NBA Archives - Page 9 of 62 - New Hip Hop News

Damian Lillard Open To Blazers Return

February 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Damian Lillard has revealed that he would be open to returning to the Portland Trail Blazers in the future. “Because of how I feel about Portland. How I feel about the organization here and my time that I spent here, in my mind I’ve always felt like that’s how my career would end. Right now, I’m just in a space of like, this is where I am now. I’m in Milwaukee. I wanted the opportunity to contend, and our team has an opportunity to contend for this year and years to come. And I’m just living in that. But I definitely, when I was traded, I see a day where I’ll be in a Trail Blazer uniform again before I’m done,” Lillard said. Lillard and the Bucks were playing their first game in Portland since acquiring Lillard in the biggest trade of the offseason.

However, despite giving Lillard a one-minute standing ovation when he was announced, the Blazers did not go easy on the Bucks. Lillard had 25 points but a last-second floater from Afernee Simmons sealed a 119-116 victory for the home team. The loss meant the Bucks have now lost three of their last four. It’s has not been an ideal start to the tenure of Doc Rivers, who was seen as a better championship coaching option to ousted first-year head coach Adrian Griffin.

Damian Lillard Respects Tyrese Haliburton’s “Dame Time” Celebration

Meanwhile, Lillard has had plenty to say while adjusting to life in the Eastern Conference. In December, he said he had no issue with the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton copping his signature “Dame Time” celebration. “I learned as a kid, when you dish it out, you’ve got to be willing to take it. For as many times as I’ve done it to people, I can’t be upset when somebody else does it. You know what I mean,” Lillard said.

“I think that’s also a sign of respect and acknowledgment for knowing my history and knowing what I do. I didn’t mind it. It was what it was. I’ve also known that, you know, when you are having your moment, it’s important to be careful. Be humble in your moments because you just never know how the tables are going to turn or when they are going to turn. I respected it. We shook hands after the game. I wasn’t moved by it left or right,” he continued.

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Anthony Edwards Gets Huge Fine For Ref Comments

January 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Anthony Edwards has been fined $40K for his derogatory comments aimed at the officiating crew present for the Timberwolves’ win against the Thunder earlier this week. The NBA levied the fine at the young star for “repeatedly publicly criticizing the officiating”. Edwards clearly expected it, saying that he was going to “take the fine” as he went after the refs. Despite the win, Edwards said like Wolves were playing “8-on-5” due to the lack of calls going the team’s way.

However, it’s not the first time that the NBA has gone after Edwards. Last year, he was fined $50K for throwing a chair courtside after the Wolves’ playoff elimination at the hands of the Nuggets. Despite the hefty fine, Edwards did not miss any games due to the incident. A number of staffers unsuccessfully sued Edwards over the incident, claiming to have been injured during the incident. The case was dismissed before going to trial.

Are NBA Fines Getting Out Of Hand?

The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/maQJUb13iQ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 31, 2024

Of course, the NBA has been getting increasingly frequent with its fines. Last year, the NBA fined Embiid $35K for “repeatedly making an obscene gesture on the playing court” in November 2023. The gesture in question was the “DX Crotch Chop”, something first seen in the WWE by the D-Generation X stable. Embiid broke out the move after scoring off a foul in the third quarter in the Sixers’ home opener against the Blazers. Earlier this year, in January, Embiid was fined $25K for making the same gesture in a similar situation against the Nets.

Despite being out $35K, Embiid has gotten an invaluable invitation out of the moment. After news of the fine broke, Triple H, one of the best known DX wrestlers, hit Embiid up on Twitter. “Hey @JoelEmbiid – I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly…,” the wrestler wrote. Furthermore, the milestone wrestling will touch down in the City of Brotherly Love this April.

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LeBron James Drops Cryptic Tweet Amid Public Frustrations With The Lakers

January 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

LeBron James has posted a cryptic message to social media amid a period of vocal frustration with the Lakers. LeBron posted a tweet with a single hourglass emoji shortly after the Lakers lost on the road to Atlanta. Could this mean that “time is running out” for LeBron’s tenure in LA? After all, LeBron’s contract with the team, which runs through the end of next season, was signed on the notion of the Lakers being a championship contender.

Furthermore, as mentioned, LeBron has been open about his frustrations with the team over the past few weeks. “We could on any given night beat any team in the NBA. And then on any given night we could get our ass kicked,” LeBron said after the Lakers fell to the Hawks and dropped to 24-25 on the season. The Lakers have plummeted in the standings after winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament in mid-December. They have won just 10 games since that December 9 over Indiana.

Lakers Losing LeBron James And The Locker Room

LeBron James on the 24-25 Lakers: “We could on any given night beat any team in the NBA. And then on any given night we could get our ass kicked” pic.twitter.com/IlKra5XAmy

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2024

However, this is just the latest blunt assessment that LeBron has offered amid the team’s continued woes. “I mean, we just suck right now,” LeBron told reporters after a January 4 loss to Memphis. Furthermore, he railed against people using the aforementioned IST as a barometer of team success. “That was just two games. It’s a small sample. Everyone is getting so cracked up about Vegas and keep bringing up Vegas. It was two games. We took care of that business. It was the in-season tournament, we played it, we won it. But that was literally just two games,” LeBron added at the time.

Despite the growing mutiny in the Lakers locker room, the organization appears set on retaining head coach Darvin Ham as the team leader. While injuries have played a major role in the lack of team consistency, Ham’s offseason decisions and ongoing roster choices continue to baffle both fans and players alike. The Lakers are next in action against the Celtics on February 2.

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Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu to Face Off in Historic NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge

January 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

In a groundbreaking moment for basketball, NBA’s all-time 3-point leader, Stephen Curry, and WNBA’s single-season 3-point record holder, Sabrina Ionescu, will compete in the inaugural “Stephen vs. Sabrina” NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge. The historic event is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.

The competition, airing on TNT after the STARRY 3-Point Contest and before the AT&T Slam Dunk, is poised to be a thrilling showcase of shooting prowess. Curry, a two-time NBA 3-Point Contest champion, will shoot from the NBA 3-point line with NBA basketballs, while Ionescu will shoot from the WNBA 3-point line with WNBA basketballs. Curry boasts an NBA record of 3,577 regular-season 3-pointers, while Ionescu set a WNBA single-season record with 128 3-pointers in 2023.

Adding a philanthropic dimension, each made shot by Curry and Ionescu will trigger donations to their respective nonprofits, Eat.Learn.Play. and SI20 Foundation, courtesy of the NBA and WNBA. State Farm will contribute further, donating to the NBA Foundation for each shot made, supporting economic empowerment in the Black community. Regular 3-pointers will be valued at $1,000, money balls at $2,000, and the challenging “STARRY Range Ball” at $3,000. The competition promises exciting sportsmanship and a positive impact on charitable causes.

STEPHEN vs. SABRINA

Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will go head-to-head in the first NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge during #StateFarmSaturday on TNT at #NBAAllStar 2024! pic.twitter.com/GuPobiw3t8

— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2024

The post Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu to Face Off in Historic NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge first appeared on The Source.

The post Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu to Face Off in Historic NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge appeared first on The Source.

Luka Doncic Has Historic Night, Signs Boosie BadAzz’s Jersey

January 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luka Doncic recorded the fourth-highest-scoring night in NBA history with a 73-point performance against the Hawks. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points, Kobe’s 81 points, and Wilt’s 78 points top Doncic’s total. Meanwhile, the Mavs star, ironically originally drafted by the Hawks, shot 25-for-33 from the field and 15-for-16 from the free-throw line. “Those names are special. It’s unbelievable,” Doncic said of the players he now shares a mountaintop with. The win also snapped a three-game losing streak for the Mavs.

Furthermore, after the game, Doncic ran into a hip-hop connection. Walking courtside, he ran into Boosie Badazz, whose jersey he signed. Boosie, an avid Hawks fan, had been visibly having a great time from his courtside seats. Boosie has been seen supporting the Hawks throughout the season. While he’s been a bit of a troll, he has been a vocal Hawks supporter all season long.

Luka Doncic Gets Fan Ejected, Feuds With “ESPN” Reporter For Coverage Of It

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, Doncic got a fan ejected for the Mavs Wednesday night loss to the Suns became a much bigger story at the post-game presser. Doncic found himself in a back-and-forth with ESPN‘s Tim McMahon, who had covered the ejection as soon as it happened. “You’ll be the first one to always put something bad about me,” Doncic shot at the veteran journalist. Furthermore, Doncic called McMahon’s report “not true at all”. McMahon, who began his career as a Mavs beat reporter, attempted to defend his past coverage of Doncic.

Per McMahon, Doncic had asked security to removed a Suns fan after the fan yelled “Luka, you’re tired. Get your a– on the treadmill!” However, Doncic alleged that the comment was far from the worst thing the fan had said. While he refused to repeat the fan’s other comments, Doncic noted that the fan had been insistently heckling him the entire game, and the treadmill was the one that pushed him over the edge.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Giannis and LeBron Headline NBA All-Star Starters

January 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo Lead NBA All-Star Voting

The NBA has announced the starting lineups for the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star Game, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the Eastern Conference and LeBron James leading the Western Conference as captains. The league is reverting to the traditional East vs. West format for the 73rd NBA All-Star Game scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18.

Joining Antetokounmpo in the East is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, and teammate guard Damian Lillard. Joining James in the West is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This is the 20th straight All-Star selection for James, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most in the history of the NBA.

“I give credit and a lot of respect to my fans who have been along with me through this whole 21-year journey,” James said Thursday night. “And voting me in as an All-Star starter for the 20th-consecutive time, just very humbled. Very blessed to be able to do what I love to do and just try to give back, give back to the game that’s given me over two decades. So, to be able to know this is the first time ever in NBA history to have this many All-Star starts or whatever the case might be, it’s very cool.”

Starters were determined through a combination of fan votes (50%), current NBA players’ votes (25%), and a media panel (25%). TNT is set to reveal the reserves on Thursday, February 1, at 7 ET. The 30 NBA coaches will select the 14 reserves, considering two guards, three frontcourt players, and two players at any position in their respective conferences. Commissioner Adam Silver will choose replacements from the same conference for any players unable to participate.

In today’s digital age, the synergy between sports and social media is unmistakable, with a basketball association’s popularity directly influencing its social media presence. This trend is exemplified by the “NBA All Star” official Instagram account (@NBAAllStar). Analysis by CasinospotDK reveals that from December 31, 2023, to the end of January 2024, @nbaallstar’s followers increased from 1,990,581 to 2,012,287, marking an addition of 21,706 new followers in just three weeks. This change in subscribers reflects a growing interest in the event, but also opens the way to expanded monetization opportunities, which can be used for charitable purposes or to develop sports in the country. For instance, the price for a sponsored post on the @nbaallstar Instagram account could range between $2.79M and $4.19M, presenting a significant revenue stream.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Giannis and LeBron Headline NBA All-Star Starters first appeared on The Source.

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Bucks In High Spirits After Doc Rivers Hire, Stars Surprised By Coaching Change

January 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Milwaukee Bucks appeared in high spirits ahead of their Wednesday night game against Cleveland. The team’s official social media account posted a pre-game video of the players joyfully dancing together on the court. This is in spite of the shock firing of first-year head coach Adrian Griffin earlier this week. Griffin was let go despite coaching the team to a 30-13 record, primarily over concerns about the team’s defensive efficiency.

In his place, the team hired Doc Rivers, poaching the veteran coach from ESPN. Rivers was the Bucks’ primary choice given his experience, availability, and history of coaching superstar tandems. Furthermore, Rivers has a strong history in Wisconsin. His jersey hangs in the rafters at Marquette University, where he was an All-American. Rivers’ first game with the team has not yet been confirmed.

Bucks Stars Surprised By Coaching Change But Embracing It

Meanwhile, the Bucks’ star players were understandably surprised by the sudden coaching change. “I’ve got to trust the front office, I’ve got to trust the ownership group that they consider the bigger picture. My job is to be the best version of myself, to lead this team out there and help win games. Their job is to create the best team possible and the best atmosphere around the team possible that they believe gives us a better chance to win a championship. But yeah, I do think [firing coach Griffin] was a surprise,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said after beating the Bucks.

Furthermore, Damian Lillard, whom Griffin acquired at the cost of defensive powerhouse Jrue Holliday, agreed with the sentiment. “There’s been a lot of expectations on our team. Things have been expected to look a certain way. We’ve had a bumpy road to our success, which is sometimes a part of the process. I was surprised. But it’s part of the game. People get traded, people get waived, people get fired, and that’s never something you want to see,” Lillard noted.

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Tyrese Haliburton Fit Compared To Yasiin Bey Amid Drake Beef

January 24, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Fans online have compared a recent image of Tyrese Haliburton in a flat cap and puffer jacket to the signature fashion of Yasiin Bey. However, more specifically, fans have used the candid photos to reference Bey’s ongoing beef with Drake. “Mos Def hearing “Passionfruit” in Target,” one person wrote on X over a photo of Haliburton appearing to protest a call at a recent Pacers game.

The comments are a hilarious addition to the feud between the two rappers. Bey recently said that Drake’s music is the sort of music that’s perfect for a Target run. Obviously, Drizzy, who is also beefing with Metro Boomin, didn’t take too kindly to the comments from the rapper and actor. And now one of the NBA’s biggest rising stars is catching heat just for having a nice sideline fit. Haliburton, who is likely set to be named an All-Star this week, is currently nursing a hamstring injury.

Drake Jumps On “Tripod Bro” Trend

Additionally, amid the beef, Drake added to the growing collection of “tripod bro” videos, giving fans a vlog in which he shows off his nighttime routine. Drizzy mixes himself a drink, takes in some art, hits the hookah, and goes swimming. The entire thing is weirdly neon giving much of the apparent lighting in his home. Furthermore, he soundtracked the entire thing with “Virginia Beach”, a track from 2023’s For All The Dogs. The tripod bro trend has gone viral in recent weeks, with male lifestyle vloggers doing “a day in the life” style content.

However, there were also layers to Drake’s vlog. He tagged Drew Walls, a lifestyle influencer who is often seen going to Target in his videos. This, combined with the inclusion of “Virginia Beach”, appeared to be more shots at Bey for his aforementioned comments. However, as a result, fans are now clamoring for Drake to do another video. This time, they want content showing him going to Target.

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Lil Wayne’s Kids Don’t Stand To Greet Queen Latifah, Social Media Melts Down

January 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Social media has completely melted down after footage emerged of Lil Wayne’s children not standing up to greet Queen Latifah when being introduced to her at a basketball game. X users were livid that Wayne’s children “disrespected” Latifah by remaining in their seats as they shook her hand courtside. For many, especially older people, it was a great sign of rudeness not to stand for someone as legendary as Latifah.

However, many people didn’t see what the big deal was. Some argued that Wayne isn’t going to be someone who teaches etiquette based on his own upbringing. Meanwhile, others argued that this was just social media getting in on business that didn’t concern them. Neither Latifah or Wayne have commented on the “incident”, indicating that they don’t see that any social etiquette rules were broken. What do you think? Is it disrespect or just social media overreacting? Let us know in the comments.

Lil Wayne Taps Ja Morant To Be The Next “Face Of The NBA”

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Meanwhile, Wayne spoke on his idea of the NBA’s future in an interview last month. Specifically, Wayne wants to Ja Morant to be the next face of the league. “To me I think the obvious answer is Ja. Because the NBA is entertainment. What I mean by that is there was always a Michael Jordan, just like, you know like God. You gonna watch these Atlanta Hawk games just to see what Dominique, just to see if he gonna get ’em one off. I’m going to watch these Portland games to see if Clyde gonna get him one. Ja’s teams are actually competitive when he’s there and he’s doing his thing,” Wayne told Bleacher Report‘s Taylor Rooks.

It’s not the first time that Wayne has spoken in support of Morant. “Do y’all know that boy? ‘Cause I don’t. I know him from dunking and jumping, and I only started knowing him when I started paying attention to him around his last year of college. He come from like a town with 3,000 people. Like, what? What y’all expect? Y’all gave him $200 million,” Wayne told the All The Smoke podcast while defending Morant’s actions earlier this year.

Read More: Ja Morant Provides Recovery Update

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Jalen Brunson Drops 41 With Coi Leray Courtside, Fans Credit Performance To Rapper’s Presence

January 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

With Coi Leray pretty in pink courtside, Jalen Brunson balled out against the Wizards, dropping a 41/8/8 stat line in the 113-108 win. It was Brunson’s fourth 40-point game of the season and his first since dropping a career-high 50 points against the Suns in December. However, fans were quick to joke that it was Leray’s presence that spurred Brunson’s big performance. Prior to the game against Washington, Brunson was averaging 25.9 points per game through the first seven games of January. Perhaps it was the presence of Leray that, as one X user put it, turned Brunson into “2001 Allen Iverson”. However, on the other hand, he was playing against the Wizards.

Despite the big performance, Brunson did not receive much help from his teammates. Julius Randle was the only other Knick to break 20 points while the bench combined for just seven points. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 24 points. Meanwhile, Leray’s close friend Kyle Kuzma had 15. With the win, the Knicks moved to 25-17 on the season and currently occupy fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Joel Embiid MVP Repeat In Danger Due To NBA Rest Rule

Meanwhile, there are concerns about how the new NBA rest rule could affect the MVP race. Joel Embiid can miss no more than seven of the Sixers’ remaining 43 games in order to be eligible for MVP this season. Due to a spate of injuries, Embiid has played 29 of the Sixers’ 39 games this season. However, due to load management rules implemented in the offseason, Embiid needs to play in 65 games to be eligible for all major awards. This means that Embiid must play in at least 36 of the team’s remaining games to be eligible for the award he is currently the frontrunner for.

“The goal is to be ready for the playoffs. If I can’t meet the criteria of 65 games … as long as I’m ready to be dominant in that time in April, that’s all I care about,” Embii told reporters following the Sixers win over Houston on January 15. The 65-game rule was implemented as the NBA looked to curb the amount of big-game talent missing games due to “load management”. As part of continued efforts to tackle load management, the league recently released a report indicating that the practice did not actually lower the likelihood of long-term injuries.

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