Happy New Year 2025

Tag: NBA

76ers star shutdown: Joel Embiid sidelined for rest of NBA season

Joel Embiid’s stellar 2022-23 season, which culminated with the Philadelphia 76ers center receiving NBA MVP honors, seems like a distant memory. The 7-footer’s pro basketball career has been hampered by injuries, with knee issues contributing to his latest setback.

On Friday, the Sixers announced the seven-time NBA All-Star would be forced to watch games from the sideline for the rest of the season due to a left knee injury. He underwent a procedure to address the knee problems last February, but never seemed to return to form. Emiid and the Sixers tried to manage the pain and swelling in the knee this season prior to shutting him down.

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Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid walks off the court after the 76ers lost an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The 76ers said the decision to shut down Embiid through the stretch of the 2024-25 campaign was made once it was determined he was “medically unable to play.”

“The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid have been consulting with top specialists regarding ongoing issues with his left knee. After further evaluation, it has been determined that he is medically unable to play and will miss the remainder of the season to focus on treatment and rehabilitation,” the team said in a statement.

2024-25 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS: THUNDER FAVORED, CELTICS CLOSING IN

“We are working with medical experts to determine the exact treatment plan and will update media when we have more information. The team and specialists will continue working with Joel to ensure the best path forward for his long-term health and performance.”

Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid watches from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Counting the 164 games he missed his first two seasons after he was the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and what’s left of this season, Embiid will have played in 452 of 883 76ers’ games by the end of this season — missing nearly 50% of the regular season.

The 76ers are 8-11 with Embiid this season, and 12-27 without him.

Embiid has been hobbled by injuries all season, and served a three-game suspension for shoving a member of the media. He’s averaged 23.8 points — he averaged at least 30 and won two scoring titles the last three seasons — and scored only 29 points combined in his last two games.

Embiid acknowledged earlier this month he may have to undergo another surgery on the left knee.

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images))

“I think the straightforward answer is that when you’ve got something that’s inconsistent, at some point, you’ve got to do something about it,” Embiid said. “We don’t know what it is. We’re looking into every option.”

He played just 39 games last season due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Embiid did win a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team last year at the Paris Games.

He has played only 58 regular-season games and seven play-in tournament and playoff games since he earned league MVP honors.

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Embiid signed a $193 million contract extension ahead of the season and has banked nearly $266 million in career earnings.

Philadelphia entered this season as one of the favorites to contend for an NBA title, but the team is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. The Sixers entered Friday in the 12th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

March 1, 2025
NBA star Kevin Durant tears up talking about Team USA, Olympics

Talking about playing for Team USA had perennial NBA All-Star Kevin Durant in tears.

The new Netflix docuseries “Court of Gold” had behind-the-scenes access to all things basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including Team USA, who Durant was starring for in his fourth Olympics.

In Netflix’s teaser video of the docuseries, which released on Monday, an emotional Durant had to stop midway through an interview to wipe his tears while talking about his time with Team USA and how much it means to him.

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Team United States forward Kevin Durant (Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports)

“I come from neighborhoods where people don’t even talk to each other,” Durant said with emotion. “There’s so much hate in the world, too. When people get to start laughing and joking for the game of ball, it’s cool to me.

“So, like, it gets me emotional, dog.”

Seeing the world unite through the game of basketball is something that still fascinates Durant to this day.

“It’s crazy to see people travel so long to come see their favorite player play in the Olympics,” he explained. “They send their money, they bring their whole family. It’s just dope to me.”

Durant went on to say that “the game has saved my life. It brought me and my family out of a lot of bulls—. I’m just grateful for it.”

Durant is one of many Team USA stars featured in the six-part docuseries, but he’s arguably the best player to ever wear the red, white and blue on his jersey.

Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson (45) guards Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)

Durant didn’t play for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics after his rookie season, but he’s been a part of the gold-medal winning teams over the last four Games. No player in USA Basketball history has four gold medals to their name.

Durant also has the most points ever scored by a Team USA basketball player, men or women, and he did so on his way to helping the U.S. win gold in Paris over France.

The Phoenix Suns star is 36 years old and has spent the past 17 years playing professional basketball after he was selected second overall by the then-Seattle Supersonics in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Durant has gone on to make 15 All-Star teams, win two NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors, be the NBA’s leading scorer four times and make the All-NBA team 11 times.

Kevin Durant (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

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There is no doubting Durant has future Hall of Famer written all over his resume, but he clearly loves playing the game for his country as well as in the NBA.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler faces ‘crybaby’ slight from NBA great

Jimmy Butler saw his trade wish granted by the Miami Heat, but one Basketball Hall of Famer called him a “crybaby” for how it all went down.

Tim Hardaway Sr. commented on Butler’s eventual trade to the Golden State Warriors, a team the former became a star with in the 1990s, during a SiriusXM NBA Radio appearance.

“I didn’t agree with what he was doing — you’re under contract,” Hardaway said.

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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

“[Butler’s] a baby. [He’s] a crybaby because they said no to you.”

Heat president Pat Riley initially said the team had no intentions of trading Butler back in December after reports came out that he preferred to be moved.

‘INSIDE THE NBA’ HAS SPIRITED DEBATE OVER HEAT STAR JIMMY BUTLER’S DRAMA, LATEST SUSPENSION

However, Butler’s response to that was ultimately something that led to “conduct detrimental to the team.”

What did Butler do? He reportedly walked out of a practice and missed a team flight for a road trip, leading to suspensions on both occasions.

Finally, the Heat gave in before the NBA trade deadline, sending Butler to the Warriors.

Former Golden State Warriors player Tim Hardaway speaks to the media before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

How Butler handled everything is something Hardaway couldn’t fathom in his playing days.

“We used to get said ‘no’ to us all the time, and we used to know how to take it,” he explained. “It is what it is. It’s a question. You get a yes or a no. You might not like the question, but you can’t deviate and mess up the team.”

Butler has requested trades in the past, especially during his sour ending in Minnesota with the Timberwolves. However, he isn’t the only NBA star to do so in recent seasons, as James Harden and Kawhi Leonard can attest.

And as Hardaway mentioned, stars in the past also requested trades, but had those denied. How Butler handled the situation, though, is different than what Hardaway has seen.

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

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Since the trade, Butler has played four games with his new Warriors squad, averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in those contests. Golden State won three of those four games.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
NBA All-Star Game: Damian Lillard loses challenge to college student

A “life-changing” moment will never be forgotten by 18-year-old college student Jaren Barajas, who can add to his young resume that he beat a perennial NBA All-Star in a 3-point contest.

Jaren Barajas won the “MrBeast Logo Shot Challenge” on Sunday night, as he nailed a shot from deep to not only beat Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard but also win $100,000.

“This is going to mean the world to me, it’s going to help my family a lot and definitely my future,” Barajas said, via The Associated Press. “Hopefully it’ll help me pay for my education, which it will.”

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Jaren Barajas celebrates after participating in a competition against Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks to win $100,000 during the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Barajas just needed to hit one shot from deep, while Lillard was tasked with hitting three logo three-pointers. With the clock winding down, Barajas threw one up as the buzzer sounded and the multi-colored ball splashed through the hoop.

The ball smashed off the backboard before going in, and as the expression goes, the bank was open. And it filled Barajas’ own bank account in the process.

WARRIORS’ DRAYMOND GREEN DRAWS BACKLASH FROM NBA GREATS OVER REMARKS ABOUT ALL-STAR GAME, ‘BORING’ GAMES

“It was coming down to the wire, we had 30 seconds left and my dad always tells me, ‘Use the backboard,’” Barajas explained. “That’s what I had to do to make it go in.”

What’s funny is Barajas had no clue he was going to the Chase Center to see the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he’d been hoping to go but didn’t have it on the calendar.

Michael Barajas, his father, found the ticket prices he was looking for and jumped at the opportunity to surprise his son. If that was a surprise to Jaren, imagine how he felt being asked to participate in the contest.

Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

“I got surprised with these tickets yesterday, so I didn’t even know I was coming to the game, so to have this experience is so surreal. I’m so thankful,” he said.

Michael added, “He wanted to go to the game, prices were pretty high so I kept watching the prices come down and once I found them where I could afford them, I bought them and surprised him with them yesterday. I can’t believe we’re right here, but I’m glad I did it. He deserves it and I’m proud of him.”

The bank shot is something Jaren will never forget, especially as he celebrated with Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith on the court immediately after it went in. Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was smiling ear to ear as the crowd roared.

Jaren Barajas poses with his father Michael after beating Damian Lillard in a three-point contest, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Janie McCauley)

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And Lillard found Jaren as well after the defeat to congratulate him, while also showering him with dollar bills.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Warriors’ Draymond Green draws backlash from NBA greats over remarks about All-Star Game, ‘boring’ games

NBA greats pushed back on Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green’s assessment of the All-Star Game’s newest format and the state of the league.

Instead of an East vs. West format this year, the NBA changed the format for the game to a mini tournament between four different teams picked by Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Stephen Curry led Shaq’s team to a win, and he picked up the All-Star Game MVP award.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie, #00, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, #23, in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2025. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Green was asked to rate the format on a scale of 1-10. He said it was a “zero.”

“You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40, and then you’re done. This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who just took this game really seriously,” he said, via the New York Post. “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously. When you talk about chasing after the points record, Melo, Kobe and all these guys that had great scoring nights. They don’t get the opportunity to do that with this game.

“All so we can watch some rising stars. We about to watch the Olympic team, now we get the treat of watching the Olympic team play against a U-19 team. Come on, what are we doing? This is ridiculous.”

He also said, “this sucks” and “it ain’t basketball.”

Barkley and fellow Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson took Green’s remarks to task.

LEBRON JAMES TAKES HEAT FOR LATE DECISION TO SKIP NBA ALL-STAR GAME

Barkley put the onus on Green and his generation of basketball stars for the lack of importance of the All-Star Game.

“I’m going to disagree with Draymond a lot. I use the analogy like when the kids mess up the house, you make them clean it up and they’re complaining. They messed the game up. … His generation messed the game up.

From left to right, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley stand at mid-court to be honored during the NBA All-Star basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“So don’t act like he’s mad because they’re trying to use rookies … We’re doing every type of trick to make this game exciting.”

Green also ruffled the feathers of Oscar Robertson during the weekend.

The NBA champion said games right now are “boring” with “no substance.” The advent of increased 3-point shooting has been to blame. NBA ratings have also suffered because of game play during the regular season.

“Every possession is some type of chess move. You don’t get that today in the NBA often. … You don’t just get that on a regular basis. It’s just who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It’s no substance. I think it’s very boring,” he said.

Robertson had no time for Green’s remarks.

“Who cares what Draymond says? It doesn’t mean anything,” Robertson said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “This is what I mean, one guy can say this, another guy can say that. The game is what it is. Either people like the game or they don’t, and I think people enjoy the game, especially if their team can win.

Oscar Robertson talks with filmmaker Spike Lee before the All Star-HBCU game at Oakland Arena in Oakland, California, on Feb. 15, 2025. (Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)

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“And if you look at the basketball, it might be boring to him because if he’s not passing the ball to Curry, what is he doing? I mean, not to single that out because I think he knows how to play basketball, but he’s passing to Curry more than anyone I’ve ever seen in basketball. So it might be boring to him at times cause maybe to him at times because he’s not shooting a lot, he’s not guarding a lot, so it gets boring.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
LeBron James takes heat for late decision to skip NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James drew some blowback on Sunday night as he announced 90 minutes before the NBA All-Star Game was set for tip-off that he would forgo playing in it over a foot issue.

The Los Angeles Lakers star said he would miss the mini tournament with foot and ankle discomfort. It ended his streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. TNT hosts appeared to be appalled by the late decision from James.

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, #23, prepares to shoot as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, watches during the skills challenge at the NBA basketball All-Star Saturday night festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I think ‘Bron coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said, via Awful Announcing.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James “took a roster spot from somebody.”

It was the first time James had missed an All-Star Game since 2004. He was set to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in the All-Star Game’s new competition format. The team was then down to seven players – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.

MAC MCCLUNG, WHO HAS PLAYED IN 1 NBA GAME THIS SEASON, WINS 3RD STRAIGHT DUNK CONTEST

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA basketball All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be,” James said. “And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on.

“So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”

James said he will resume rehabbing the injury on Monday and hoped to play on Wednesday as the Lakers return from the break to compete against the Charlotte Hornets.

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Shaq’s OGs player LeBron James, #23, sits courtside in street clothes during Game 2 of the NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

He is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Spurs teammates Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul disqualified from NBA All-Star Game skills challenge

San Antonio Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul were disqualified from Saturday night’s All-Star Game festivities after they found a loophole in the skills competition.

The pair were in the field for the competition in which players go through a series of challenges, including bounce passing, chest passing, shots from three different locations on the floor and dribbling.

As they came to the shooting part, Wembanyama and Paul just threw the ball toward the rim in a time-saving tactic.

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and guard Chris Paul compete during the skills challenge at the All-Star festivities Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

It didn’t fly.

They were disqualified because the shot attempts were determined to be invalid. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 Frenchman who is in his second year in the NBA, said he came up with the idea.

“I don’t regret it. I think it was a good idea,” he said.

Wembanyama and Paul completed the course in 47.9 seconds, the best among the competitors.

MAC MCCLUNG, WHO HAS PLAYED IN 1 NBA GAME THIS SEASON, WINS 3RD STRAIGHT DUNK CONTEST

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul competes during All-Star Saturday night festivities, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green said afterward that Wembanyama was asking others if his plan made sense. Green competed with teammate Moses Moody.

“It definitely sucked to see them throwing the ball like that,” Green said. “But what I will say is, Wemby walked around the court asking everybody, ‘Make one or three attempts?’ And Wemby said, ‘Oh, so I can get all three of them up there?’ So, he asked. Now, he may not have asked the right people. But I will say, in Wemby’s defense, he did ask a lot of people.”

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley won the event.

Mobley said he had an idea similar to that of Wembanyama’s time-saving plan. But it was the Spurs teammates who became the talk of the competition.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama competes during the All-Star skills challenge, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

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“We tried something that we thought could win,” Paul said. “To see if we had the best time, so… it was fun.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Mac McClung, who has played in 1 NBA game this season, wins 3rd straight dunk contest

Mac McClung forged his own personal dynasty during NBA All-Star Weekend.

The guard, who has only played in one game for the Orlando Magic during the regular season, took San Francisco by storm on Saturday and won his third consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest. It’s the first time any NBA player has won the event three times in a row.

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Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung celebrates after dunking over a car at the All-Star festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The G League star had four perfect dunks, each scoring a 50. McClung dunked over a car and over 6-foot-11 Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Evan Mobley. He defeated San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle to maintain his championship.

“It kind of feels like a blur,” he said. “It’s something I love doing. That’s where my creativity comes from. I genuinely love this contest and I love to dunk.”

McClung, who plays for the Osceola Magic in the G League, is the second dunker to win the contest three times. Nate Robinson won in 2006 and then again in 2009 and 2010.

NBA ALL-STAR DRAYMOND GREEN SAYS GAMES ARE ‘BORING,’ HAVE ‘NO SUBSTANCE’

Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung dunks during All-Star festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I think the contest is a beautiful thing,” McClung said. “I know people probably want bigger stars in it and I would love to see that. I think it’s important for the people in it to want to do it…. This contest is a special thing. We all love it.”

McClung’s performance sparked reactions from Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“mac might make me decide to dunk,” Morant wrote on X.

“If you do it. I’ll do it with you,” Antetokounmpo added.

McClung only has five NBA games under his belt. He’s played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers in addition to the Magic.

He said he prepared for the contest for nearly nine months and isn’t sure if he’ll go for a fourth title.

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Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung celebrates with Julius Erving after winning the slam dunk contest on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Matas Buzelis, of the Bulls, and Andre Jackson, of the Bucks, were eliminated in the first round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
NBA All-Star Draymond Green says games are ‘boring,’ have ‘no substance’

The 3-pointer has changed the game of basketball, and Draymond Green isn’t thrilled about it.

This season, roughly 75 3-pointers have been attempted per game. Just five years ago, that number was hovering around 68. A decade ago, it was below 45.

To put that into perspective, the Denver Nuggets are shooting an NBA-low 31.2 3-pointers per contest, which would have been the second highest of the 2014-15 season by a rather large margin.

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green jogs off the court after getting ejected during the second half against the Phoenix Suns Dec. 12, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green is shooting his most 3-pointers in nearly seven years, attempting 3.5 a game. From 2018 through 2024, he was only averaging 2.1 threes a contest.

Even though Green is on the same team as Stephen Curry, who is arguably the architect of this new brand of basketball, he isn’t fond of how the game is played today.

“Every possession is some type of chess move. You don’t get that today in the NBA often. … You don’t just get that on a regular basis. It’s just who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It’s no substance. I think it’s very boring,” Green said this week, via ESPN.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center Nov. 11, 2023, in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The NBA has also promoted freedom of movement, which has led to higher-scoring games and lower defensive ratings.

Coincidentally or not, the NBA’s television ratings have been down all season.

The trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers provided a boost though. His LA debut averaged over 2 million viewers. The trade deadline has prompted a double-digit increase in viewers from January.

Draymond Green (23) of the Golden State Warriors walks off the court after Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics June 10, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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By Christmas, ratings were down 19% from the year prior. There were a lot of factors, including a Dodgers-Yankees World Series that predictably rated well by MLB’s standards.

The NBA is on pace for over 92,000 3-pointers attempted this season, which would be by far the most ever.

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February 15, 2025
Duke star Cooper Flagg, projected to be No. 1 pick in NBA Draft, makes surprise admission about future

Cooper Flagg could very likely hold more than his own weight in the NBA today, but by rule, he must be one year removed from high school before going pro.

So, he opted to go to Duke, and while most are predicting he’s a one-and-done, that may actually not be the case.

In a recent interview with “The Athletic,” Flagg, projected to be the No. 1 selection in this summer’s NBA Draft, made a stunning proclamation about his basketball future.

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Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) looks on prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome.

“S—, I want to come back next year,” the freshman said.

“I still feel like a kid,” he continued. “This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.”

The 6’9″ forward has been dominating as part of the No. 4 team in the country, averaging 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest. He’s started all of his 24 games played this season, shooting 48.3% from the floor and 37.0% from deep.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) drives as Wake Forest’s Tre’Von Spillers (25) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

2025 NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS: TOP OVERALL SEED ON THE LINE WITH AUBURN-ALABAMA

Flagg actually started the college season as a 17-year-old, turning 18 just four days before Christmas. (He reclassified to graduate high school a year early.) He was the highest-rated recruit for the class of 2024 and received a Division I offer from Bryant before even completing middle school.

The Newport, Maine, native attended the Montverde Academy in Florida after playing his freshman year at Falmouth High School in his home state.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg (2) high-fives head coach Jon Scheyer, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State in Durham, N.C., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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It is rather uncommon for top NBA prospects to spend more than one year in college nowadays, but perhaps NIL has changed the game. Yet again, it is fun to stay young, as Flagg feels.

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February 15, 2025