CWNNewsFeed

• NBA to Reopen Team Practice Facilities on Friday

  Apr 25, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  

  The NBA has announced that they will begin reopening team practice facilities for players starting Friday, according to numerous sources. This process will be based on the reopening of certain states and cities in which franchises are located. Players will be allowed to train in a safe, professional environment, a notable step towards continuing the NBA season and bringing back live games. However, teams will still be prohibited from holding organized group workouts or activities.

  In areas that still maintain strict stay-at-home orders, the league has reportedly assured teams that they are exploring alternative arrangements for their players. As such, these decisions do not reflect any sort of timetable for bringing back the season. Nevertheless, progress is being made.

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• Top High School Prospects Join NBA G-League

  Apr 17, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  

  Several months ago, RJ Hampton and Lamelo Ball made their notorious decision to play professional basketball overseas in Australia, rather than go to college. If it wasn't evident then that skipping the NCAA for more lucrative options would become a trend among top prospects, it certainly is now. Earlier this week, Jalen Green, who is the No. 1 prospect in ESPN's 2020 recruiting class, reportedly opted to play in the NBA G-League next year instead of going to college. This route will ensure high-quality training from professional coaches, along with exposure to other top prospects and veteran players, in addition to a salary of up to $500,000. In the past several hours, Isaiah Todd, another top 15 high school prospect, joined Green in his decision, de-committing from Michigan in the process.

  This is a huge blow to NCAA basketball, as other players will no doubt follow suit and decide to explore other options. Only time will tell how the NCAA will adjust to these circumstances.

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• Masai Ujiri Sued for Alleged Assault

  Feb 10, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  

   

  Masai Ujiri, president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors, has been sued for damages by an Alameda County sheriff's deputy. The deputy, whose name is Alan Strickland, claims that moments after the Raptors won game 6 against the Golden State Warriros, Ujiri struck him in the face and chest with both fists as he attempted to reach the court. He and his wife, Kelly, are suing Ujiri, the Raptors, the MLSE, and the NBA on six separate counts. They seek to be rewarded general damages exceeding $75,000, punitive damages, payment of all medical an incidental expenses – to date and in the future – all proven loss of earnings, and all legal costs of filing the suit.

   

  This incident briefly made headlines shortly after its occurrence, in late-June and early-July, when Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern initially requested Ujiri be charged with battery of a peace officer. However, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to press charges after an extensive investigation.

   

  There are multiple sides to this story. For example, one witness, who was reportedly standing right next to the officer, refuted the department's narrative, which stated that Ujiri had refused Strickland's request for credentials and shoved him. According to reports, he claims that no such conversation had occurred, or any for that matter. The encounter began when the officer approached Ujiri and pushed him. Ujiri managed to shove him back before bystander intervened. Furthermore, a video taken around the time of the incident shows Ujiri with his credentials in his hand.

   

  There are many factors involved in this case, including the reputation and history of both parties. Only time will tell how this lawsuit will turn out.

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• Laker Legend Kobe Bryant is Killed in Helicopter Crash at Age 41

  Jan 27, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

   

  

   

  Tragedy and heart-break has struck the hearts of many today, especially in the world of basketball and sports. Sunday morning, just after 10 o'clock, a helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. There were no survivors. Among the nine casualties were NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter, Gianna, who were headed to a travel basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy at the time of the accident, alongside another player and parent. Kobe Bryant had great success, both on and off the court. In addition to being an MVP, 5-time NBA champion, 2-time Olympic gold medalist, and 18-time NBA all-star, he was an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, even winning an Oscar for his animated short-film “Dear Basketball”. He was still only 41 years-old at the time of his death. Kobe as a person and an athlete was very influential, and had positively impacted the lives of many. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, fans, and media alike.

  RIP Kobe

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• Zion Williamson's Remarkable Debut

  Jan 23, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  

  Last night featured what was debatably one of the most anticipated moments of the season. After sitting out the first three months of the regular season, Zion Williamson debuted in a home game against the San Antonio Spurs. Although the Pelicans ultimately lost, Zion's debut was still a memorable one, and in a way exceeded its surrounding hype.

  Zion had a relatively slow start over the course of the game, recording only 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists heading into the fourth quarter, and playing in only four minute stretches during the first three. Then, in a mere 3 minutes and 29 seconds, Zion scored 17 points, leading his team back into the game, and shot 4 for 4 from 3-point range. He finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in 18 minutes of play, the most from any player in the shot-clock era in an NBA debut while playing less than 20 minutes. Zion Williamson is actually the first player in NBA history, period, to record at least 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4-made 3-pointers in fewer than 20 minutes. He is also the first NBA player in history to shoot 100% on at least four 3-pointers in a debut.

  While his performance may have been lacking in the vicious dunks he's known for, his debut has without a doubt met, or even exceeded, the expectations of his fans. If this is any indicator of how his season – or even his career – will turn out, then we are in for something special.

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