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SOURCE SPORTS: Celtics Guard Marcus Smart Wins 2021-22 Kia Defensive Player of the Year Award

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The NBA announced today that Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been chosen the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

“To be able to be named the Defensive Player of the Year and be the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win this, it just shows not only me and everybody else that it can be done,” said Smart.

Smart wins his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first guard to do it since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. Smart is the Celtics’ second player to earn the award, following Kevin Garnett (2007-08).

Smart added, “The way the game is changing, the guards are being more recognized for their abilities to do certain things that we shouldn’t be able to do at our size. I think this award and me winning it shows that and the path for us guards now and in the future.”

A global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters gave Smart 257 points (37 first-place votes). Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns came in second with 202 points (22 first-place votes). Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz center and three-time Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, finished third with 136 points (12 first-place votes).

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lebron James on Kyrie Irving: “Damn Shame He Ain’t Top 75!”

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The Los Angeles Lakers are at home for the NBA Playoffs this year, affording LeBron James the opportunity to watch talent across the league on the highest stage. One of which is his old teammate Kyrie Irving, who is now suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets and playing against his former team the Boston Celtics.

After a stellar 39-point effort, James reflected on the NBA 75 list from earlier this year and wondered how was Irving not a part of the historical run of names. James would retweet DJ Steph Floss and add in his opinion, “Damn shame he ain’t Top 75!”

Earlier in the game, King James had more praise for his former point guard: “Young God-rie is so damn good at basketball man!!! INSANE SKILL!!”

You can see Kyrie’s highlights below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jokic, Embiid, and Antentokounmpo Named Finalists for NBA MVP

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The finalists for the NBA Coach of the Year, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Most Improved Player, Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, and Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year awards were released today by the NBA. The MVP is a three man race between Giannis Antentokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Denver Nuggets’ reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

Based on vote results from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, there are three candidates for each yearly award.

You can see the nominees for each category below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Drake Drops $200K on the Golden State Warriors to Win the NBA’s West Playoffs

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The Golden State Warriors kicked off their 2022 playoff run with a dominant victory over the Denver Nuggets. Led by Jordan Poole who exploded in his playoff debut, the Warriors now only need 15 more wins to once again hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Ahead of tipoff the playoffs, Drake revealed he dropped a whopping $200,000 on the Warriors to win the Western Conference. The Warriors entered the playoffs at +350 odds. The payout for Drake would be near $800,000 USD.

You can see Drake’s ticket below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Explains His Dislike for Celtics Fans After Getting Caught Giving the Middle Finger

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The Boston Celtics took game one of their first-round matchups against the Brooklyn Nets on a buzzer beating layup by Jason Tatum. The battle between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics fans could have gotten lost in such a great game.

After hitting a difficult shot over Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter, Irving can be seen flipping the middle finger to fans in the crowd.

After the game, Irving talked about how he felt about the Celtics Fans and how they showed a lack of respect for him and the game of basketball.

“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said after scoring a team-high 39 points in 42 minutes. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

For decades, Boston has been a tough place to play for African American players. Irving was a Celtic for two seasons, and during that time, it was all love. After signing with the Nets two years ago, the disconnect and animosity started to occur.

“I know what to expect in here,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. “And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it, it’s fun, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m from I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor. … This isn’t my first time at TD Garden so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.

“So if somebody’s going to call me out on my name, I’m gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ’bout it. Most of the time they’re not.”

Irving put up amazing numbers despite the drama and appears to be willing to be the villain in Boston. Game 2 is set on Wednesday night, right back in Boston.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Errol Spence Jr. Puts On a Clinic Against Yordenis Ugas, Eyes On Terence Crawford

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Errol Spence Jr put on a boxing clinic in front of his hometown in Dallas at AT&T Stadium against Yordenis Ugas to add another belt to his collection. Spence fractured Ugas’ left orbital bone en route to a 9th-round stoppage victory.

Ugas was gamed all night and proved a great opponent for Spence in his first fight in two years.

“I didn’t have any doubts at all. I believed in myself 100% and trained 100%,” Spence said. “I didn’t want a tune-up fight or someone I knew I could beat. I wanted someone who would bring out the best in me and Ugas did that.

“The nutritionist helped a lot. I lost the weight and they did a great job. It was just my work in the gym. I felt like my timing was off [early in his return] but I just kept working. I think that was due to the long layoff and I was super psyched to get in the ring and push the pace.”

Spence added Ugas’ WBA welterweight title with the WBC and IBF titles he already owned with the victory. Spence only needs Terence Crawford’s WBO title to become the undisputed 147-pound champion.

“Everybody knows who I want next; I want Terence Crawford next,” said Spence. “That’s the fight that I want; that’s the fight everybody else wants. Terence, I’m coming for that motherf—ing belt.”

For years, the culture and boxing world have begged for this fight. Shorty after Spence’s victory, Crawford expressed his level of interest in making that fight happen.

Hopefully, at some point in 2022, we can finally get the fight we all want.

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SOURCE SPORTS: The Brooklyn Nets Announce “Nets Level” Campaign for NBA Playoffs

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The Brooklyn Nets kicked off their 2022 NBA Playoffs celebrations this week by going “Nets Level.” The Nets unveiled their 2022 NBA Playoffs marketing campaign, which was created by the team’s in-house creative team and was inspired by the look and feel of a video game as the team competes to reach the “Nets Level” throughout the playoffs, with each win being tracked through the creative campaign. Around the playoffs, the “Nets Level” creative will be shown in-arena during Nets home games at Barclays Center, on all Nets social media and digital channels, and in out-of-home and grassroots marketing activities throughout New York City.

The Nets will premiere an interactive video game dubbed “Nets Level” on Saturday, April 16, to coincide with the team’s thematic marketing campaign. Fans will have many chances to win prizes each day, and at the end of the Nets’ playoff run, one of the players with the top 100 total score will win a $500 NetsStore.com gift certificate. For the remainder of the Nets’ playoff run, the arcade-style game will be available for free online at brooklynnets.com/netslevelgame.

The Nets will throw a watch party at McMahon’s Public House in Brooklyn this Sunday, April 17, at 3:30 p.m. to continue the playoff excitement. During Round One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Nets will throw watch parties at McMahon’s Public House for their away games. Prizes will be given away at each watch party, including tickets to the Nets’ home playoff games at Barclays Center this season. More information about the watch parties for the future rounds of the NBA Playoffs in 2022 will be released in the following weeks.

The Nets will unveil the NETS LEVEL ZONE at Barclays Center for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, April 23. The NETS LEVEL ZONE is an interactive experience that allows fans to discover more about Nets Level video game characters, which are all based on current Nets players. A hologram machine will show a rotation of life-size 3D animations of the characters and gamification-style boards with descriptions of Nets Level characters. The NETS LEVEL ZONE will be located on the arena’s main concourse, outside of Section 23, and will be open during all Nets home games into the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

Each Nets home game during the 2022 NBA Playoffs will also feature a pre-game plaza celebration, elevated halftime performances, giveaway items for all fans in attendance, and more.

Tickets to Nets home games at Barclays Center during Round One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs are now on-sale at seatgeek.com and brooklynnets.com.

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SOURCE SPORTS: GOAT to Become Sleeve Partner of Paris Saint-Germain

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GOAT to Become Sleeve Partner of Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain and GOAT, the global platform for the past, present, and future, announced today a massive multi-year global relationship in which GOAT will become the club’s new official sleeve partner. The relationship will see the two companies collaborate to promote GOAT’s premium platform and its offers to a new generation of football and fashion fans worldwide and GOAT’s visibility on the sleeve of the club’s men’s first team shirts.

In July 2022, GOAT will join as an Official Partner until the end of the current season before becoming a sleeve partner and one of the Principal Partners. The club’s performance apparel, including training, warm-up, and match gear, will include the GOAT logo.

The alliance will introduce first-of-its-kind initiatives, such as unique content and partnerships, with innovation at the core of both businesses. The collaboration will also expand each brand’s global footprint, allowing them to reach a larger audience in crucial areas.

“We are delighted to welcome GOAT into the Paris Saint-Germain family with this partnership that will see them join the exclusive roster of club partners present on our iconic jerseys,” said Marc Armstrong, Chief Partnerships Officer of Paris Saint-Germain. “GOAT is a perfect fit for the club and further supports our position as a leading global sports and lifestyle icon for fans all over the world. Together we will develop exciting and creative experiences to connect with supporters everywhere.”

“Paris Saint-Germain is one of the most influential clubs in the world and we’re excited to partner with them as we continue to build our global community,” said Eddy Lu, Co-Founder and CEO of GOAT Group. “We’re not only bringing together two leading lifestyle brands, but uniting a community of athletes, creatives and fans around the world. This partnership plays to each other’s strengths, with innovative collaborations in the months and years to come.”

A dedicated PSG experience will debut on the GOAT platform, featuring a collection of Paris Saint-Germain lifestyle gear and items from the past, present, and future.

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Exclusive: Draymond Green Talks Keeping Up With Family Using Amazon Glow and Preparing for Another Warriors Title Run

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Three-time NBA Champion Draymond Green is back on the basketball court and is ready to make another title run with the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of his grueling playoff run, green has announced a new partnership with Amazon Glow, which showcases how the device keeps him engaged with his family while on the road.

Ahead of taking on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in San Francisco at the Chase Center before a couple of games in Denver. Draymond detailed his use of the Amazon Glow, balancing work and family, and what he expects of the young players on the Golden State Warriors.

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The SOURCE: You are juggling a lot! You are, of course, a basketball star, then the efforts of a businessman and media member. With that said, fatherhood is the most important, how did Amazon Glow become the tool for helping you stay connected with your children?

Draymond Green: Amazon Glow has truly bridged the gap and helped lessen the miles between myself and my children. With Amazon Glow, I am able to actively participate with my kids in their day-to-day life whether that be reading with them or helping them with cognitive learning exercises. Amazon Glow has allowed me to interact with my children and help with their upbringing even though I am hundreds of miles away.

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How were you originally introduced to Amazon Glow?

I found Amazon Glow as I was constantly looking for devices to make my life easier with travel. Oftentimes, travel can interfere with family life with different school schedules, practice schedules, etc. I was looking for a way to bring me closer to my children while I am on the road and Amazon Glow is a great solution.

How did you stay connected with a busy life prior to Amazon Glow?

My wife, she is 100% the backbone of our family and keeps us all in order and the kids on track. She is the one who also fosters our relationship when I am on the road. I am extremely for her and to have the opportunity to now interact with the kids regardless of where I am in the world.

What were your initial reactions to Amazon Glow and how did it make a difference in your life?

It was amazing, the first time we used it I was able to see the kids’ pure reactions which was priceless. Being able to play games like memory match and charades with them or read with them, even while I’m far away, is everything. Glow makes it feel like we’re magically sitting side-by-side in the same room. As a parent, I want to be able to interact with my kids daily and be a part of their upbringing as much as I can, thankfully Amazon Glow has allowed me to do that.

We had a lengthy absence for you this season. How did it feel both physically and mentally getting back on the court?

Physically I feel pretty good about 85%, but mentally I feel fantastic. I have never been injured for this long before and it grew my appreciation for the game tremendously. Just to have the opportunity to do what I love again and to compete with my teammates instead of watching from home on the couch meant everything to me.

We finished the final week of the season. Had a big win against Utah. Put up a strong effort against Phoenix. And those were without Steph. What have you seen in your team these last couple of weeks and how do you view your team headed into the first round?

As a team, I think we have finally started to turn the corner. Before we were in a rut, losing a game and then winning the next, but eventually we could finally see it turning in our favor. I will say, not many teams pop out of a rut with a 50-point win. Now we are playing our brand of basketball again and it is coming at the right time.

You have played on some deep teams. This one is deep but young. How do you expect the younger guys on the team to transition into playoff basketball?

I think they are transitioning well; most teams raise their level of competition/physicality in the last 20-30 games of the season in anticipation of playoffs. I think initially we struggled since we are a younger team and are more inexperienced, but once we went through our adjustment period, we were able to raise our level of physicality and raise our level of competitiveness.

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SOURCE SPORTS: JAY-Z Watches Courtside as the Atlanta Hawks Beat the Charlotte Hornets in NBA Play-In Game

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JAY-Z Watches Courtside as the Atlanta Hawks Beat the Charlotte Hornets in NBA Play-In Game

To say Jay-Z has an interest in sports would be an understatement. His Roc Nation Sports represents a ton of new talent in all sports. And in the battle between the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets, Jay-Z had two clients playing, both on the Hornets; LaMelo Ball and P.J Washington.

Like last night at the Nets game, Jay-Z sat court-side to watch the game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good one for the Roc Nation clients. The Hawks blew out the Hornets 132-103 in State Farm Arena.

Trae Young scored 24 points, dished out 11 assists, and spoke about playing in front of superstars like Jay.

Hov’s clients stuffed the stat sheet despite a losing effort from the Charlotte Hornets. La’Melo Ball finished with 26 points and eight assists. Meanwhile, P.J. Washington finished with 17 points and six rebounds.

The Hawks have advanced and will play the Cleveland Cavilers on Friday night for the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. For the Hornets and Hov’s clients, the season is over.

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