completely unheard of either. Other major sports franchise fans have similar feelings. FIFA and Madden fans alike tend to prefer older versions. Some of it is nostalgia, while the other part is just simple, but solid gameplay.
Scoring a remarkable 93, this entry still holds up today. Of course, the modern editions have incredible features. On the other hand, sometimes simplicity is preferred. NBA 2K1 had great gameplay for it’s time and online multiplayer. It also allowed the ability to play street basketball, to change up from the traditional league style.
1. NBA 2K2
Yes, the follow up to 2K1 takes first place. Another classic title on the list to give players love and nostalgia for the long running franchise. This was the first to release on Playstation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. Originally, it only ever appeared on the Sega Dreamcast. This version served as a nice upgrade to it’s predecessor. Introducing smarter AI, more street courts, and better gameplay.
Tied with the past title, it also scored a solid 93 overall. A game that makes those remember the joys of childhood. A game that reminds you of the time period and makes you love the game of basketball. NBA 2K2 added legends and an improved defensive system. While I struggled to find sales for this edition, it is no doubt this game was popular among it’s newly developed community. To this day, it is clearly still one of the most beloved of the franchise’s entire history.
In retrospect, the newer games do not seem to receive the same love as older versions. Understandably, the fans feel they are not always heard when talking about the problems. As is the case with many other major franchises. Opinion or not, the modern editions are still good in their own ways. They bring a lot of content as compared to the past. I think there will always be a large amount of love for the originals though. Sometimes, you just can’t beat classic.
Michael Jordan, also referred to by his initials MJ, is a retired, six-time NBA Championship winner who primarily played for the Chicago Bulls. Michael received numerous awards and accolades throughout his 15-year career as a professional basketball player. He is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. His success on the court is nothing short of legendary, but his business pursuits off the court have transcended him to a global financial powerhouse. Forbes estimates that Michael’s net worth is in the ballpark of $2 billion. This figure makes him the richest former or current basketball player, and one of the richest African Americans in the United States. Here is a rundown of his current business ventures.
In 2010 Michael Jordan made a purchase of the Charlotte Bobcats for an estimated $275 million. The purchase made the NBA legend the only high-profile ex-basketball player to own a majority franchise stake in the NBA. The Bobcats changed their name to the Hornets after the original Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans and changed their name to the Pelicans.
Jordan’s purchase came at a time when the former Bobcats were having a terrible run in the league. They had spent an entire decade without any high-profile NBA player and could hardly make progress in the playoffs. Michael hoped to inject some much-needed resources to improve the performance of his hometown team.
The acquisition could not have come at a better time for the former NBA star. The NBA franchise has exploded into a global phenomenon since 2010. Owners and investors of the NBA have been able to enjoy significant financial returns. Although the team has not reached the heights Michael would have hoped for, his stake in the franchise has become a significant business investment in his portfolio.
Forbes estimated that the Charlotte Hornets had an estimated valuation of $1.5 billion in 2020. Michael is no longer the sole owner of the franchise. He partnered with Melvin Capital venture fund Gabe Plotkin, as well as the DI Capital founder Daniel Sundheim who bought some of his shares in 2019. He is, however, still the majority shareholder.
Air Jordan is the best-selling sneaker and sports apparel brand in history – and that is by quite some margin. The first Jordan sneakers, the Jordan 1s, were designed by Nike for Michael in 1984. The sneaker was released to the public for purchase the following year. It is an understatement to say that Jordan’s illustrious career directly influences the sales of the sneakers.
Jordan sneakers were so popular in the 90s that Michael and Nike agreed that the Air Jordan brand would operate 100% independently from the Nike Corporation. It has been reported that Air Jordan raked in $5.1 billion for Nike in 2022 and Michael’s deal ensures that he receives 5% of the sales. This would mean that Michael earned in excess of $100 million in 2022 from the Nike deal alone.
Michael Jordan also boasts an impressive real estate portfolio. He is rumored to have four houses in the United States totaling about $60 million. The most famous of all his abodes is his No.23 mansion in Chicago. The house is a customized Michael Jordan haven and was the house he lived the longest in while playing for the Chicago Bulls.
Sources close to the hall-of-famer reveal that he has been trying to sell the mansion for $14 million. He is yet to find a buyer. He bought the mansion in 1991 after winning his first championship. The house was famously featured in rapper Travis Scott’s video aptly called Franchise. Jordan owns other homes in his hometown North Carolina and in Florida and Utah.
The fine-dining restaurant group was founded by the retired basketball player in 1997. The main location was in Grand Central Terminal, New York City, though locations exist in Uncasville, Connecticut; Ridgefield, Washington, and Chicago. The restaurant chain primarily prepares high-quality steaks for its customers. They can also be ordered via the website and shipped to customers countrywide.
Michael Jordan and apparel brand Hanes celebrated three decades of their partnership in 2019. Michael inked his first endorsement deal with Hanes in 1989 and has been an unwavering brand ambassador for the North Carolina apparel company. Hanes calls the partnership the longest-running and most successful partnership of its type to date. 30 years is comparably as long as Michael’s deal with Nike, so we should safely assume that both parties are happy with the arrangement. Michael has since taken up a co-brand director role at Hanes.
Michael Jordan joined his fellow sports legend, former MLB superstar Derek Jitter to acquire a small percentage of the Miami Marlins. Michael was part of Derek’s sixteen investors that raised a reported $1.2 billion to acquire minority ownership of the baseball franchise. Details of the acquisition are all over the place with some reports estimating that Derek owns a 4% stake and Michael owns a 0.5% stake.
Michael famously came out of basketball retirement to play professional baseball. The move did not have the success he has intended and later returned to the basketball court. It seems like even his investment in the MLB has also suffered a decline with reports indicating that the value of the Marlins has dropped to an estimated $990 million.
Michael Jordan owns 23XI racing. This is a professional auto racing organization that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. Michael, the majority shareholder, co-owns the organization with Denny Hamlin – a professional NASCAR racing driver. Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in the NASCAR Cup Series was signed on to drive the No. 23 stock car for 23XI. The organization has achieved relative success since Michael and Denny took over.
Owner And Corporate Adviser For Betting Company, Draft-Kings
Michael Jordan is taking an equity stake in DraftKings in exchange for becoming a special adviser to the sports betting and fantasy sports company. https://t.co/G7MwnGcxmk
In 2020, DraftKings announced that Michael Jordan had acquired an ownership stake at the betting company in exchange for a role as a special advisor. Michael and DraftKings have not yet given further details on the partnership. The partnership might seem like a conflict of interest at a glance. Michael owns the Charlotte Hornets who play in a league that currently has contracts with DrafKings.
The NBA, however, allows investors, including governors, to have involvement with sports betting and fantasy sports businesses. This is, of course, subject to safeguards required under league rules to prevent these conflicts of interest. Perhaps this move didn’t come as a surprise to many die-hard Michael Jordan fans. The legend has expressed his affinity for gambling throughout his career.
The private golf course is located on what used to be an orange grove near Hob Sound, South Florida. Overall, the golf course is meant for professional as well as casual golfers. Grove XXIII is an exclusive golfing ground with the membership capped at 100. The estate has a 15,000-square-foot contemporary clubhouse has a practice range and a training facility for men and women. Such an investment should not come as a surprise because Michael’s love for golf has been widely documented for years.
Other notable business investments by the legendary basketball player include a Nissan dealership that bears his name – Michael Jordan Nissan Dealership. Also, he has had a long-standing relationship with McDonalds and has appeared in several commercials for the fast food chain. McDonalds makes their now famous celebrity-inspired meals and the one named after Michael Jordan is primarily sold in the greater Chicago area.
The Canadian rapper, Nav, got his chance to scan his body type into NBA 2K23. The NBA video game dropped on September 8, 2022. Nav isn’t the first artist to scan in on the video game. Both J. Cole and Jack Harlow are basketball fans, and now, the rappers have taken their liking a step further by becoming playable characters in the NBA 2K23 video game.
Even though Nav got his big moment with the 2K23 scan, the rapper said some people aren’t the biggest fan of the way he looks. “The way I look, bro that’s gotta be it,” Nav said when asked why people hate him. “They’re just tight. Yo bro, If I was some light-skinned dude with tattoos, the whole look, NBA 2K player looking type of dude bro, and I saw me, getting more money and having more fun, and getting more females, and clout, and whatever I’d hate me too.”
Nav admits that when he was first making his way into the music industry a lot of people didn’t know what he looked like, according to HiphopDx. “When Cash met me, I had like 4,000 followers and then he was like, ‘Are you attached to anything on your history?’ I was like, ‘Nah,’ then he just started deleting all the pictures, like archiving them or whatever. Then right after that, I blew up and no one knew what I looked like. Some people thought I was Black, they didn’t know. That was when the hate started coming in.”
Nav is coming to terms with fame and how to deal with it all. “Fame is something I want, it’s a good problem to have,” Nav said. “I’m still not there because when I walk out of the f******* Delilah in L.A. and TMZ will be standing out there with cameras and not even take a picture of me, I get sick.” The Canadian rapper’s first big claim to fame was when he was working behind the scenes in 2015. He was one of four songwriters on Drake’s Grammy-nominated Meek Mill’s diss track, “Back to Back.” Let us know what you think of the new scan, in the comments down below.
Kyrie Irving is one of those players who always seems to be in the news. Overall, Irving just wants to live his life and play ball on his terms. However, not everyone is approving of the way in which he goes about things. The Dallas Mavericks star has gotten himself wrapped up in a few controversies. Moreover, he has left some of his former teams in pretty bad shape. One can just look at the Brooklyn Nets to understand exactly what we are talking about here.
While Kyrie is currently on the Mavericks, he will become a free agent in the Summer. No one really knows what he is going to decide to do. Irving is someone who is fairly unpredictable, and even the Mavericks have no clue if he will want to sign with them. Additionally, there have been all sorts of rumors surrounding the Lakers. After all, LeBron James has been pushing hard for some sort of Kyrie reunion. That said, the Lakers have been a bit reluctant to pull the trigger on such a thing. Now, it seems like some of the conventional wisdom from a few weeks ago has been thrown out of the window.
According to reporter Jovan Buha, the Lakers are now out on Kyrie. Originally, reports suggested that they would be going after the point guard. However, things have seemingly changed. Perhaps this has to do with just how well the Lakers are playing right now. D’Angelo Russell has been a revelation for the Lakers, and they are demonstrating tremendous chemistry as a unit. That said, bringing in Kyrie doesn’t seem like the best choice for the team.
Heading into the offseason, it seems like the only team with a market for Kyrie is the Dallas Mavericks. Although perhaps the Los Angeles Clippers will be interested if Russell Westbrook doesn’t pan out. Either way, this is a very interesting situation that will persist into the offseason. Let us know where you think Kyrie should go, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.
Draymond Green is one of those players who is constantly getting himself caught up in something. Overall, he is a great defensive player. However, over the years, he has proven to be a liability in terms of his discipline. It feels like every single season, he is suspended one game for picking up 16 technical fouls. Ultimately, it is a funny happenstance when you consider how Draymond always claims that you cannot “bait him with a tech.”
On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors were playing against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the end, they lost the game, although the story of the game was a play involving Draymond Green. Down below, you can see the Clippers score a bucket. On the ensuing play, Green decides to take the ball and toss it at Russell Westbrook’s head. Westbrook had an immediate reaction to the play, and the referee subsequently issued a technical foul. Green could not believe it, especially since it was his 16th tech of the season. Now, he will have to miss the next Warriors game.
Draymond Green Cannot Help Himself
Draymond Green was called for his 16th tech of the season on this play. If it’s not rescinded he will be suspended for 1 game.
Draymond: “I think something will change. If that’s a tech then everything you say on the court is a tech.” pic.twitter.com/UzF8yNb891
For the most part, fans had a lot of fun with this play. After all, Green is one of those players that is very easy to hate. His podcast is a place in which he is constantly talking trash about other players throughout the league. Moreover, the fans do not like how he plays. Casuals want to see three-pointers and flashy offensive plays. None of these things describe Green’s skill set. Additionally, Green’s aforementioned claims about baiting him have been proven to be demonstrably false.
At this point in the season, the Warriors need better from Green. He is supposed to be a leader on the team, and this lack of decorum definitely does not reflect well. Additionally, the Warriors have been pitiful on the road this season. Last night’s game was yet another example of that sad reality that continues to hamper this team. Let us know what you think of Green’s actions, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.
LeBron James is one of the best players to ever step on an NBA court. In fact, depending on when you grew up, you may even call him the GOAT of basketball. Overall, he is one of the most accomplished individuals in the sport, and his longevity is out of this world. He has four NBA titles, numerous MVPs, and additionally, he has the NBA’s all-time scoring record. At this point, it is almost impossible to hate the guy. However, some fans still find the time to do so, because they have never won anything themselves.
As it stands, LeBron is out with an ankle injury. Although, this has not stopped him from going to Lakers games. His team is in the midst of trying to make the playoffs, and he has been supporting them wherever they go. For instance, last night, the Lakers took on the New Orleans Pelicans. Overall, they played an amazing game and ended up winning. Now, they are 10th in the Western Conference and are just one win away from jumping up to eighth.
As we mentioned, LeBron was in the stands for the game. In the clip above, he was even approached by a young fan who wanted an autograph. While most fans would want a jersey or poster signed, this fan had something better. They pulled up with a copy of LeBron’s “I Promise” children’s book. James was clearly impressed with the prop and signed it immediately. Moreover, it seems like he added a heartfelt message as he was writing for quite some time. It was a really nice gesture that was captured by the cameras courtside.
Overall, it is easy to see why James might be in a good mood these days. His team is playing great basketball, and they have the pieces to make a surprise run in the playoffs. LeBron James had been begging for better teammates, and now, it seems like he finally has them. Whether or not the Lakers are now able to capitalize, still remains to be seen. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.
(@WestbrickHas2Go) May 2, 2023
it’s okay to ask for help
