Sunday is a year, to the day, since the Lakers held their media day at their El Segundo training center to ring in the 2019-20 season. One year, to the day, since the official beginning of the LeBron James/Anthony Davis combo, and the intrigue over whether the organization had put enough other pieces in place…
Alexander: A full calendar year later, the Lakers will play for a title — Daily News
Follow Southern California Newspaper Group’s Kyle Goon as he covers the Lakers Inside the Bubble in Orlando. Updates and social media reaction of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals best-of-seven playoff series between the Lakers and Nuggets. Previews and what they’re saying before Game 5 between the Lakers, Nuggets Lakers closeout reputation will clash…
What they’re saying before Game 5 between the Lakers, Nuggets — Daily News
The Thunder’s success this season seems to have strengthened Chris Paul’s resolve.
Chris Paul reaffirms he will not opt out of deal for move to contender — OKC Thunder Wire
As has been well-documented, Paul, who recently turned 35 years old, has two seasons and about $85 million due to him under his current deal. The final year of the deal is a player option worth about $44 million, though, and once upon a time, there were some who wondered whether Paul would be willing to opt out of the final year in order to either help make him a more desirable trade target for contenders or exercise his right to free agency early.
Paul, to no fault of his own, still isn’t hearing it.
He said he wouldn’t opt out in January, and he doubled-down when he appeared on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and guest host Charly Arnolt on Friday.
The pertinent exchange occurred when Kellerman referred back to the interview Paul did with Sports Illustrated in January where the point guard said there was “no chance” he’d leave the money on the table.
His stance, predictably, hasn’t changed.
“January was like a lifetime ago… You told Sports Illustrated at that point that you didn’t have any plans to opt out of the last year, $44 million, of your contract to seek a trade or anything like that… Where are you with that today?” Kellerman asked.
Paul remained consistent.
“I don’t control that… Sam Presti has been amazing this year and Oklahoma was amazing, obviously we’ll see what happens this summer or whatnot. It’s nice to be here and be close to my family. I think for me, I’m gonna let everything play out, see what happens, but I’m in a good place. I wish we could’ve kept advancing in the playoffs, but I don’t have no plans of opting out no time soon, neither.
As gifted as he is, Paul will turn 37 years old in the final year of his contract, and the $44 million he’ll be paid for the 2021-22 season is not money he’d be able to recoup should he opt out and leave it on the table.
Furthermore, Paul’s resurgence could bring teams such as the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns or Chicago Bulls to the table. Each of the teams could benefit from bringing in a winner like Paul and they, unlike say, the Milwaukee Bucks, have differing levels of young players and draft capital that may be enticing to Oklahoma City.
Paul, though, isn’t doing anyone any favors, and in the twilight of his career, he certainly isn’t leaving $44 million on the table. Nor should he.
The Houston Astros could have been dethroned within the AL West by the relentless Oakland Athletics. They could be public enemy No. 1 for baseball followers following the revelation of their elaborate sign-stealing scandal. And who is aware of, the 2020 model won’t even be that good. But regardless of all of it, they’re postseason […]
Say hello to the bad guys: Astros clinch final AL playoff spot — Daily News website
Kevin Millar became famous for his renowned “don’t let us win tonight” comment before Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series. Somehow, Marcus Smart found a message even shorter, and he shared it seconds after walking off the court in Florida late Friday night. The Boston Celtics, thanks to a stellar second half, […]
Marcus Smart Had Simple Message As He Walked Into Locker Room After Game 5 — NESN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — If Brad Stevens had his druthers, he’d never be recorded on mic during a playoff game. When a reporter asked the Boston coach about a third-quarter moment, when he grabbed a clipboard during the Celtics’ avalanche of 41 points in that period — “that’s what hard playing does right there!”…
Boston Celtics stave off elimination, beat Miami Heat in Game 5 of Eastern Conference Finals — Daily News
Starting Dwight Howard was a major reason why the Los Angeles Lakers now have a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets.
LeBron credited Dwight Howard for playing like ‘a beast’ in Game 4 — LeBron Wire
While the Denver Nuggets are the only team in NBA History with multiple 3-1 comebacks in the same postseason, the Lakers are still in the more enviable position, being only one win away from the first NBA Finals the Lakers Franchise has seen 2010. A big reason, aside from the play of their leaders, was the substitution Frank Vogel made in the starting lineup before Game 4.https://widgets.thescore.com/embeds/d7e692d6-7228-4e21-b791-9d65f701db1c/57CA76541E2D01E6AE9F67156D818BAC
Dwight Howard was excellent for the Lakers in Game 4, posting 12 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. His play impressed LeBron James, as well, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“Dwight was a beast,” said LeBron James. “Gave us opportunities when we missed shots … he was cleaning glass both offensively and defensively. Got us put-backs and was able to control the paint. We know we got smashed in the rebounding category in Game 3, so we wanted to do a better job in that. Dwight brought that physical presence. It was great for our ballclub.”
LeBron has been on the other side of great performances from Howard in the playoffs before and he sounds pretty thrilled to have Dwight as a weapon helping him get one step closer to his 4th NBA Championship.
The motel is owned by a player in the local basketball scene and is used to house some recruits.
Jamal Murray lived in “Schitt’s Creek” Rosebud Motel for two years — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
A once-rich-now-suddenly-poor family adjusting to living cramped together in a roadside motel is the premise behind “Schitt’s Creek” — the Canadian comedy that just annoyingly dominated the Emmy comedy categories. (It’s not that “Schitt’s Creek” isn’t deserving, I enjoy the show, it’s just annoying when any single show/movie dominates an awards broadcast.)
Jamal Murray watches that show and sees his former home.
Murray, Denver’s breakout superstar and a Canadian, lived in the “Schitt’s Creek” Rosebud Motel for two years, reports Chris Halliday of the Orangeville Banner, via the Toronto Star (hat tip to Hoopshype).
The real-life motel is owned by Jesse Tipping, who also is the president of the Athlete Institute Basketball Academy and Orangeville Prep.
Tipping purchased the motel in 2011 to house recruits for what’s become the most successful prep school basketball program in Canada. Former Orangeville Prep alum and budding NBA superstar Jamal Murray, of the Denver Nuggets, lived there for two years — so did Miami Heat training camp invitee Kyle Alexander.
It’s also been a filming location for a number of things, including “The Umbrella Academy” and “A History of Violence.” “Schitt’s Creek” has used the place for about a month every year for the past six years.
The popular comedy, which just ended its run, features veteran comedic actors Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, plus Eugene’s son Dan Levy, plus many more. “Schitt’s Creek” was first produced by the CBC for Canadian television, came to America on POP TV, but exploded when it got to Netflix and people discovered it.
Jamal Murray went from the “Schitt’s Creek” to Kentucky for a year, before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets as their point guard to pair with Nikola Jokic. Murray has had a breakout playoffs, leading the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals. He’s made ridiculous plays on the court and powerful statements off it about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Tags: Jamal Murray, Kyle Alexander, Nikola Jokic
Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a five-part serialization of “Three-Ring Circus,” Jeff Pearlman’s book about the Lakers era that featured Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson. The book was released Tuesday. Three-Ring Circus Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty Parts1 2 3 4 5 The 1996-97…
‘Three-Ring Circus,’ part 5: Kobe Bryant’s first Lakers season ends with air balls, determination — Daily News
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. >> However these Western Conference Finals turn out, observers will agree on at least one thing: Jamal Murray has raised his game. The fourth-year guard is the highest draft pick on the Denver Nuggets’ roster, landed at No. 7 in 2016. At the time, Nuggets coach Michael Malone thought he was…
Denver’s Jamal Murray climbs up reputation rung in NBA playoffs — Daily News
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. >> Either the Lakers are poised to do what no team has done yet in these playoffs, or the Denver Nuggets are positioned right where they want to be. After a Game 4 dogfight Thursday, which saw Anthony Davis and LeBron James wrestle for 60 combined points and hold off an…
Lakers hold off Nuggets in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead — Press Telegram
Follow Southern California Newspaper Group’s Kyle Goon as he covers the Lakers Inside the Bubble in Orlando. Updates and social media reaction of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals best-of-seven playoff series between the Lakers and Nuggets. The Lakers lead the series, 2-1. Tip-off at 6 p.m. PREVIEWS AND WHAT THEY’RE SAYING BEFORE THE…
What they’re saying before Lakers, Nuggets, Game 4 — Press Telegram
The view from left field 