NBA Archives - Page 19 of 62 - New Hip Hop News

Drake Trolls Fred VanVleet With “Guangdong Dragons” Joke

July 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Drake joked that Fred VanVleet is headed to the Guangdong Dragons after the former Toronto Raptors star agreed to a deal with the Houston Rockets. He did so while commenting on a farewell Instagram post from the former NBA champion.

“My look alike…the love is forever thank you for your character and your contributions over the years the city will never forget!!! Good luck with everything on the Guangdong Dragons……..I mean the Rockets,” Drake said. In response, VanVleet told him to “relax.”

Drake & Fred VanVleet During A Raptors’ Game

TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 21: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high-fives rapper Drake during game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on May 21, 2019, in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

As for VanVleet’s original message, he wrote: “Words can’t do justice to how thankful I am to the city that watched me grow from a young kid praying for a chance to a NBA CHAMPION, All-Star, and a father of 3! I am forever indebted to the franchise that gave me a shot when no one else would. We built things together that can never be broken, and accomplished things that will stand forever. I went from the fans not knowing who I was, to fan favorite, to most hated and I’m thankful for every second of it. To the city, franchise, and country that watched me grow every step of the way – THANK YOU.” Check out the full post below.

VanVleet signed with the Raptors after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. After playing with the team’s G League affiliate, VanVleet eventually became one of the most important players on the roster. He made his first NBA All-Star Game in 2022.

Drake Trolls Fred VanVleet

The move for the Rockets comes after they brought in Ime Udoka to be their next head coach. It’s Udoka’s first position since his infamous departure from the Boston Celtics, last year

[Via]

The post Drake Trolls Fred VanVleet With “Guangdong Dragons” Joke appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Massive Deals Headline Start Of NBA Free Agency

July 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

After weeks of speculation and rumor, NBA free agency finally began at 6pm ET on June 30. The free agent list might not have been as star-studded as in recent years. However, there was plenty of talent potentially on the move.

Leading the pack were the likes of Draymond Green and Kyrie Irving. Green had declined his player option with the Warriors while Irving had declined to sign an extension in Dallas. Furthermore, Irving’s story was especially interesting. He went from being unwanted by most of the league to having six meetings scheduled for the start of free agency.

It didn’t take long for the reports to start flying in after free agency officially opened. While many of the deals were ones that the rumor had expected, there were certainly a few surprises to keep the night fresh. Let’s take a look at everything that happened in the first ~12 hours of free agency.

Massive Deals For Green, Irving, VanVleet

Draymond Green indeed returned to the Warriors, netting a four-year, $100 million deal to run it back with The Splash Brothers. While some wild rumors had emerged about Green, no one really expected him to sign anywhere other than Golden State. However, getting his signature means the Warriors will stay in title contention this season.

Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving did end up re-signing with the Mavericks on a three-year, $126 million deal. It’s unclear what the full story with Irving is, whether he did in fact meet with six teams or was simply trying to squeeze a better offer out of the Mavericks. Regardless, the veteran will remain in Dallas for the foreseeable future.

Elsewhere, Fred VanVleet signed the biggest-ever contract for an undrafted player. After rumors placed the deal at two years and $83 million, VanVleet’s Rockets contract is a three-year, $130 million behemoth.

Other Stars Land Mammoth Re-Signings In NBA Free Agency

Massive deals were the commodity of the day, with a number of other players landing major contracts with their current teams. Kyle Kuzma returned to the Wizards for four years and $102 million. He is expected to player a major role in the Wizards’ rebuild.

<a href= — BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 24: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at the TD Garden on March 24, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

But as June 30 became July 1, there were a number of massive re-signings. A little after midnight, the Pacers gave Tyrese Haliburton a max contract extension – five years and worth up to $260 million. Earlier in the day, the Pacers had added former Nugget Bruce Brown on a two-year, $45 million deal.

Just minutes after the Haliburton deal was announced, Desmond Bane re-signed with Memphis for five years and $207 million. Furthermore, it is the first-ever $200 million contract given out by the Grizzlies.

[via]

The post Massive Deals Headline Start Of NBA Free Agency appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Fat Joe Reacts To Getting Roasted For His “Dick From Kansas” NBA Draft Comment

June 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Fat Joe appeared as a guest on ESPN recently, weighing in on the 2023 NBA draft. He unfortunately garnered some attention for claiming to like “Dick from Kansas,” meaning the Kansas Jayhawks’ Gradey Dick. The rapper was immediately clowned online for the comment, and now he’s taken to social media to respond.

“Shoutout to Cam’ron and Ma$e for not roasting me yet,” he said during a recent Instagram Live. “Everywhere I been going, they been like, ‘Yo, you like Dick from Kansas?’ His name is Gradey Dick, a white boy who’s dead nice in Kansas. But it’s okay,” Fat Joe continued. The artist insists that the jokes don’t bother him, as he’s confident in himself.

Fat Joe Likes Gradey Dick

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE HIP-HOP WOLF® (@thehiphopwolf)

Fat Joe continued, “And I’m too old to play the pause game. I’m for everybody. Hey, you take it how you want to. I’m very confident in who I am. I’m Joe Crack Da Don. I don’t play the pause game. That’s years ago. And aye, I don’t think nothing of it.” He then revealed that he didn’t even question the comment before he said it, claiming that he doesn’t have a problem with the ongoing jokes. “When I say stuff, I mean it,” he described, “I don’t know how to explain it to you. I don’t have a problem. He continued, “I didn’t think twice when I was talking to Stephen A. [Smith] at the draft. I didn’t think twice of what I said.” He went on, “People were like, ‘Yo, you’re trending right now.’ ‘Yo, you said Dick from Kansas.’ Yo bro, we go viral and we don’t even try.”

The NBA draft comment isn’t the only thing Fat Joe has defended recently. Earlier this week, he defended his use of the n-word during a podcast, calling controversy surrounding the use “mind-boggling.” He went on to say, “You obviously know I’m wit Black people all day. I fight for Black people, I fight for Latinos every day of my life.”

[Via]

The post Fat Joe Reacts To Getting Roasted For His “Dick From Kansas” NBA Draft Comment appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jay-Z’s Presence Alone Changed Lou Williams’ Mind About Declaring For The NBA Draft Out Of High School

June 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Three-time NBA Sixth Man Of The Year Lou Williams officially retired from the league on Father’s Day. Williams’ announcement was made in the form of an Instagram video narrated by his daughter. “Finally, today, I’m happy you found peace with your decision,” she says. “You were a young dreamer out of South Gwinnett, one of the last to be drafted — straight to the league. You were eager to make a name for yourself.”

It turns out Jay-Z is responsible for Williams’ going 45th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft out of South Gwinnett High School, rather than playing at the University Of Georgia first.

“I went straight from high school [to the league],” Williams said to start a recent episode of The Starting Five podcast presented by DraftKings. “My thing was, my senior year in high school, I started experiencing things. I had this one night — LeBron and Mav [Carter] introduced me to Jay-Z. I kicked it with Jay for a night, and I went to school the next day.”

Lou Will continued, “I was looking around the class, like, ‘I’m nothin’ like none of y’all.’ I started experiencing different sh*t, so I was like, ‘I’m not going to sit in another classroom after this.’ I literally can’t do it, you know what I’m saying? I don’t think that’s going to be the path for me.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lou Williams (@louwillville)

Williams spent the first seven seasons of his career in Philly (2005 to 2012) before signing in free agency with his hometown Atlanta Hawks, where he initially played from 2012 to 2014. Williams ultimately finished his career in Atlanta, most recently appearing in 56 games during the 2021-2022 season, but he enjoyed stops with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers in between.

Watch the full The Starting Five episode above.

Ja Morant Lawsuit Depositions Reveal New Details About Gun Incident, 2022 Fight

June 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

A 25-game suspension from the NBA is somehow the least of Ja Morant’s worries right now. Morant will be away from the league until at least early December after a second instance of the young star flashing a gun on Instagram Live. However, Morant is facing other problems off the court as well.

In July 2022, Morant was allegedly involved in a fight with 17-year-old Joshua Holloway during a pick-up basketball game. The police investigated, ruled that Morant had punched Holloway in self-defense, and then closed the case. However, now Morant’s friends and family are being pulled into depositions because Holloway has filed a lawsuit in civil court.

If things weren’t already bad enough for Morant, it appears that the documents being filed in this suit are intriguing enough to warrant the investigation into him being reopened. Debra Fessenden, who handles public records for Tennessee’s Shelby County, told The Washington Post that certain documents relating to the case were no longer publicly available due to an “active investigation.”

Lawsuit Reveals New Details On Morant Fight And Gun Incident

BREAKING: Ja Morant is facing a lawsuit in connection with allegedly punching a 17-year-old at his home after the minor threw a basketball at him during a pickup game. pic.twitter.com/quS5bbw4UA

— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) January 3, 2023

Per Holloway’s attorneys, their new investigation has revealed affidavits “we now know to be inaccurate” and has accused Morant’s legal team of a “lack of accountability.” Police closed the case based on the testimony, or lack of testimony, from eight witnesses. Except at least two of those witnesses say they never spoke to the police. Meanwhile, the police used affidavits provided by Morant’s legal team, all of which contained similar or near-identical wording.

Another key piece to everything is Davonte Pack, the long-time friend of Morant’s. Pack and Morant have been friends since childhood. Furthermore, it was Pack who filmed the second gun incident in May. Pack was present for the 2022 fight but his name was barely present in the police investigation. Additionally, two of the witnesses to the 2022 fight claim to have been in the car during the second gun incident. Both men have reiterated the claim from Morant’s camp that the gun was actually lighter.

Unlike Morant, Pack did not claim self-defense in the altercation. In fact, during his May 23 deposition, his response as to whether there was any reason he did not attempt to avoid conflict was “No, there’s really no reason.” As the suit continues, both Holloway and Morant are expected to be deposed in late July.

Ja Morant Allegedly Feels Like The NBA Is Out To “Get Him”

Ja Morant’s camp reportedly feels like the NBA and the media are out to get them

“I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them. That the media is out to get them.”

(Via… pic.twitter.com/aheFNkJw7m

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 19, 2023

But the new lawsuit isn’t the only reason that Morant is making headlines. A few days after receiving the news of his suspension, and issuing yet another generic apology, Morant was reportedly making slightly more heated comments.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Morant’s camp felt like the deck was stacked against Morant. “I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA is out to get them. That the media is out to get them.”

However, the claims were largely met with derision. Many people pointed out that the league is a business that is simply protecting its brand. Furthermore, many others argued that Morant got what he deserved for openly challenging the league the way he did. After all, he could have simply not gone on a live stream holding what appeared to be a gun. He especially could have simply not done that two months after saying he was very sorry for going on a live stream with a gun.

[via][via][via]

The post Ja Morant Lawsuit Depositions Reveal New Details About Gun Incident, 2022 Fight appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Los Angeles Lakers Rookie Takes Fun Shot At LeBron James

June 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Los Angeles Lakers came up just short of pulling off a miracle season. The team battled injuries all season long. Including top players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis missing time. However, the team found its groove right at the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers tallied two series victories before falling in the Western Conference Finals. Although the season didn’t end the way they hoped. The 2022-23 campaign wasn’t a complete failure.

Now the Lakers are in the same boat as everyone else. Every team in the league is looking for the right recipe to slow down Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. The road to the NBA Finals started with the 2023 NBA Draft. The Lakers introduced the newest members of their squad on Monday. As for Jalen Hood-Schifino, he is already jokingly taking pokes at the bear. Hood-Schifino was only seven days old when LeBron was drafted in 2003. A fact that the media just had to bring up during Hood-Schifino’s first press conference.

Los Angeles Lakers Ready For Another Deep Playoff Run

Hood-Schifino said he had heard that fact before. “I did see that post on ESPN. I was like ‘Dang, LeBron’s old!” Did he just call LeBron old? Yes, he did. But this time, it was all in good fun. The rookie knows how iconic James is to the league and what he brings to the franchise. We know what happens if you call James old with malice behind your words. You get eliminated from the playoffs and then ran off your own team. Maybe Dillon Brooks will think twice the next time.

It’s no secret that the sands in the hourglass are fewer and fewer for James. On Monday, fans celebrated the 20 anniversary of the 2003 NBA Draft class. A class filled with talent from top to bottom. However, James isn’t worried about age, he’s worried about chasing another ring. A fifth to add to his already massive trophy room. Question is, can James and the Lakers reach the mountaintop one more time? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

The post Los Angeles Lakers Rookie Takes Fun Shot At LeBron James appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Victor Wembanyama Asks Advice From Spurs Legends

June 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Victor Wembanayma will need to make an immediate impact when he plays his first season in the NBA. The amount of praise on the newest number-one overall pick has him destined for greatness. However, saying someone is great and them being great are two separate things. But it feels like Wembanyama knows that. On Tuesday, a video was dropped on social media showing the French star already putting in the work in the gym. However, that is the only place to find success.

Numerous Spurs legends joined Wembanyama for a dinner recently in San Antonio. The franchise is already one of the more storied organizations in the league. With help from every guy who joined Wemby for the Dinner. A picture was snapped, including all the legends in attendance. The attendees were Sean Elliot, Manu Ginobili, David Robinson, and Team Duncan. On Tuesday, Elliot was a guest on The Dan Patrick Show. The Spurs legend shared what Wembanyama asked the table of legends.

Victor Wembanyama Already Wise Beyond His Years

“He asked us, ‘How can you get enough sleep on the road.’ What kind of young person asks that question? Most guys are like ‘Hey, what’s the best club to go to in Philly or NY.'”

Sean Elliott on Victor Wembanyama’s dinner with Spurs legends

(via @dpshow)pic.twitter.com/ZwT5lT1zWK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 27, 2023

When discussing what Wembanyama wanted to ask, Elliot was taken aback. “He asked us, ‘How can you get enough sleep on the road.’ What kind of young person asks that question? Most guys are like, ‘Hey, what’s the best club to go to in Philly or NY.” I would have most definitely been asking those later questions when I was 18 years old. However, Wembanyama is already turning heads with his maturity level at such a young age.

Even during the draft JJ Redick praised Wembanyama on his maturity and being able to handle himself. The rookie phenom was a recent guest on Redick’s podcast leading up to the draft. Now the time for talk is over. The Spurs will soon be hitting the court for Summer League. Of course, fans will get their first glimpse at the league’s newest sensation. However, the team has yet to announce how many games he will participate in this summer. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

The post Victor Wembanyama Asks Advice From Spurs Legends appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Dallas Mavericks Rookies On Playing With Luka Doncic

June 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Dallas Mavericks had a frustrating end to the 2022-23 season. A team that was filled with great talent failed to reach the postseason. Not just great talent, but two of the greatest offensive weapons in the game today. It felt like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could never cook up the perfect recipe in late-game situations. The season was a failure, and now the future of Irving in Dallas seems to be unknown. However, now is the time to look ahead to a better future.

The Mavericks made two selections in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. With those selections, the team chose Duke’s Dereck Lively and Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper. The franchise is excited to bring in more young talent. But the hope is to surround them with veteran leadership like Irving and Doncic. On Monday, the Mavericks introduced their rookies to the local media. Both young men are excited about the opportunity. However, they’re also excited about one new teammate in particular.

Dallas Mavericks Young Stars Ready For The Challenge

Mavs rookies Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Dereck Lively II share their thoughts on playing with Luka Doncic.

Prosper: “Luka’s one of the best players in the world. Just playing with a guy like that, it’s just amazing. You can learn so much from a guy like that. He’s an unselfish… pic.twitter.com/TsziSSzeWq

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 27, 2023

When asked about the opportunity to play alongside Luka, Prosper had this to say, “Luka’s one of the best players in the world. Just playing with a guy like that, it’s just amazing. You can learn so much from a guy like that. He’s an unselfish player. He’s a player that loves to pass — loves to create. I’m just excited to be able to play with a guy like that, learn from him, and just compliment him.” Both rookies seemed thrilled to be paired with such a high-caliber player like Doncic.

The offensive side of the ball was not an issue last season for the Mavericks. The team showcased their offensive weapons on a nightly basis. However, stopping the other team from scoring was the main concern. Now Lively and Prosper will need to bring a strong defensive game to the table to make a quick impact. Does the future look bright in Dallas? Let us know what you think about the Mavericks draft picks in our comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

The post Dallas Mavericks Rookies On Playing With Luka Doncic appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steph Curry Reveals Feelings On Chris Paul Trade

June 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors fell short of repeating as the champions of the NBA. The Warriors were knocked out of the 2023 Playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Lakers. The Warriors seemed to be missing just one more piece to get over the hump. Although it was practically the same team that won the Larry O’Brien just a year before. Nevertheless, the Warriors felt like it was time to shake things up a bit. When you have the chance to bring in a future Hall of Famer, you can’t pass it up.

Chris Paul was traded to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster deal. The trade sent former Wizards star Bradley Beal to Phoenix. However, before that trade was even officially completed, Paul had another new home. The Warriors wasted little time in bringing Paul to the organization. However, that means trading away a young piece of the franchise. That young piece would end up being Jordan Poole. Poole already had an up-and-down year, including an altercation with Draymond Green. However, Curry will not forget his time with the team.

Steph Curry Trusts Warriors Plan

In his first comments about the trade, Curry mentioned how hard it is to see Poole go. “You hate losing [Jordan Poole]… That’s the tough part of the business, seeing a young guy come into his own [and then get traded]… But we’re trying to win next year, and Chris Paul can help.” The last part of that comment is the sole reason for the trade. Paul puts the Warriors in a better position to compete for a title. However, will he be open to coming off of the bench?

It may take some time for the Warriors to blend Paul into their chemistry. However, Curry and Paul both are proven winners. They each know the sacrifices that need to be made for the greater good. But does Paul give the Warriors a better chance at beating a team like the Denver Nuggets? Do you think this trade made the Warriors better? Let us know in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

The post Steph Curry Reveals Feelings On Chris Paul Trade appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Tobias Harris Calls Out Sixers Fans Amid Trade Rumors

June 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Tobias Harris has been garnering a lot of attention lately. However, it may not be for any reason that he would like it to be. Before Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Harris was mentioned in a potential trade. At the time, the Suns were thinking about moving on from DeAndre Ayton. A plan that has since been put on the back burner. However, one of the landing spots for Ayton would have been in Philadelphia. As the rumor went, Harris would have been dealt to Pheonix.

However, now the Suns are claiming that they are sticking with Ayton. At least for one more season. For Harris, he still remains in Philadelphia. But it does seem like the trade talk is started to wear thin. In a recent interview, Harris was asked about his thoughts on being traded from Philadelphia. Let’s just say he didn’t sound too thrilled by the idea of starting new somewhere else. Check out the clip below.

Tobias Harris Frustrated With Trade Talk

“Casual Sixers fans, they’ll trade me for a Crumbl Cookie… You’re not getting a 6’9 forward back who can damn near shoot 40% from 3, guard other teams best player, post-up, drive, play 70+ games.”

Tobias Harris on being in trade rumors

(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/0r2DfITF8o

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 27, 2023

“Casual Sixers fans, they’ll trade me for a Crumbl Cookie… You’re not getting a 6’9 forward back who can damn near shoot 40% from 3, guard other teams best player, post-up, drive, play 70+ games.” To be fair, Harris did say it was only the casual fans that would want him gone for a cookie. Depending on the cookie and the amount of cookies I would receive, it would be hard for me to not want to trade everybody. Nevertheless, it seems that Harris feels slighted by the trade rumors.

The 6’9 forward does have the numbers to back up a great season. Last year, Harris averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds for the Sixers. Both numbers are a little below his career average. However, this past season in Philadelphia may have been the most talent that Harris has played around. There are a lot of questions left to be answered in Philadelphia before the start of next season. A big one will be if Tobias Harris is still on the roster for opening night. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]

The post Tobias Harris Calls Out Sixers Fans Amid Trade Rumors appeared first on HotNewHipHop.