NBA Playoffs

NBA Fines Dallas Mavericks For Detrimental Conduct

by

The Dallas Mavericks had a nightmare in the second half of the regular season. Not only did the team miss the playoffs. But now the franchise is in hot water with the NBA. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the league has decided to fine the Mavericks $750,000 for the resting of players. Basically, the Mavericks sat everyone out of their second-to-last game of the season. Chattering began going around the league that the team was intentionally tanking. But the Mavericks were still in playoff contention before the star of that game.

Now we all know the Mavericks didn’t make the playoffs. As winning the game against Chicago wouldn’t have even mattered. Because Dallas had no control over their playoff hopes. Which is a surprise for a team that had so much talent and promise. A team like the Mavericks missing the playoffs usually means a few exits before the start of the next season. However, the organization hasn’t announced departures from the coaching staff since the season’s end. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen.

Dallas Mavericks To Pay Near Million Dollar Fine

A nearly million-dollar fine is big for anyone. Even if you are a billionaire like Mark Cuban. The Mavericks didn’t try to hide their feelings about their playoff hopes. It seemed to everyone that the team had given up. However, one would believe that Cuban will fight the fine. But this fine isn’t even the biggest issue involving the franchise. The Mavericks will need to go back to the drawing board to see how they can return to being one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Aside from dealing with the fine, the Mavericks have a lot of questions to answer this off-season. The team has stated its main priority is to bring back star point guard Kyrie Irving. However, can Irving and Doncic make it work? The duo dazzled on the offensive side of the ball. But their defensive efforts left a lot to be desired. Do you believe the Dallas Mavericks were intentionally tanking their season? If so, is the punishment enough, too much, or not enough? Sound off in the comment section with your thoughts. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

Paul George Believes NFL Stars Can’t Make The Leap To NBA

by

Paul George will not be available for the Los Angeles Clippers first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns. So what can a guy do in his downtime? Evidently, spark the fires to what will for sure be a heated debate. On the latest episode of Podcast P With Paul George, the Clippers star discussed the athleticism of NFL players. When on the discussion, the topic came up of which sports players would see more success if they crossed over. Would NBA stars be better in the NFL or vice versa?

According to George, the answer is obvious. “I don’t think an [NFL] player could cross over to the NBA… That athleticism, that strength—that means nothing if you can’t shoot the ball in our league… I think we have a better chance.” George’s podcast is produced by the same company as the Kelce brothers hit show New Heights. George didn’t lack any confidence in his statement. At the end of the clip seen below, George believes he could’ve played receiver.

Paul George Believes NBA Athletes Are More Likely To Be Crossover Sports Stars

George claims that if football stars don’t have a jumper, they wouldn’t survive in the NBA. While true, it seems far-fetched that either league could see a lot of success when crossing over. However, former basketball players have seen success in the NFL. Former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates had a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. Gates played college basketball for Kent State before making the jump to football. But we have seen, in recent years, clips of football stars hitting the hardwood.

Whatever the case may be, it would be extremely difficult for any athlete to crossover. Each sport has its own definition of athleticism. That if not practiced all the time, you wouldn’t have a successful time. But it seems Paul George has opened the floodgates on a debate that will be tossed around by many athletes. So, which sport do you think would do better in a crossover? Why do you feel the sport you chose would do better in that scenario? Drop your answers in our comment section. For the latest sports news, keep it right here at HNHH.

Gilbert Arenas Proposes New NBA Playoff Format

by

Gilbert Arenas has a different idea to give the NBA Playoffs an even more inspiring road. The former Washington Wizards star believes that winning is the ultimate reward. However, what if teams continued to play at home until they lost? An idea that has long been thought of but never been seriously considered. However, Arenas believes the time is now to make the winner take all type of schedule. On a recent episode of his show Gil’s Arena, Arenas was asked about one thing he would change about the NBA Playoffs.

“We don’t go to the home until you win the game. So it’s like make it, take it. If we win, we keep staying home until you beat us then we go to yours.” Arenas’ thought is something that every backyard hooper has been a part of. If you’ve ever played a pick-up game, most of the time, the rule is you make the shot, you keep the ball. The idea that a team winning would give them home court is the whole point of technically having home court. However, the idea may not grab legs due to the fact of ticket sales in all the different markets.

Gilbert Arenas Wants To See Actual Home Court

The idea of earning home court is an interesting concept. It would bring more urgency to the NBA Playoffs. Especially with the teams getting more time off in between games during the postseason. The only privilege of having home court is that if the series goes all seven games, your team would host a game seven. While that is an essential factor. However, it feels like the games before it doesn’t carry as much weight because we know everyone gets to host at least two games.

Arenas has been involved in a few playoff series himself. The former NBA star knows how important it is to play in front of your home crowd. However, would his suggestion hurt fan bases that would potentially not get to see their team in postseason action? What are your thoughts on Gilbert Arenas’ thought of earning a home-court advantage? Do you believe the NBA would even discuss the idea? Leave us your thoughts on the idea in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Kevin Durant Opens Up On Being Known As A Sensitive Player

by

Kevin Durant has been more than open with his time speaking to the media. The Phoenix Suns star has spoken on his past stops along his NBA journey. As well as speaking about what his legacy means to him. However, Durant’s recent interview with FOX SPORTS opened another conversation. NBA writer Melissa Robin spoke to Durant about the criticisms he hears from his haters. One of the terms that came up during the interview was sensitive. A word that Durant feels doesn’t accurately describe the type of player or person he is.

“I don’t see this talked about — I see Damian Lillard, I see LeBron [James], I see Draymond [Green], I see lots of great players in our league speak up on social media, but they don’t get that ‘sensitive’ rep,” Durant stated during the interview. The Suns star has long been known for being a sensitive player. But Durant does seem to acknowledge how that reputation began circulating around circles. Obviously, his move to the Golden State Warriors angered a lot of people in the NBA. However, Durant has never minded being the villain.

Kevin Durant Feels He Isn’t Seeing The Same Treatment As Other Stars

Another moment in Durant’s career that has appeared to be weak by fans was the Twitter burner account run by the star. Durant had been running a separate account from his official Twitter account that supported the star during arguments on the platform. However, in his interview with Robin, Durant stated he sees nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. Durant’s vulnerability during this interview made for an intriguing read on the incorrect portrayal of the superstar.

Now Durant will shift his focus to the NBA Playoffs. The all-star forward is looking to collect his third NBA Championship. While the Suns are still looking for their first championship in franchise history. Durant’s openness to the media is a breath of fresh air for an athlete. Being open and leaving yourself for public interpretation can be a tough task. Good for Kevin Durant on being able to be comfortable in his own skin. For the latest NBA news, stay locked in here with HNHH.

[Via]

LeBron James Praises Atmosphere In Latest Instagram Post

by

LeBron James has been a part of many great playoff moments. But this year, James and his Los Angeles Lakers needed to punch their playoff ticket through the play-in tournament. On Tuesday night, the Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves to earn the seventh seed in the Western Conference. While the play-in tournament may not officially be the playoffs. It didn’t stop Lakers fans from being just as loud and passionate when cheering on their team.

James didn’t let the passion of the fan base go unnoticed. In James’ latest Instagram post, the Lakers star mentioned the amazing atmosphere during Tuesday’s game. Some in the media are slowly coming around to the idea that the Lakers can make a run to the NBA Finals. However, the team will first need to get by the second seed of the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies. Check out James’ latest Instagram post below.

LeBron James Willing Lakers Playoff Push

The Lakers had an atrocious beginning to the season. Along with injuries to James and Anthony Davis, it seemed that the playoffs would only be a dream. However, the team got healthy. Then they began playing as one unit. Now, they find themselves with the opportunity to prove a lot of doubters wrong. But the struggles during the regular season didn’t do them any favors with their playoff matchup. If the Lakers were to get by the Grizzlies, they would meet the winner of the Kings-Warriors series. Which would be another difficult change for any team. Not just the Lakers.

Step one is complete for James and the Lakers. The win on Tuesday means the team can have some rest before their first-round matchup. The eighth seed in the Western Conference will be decided on Friday between the Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder. After that, the playoffs will officially be underway. So, what side are you on? Do you believe that LeBron James can defy the odds and bring Los Angeles another championship? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest news regarding the NBA Playoffs, keep it right here at HNHH.

Patrick Beverley Takes Shot At Toronto Raptors

by

Patrick Beverley is no stranger to trash talk. No matter who the opponent may be, Beverley will talk that talk. Just the season, the Chicago Bulls star made it his mission to try and end the Los Angeles Lakers season. Beverley wanted the chance to prove that his old team needed him. The Bulls got the win. However, the Lakers still punched their playoff ticket. Since then, Beverley has had bigger fish to fry. His Bulls are looking to punch their own playoff ticket. However, they would need to get by the Toronto Raptors first.

Indeed the Bulls passed their first test in the play-in tournament. On Wednesday, the team would defeat the Raptors to move on to the eighth-place matchup with the Miami Heat. But after the game, Beverley wanted to remind Toronto just who sent them home this season. Raptors TV broadcast assistant Mike Roach caught a Beverley moment as the Bulls guard ran past Raptors GM Bobby Webster. “I knew they were f****** trash.” Obviously, the they Beverley was referring to was Webster’s Raptors. But the Bulls didn’t win the game so easily.

Patrick Beverley Lets The Raptors Know

If you watched the game, you would know this one came down to free throws. The Raptors threw up brick after brick from the charity stripe. All those misses came back to haunt the team in their nail-biting defeat. Beverley is no stranger to becoming an icon of the play-in tournament. During his time in Minnesota, the Timberwolves earned a playoff spot through the tournament. Culminating in Beverley becoming a living GIF by throwing his jersey in the crowd in celebration.

As the great Kobe Bryant once said, the job is not finished. In order for Beverley in the Bulls to make the playoffs, they will need to defeat the Miami Heat on Friday night. The two teams will be competing for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. However, now it seems Patrick Beverley has made a new enemy with the entire city of Toronto. What are your thoughts on Beverley’s shot toward the Raptors? Do you think it was petty or just a part of the game? Sound off in the comment section with your thoughts. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Nuggets Receive Update On Jamal Murray Injury

by

Jamal Murray is chomping at the bit heading into the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets guard was sidelined all of last season after a knee injury. Now, Murray wants to make a positive impact on the team after such a long absence. However, it seems the injury bug will not leave Murray alone. Murray has been dealing with a nagging thumb injury on his shooting hand. Although the injury has admittedly bothered Murray. Nuggets fans may have some good news on the way.

Mike Singer of the Denver Post sent out this tweet on Murray’s thumb injury. “Jamal Murray said his thumb is still bothering him and it’s definitely still on his mind when he’s shooting. But he was a full participant today and should be a full go.” It doesn’t seem like the thumb injury will have Murray sidelined when the playoffs begin this weekend. The Nuggets are the number one overall seed in the Western Conference. The team has flexed its dominance all season behind MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.

Jamal Murray Ready For Playoff Push

The team is ready to begin their quest for a title. However, they still don’t know who their first-round opponent will be. The Timberwolves will meet the winner of Thunder-Pelicans to decide the final playoff spot. With all the talks of upsets in the Western Conference, the Nuggets haven’t been mentioned in those discussions. One seeds are not normally sent home in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. However, just ask the Dallas Mavericks. It can be done.

Whoever their opponent may be, the Nuggets will not take them likely. Murray became a playoff superstar during the bubble year. The Nuggets and Jazz gave fans one of the best playoff series of all time that year. So having Jamal Murray at full strength will be massive for the Nuggets. The number one team in the West looks to be as full strength as you can be this late in the season. However, will it be enough for the Nuggets to make the NBA Finals? Give us your predictions on who will win the Western Conference in the comment section. For the latest news involving the NBA Playoffs, keep it right here at HNHH.

[Via]

Draymond Green Predicts Warriors Second Round Matchup

by

Draymond Green is believing in the year of the underdog. The Warriors forward has to, as his team is the sixth seed facing a three seed. But Green doesn’t think the Warriors will be the only team pulling off a first-round upset. On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, the show host has faith in the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have been a popular pick for many in the media realm. Another person that is on that list would be Green.

“This will be our next opponent when we take care of our business,” Green stated when discussing the Lakers on his show. Draymond sees the Lakers as being a tough matchup for the Grizzlies. Also stating that LeBron James will help the Lakers control the tempo of the game. There hasn’t been a ton of faith in the young Kings or Grizzlies. But Green mentioned if they need bulletin material, then here it is. Check out Green’s comments on the Lakers-Grizzlies matchup below.

Draymond Green Believes In The Underdog

Both Western Conference matchups should be great battles. The Kings and Warriors will potentially be played at breakneck speed. Both teams love shooting the three while also putting up a ton of points. Whereas the Lakers-Grizzlies matchup will be a much more physically contested series. However, one thing is for sure, both of these matchups will dictate the next chapter of NBA history. Two young teams will be looking to dethrone the old guard. Plenty of interesting storylines to follow has we finally reach playoff time.

The two Western Conference matchups have garnered a lot of attention. Many don’t feel the Warriors and Lakers met their full potential in the regular season. However, nobody seems to be believing in the great seasons of the Kings and Grizzlies. Will it finally be time for a new age in the NBA? Or is Draymond Green right? Will we be seeing LeBron vs. the Warriors one more time? Let us see your thoughts on the NBA Playoffs in the comment section. For the latest news regarding the NBA, stay locked in here at HNHH.

Radio Host Puts Jimmy Butler On Blast

by

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat were dismantled by the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. The Heat will have one more chance to earn a playoff spot as they await the winner of Chicago and Toronto. Heat fans didn’t expect this team to be a play-in caliber team at the beginning of the season. The Heat have made the Eastern Conference Finals two times in the last three seasons. Now it looks like the team will need a miracle to make it three out of four. As a result, SiriusXM NBA Radio host Justin Termine had a lot to say about the Heat. Including that, a lot of the blame for this season’s failure should be on Jimmy Butler.

“Who else is sick of Jimmy Butler talking nonstop?” That was the question Termine asked listeners at the top of his show. Termine is tired of Butler saying the Heat are good and then laying an egg. However, Termine didn’t place the sole blame on Butler. According to Termine, Bam Adebayo should shoulder some blame as well. The Heat stars didn’t come with that fighting mentality on Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the team, they only have one more shot to get this right.

Termine Expects Better From Jimmy Butler

Heat fans are seemingly frustrated. But that doesn’t negate the season that Butler has had. The Miami star averaged 22 points per game this regular season. The number far exceeds his career average, which sits at 18. The Heat’s failures can’t entirely be on Butler’s shoulders. However, when you are the star of the team, you’re destined to take a lot of the blame. So, how can the Heat fix this before the final play-in tournament game? Certainly, this team has the talent to win it all. As can be seen with their recent success. However, something is causing the ship to sink.

The obvious answer is to get better performances from Bam and Butler. But that is easier said then done. The team will have to play with a sense of urgency. Something that didn’t seem to exist in their game on Tuesday. The Atlanta Hawks got out to an early lead and basically never let out. Does the Heat have what it takes to earn the eighth and final playoff spot? If they don’t, where does the franchise go this off-season? Let us know your thoughts on the Heat in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

Kyle Kuzma Claps Back At Spencer Dinwiddie In Twitter Thread

by

Kyle Kuzma didn’t take long to answer Spencer Dinwiddie’s comments from Wednesday morning. Dinwiddie was a guest on FanDuel Tv and, during his appearance, had plenty to say about his former teammate. The Nets guard claims he doesn’t think that Kuzma is intensely focused on his playing career. But rather enjoys the spoils of his off-the-court life. Kuzma and Dinwiddie spent time in Washington together. But their beef has been no secret to the NBA Twitter world.

Kuzma was quick in his response to Dinwiddie’s appearances. Including a thread on Twitter to explain his relationship with Dinwiddie. Kuzma started his Twitter thread by saying, “Ok so since I’m so “famous”@FanDuelTV & @SDinwiddie_25 let me give you all some clout. I’m usually unbothered but things on the internet but I will not allow this delusional guy to continue to talk about my teammates and I.” From there, Kuzma went all in.

Kyle Kuzma’s Epic Response To Spencer Dinwiddie

Kuzma attacks Dinwiddie personally and professionally in his Twitter thread. Including giving the Brooklyn guard an unflattering nickname. Kuzma flamed Dinwiddie for his praise of the Nets making the playoffs. Dinwiddie spoke about how his team is a playoff team, while Kuzma and the Wizards will not be participating. Kuzma said that Dinwiddie should thank former Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving for their contributions prior to being traded. As Kuzma mentioned, the Nets do have a losing record since dealing both Durant and Irving. But the Nets can still claim they belonged in the playoffs this season.

The beef between Kyle Kuzma and Spencer Dinwiddie looks to be far from over. Kuzma’s response to Dinwiddie is for sure going to stoke the flames of their beef. Dinwiddie’s comments have seemed to bring it all out of Kuzma. However, maybe Dinwiddie should begin putting his focus on the playoffs. But a little beef never really hurt anyone. So, who has won the latest round between Kuzma and Dinwiddie? Please tell us your thoughts on the beef and what side you stand on. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.