nba

• KD Not Likely to Return if Season Resumes

  May 11, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  Throughout the past year, fans have been anticipating Kevin Durant's debut with the Brooklyn Nets, after suffering an injury during the 2019 playoffs. Although he had made it clear that he would not be returning this year, the league's postponement due to coronavirus has sparked speculation on whether or not he could return this season after all, assuming it resumes. After all, the schedule could be pushed back as far as October, which is technically when Durant had planned to make his return.

   

  Recently, sources have begun addressing these rumors. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, KD and the franchise are choosing to remain steadfast in their original plan, rather than rush him to finish the season, regardless of how long the season is postponed. That means he will likely not play until next season.

  

  However, Nets GM Sean Marks assured the public that Durant's return date was still flexible. According to him, the time-line of his return was not a matter they frequently discussed. Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is that the risk involved with pushing KD's return outweighs the reward, as the Warriors demonstrated in last year's finals. Fortunately for fans, the possibility of an early return is still on the table.

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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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• LeBron James Suffers Injury Scare

  Dec 27, 2019 SportZ 0 Comments

  

  Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers had their season derailed and their playoff hopes thwarted when their star LeBron James suffered a groin injury during their Christmas game against the Golden State Warriors. This marked the first time James missed the playoffs since 2005, and added another losing year to the franchise's woeful streak.

   

  While the Lakers have no reason to worry about missing the playoffs this season, recently, they had a scare regarding LeBron James' prior injury, exactly one year later. After missing the last game against the Nuggests due to a muscle strain, LeBron aggravated his groin injury during the first quarter of Wednesday's game in a collision with the Clippers' Patrick Beverly. Despite finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists in a losing effort, LeBron has been advised to sit out and rehabilitate his injury. The Lakers wish to avoid a recurrence of last year's outcome; although they are the top team in the Western Conference, they have currently lost four consecutive games.

   

  LeBron is on track to play against Portland on Saturday.

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• LeBron James Makes History Against OKC

  Nov 21, 2019 SportZ 0 Comments

  LeBron James Makes History Against OKC

  by Z Roney

  

  On November 19th, 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center, beating them 107-112. Over the course of the game, LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, which on any other night, against any other team, would've simply been a great performance. But this time was different. This particular triple-double placed LeBron James in the record books in yet another category, making himself the pioneer for another accolade. He became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 30 franchises in the league, including those he played for (Cleveland and Miami), and the one he currently plays for now (Los Angeles). This type of achievement requires consistent, high-level playing and deliberate off-season movement – a job well done by LeBron James. However, don't expect him to be alone in this category much longer. Russell Westbrook is right on his tail, having recorded a triple-double against 29 of the 30 NBA teams – every team except, ironically, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

   

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• Luka Doncic's Record Breaking Month

  Nov 19, 2019 SportZ 0 Comments

  Luka Doncic's Record Breaking Month

  

  by Z Roney

  Luka Doncic's performance throughout his rookie season had all but solidified his place as one of the best players in his draft class, despite being selected 3rd overall and traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Averaging 21 points, 6 assists, and nearly 8 rebound per game, he won Rookie of the Year over the finalists Trae Young and Deandre Ayton.

   

    Only a month has passed since the opening of the new NBA season -  his sophomore season, and he is already putting up All-NBA numbers. After 13 games, he's averaging 29.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists, and he currently leads the league in triple-doubles with 6.

   

    So far, the highlight of his career came in last night's game against the Spurs, where, en route to a 110-117 victory, he scored 42 points (a career high, by the way), 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. Not only is he the only Maverick in history to record a 40-point triple-double, but he's only the second player to do so before turning 21. The other player, LeBron James, was only 163 days younger than Luka when he achieved this feat, putting up a 40-10-10 stat-line.

   

    If there's one thing that's certain, Luka is definitely on track for a Hall of Fame career. Only time can tell just how much he'll blossom, and the full extent of his accomplishments.

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