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Ya’ll remember Jimmer Fredette? College star. A bit in the vein of JJ Redick. Great shooter but unlike the new Lakers coach, he didn’t have the greatest NBA career. Played a few years with the Shangai Sharks, a bit of a meme when it comes to an NBA player who doesn’t have the best outing in the playoffs… Anyway, we’re getting off track, ha! So Jimmer plays on Team USA’s 3×3 team and what the American basketball community was calling a comeback tour, hit a rough patch as his squad took the ‘L’ to Serbia. Look, the Serbians can HOOP! It’s proven. That’s a real thing and a lot of their top players go to the Association but Team USA is still, well, Team USA, right? Wrong. 

On the opening day of men’s 3×3 basketball group play Fredette managed only four points on five shots, as Serbia dominated with a 22-14 victory on Tuesday night. Serbia immediately established themselves as the gold medal favorites.

Onto the game recap. The momentum shifted with 4:30 remaining, when the U.S. was still within reach. A controversial unsportsmanlike foul was called on Canyon Barry after he inadvertently elbowed Serbian defender Mihailo Vasic while making a spin move in the paint. Although Vasic hit only one of the two free throws, Serbia retained possession and extended their lead to 15-11 with a one-point shot from Marko Brankovic. However, as Serbia extended their lead, Fredette found it difficult to get open and missed a crucial wide-open layup when the U.S. was down 17-12. The U.S. struggled to catch up and fell further behind before Strahinja Stojacic sealed the game with a two-point shot from behind the arc.

Here’s Fredette’s take on things:

“They just did a better job than us of executing their game plan,” he admitted. 

“We got to that foul count really early. Once you get to that foul count early, they kept getting some easy baskets. Then they called a couple fouls where they were able to get to the free throw line and get the ball back.”

Get this, Fredette, joined the 3×3 team after being approached by USA Basketball’s Fran Fraschilla two years ago, saw the Olympics as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “As soon as I heard ‘Olympics,’ I was like, ‘I’m all in,’” he said earlier this summer. He had a point and we support that decision. We just need Jimmer to BALL OUT!

This matchup was an early test, featuring the top two teams in the world men’s 3×3 rankings. Serbia and the U.S. had previously clashed in the 2023 World Cup final, where Serbia narrowly edged out the U.S. 21-19. So this is a trend, a ha, we see ya’ll.

Despite getting kinda destroyed, Fredette remained optimistic about Team USA’s prospects, noting, “We have a long way to go.” With six more pool play games remaining before the knockout stages, there’s ample opportunity for redemption. The top two teams from the eight-team pool will advance to the semifinals, with the next four entering the play-in games.

Team USA plays Poland on Wednesday night. Listen, they better you know what or we will have a lot of fun in the next recap. Good luck, Team USA!

The post Huh? Team USA Basketball Takes ‘L’ To Serbia … In 3×3 Competition first appeared on The Source.

The post Huh? Team USA Basketball Takes ‘L’ To Serbia … In 3×3 Competition appeared first on The Source.

Looks like the “Inside the NBA” swan song is around the corner. NBC and Amazon have secured a landmark deal with the NBA to carry games, in a significant shift from previous arrangements. 

This mega deal follows TNT’s last ditch efforts to retain its broadcast rights. Although TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, claimed it matched Amazon’s offer, the NBA disagreed and opted for Amazon’s 11-year, $1.8 billion annual contract.

Here’s what the NBA said in a statement:

”Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer, and therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon. Our new arrangement with Amazon supports our goal by complementing the broadcast, cable, and streaming packages that are already part of our new Disney and NBCUniversal arrangements. All three partners have also committed substantial resources to promote the league and enhance the fan experience.”

Get this, TNT Sports responded by asserting its contractual right to match offers and accused the NBA of misinterpreting their agreement. Sounds like legal entanglements are en route but who’s to say. But TNT certainly vowed to take appropriate action while continuing to broadcast the NBA on TNT and Max.

NBC’s return to NBA coverage marks a notable comeback, having previously carried NBA games from 1990-2002. Breaking down the coverage, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon will all hold broadcast rights starting with the 2025-26 season. ESPN and ABC will retain primary coverage, including the NBA Finals.

Amazon’s new package is robust and desirable. It includes rights to six conference finals over the 11-year contract, the NBA Cup, play-in games, and Thursday night regular season games post-NFL coverage. This differs from TNT’s current package, which features Tuesday and Thursday night games, All-Star weekend, and playoff games through the Western Conference finals.

Despite the new deals, TNT will continue to broadcast NBA games through the 2025 Western Conference finals. At least they have a little while to go before the hammer comes down.

“Inside the NBA,” hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, remains a staple of TNT’s coverage. Johnson has indicated he won’t leave TNT, while Barkley has considered various options, including retirement. That would be unfortunate for a lot of fans who really tune in just to see those guys talk shop and have fun. 

The post NBA’s Landmark Agreement with Amazon Prime and NBC Reportedly Not Matched by TNT in Announcement From League first appeared on The Source.

The post NBA’s Landmark Agreement with Amazon Prime and NBC Reportedly Not Matched by TNT in Announcement From League appeared first on The Source.

The Los Angeles Clippers have traded Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook is expected to negotiate a buyout with the Jazz, clearing the way for him to join the 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets.

This move will make the Nuggets the sixth team Westbrook has played for in the last seven seasons. That’s officially journey status for the NBA’s all time leader in triple doubles. Regardless of how many teams he’s played for, Westbrook is still considered a star.

Last season with the Clippers, Westbrook averaged career lows of 11.1 points and 4.5 assists per game, mainly coming off the bench. He started the season as the Clippers’ starting point guard but was moved to a bench role following the acquisition of James Harden. 

Westbrook’s 22.5 minutes per game were also the fewest in his 16-season career.

Get this, the Clippers who move to a new arena next season, had been seeking a trade partner for the 35-year-old veteran since the season ended, and the Nuggets quickly became the frontrunners. 

In Denver, Westbrook will join three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, filling a crucial gap in their backcourt and providing depth off the bench. Despite his diminished stats, the Nuggets hope Westbrook can bring valuable experience and performance to their second unit.

As part of the deal, the Clippers acquire Kris Dunn, who averaged 5.4 points and 3.8 assists with the Jazz last season. The Jazz will also receive a second-round pick swap and cash in the trade.

This trade follows a series of moves by the Clippers this offseason, including Paul George’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency and the additions of Derrick Jones Jr. and Nicolas Batum.

The post Clippers Reportedly trading Russell Westbrook to Jazz; Opening Door to Joining Nuggets in Buyout first appeared on The Source.

The post Clippers Reportedly trading Russell Westbrook to Jazz; Opening Door to Joining Nuggets in Buyout appeared first on The Source.

Back in 2022, NFL star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. filed a $20 million lawsuit against Nike. 

Beckham Jr., accused the sneaker giant of withholding millions of dollars in a contract dispute. He alleged in his suit that Nike breached their contract and failed to deal fairly, claiming he was swindled out of substantial sums. Sounds like grounds for a lawsuit, from his perspective. 

Now the legal battle has now come to an end. A Multnomah County Circuit Court jury ruled that neither Nike nor Beckham breached their contracts. Oh …

As a result, neither party was awarded any monetary compensation, as the court found no damages. Not sure if that is a clear win for OBJ.

Expressing his relief and gratitude, Beckham took to Instagram to share his thoughts. He posted a photo of himself with his legal team, captioned:

“JUST DO… RIGHT @nike. I wanna take this moment to thank God first and foremost thank you Heavenly Father. I wanna thank my team for every hour they have spent preparing on this case. I wanna thank the jury for simply doing what’s right in a world full of wrong… my message to whoever needs this is, STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN! JUSTICE WAS SERVED!!!”

Here’s how Nike responded to Beckham’s remarks, in an official statement:

“With this verdict, all of Mr. Beckham’s claims have been decided against him without any monetary award. The decision confirmed that Nike complied with its commitments. Nike is grateful to the jury and the Court for their careful attention to this case.”

One thing is for sure, the court decision brings closure to OBJ’s lawsuit that Beckham filed, concluding that no royalties were wrongfully withheld during his time as a Nike athlete. 

Whelp, there you have it.

The post Odell Beckham Jr. and Nike Each Proclaim They Won After $20 Million Suit Ends first appeared on The Source.

The post Odell Beckham Jr. and Nike Each Proclaim They Won After $20 Million Suit Ends appeared first on The Source.