NBA Playoffs

Jack Harlow Had A Perfect Response For The NBA Refs Who Didn’t Know Who He Was

by
jack harlow nba
Getty Image

There’s little denying that Jack Harlow is a bonafide star now, but that doesn’t mean that everyone knows who he is. He’s got two No. 1 hit singles — Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby” and his own “First Class” — and his breakout single “What’s Poppin” is practically ubiquitous at sporting events, but two NBA referees at last night’s playoff game between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks had a laugh at Harlow’s expense during a miked-up moment in which they admitted they had no clue who he is.

He was sitting courtside at the time, so he didn’t get to hear them in person, but once he got home and found out about the viral moment, he had the perfect response. Part of the reason he’s so popular is because of his “extremely online” personality and good-natured sense of humor. So, instead of being offended that a pair of 50-year-old NBA refs were unaware of his general existence — let alone how popular he is –, he referenced an amusing meme about himself.

“Clearly these mfs have never seen Narnia,” he joked. Of course, that’s a reference to a fan’s joking tweet pointing out Jack’s resemblance to actor James McAvoy, who played the faun Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. It’s a funny moment that allowed him to have the last laugh, without taking himself too seriously.

Jack’s got plenty of reasons to feel good about himself though. In a short time, he’s gone from fanning out in Bryson Tiller’s DMs to having his fellow Louisvillian helping to promote his upcoming album, Come Home The Kids Miss You. Led by the singles “Nail Tech” and “First Class,” Harlow’s latest will drop this Friday, May 6 via Atlantic Records.

Refs Had No Clue Who Jack Harlow Was When He Sat Courtside At An NBA Playoff Game

by

The Boston Celtics had a rough opening game in their second-round NBA Playoffs series against the Milwaukee Bucks, as they struggled and lost 101-89 on their home court at TD Garden, falling to 0-1 on the series. As for who took the biggest L of the night, though, it may not have even been Jayson Tatum and company, as Jack Harlow had a humbling (and pretty funny) moment while sitting courtside.

During a break in game action, in a mic’d-up moment between referees Scott Foster and Ed Malloy (who have reffed for 27 and 19 NBA seasons, respectively), Foster turns to Malloy and asks, “Who’s Jack Harlow?” After Foster repeats the question, Malloy answered, “I have no idea.” After Foster points him out, Malloy asks who he is and Foster responds, “I don’t know,” then adding with a smile, “Go ask him.”

While Harlow is of course one of today’s most popular rappers with a recent No. 1 single in “First Class,” it makes sense he might not be on the officials’ radar: Both men are in their 50s and the National Basketball Referees Association website lists Foster’s favorite musician as Darius Rucker and Malloy’s as U2.

Check out the moment above.

Jack Harlow is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

SOURCE SPORTS: Stephen A. Smith Seguests James Harden May Want Doc Rivers Out and Mike D’Antoni in as 76ers’ Head Coach

by
1379849704.0

The Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be a lock for the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after being up 3-0 in their best of seven series with the Toronto Raptors.

Things are tight for the 76ers, who are now only up 3-2 in the series, heading back to Toronto for a game 6. James Harden has been struggling in the last few games of the series, and someone has a theory as to why.

On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith suggested that Harden maybe throw this series to get D’Antoni in there:

Smith believes Harden may throw the series to get Doc Rivers fired and Mike D’Antoni hired. Suppose the 76ers can’t recover and win either Game 6 and Game 7 and become the first team to blow a 3-0 series lead. In that case, there is a big chance that Rivers loses his job, and a guy like D’Antoni could step in, considering his relationship with the 76ers general manager Daryl Morey and Harden.

Harden hasn’t been the same player since his MVP season a few years ago. In that same First Take segment, JJ Redick suggested that Harden has many miles on him and maybe be past his prime. If that is the case, an argument can be made that both can be true.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Stephen A. Smith Seguests James Harden May Want Doc Rivers Out and Mike D’Antoni in as 76ers’ Head Coach appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: 3 Reasons Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Home Early From the NBA Playoffs

by
Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

From projected NBA champions to a first-round sweep, the Brooklyn Nets season is over. The Boston Celtics swept the Nets in 4 games in the NBA playoffs first round. The Nets were the only team to be swept in the first round of the playoffs. Here are three reasons why the Nets are off to Cancun.

kevindurantkyrieirving 122220

Lack Of Chemistry

The Net’s lack of playing time together finally showed its ugly head going up against a Celtics core that has been playing ball together for several years. The Nets were without Kyrie Irving for most of the season at home, and Kevin Durant missed significant time with a knee injury. The two All-Stars didn’t get time to gel much this season.

qyihxuzfcbu6pcsazwlx

James Harden Factor

Midway last season, the Nets formed a big three by acquiring Harden, who, midway through this season, already had a change of heart that led him to Philadelphia. To first get Harden, the Nets had to give up many assets for him, and when they traded him, they were stuck with a disgruntled Ben Simmons.

1371982396 850x560 1

Lack Of Size

The Nets are a small team, and the Celtics took every advantage of it. The Celtics outrebounded the Nets, bullied the Nets, and out-hustled the Nets for four straight games. Durant and Irving were harassed and contested on every possession, and many turnovers both stars had shown.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: 3 Reasons Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Home Early From the NBA Playoffs appeared first on The Source.

Joel Embiid Trash Talked Drake After The Sixers Beat The Raptors In Game 3

by
joel embiid
Getty Image

The Philadelphia 76ers are one game away from the Eastern Conference Semifinals after a thrilling comeback win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Philly picked up the 104-101 win in overtime thanks to the heroics of Joel Embiid — beyond once again putting up numbers with a 33-point and 13-rebound performance, Embiid hit a game-winning turnaround three with less than a second left on the clock to get the Sixers one game away from a sweep.

As Embiid walked off the floor in Toronto, he ran into noted Raptors fan and guy who has courtside seats for their home games, Drake. The two apparently went back-and-forth with one another during the game, according to Tobias Harris.

Video eventually popped up of Embiid and Drake exchanging pleasantries after the game, with Embiid insisting that Drake is in his usual seat for Game 4 so he can witness a sweep.

“That’s what you call a f*cking superstar,” Embiid said. “Get your ass up, I’m coming for the sweep, too. You better be there.”

Drake said he would, but unsurprisingly predicted it’ll be a 3-1 series after Game 4. That game will take place on Saturday afternoon, and is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. ET on TNT.

SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Fined $50K for Flipping the Bird at Celtics Fans During Game 1

by
FQk6INnXEAc ZHo

Kyrie Irving knew he would be hit with a hefty fine for giving the Boston Celtics fans the double bird during game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Well, the league hit the Brooklyn Nets point guard in the pockets. The NBA has fined Irving $50k for his actions toward the fans Sunday afternoon.

“The same energy they have for me, I’m going to have for them,” Irving said following the game. “And it’s not every fan. I don’t want to attack every Boston fan, but when people start yelling “p****” and “b****” and “f*** you” and all of this, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble and take a humble approach. No. F*** that. It’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

Heading into tonight’s game 2 with the Nets trailing in the series 1-0, it will be interesting to see if Irving will continue to stand by his word to give the Celtics fans the same energy again.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Fined $50K for Flipping the Bird at Celtics Fans During Game 1 appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls”

by
Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls”

Joel Embiid loves to talk trash while on the court, and it now appears coaches aren’t safe from his antics either. During the game two big win for Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers over the Toronto Raptors, Embiid had an in-game conversation with Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse.

You couldn’t tell what during the game, but afterward, Embiid revealed what was said with Nurse’s back-and-forth.

“He’s a great coach obviously, what he has been able to accomplish,” said Embiid of Nurse. “I’ve always been a big fan. But I told him, respectfully told him to stop b—-ing about calls.”

Embiid finished the game with 31 points, with 12 coming from the free-throw line. He attempted 14 free throws for the game. It seems Nurse didn’t like the number of times Embiid went to the line in the game.

“If you’re going to triple-team somebody all game, they are bound to get to the free-throw line, or if you’re going to push them off and try to hold them and all that stuff, they’re bound and get to the free-throw line,” Embiid said. “So I feel like every foul was legit and probably should have been more, honestly.”

The Raptors head back to Toronto down 2-0 in their first-round matchup with the 76ers. Maybe Nurse’s complaining to Embiid and the refs way benefit the Raptors in game 3, have Embiid more motivated to keep the pressure on.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls” appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Warriors Takes a 2-0 Series Lead on the Nuggets Putting the Rest of the Western Conference on Notice

by
FQrk1TjVcAI4xER

The Golden State Warriors are putting the Western Conference on notice with their outstanding play in the first two games of their matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors have taken a commanding 2-0 lead. They have neutralized defending league MVP Nikola Jokic and the entire Nuggets team with a new death lineup with Jordan Poole playing the role of former Warrior Kevin Durant.

The full unit took the court with 6:02 remaining in the second quarter, with Golden State trailing 43-35. By the time the halftime whistle sounded, the Warriors had led, 57-51. The new death lineup, which has yet to receive a proper nickname, launched a 22-8 run in half a quarter, and the way they did it should terrify the Nuggets, but whichever teams get in their way in upcoming playoff rounds.

“It’s a passer’s paradise for me,” Green said after the Game 2 win. “You’ve got those three guys [Curry, Thompson and Poole] out there at the same time, for me as a passer, that’s heaven. … You can’t ask for anything more on the offensive end, any more options than that.”

Steph Curry came off the bench and shot. Curry shot 12-for-17 (71%) from the field, the highest field goal percentage of his playoff career. It’s the first time in his career he scored 30-plus points in fewer than 25 minutes (regular season or playoffs), even though it was the 48th time he played 25 minutes or less.

The Warriors will look to take a 3 -0 lead in Denver on Thursday night.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Warriors Takes a 2-0 Series Lead on the Nuggets Putting the Rest of the Western Conference on Notice appeared first on The Source.