Tim MacMahon, ESPN Staff WriterApr 23, 2024, 08:00 AM ET
CloseJoined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas MavericksAppears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FMOpen Extended Reactions
It had been a difficult and stressful year for Gobert. He had hoped to spend his entire career with the Utah Jazz but was traded to Minnesota when the Jazz opted to rebuild, jump-starting that process by receiving five first-round picks in the deal. The massive return, normally reserved for superstar scorers, resulted in heavy scrutiny toward the 7-foot-1 defensive anchor.
The Timberwolves struggled as Gobert dealt with knee issues and a calf injury sidelined fellow 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns for much of the season. Minnesota went 42-40, needing the second play-in game to secure the Western Conference’s eighth seed. And Gobert didn’t
Luka Doncic has been criticized in the past for his defense, so too has Kyrie Irving. Both players are amongst the most gifted offensive players the NBA has ever seen, but both have a tendency to be a liability on the other end of the floor. We’ve seen it each of the past two times Doncic has played against the Clippers in the playoffs, getting relentlessly hunted on defense — and rightfully so — as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George crossed up, side-stepped and drove right past the Mavericks superstar. Irving has similarly been targeted on defense throughout his career primarily because of his size, getting thrown into switches and being forced to guard guys bigger than his stature.
But after an embarrassing opening-series game against the Clippers on Sunday in which L.A.’s
What’s the buzz on Twitter? Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee Kings coach Mike Brown says bringing Malik Monk back is a “no-brainer.” “We love Malik. Everybody knows that. I truly believe Malik loves it here. The fans have done a fantastic job of showing him love. I think he really, really, really appreciates that.” – 2:41 PMMatt George @MattGeorgeSAC Mike Brown on Malik Monk: “I truly believe Malik loves it here. The fans have done a fantastic job of showing him love. I think he really really appreciates that.” – 2:37 PM
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, the two 1-seeds in the 2024 NBA playoffs, both have 1-0 leads in their respective first-round series, but that’s just about where the similarities end.
Boston handled its business against the Miami Heat from the jump in Game 1, winning in a 114-94 rout. Meanwhile the Thunder didn’t secure their Game 1 win against the New Orleans Pelicans until CJ McCollum‘s last-second 3-pointer bounced off the back rim.
The two 1 vs. 8 series resume Wednesday night, and our NBA insiders took a look at the biggest storylines for each team heading into Game 2.
Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior WriterApr 24, 2024, 01:55 AM ET
CloseBaxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times.Open Extended Reactions
MINNEAPOLIS — As the last seconds ticked off the clock Tuesday, the Target Center crowd broke into a thunderous chant: “Wolves in four! Wolves in four! Wolves in four!” Those words rained down over the Phoenix Suns as they left the court following a 105-93 loss and prepared to return home in a deflating 2-0 hole during their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was not the scenario the Suns imagined after beating Minnesota handily in all three regular-season meetings nor was it what they envisioned after opening the campaign with championship aspirations thanks to their newly formed big three of
The 2024 playoffs are finally underway. As we did last season, Global Rating will track the players with the best performances on the big stage, using both their individual and team stats. The numbers will be updated after each postseason game.
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NEW YORK — New Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wasted no time making his feelings felt about the roster — and, specifically, the status of unrestricted free agent center Nic Claxton, whom Fernandez said was a “priority” to retain in free agency.
“Nic is a quote-unquote big that has defensive versatility,” Fernandez said at his introductory press conference at the team’s practice facility overlooking the New York harbor Wednesday morning. “I believe he’ll be Defensive Player of the Year. For us, he’s a priority in this summer, and the way we can play through him — obviously he’s great in pick and roll, he’s quick to the rim, he puts pressure on the rim — but also his ability to play the dribble-handoff game which, as you guys know, lately in the NBA is a style that is
