It is not because they fear the wrath of President Trump, or even the punitive arm of the N.B.A.’s league office, according to Michele Roberts, the players union’s executive director. They haven’t protested collectively, she said, because they can better do so individually. “They don’t need to take a knee when they can communicate their messages on their own,” Roberts said in a telephone interview. “LeBron James, all he has to do is tweet and everybody knows exactly how he feels.”
It is not because they fear the wrath of President Trum…
April 18, 2024 | 8:22 pm EDT Update
Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson potential minutes next season: 'I would prefer not to play him 35 minutes'
“I thought Klay really showed that he was agreeable to the sixth-man role the second half of the year, even though eventually we put him back in the starting lineup,” Kerr said. “I think that’s got to be an option going forward. I would prefer not to play him 35 minutes. There were games down the stretch, I think the New Orleans game, I think I played him 38 minutes. We’ve got to be able to play him less. But in order to do that we’ve got to add more shooting to the roster, frankly. We can add more shooting and limit Klay’s minutes.”
ClutchPoints: “I feel like in the last couple of years, our team hasn’t been built to withstand some of the mistakes… I need to teach better, I need to simplify some things.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr discusses how to make the team better 🗣 (via @NBCSWarriors) pic.twitter.com/1UnkFee5yH
“So what JK is looking at is: How can he make himself more versatile to be available in different lineups? Can he be a three? That’s a big question. And I don’t know the answer to it. I know that as we continue to help him and he continues to learn how to create spacing and get his shot off a little quicker and be more comfortable catch and shooting, but also making the right reads. Because as a three you handle the ball more. Can he become a better passer? I think he sees the floor pretty well, but his fundamentals in terms of passing have to improve if he’s going to play the three. We need him to play the three if we want to have Trayce out there at the five and Draymond at the four. That ideally would be a great defensive lineup. But we’re not ready for that yet as a team.”
Kerr was asked what has held Moody back from more minutes. “Decision-making at both ends needs to improve — quicker decisions, quicker rotations defensively, recognition of patterns,” Kerr said. “I’ve told him directly, I want him to get his shot off quicker. I think he should be an excellent 3-point shooter. There are times where he’s open and he doesn’t shoot it, he drives it and we immediately lose the advantage.
Kyrie Irving on preparing for Tyronn Lue and the Clippers: 'You're trying to think three moves ahead'
Mike Curtis: Asked Kyrie Irving about his approach to Game 1s, which some players/coaches use as a “feel out game.” He compared it to a chess match, and he’s looking forward to seeing what adjustments will come from Ty Lue, his former coach. “You’re trying to think three moves ahead.” pic.twitter.com/rDvwtA0NF9
ClutchPoints: “Same as it was against New Orleans.…We’ve been preparing all year for whoever we were gonna see….I’m ready to compete.” D’Angelo Russell when asked how excited he is to face Denver again 🗣️ (via @michaelcorvo_) pic.twitter.com/GjrMA0eQSh
Wednesday’s NBA Play-in Tournament games averaged 3.25 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2 (3.27 million including ESPN Deportes), up 25% from last year (2.59M). Including the 37% increase for Tuesday’s games, the Play-in Tournament has averaged 3.62 million across TNT, truTV, ESPN and ESPN2 — up 32% from the same point last year (2.75M).
Heat-Sixers topped Wednesday’s slate with a combined 3.40 million across ESPN (3.31M) and ESPN2 (98K) — up 42% from Bulls-Raptors on the same two networks last year (2.34M). The Sixers’ win delivered the sixth-largest audience in the young history of the Play-in (23 total telecasts), with half of the top six coming this year. It was the most-watched Play-in game that did not involve the Warriors or Lakers.
April 18, 2024 | 7:09 pm EDT Update
Victor Wembanyama refused to go on stage at Drake concert because his teammates weren't allowed to go up
According to JJ Redick, who recently appeared on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & Kid Mero, explained why the NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner wasn’t one of those players. “There was a Drake concert in Austin and he got asked to come up on stage because Drake was doing that with a bunch of NBA guys this offseason. And Wemby was like: Can my teammates come up on stage with me? Because they are going to be at the concert with me. And Drake’s camp was like: No. And he’s like: Then I don’t want to do it … What 19-year-old kid doesn’t want to go up on stage with Drake?”
Law Murray: Lawrence Frank on Kawhi Leonard’s mindset: “He’s a very strong minded guy who can stay in the moment. He doesn’t catastrophize things. He doesn’t glorify things. He just takes it for what it is and remain optimistic, like we all remain optimistic that this will resolve shortly.”
Reed Sheppard has announced he will leave Kentucky to enter the 2024 NBA draft. Sheppard is expected to be a lottery pick.
