NBA Lord's NBA Blog

NBA Lord's NBA Blog

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Daily Dunks: 9/28-10/4/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source ). 

     Here is my Daily Dunks page for September 28, 2015 through October 4, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

     Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Mavericks are optimistic that Chandler Parsons will be available for the regular season opener (Click here for details).

#2. Carmelo Anthony says he feels like himself again (Click here for details).

#3. The Grizzlies have announced their training camp roster, which now includes former UCLA guard Lazeric Jones (Click here for details).

#4. Grizzlies rookie Andrew Harrison isn't on the team's training camp roster. He'll spend the season in the D-League with the Iowa Energy (Click here for details).

#5. The Spurs have announced their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#6. The Bulls have announced their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#7. LeBron James is motivated to win a title in Cleveland (Click here for details).

#8. Wizards point guard John Wall donated $400K to a center for homeless children (Click here for details).

#9. Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings still has no timetable for recovery (Click here for details).

#10. Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala underwent knee injections in Germany (Click here for details).

#11. John Wall is ready to recruit Kevin Durant to the Wizards (Click here for details).

#12. Wizards guard Alan Anderson is dealing with an ankle injury (Click here for details).

#13. Emmanuel Mudiay will start at point guard for the Nuggets (Click here for details).

#14. Kyrie Irving is starting to run (Click here for details).

#15. DeMarcus Cousins and George Karl claim their relationship is fine (Click here for details).

#16. John Lucas III and Trey Kelly join the Heat for training camp (Click here for details).

#17. The Pistons added Eric Griffin and Jordan Bachynski to their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#18. The 76ers have finalized their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#19. The Rockets will pick up Clint Capela's 2016-17 option (Click here for details).

#20. Pistons small forward Danny Granger (knee) won't be healthy for the start of training camp (Click here for details).

#21. Rod Thorn is joining the Bucks as a special consultant (Click here for details).

#22. The Warriors signed Ben Gordon (Click here for details).

#23. Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki hopes to play for a couple more years (Click here for details).

#24. Click here for a Tristan Thompson update

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert is out 12-14 weeks due to wrist surgery (Click here for details).

#2. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose suffered an orbital bone fracture and needs surgery. He is out indefinitely (Click here for details).

#3. The Cavaliers have announced their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#4. Italian coach Andrea Mazzon is joining the 76ers in a coaching role with their development league team (Click here for details).

#5. The Hawks have signed forward Arsalan Kazemi for training camp (Click here for details).

#6. Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (hip) may miss the start of the season (Click here for details).

#7. Adam Morrison reportedly never took showers while in the NBA according to a former teammate (Click here for details).

#8. Kyle Korver, Shelvin Mack, and Thabo Sefolosha of the Hawks have all been cleared for basketball related activities (Click here for details).

#9. Damian Lillard spent the offseason improving his ball handling (Click here for details).

#10. Jordan McRae has officially taken the 76ers' required tender. He'll be present at training camp (Click here for details).

#11. Clippers forward Paul Pierce won't let his teammates wear LeBron shoes (Click here for details).

#12. Kobe Bryant implies that he will never leave the Lakers (Click here for details).

#13. Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews may be out until Christmas (Click here for details).

#14. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony expects to play some power forward this season (Click here for details).

#15. Jabari Parker was a full partipant when the Bucks opened training camp (Click here for details).

#16. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose denies the rape charge. He says everything was consensual (Click here for details).

#17. James Worthy is back with the Lakers organization (Click here for details).

#18. John Henson says he and the Bucks are progressing towards an extension (Click here for details).

#19. The Thunder signed guard Michael Qualls for training camp (Click here for details).

#20. The Raptors exercised their third-year team options on Bruno Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira (click here for details).

Tuesday's WNBA Playoff results: 

Fever 65 Liberty 51: Final. Fever win series 2-1 and advance to the WNBA Finals to face the Lynx.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Arturas Gudaitis says the Kings are interested in him (Click here for details).

#2. Mikhail Prokhorov plans to attend 25% of all Nets home games this season (Click here for details).

#3. Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert has undergone wrist surgery (Click here for details).

#4. Bulls power forward Pau Gasol says he will play fewer minutes this season (Click here for details).

#5. Danilo Gallinari hopes to retire with the Nuggets (Click here for details).

#6. The NBA replay refs will help determine certain outcomes (Click here for details).

#7. Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings still has no timetable for return (Click here for details).

#8. Bradley Beal says the Wizards have not offered him a contract extension (Click here for details).

#9. Jimmer Fredette worked out with Chauncey Billups this summer (Click here for details).

#10. Kevin Love is expected to get more touches this season in Cleveland (Click here for details).

#11. Rumor: Kevin Durant is eying the Lakers if he leaves the Thunder (Click here for details).

#12. Carmelo Anthony says the Knicks are targeting at title (Click here for details).

#13. The Wizards have some new "Baltimore Pride" alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#14 Michael Beasley signed in China with Shandong (Click here for details).

#15. After having surgery, Derrick Rose should be able to resume basketball activities in two weeks (Click here for details).

#16. The Wizards picked up their 2016-17 option for Otto Porter, Jr. (Click here for details).

#17. Pau Gasol had a nasal operation. He says he is breathing better (Click here for details).

#18. Mike Miller has signed with the Nuggets (Click here for details).

#19. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley plans to keep wearing the mask (Click here for details).

#20. The Trail Blazers exercise their options for C.J. McCollum, Noah Vonleh, and Mason Plumlee (Click here for details).  

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Lakers are considering playing Kobe Bryant at small forward (Click here for details).

#2. The 76ers' owner is happy with the rebuilding process of his team (Click here for details).

#3. The Cavaliers hope Tristan Thompson signs with the team on Friday and reports to camp (Click here for details).

#4. Bucks head coach Jason Kidd says Giannis Antetokoumpo has the whole package (Click here for details).

#5. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone wants Kenneth Faried to step it up (Click here for details).

#6. Marc Gasol says the Grizzlies will try to sign Pau Gasol (Click here for details).

#7. Kevin Love says re-signing with the Cavaliers was a pretty easy choice (Click here for details).

#8. As a welcome gift of sorts, Adidas gave James Harden a truckload of shoes (Click here for details).

#9. Wizards' John Wall hopes to be in the MVP conversation (Click here for details).

#10. Pistons president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy has positive things to say about rookie Stanley Johnson (Click here for details).

#11. Steve Kerr is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Warriors as he recovers from back surgery. Luke Walton will step in as interim head coach (Click here for details).

#12. Bucks point guard Tyler Ennis (shoulder) is likely out until mid-November (Click here for details).

#13. Flip Saunders is unlikely to return to the Timberwolves this season (Click here for details).

#14. Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is day-to-day with a bruised foot (Click here for details).

#15. The Bulls signed guard Stefhon Hannah to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#16. Michael Jordan says Air Jordans are bigger than him (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Tristan Thompson denied the Cavaliers' qualifying offer (Click here for details).

#2. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani's chief focus is getting healthy (Click here for details).

#3. Kevin Love is expected to sign with Nike (Click here for details).

#4. Zach LaVine is trying to get Andrew Wiggins in the dunk contest (Click here for details).

#5. Orlando Magic forward Nikola Vucevic will miss the preseason opener with a shoulder injury (Click here for details).

#6. Magic forward Channing Frye is on the open market (Click here for details).

#7. Paul George says he's the best player in the NBA (Click here for details).

#8. Kevin Durant says Stephen A. Smith is lying about him going to the Lakers. Stephen A. Smith sort of admits KD may be right (Click here and here for details).

#9. Adam Silver is getting a retired military general as a special advisor (Click here for details).

#10. Pistons point guard Steve Blake is out indefinitely with a concussion (Click here for details).

#11. The Bucks signed forward John Henson to a 4 year, $45M extension (Click here for details).

#12. The Pacers signed former Rutgers forward Kadeem Jack for training camp (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA preseason scores: 

Clippers 103 Nuggets 96: Final. Clippers forward Josh Smith had 13 points and 8 rebounds. Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay had 14 points.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Joakim Noah is doing yoga (Click here for details)

#2. The Bucks will use an alternate court and have uniforms to go with it (Click here for details).

#3. Marc Cuban understands if Tyson Chandler is unhappy with the Mavericks (Click here for details).

#4. Cavaliers head coach David Blatt isn't worried about Tristan Thompson's holdout (Click here for details).

#5. Derrick Rose should rejoin the Bulls on Wednesday (Click here for details).

#6. The Clippers waived Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Click here for details).

#7. Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is out indefinitely with a dislocated right shoulder (Click here for details).

#8. Trail Blazers forward Cliff Alexander is out two weeks with a bruise on his left knee (Click here for details).

#9. The Kings picked up their 2016-17 option for shooting guard Ben McLemore (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Preseason scores: 

Pelicans 110 Pacers 105. Hornets 106 Magic 100.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani (hamstring) will miss the team's preseason opener on Monday (Click here for details).

#2. The Hornets signed forward Damien Wilkins to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#3. 76ers shooting guard Nik Stauskas is out two weeks with a stress reaction in his right tibia (Click here for details).

#4. Pelicans center Alexis Ajinça is out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain (Click here for details).

#5. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge says extensions are not imminent for Tyler Zeller or Jared Sullinger (Click here for details).

#6. Celtics guard Evan Turner has a knee strain, which means he is doubtful to play against Olimpia Milano (Click here for details).

#7. The Bulls reached a partnership deal with a company from Poland (Click here for details).

#8. LeBron James feels like the whole Tristan Thompson situation is becoming a "distraction" (Click here for details).

#9. Dwight Howard believes that belief is the first step towards the Rockets winning a title (Click here for details).

#10. Kevin Durant appears to be fully healthy (Click here for details).

#11. Thunder head coach Billy Donovan already is thinking about his starting lineup (Click here for details).

#12. Carmelo Anthony denies ever wanting to request a trade from the Knicks (Click here for details).

#13. Paul George isn't sure he's cut out to play power forward (Click here for details).

#14. Carmelo Anthony is optimistic that he can play at a high-level for 4-5 years (Click here for details).

#15. The Pistons have revealed some new "Detroit Chrome" uniforms (Click here for details).

#16. George Karl admits talking about trading DeMarcus Cousins was a bad idea (Click here for details).

#17. Cedi Osman plans to make a jump to the NBA and Cavaliers in 2017 (Click here for details).

#18. Kings rookie Willie Cauley-Stein is reportedly out of shape (Click here for details).

#19. Ty Lawson is now talking smack about Chris Paul (Click here for details).

#20. Grizzlies rookie Andrew Harrison will spend the season in the D-League (Click here for details).

#21. Stephen A. Smith fires back and says Kevin Durant is lying (Click here for details).


Sunday's WNBA Finals results: 

Fever 75 Lynx 69: Final. Briann January led the Fever with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fever lead the best-of-five series 1-0.

Sunday's NBA preseason scores: 

Hornets 90 Heat 77. Raptors 93 Clippers 73. Jazz 90 Lakers 71.


---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news. Also, like my NBA Facebook page NBA Lord Nation and and follow my Google Plus page NBA Lord if you prefer those social media mediums. 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Saturday Slam: Here are some really cool dunk videos

When I am bored and have nothing to do, I frequently hop on YouTube and watch videos of amazing slam dunks. I thought it would be fun to share with all of you some of my all-time favorite dunking videos. Enjoy!


















---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Daily Dunks: 9/21-9/27/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

This is my Daily Dunks page for September 21, 2015 through September 27, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Nando De Colo, who currently is under contract with CSKA Moscow, would like to explore playing in the NBA again once his contract expires (Click here for details).

#2. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Timofey Mozgov, and Anderson Varejao are expected to be ready for Cavaliers training camp (Click here for details).

#3. Harrison Barnes has rejected the Warriors' 4 year, $64M offer (Click here for details).

#4. The NBA had a $100M jump in ticket sales from 2013-14 (Click here for details).

#5. Chandler Parson, Wesley Matthews, and JaVale McGee aren't expected to be ready for Mavericks training camp (Click here for details).

#6. Kyle Korver has been cleared for Hawks training camp; Thabo Seflosha is getting better (Click here for details).

#7. Carmelo Anthony should be ready for Knicks training camp (Click here for details).

#8. Jacque Vaughn is joining the Spurs in a player personnel role (Click here for details).

#9. The Warriors signed Tony Mitchell for training camp (Click here for details).

#10. Tristan Thompson and the Cavaliers are reportedly $14M apart (Click here for details).

#11. The Knicks signed small forward DaJuan Summers for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. Luke Ridnour will not play in the 2015-16 season. Retirement could be coming (Click here for details).

#13. The Timberwolves and Anthony Bennett have agreed on a contract buyout (Click here for details).

#14. David Aldridge reports that Brandon Jennings is "not close" to being cleared to play (Click here for details).

#15. The Heat shuffled things around with their coaching staff and the coaching staff of their D-League team (Click here for details).

Monday's WNBA Playoff Results: 

Fever 100 Sky 89: Final. Fever win the series 2-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Tamika Catchings led the Fever with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Tony Parker is opening a basketball academy in Lyon, France (Click here for details).

#2. The Rockets signed 4 players for training camp (Click here for details).

#3. Harrison Barnes changed agents because he wanted an agent that would take a smaller percentage of his pay cut (Click here for details).

#4. The Grizzlies reportedly were interested in Danilo Gallinari before the Jeff Green trade (Click here for details).

#5. The 76ers and Trail Blazers have expressed interest in claiming Anthony Bennett off waivers (Click here for details).

#6. According to a report, LeBron James isn't factoring Tristan Thompson's situation into whether or not he stays in Cleveland (Click here for details).

#7. The Milwaukee City Council has added money to the Bucks' new arena (Click here for details).

#8. In a new commercial, Stephen Curry reads a harsh draft scouting report of himself (Click here to watch).

#9. The Bucks expect Jabari Parker to be healthy for training camp, but they'll still be cautious with him (Click here for details).

#10. The Knicks officially signed guard Travis Trice  and forward DaJuan Summers (Click here for details).

#11. Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings has actually been cleared for basketball related activities. He could be ready to play by the end of November (Click here for details).

#12. The Spurs extended their tender to 2013 draft pick Deshaun Thomas. He will join the team for training camp (Click here for details).

#13. The Trail Blazers promoted Jim Moran to assistant coach (Click here for details).

#14. Pistons guard Darrun Hilliard had surgery to repair a broken nose. He'll wear a mask for three weeks and continue with all basketball-related activities (Click here for details).

Tuesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Lynx 91 Sparks 80: Final. Maya Moore led the Lynx with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Lynx win series 2-1 and will face the Mercury in the Western Conference Finals.

Liberty 79 Mystics 74: Final. Tina Charles led the Liberty with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Liberty win the series 2-1 and will face the Fever in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The 2016 NBA Final Schedule has been released (Click here to view it).

#2. The Timberwolves officially waived Anthony Bennett (Click here for details).

#3. The Raptors won't have extension talks with DeMar DeRozan (Click here for details).

#4. The Bulls have a new court design (Click here for details).

#5. Marc Gasol wants to play in the 2016 Olympics (Click here for details).

#6. In addition to Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten won't be ready for 76ers training camp (Click here for details).

#7. The 76ers pursued Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard in free agency (Click here for details).

#8. The Grizzlies signed veteran center Ryan Hollins (Click here for details).

#9. Jason Richardson has officially retired (Click here for details and a cool video of some of his dunks).

#10. The Pelicans signed Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jeff Adrien, and Corey Webster (Click here for details).

#11. The Nets signed forward Chris Daniels for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. Heat forward Chris Bosh has been fully cleared for training camp (Click here for details).

#13. The Cavaliers signed forward Austin Daye for training camp (Click hereg for details).

#14. The Thunder signed guard Julyan Stone for training camp (Click here for details).

#15. Thunder forward Kevin Durant has been fully cleared for training camp (Click here for details).

#16. Thunder draftee Dakari Johnson will spend the season in the D-League (Click here for details).

Wednesday's WNBA Playoff results: 

Liberty 84 Fever 67: Final. Kiah Stokes led the Liberty with a career-high 21 points. Liberty lead Eastern Conference Finals series 1-0.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Caron Butler wants to help Lamar Odom conquer his demons (Click here for details).

#2. The Celtics have finalized their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#3. The Lakers signed Metta World Peace to a one-year contract (Click here for details).

#4. Derek Fisher says Carmelo Anthony is a full go for training camp (Click here for details).

#5. The Grizzlies signed Yakhouba Diawara and Dan Nwaelele for training camp (Click here for details on Diawara and here for details on Nwaelele).

#6. Head coach Brett Brown intends to finish his four-year contract with the 76ers (Click here for details).

#7. The Timberwolves are not discussing a Ricky Rubio trade (Click here for details).

#8. Paul George will likely start at power forward for the Pacers (Click here for details).

#9. The Bucks arena has been delayed until 2018 (Click here for details).

#10. Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings has actually not been fully cleared for training camp (Click here for details).

#11. Guard Jaron Johnson signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Wizards for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. The Hawks signed center Earl Barron for training camp (Click here for details).

#13. Markieff Morris will report to training camp for the Suns (Click here for details).

#14. Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday will have minutes restrictions until January (Click here for details).

#15. Pelicans forward Quincy Pondexter will not be ready to start the season due to his recovery from knee surgery (Click here for details).

#16. Tristan Thompson now asks the Cavaliers to pay him $53M over 3 years (Click here for details).

#17. The Clippers added Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for training camp in addition to Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Click here for details).



Thursday's WNBA Playoff Scores: 

Lynx 67 Mercury 60: Final. Maya Moore led the Lynx with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Lynx lead the Western Conference Finals 1-0.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Nuggets big man Jusuf Nurkic won't be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. The Orlando Magic have a lot going on as they head into training camp (Click here for a full breakdown on everything going on in the Magic Kingdom).

#3. The Thunder unveiled new uniforms (Click here for details).

#4. The Timberwolves made a couple of changes to their staff (Click here for details).

#5. Festus Ezeli is negotiating a contract extension with the Warriors (Click here for details).

#6. The Wizards signed five players for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. The Warriors hiring of Steve Nash became official (Click here for details).

#8. Anthony Bennett is likely heading to the Raptors once he clears waivers (Click here for details).

#9. The Warriors signed four guys for training camp (Click here for details).

#10. Former Kings guard Doug Christie is joining Comcast SportsNet California as a pre-game and post-game analyst for the team (Click here for details).

#11. The Cavaliers signed center Chris Johnson for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. The Rockets signed center Jeremy Tyler for training camp (Click here for details).

#13. The Trail Blazers signed forward Omari Johnson from Oregon State to their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#14. The Nuggets officially waived Kostas Papanikolau, saving $4.8M (Click here for details).

#15. Jordan McRae signed a one-year tender with the 76ers and will join the team for training camp (Click here for details).

#16. Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy, Jr. underwent back surgery and will be out 8-10 weeks (Click here for details).

#17. The Thunder officially added 3 players to training camp (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Trail Blazers have announced their training camp roster (Click here for details).

#2. Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic probably won't play in the preseason (Click here for details).

#3. Paul Pierce is likely to retire if the Clippers win the title in 2016 (Click here for details).

#4. Ricky Rubio's health is improving (Click here for details).

#5. The Knicks like how Kristaps Porzingis is developing (Click here for details).

#6. Evan Fournier is seeking an extension from the Magic (Click here for details).

#7. Doc Rivers will likely bring Lance Stephenson off the bench (Click here for details).

#8. The 76ers waived Gerald Wallace (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Raptors signed power forward Anthony Bennett to a one-year contract (Click here for details).

#2. The Trail Blazers bought out Mike Miller's contract making him a free agent (Click here for details).

#3. Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher like Kristaps Porzingis' attitude (Click here for details).

#4. The 76ers have finalized their training camp roster (Click here to view it).

#5. The Timberwolves have finalized their training camp roster (Click here to view it).

#6. Clippers point guard Chris Paul likes his team's depth (Click here for details).

#7. DeAndre Jordan plans to keep shooting free throws the same way (Click here for details).

#8. Nike unveiled a new LeBron James shoe (Click here to view it).

#9. Rockets GM Daryl Morey thinks his team can follow in the Warriors' foot steps (Click here for details).

#10. Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay hopes to win titles in Denver (Click here for details).


Sunday's WNBA Playoff Scores: 

Eastern Conference Finals---Fever 70 Liberty 64: Final. Series is tied 1-1.

Western Conference Finals---Lynx 72 Mercury 71: Final. Maya Moore led the Lynx with a playoff career high 40 points.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news. Also like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation and follow my Google Plus page NBA Lord if you want to follow the NBA on those social media sites. 

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Saturday Slam: In defense of Shawn Bradley



     For quite a while, I have wanted to write an article that defends Shawn Bradley and puts his critics in their place.  When I heard New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis say that he wasn't going to be another Shawn Bradley this week, I decided that now would be a good time for me to write this article. When most people think of Shawn Bradley, they think of a guy who was a bust in the NBA and a guy who got dunked on a lot. Those conceptions are unfair to Shawn Bradley both as a person and as a basketball player.

     When it comes to what Shawn Bradley has accomplished in life, he has done way more than just play basketball. He served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Australia, remained faithful to his wife throughout his NBA career, has been very involved in various charitable organizations, and has run for public office to make a difference in his community. When you look at all that he has accomplished off the court, it suddenly seems very short sighted to only think of him as a basketball player who didn't live up to wild expectations.

    As for the basketball side of things, it's also the case that Shawn Bradley doesn't get enough respect. He played for 12 seasons in the NBA and during his first five seasons, he averaged 11.29 points, 7.87 rebounds, and 3.37 blocks per game. Those aren't all-star level numbers, but those are still very respectable numbers. Especially when you look at all the shots he blocked. Contrary to what YouTube videos like to suggest, Shawn Bradley wasn't an easy player to dunk on.
 
     I understand that he never became the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but are those really fair expectations to put on any incoming NBA player? I think that in retrospect, we recognize that the answer is no. In addition, what we also fail to acknowledge is that there are so many other high draft picks who have done far worse than Shawn Bradley: Greg Oden, Darko Milicic, Adam Morrison, and Stromile Swift are guys who I consider busts. Those guys were top three picks who struggled to put together one quality NBA season, let alone five.

     Shawn Bradley at his peak was a stellar defensive force in the paint with solid offensive abilities. Is that worth a number two overall pick? Probably not, but that's certainly not nothing. The 76ers got decent return from Shawn Bradley, it's just that he didn't become their franchise player, which is what every top three pick in the NBA draft is expected to become.

     In conclusion, Shawn Bradley actually had a respectable NBA career. He played for 12 seasons, had five solid seasons, and currently ranks #14 all-time on the NBA's blocks list and #10 all-time on the NBA's blocks per game list. His career may not have been what everybody expected it to be, but it certainly shouldn't be laughed at or mocked. He had a good NBA career and has done a tremendous amount of good off the court. That is how he should be remembered.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Daily Dunks: 9/14-9/20/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source). 

Here is my Daily Dunks page for September 14, 2015 through September 20, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Hornets signed forward Sam Thompson and center Jason Washburn for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. The Lakers signed center Robert Upshaw to a partially guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#3. The Bucks have given their general manager John Hammond a contract extension through the 2016-17 season (Click here for details).

#4. The Spurs are instituting a season-tickets wait list (Click here for details).

#5. The Rockets signed second round pick forward Montrezl Harrell to a three-year contract (Click here for details). Harrell also saved a motorist (Click here for details).

#6. By signing Christian Wood, the 76ers put themselves in an interesting roster pinch (Click here for details).

#7. NBA GMs are discussing expanding the draft once the D-League reaches 30 teams (Click here for details).

#8. The D-League is planning on multi-team expansion for next season (Click here for details).

#9. The Pacers' owner is seeking a court ruling on team ownership (Click here for details).

#10. The Pelicans signed forward Chris Douglas-Roberts to a two-year contract (Click here for details).

#11. David Morway is not being retained as the Bucks' assistant GM (Click here for details).

#12. Kelly Oubre and Terry Rozier signed with Adidas (Click here for details).

#13. Trajan Langdon is joining the Cavaliers as Director of Player Administration. He is replacing Raja Bell (Click here for details).

#14. The Warriors signed guard Ian Clark for training camp (Click here for details).

#15. The Grizzlies signed guard Patrick Christopher for training camp (Click here for details).

#16. The Timberwolves hired Arnie Kander as VP of Sports Performance (Click here for details).

#17. The WNBA playoffs start on September 17. Click here to view the final standings.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Toronto Raptors' D-League team has hired their assistant coaches (Click here for details).

#2. Moses Malone's funeral will be on Saturday (Click here for details).

#3. Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson have joined the Milwaukee Bucks' broadcast team (Click here for details).

#4. The Warriors hired Steve Nash for a consulting job to help develop their backcourt (Click here for details).

#5. Anthony Bennett may be staying in Minnesota (Click here for details).

#6. The Wizards signed forward Josh Harrellson for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. Roy Hibbert has no hard feelings towards the Pacers (Click here for details).

#8. Eric Gordon wants to stay with the Pelicans (Click here for details).

#9. Rockets center Donatas Motiejunas (back) won't be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#10. Walt Frazier says Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest of all time (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Rockets have unveiled some alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#2. The Jazz plan to stick with the point guards on their roster (Click here for details).

#3. The Brooklyn Nets and the YES Network are near a massive TV deal (Click here for details).

#4. The Mavericks tried to sign Steve Nash this summer (Click here for details).

#5. The Suns signed five players for training camp (Click here for details).

#6. Former ASU center Jordan Bachynski has signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Pistons (Click here for details).

#7. Norris Cole has re-signed with the Pelicans on a one-year, $3.03M qualifying offer (Click here for details).

#8. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani (calf) competed for Italy in Eurobasket. He is fine (Click here for details).

#9. Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis: "I am not Shawn Bradley" (Click here for details).

#10. Stephen Curry has signed a mega-extension with Under Armour (Click here for details).

#11. The Nets signed Angolan big man Yanick Moreira to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#12. The Hawks signed small forward DeQuan Jones to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker underwent minor surgery to repair a nasal fracture. He should be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. Spain defeated France 80-75 to advance to the Olympics. Pau Gasol led Spain with 40 points and 11 rebounds (Click here for details).

#3. The Heat signed point guard John Lucas III for training camp (Click here for details).

#4. The Pelicans have unveiled some new alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#5. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving says he is making progress in his recovery (Click here for details).

#6. The 76ers expect Jordan McRae to reject his tender (Click here for details).

#7. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant has been medically cleared to resume all basketball related activities (Click here for details).

#8. The Bulls signed shooting guard Jordan Crawford to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#9. Power forward Jerrelle Benimon will not join the Cavaliers for training camp. He is playing in China instead (Click here for details).

#10. The Timberwolves signed shooting guard Nick Wiggins and center Kelon Penn for training camp (Click here for details).

#11. Undrafted big man Joshua Smith from Georgetown has signed with the Rockets for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. Forward Nick Minnerath has signed with the Cavaliers for training camp (Click here for details).

Thursday's WNBA Playoff results: 

Sky 77 Fever 72. Sky guard Allie Quigley had 22 points of the bench. Sky lead the series 1-0.

Mercury 88 Shock 55: Final. Mercury power forward Brittney Griner had 18 points and 8 rebounds. Mercury lead the series 1-0.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1.The Hawks signed point guard Edgar Sosa for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. Carlos Delfino worked out for the Spurs (Click here for details).

#3. The Hawks made several hirings and promotions in their organization (Click here for details).

#4. The Nets signed forward Justin Harper to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#5. Mike Krzyzewski says some very nice things about Kobe Bryant (Click here for details).

#6. Lakers head coach Byron Scott plans to give Kobe Bryant fewer minutes (Click here for details).

#7. Lithuania defeated Serbia to advance to the Olympics (Click here for details).

#8. The Suns have unveiled a new court (Click here for details).

#9. The Hawks are getting creative with the way they try to sell season tickets (Click here for details).

#10. The NBA is studying wearable technology for game use (Click here for details).

#11. Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has signed with agent Jeff Schwartz (Click here for details).

#12. Montrezl Harrell officially signed with the Rockets (Click here for details).

#13. Yanick Moreria, won't be able to join the Nets for training camp. He suffered a minor tear to a ligament in his left foot which will take 4-6 weeks to heal (Click here for details).

Friday's WNBA Playoffs Results: 

Lynx 67 Sparks 65: Final. Maya Moore led the Lynx with 33 points. Lynx lead series 1-0.
Mystics 86 Liberty 83: Final/2OT. Mystics lead series 1-0.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Blake Griffin says he wants to finish his career with the Clippers (Click here for details).

#2. Marco Belinelli will join the Kings next weekend (Click here for details).

#3. Spain wins Eurobasket and Pau Gasol won MVP (Click here for details).

#4. Shaquille O'Neal thinks Kobe Bryant should play beyond this season (Click here for details).

#5. Dwight Howard has signed with PEAK shoes, a Chinese brand (Click here for details).

#6. Jimmer Fredette says he is surprised the Spurs called (Click here for details).

#7. The Heat have several players playing in the final year of their contracts (Click here for details).

#8. France defeated Serbia 81-68 to finish 3rd place in Eurobasket (Click here for details).

#9. The Rockets waived guard Remi Yusuf (Click here for details).

#10. Forward DeShaun Thomas has signed with the Spurs for training camp (Click here for details).

Saturday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Fever 89 Sky 82: Final. Tamika Catchings led the Fever with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Series is tied 1-1.

Mercury 91 Shock 67: Final. Mercury win series 2-0. Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 rebounds.

Sundays' NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Warriors plan to keep guard Chris Babb around for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. 76ers point guard Kendall Marshall isn't expected to be ready to start the season (Click here for details).

#3. Jerry West thinks Kobe Bryant could play beyond this season (Click here for details).

#4. Shaquille O'Neal has some high praise for Anthony Davis (Click here for details).

#5. Hornets big man Al Jefferson lost 20 pounds by cutting out fried chicken (Click here for details).

#6. The Bucks signed three players for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. The Warriors have offered Harrison Barnes a 4 year, $64M contract (Click here for details).

#8. Pau Gasol has committed to playing for Spain in the 2016 Rio Olympics (Click here for details).

Sunday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 86 Mystics 68: Final. Tina Charles led the Liberty with 22 points. Series is tied 1-1.

Sparks 81 Lynx 71: Final. Candace Parker led the Sparks with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Series is tied 1-1.


---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news and like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Wednesday Windmill: Could Kevin Durant really go to the New York Knicks?


     Could Kevin Durant seriously leave a good situation in Oklahoma City for a quagmire in Gotham? On the surface, the concept of the New York Knicks landing Kevin Durant seems absurd. The Oklahoma City Thunder are viewed as serious contenders to win the 2015-16 NBA championship while the New York Knicks are in rebuilding mode.
     
     It would take a miracle for the Knicks to snatch KD away from OKC, right? Well…maybe not. While I still have my money on Kevin Durant staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the summer of 2016, I do think it's possible that the Knicks land him.

     The first reason why I think it's possible that the Knicks land him has to do with the fact that perhaps the Thunder won't want to overpay for him in 2016. Don't get me wrong, the Thunder would love to retain Kevin Durant, but due to all of his injury issues and the presence of Russell Westbrook, it's possible that the Oklahoma City Thunder will let Kevin Durant go if the New York Knicks are willing to pay him a vast chunk of change that they themselves aren't willing to pay.

     Secondly, it's possible that Kevin Durant will like the situation in New York better. Carmelo Anthony will be there as a second scoring option and Kristaps Porzingis may be another superstar in the making. If Phil Jackson can make a couple of additional tweaks to the roster, odds are good that Kevin Durant will like his chances of winning a title in New York better than his odds of winning a title in Oklahoma City.

     Third, it's possible that Kevin Durant wants to get away from Russell Westbrook. They both claim to be friends, which is probably true, but all the same, there does appear to be a power struggle going on with both of them on the floor. Durant believes the Thunder is his team and Westbrook believes the Thunder is actually his team. It's hard for those kinds of mentalities to coexist and unless they find a way to win the NBA title in 2016, it just might be time for them to go their separate ways.

     In conclusion, I think it is very possible that Kevin Durant goes to the Knicks. The team is hungry for a championship, Phil Jackson appears to be building a quality team to go around him, and Russell Westbrook may be causing more friction than meets the eye. While I still think Durant will stay with the Thunder, I think it would be very foolish of us to rule out the possibility of Durant taking his talents to the Big Apple.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news 

   

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Daily Dunks: 9/7-9/13/2015

                                                    (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source) 

     Here is my Daily Dunks page for Monday, September 7 through Sunday September 13, 2015. Throughout the week this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Grizzlies signed point guard Lazeric Jones for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. The Nets signed guard Dahntay Jones for training camp (Click here for details).

#3. Kevin Durant: "I'm still the best player in the world" (Click here for details).

#4. Report: Kyrie Irving will be back "well before" January (Click here for details).

#5. J.P. Tokoto accepted the 76ers' required tender (Click here for details).

#6. Tony Parker is now the all-time leading scorer in Eurobasket (Click here for details).

#7. Quinn Cook is finalizing a deal with the Cavaliers for training camp (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The NBA will now seed its playoff teams based on overall record. Top eight in each conference (Click here for details).

#2. The NBA fined Suns forward Markieff Morris $10,000 for making public statements asking to be traded (Click here for details).

#3. Charles Barkley, David Stern, and Julius Erving will be Hall of Fame presenters (Click here for details).

#4. LeBron James is hosting pre-camp workouts in Miami for Cavaliers players (Click here for details).

#5. Pat Riley: The Heat "have all of the elements of a championship team" (Click here for details).

#6. D.J. Stephens signed with the Cavaliers for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. Matt Janning, Devin Sweetney, and Oleksiy Pecherov signed training camp deals with the Nuggets (Click here for details).

#8. The NBAPA sold their Harlem headquarters for $21M (Click here for details).

#9. The Wizards signed Toure' Murry and Ish Smith for training camp (Click here for details).

#10. Bryan Gates is joining the Timberwolves as an assistant coach (Click here for details).

Tuesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Mystics 76 Fever 72. Lynx 73 Storm 67. Shock 74 Stars 64.

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The 76ers officially signed point guard Kendall Marshall (Click here for details).

#2. The Lakers have officially signed guard Marcelo Huertas to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#3. Kings point guard Seth Curry says he didn't want to go to the Warriors and be in his brother's shadow (Click here for details).

#4. The Pacers have now acquired the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as their single-affilate D-League team (Click here for details).

#5. The NBA Player's Union is getting a new facility in the Spring of 2016 (Click here for details).

#6. The Suns have revealed new black alternate jerseys (Click here for details).

#7. The Cavaliers have officially signed center Sasha Kaun (Click here for details).

#8. The Clippers signed power forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili to a non-guranteed contract (Click here for details).

#9. Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek is very critical of Markieff Morris (Click here for details).

#10. The Nets didn't extend point guard Xavier Thames a contract tender, making him a free agent (Click here for details).

Wednesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 74 Sun 64. Dream 90 Sparks 60.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. No progress is being made in talks between Tristan Thompson and the Cavaliers (Click here for details).

#2. D'Angelo Russell believes the Lakers will make the playoffs (Click here for details).

#3. Metta World Peace may be close to returning to the Lakers (Click here for details).

#4. Lisa Leslie is interested in coaching in the NBA. She thinks she could help the Clippers (Click here for details).

#5. The Bucks have gotten their arena land from Milwaukee leaders for $1M (Click here for details).

#6. While Flip Saunders battles cancer, Sam Mitchell will take over head coaching duties for the Timberwolves (Click here for details).

#7. The Knicks signed point guard Travis Trice to a partially guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#8. The Pelicans signed guard Sean Kilpatrick to a two-year, partially guaranteed deal (Click here for details).

#9. The Warriors signed point guard Juwan Staten to a one-year contract (Click here for details).

#10. The Suns aren't currently looking to trade away Markieff Morris (Click here for details).

#11. Joe Johnson has changes agencies (Click here for details).

#12. The Magic signed center Greg Stiemsma (Click here for details).

#13. The Nets signed small forward Dahntay Jones (Click here for details).

#14. Report: The Knicks are getting closer to discussing a Carmelo Anthony trade (Click here for details).

#15. The Pacers signed C.J. Fair for training camp (Click here for details).
                             
Friday's NBA Daily Dunks:                                

#1. The Lakers made some changes and promotions in their  front office (Click here for details).                                            

#2. The Basketball Hall of Fame adds 11 new members (Click here for details).    

#3. Draymond Green made a nice donation to Michigan State (Click here for details).                                                  

#4. The 76ers extended their tender to Jordan McRae (Click here for details).    

#5. No progress is being made between Bradley Beal and the Wizards in regards to an extension (Click here for details).    

#6. Adam Silver says lottery reform is a couple of years away (Click here for details).                                                

#7. The Timberwolves expect Flip Saunders to be out through the start of the season (Click here for details).          

#8. The President of Real Madrid wants his team in the NBA (Click here for details).                                                  

#9. Briante Weber failed his physical with the Heat, which means his non-guaranteed contract has been voided (Click here for details).                          

#10. Rockets center Donatas Motiejunas may not be ready for training camp (Click here for details).                                    

Friday's WNBA Final Scores:                            

Mystics 82 Liberty 55. Fever 75 Dream 67. Sky 92 Shock 71. Mercury 70 Sparks 65. Storm 78 Lynx 64.                 

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Arn Tellem plans to become the Pistons' part-owner soon (Click here for details).

#2. Security didn't recognize Jeremy Lin when he tried to enter the Hornets' arena (Click here for details).

#3. Bull forward Taj Gibson played with torn ligaments in his ankle last season (Click here for details).

#4. The Lakers expect Kobe Bryant to be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#5. Kevin Love is about a month away from returning (Click here for details).

#6. The Clippers don't expect to trade Jamal Crawford this season (Click here for details).

#7. Bulls forward Taj Gibson is on schedule returning from his ankle surgery (Click here for details).

#8. Bradley Beal and the Wizards are making no progress in contract extension talks (Click here for details).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Basketball Hall of Fame player Moses Malone passed away (Click here for details).

#2. Metta World Peace wants to make an NBA return (Click here for details).

#3. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani has a calf injury (Click here for details).

#4. Rockets point guard Ty Lawson is very critical of the Nuggets' front office (Click here for details).

#5. Wizards forward Jared Dudley says he'll be healthy by December (Click here for details).

#6. Corey Webster signed a three-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Pelicans (Click here for details).

Sunday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Sun 86 Sky 75. Dream 73 Mystics 71. Shock 91 Mercury 87. Fever 81 Liberty 76. Stars 59 Storm 58.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord to keep up with the NBA