VIEW: Damian Lillard Pass Clyde Drexler as Portland’s All-Time Scoring Leader

Damian Lillard has actually sealed himself as possibly the best Portland Trail Blazer of perpetuity after passing Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler to end up being the all-time scoring leader in franchise history.

Lillard (18,047 profession points) went into Paycom Arena 21 points except passing Drexler (18,040 points as a Blazer). By the time the last buzzer sounded, Lillard had actually dropped 28 points on 9-17 shooting from the field, 6-12 from beyond the arc, 3 rebounds, and 6 helps. Lillard connected Drexler with a deep triple in the 3rd quarter and after that took control of the franchise record with a complimentary toss with 1:33 left in the 3rd.

“It’s a fantastic sensation to arrive,” Lillard stated per ESPN. “It’s been an objective of mine, and the list has a lot of gamers, terrific history of our company, so to lastly be No. 1 is an unique achievement that I’m happy of.”

Lillard is the 10th active gamer to end up being a franchise’s all-time leader in points. He is among 3 scoring leaders who presently bets that group, too, signing up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry in the unique list. Lillard is a popular hooper in the NBA neighborhood, and the fans at Paycom Arena offered him a standing ovation after the Thunder PA commentator informed the crown Lillard had actually reached the historical accomplishment.

“Even throughout the video game tonight, I wasn’t playing concentrated on getting to the record,” Lillard stated. “I was playing the video game simply attempting to win. I understood it would take place ultimately.”

Lillard took control of the record after playing 730 profession video games with Portland, 137 less than it took Drexler to reach (867 ). The Blazers prepared Lillard 6th total in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Weber State.

The six-time All-Star is balancing 28.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.0 helps per video game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent from downtown. For his profession, Lillard has actually set up 24.7 points, 4.2 boards, and 6.7 cents per video game on 43.8 percent shooting and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.

“Damian’s dedication to Portland is now incapsulated with this distinguished profession turning point,” Trail Blazers basic supervisor Joe Cronin stated in a declaration. “His commitment, humbleness, and effort have actually been pillars for his course to this extremely minute. On behalf of the company, we wish to praise Damian on this fantastic accomplishment and eagerly anticipate much more.”

Dame Time and the Trail Blazers will seek to return on track versus the Thunder on Wednesday.

The post WATCH: Damian Lillard Pass Clyde Drexler as Portland’s All-Time Scoring Leader appeared initially on SLAM.

Mikal Bridges Tours Brooklyn, Tries First-Ever Chopped Cheese, Subway Ride and More

Mikal Bridges, the latest star of the Brooklyn Nets, got traded from Phoenix throughout the middle of the season. We chose to take him on an authentic trip of the district. Let the enjoyable start.

We struck up a bodega in Red Hook, where viral-sensation The Ocky Way makes the craziest sandwiches. Bridges even prepared his own sliced cheese right on the grill. Examine it out listed below.

Next Bridges went on the train for the very first time, struck up Cuts & Slices in Bed-Stuy and even talked with regional Brooklynites about the city. This video is certainly a should see.

The post Mikal Bridges Tours Brooklyn, Tries First-Ever Chopped Cheese, Subway Ride and More appeared initially on SLAM.

How Jonathan Kuminga Impressed Draymond Green With His Defense

Jonathan Kuminga has actually made the most of the current chance he’s gotten with Andrew Wiggins recuperating from a stomach injury and Golden State letting Gary Payton II, their finest point-of-attack protector, leave in complimentary firm.

On Tuesday, the previous lottery game choice continued to make his case for more minutes when with his fourth-quarter defense versus Hornets swingman P.J. Washington, his suitable pails, and his athleticism to end up plays on both ends of the flooring. Having the ability to play the whole 4th quarter was evidence of head coach Steve Kerr’s rely on his protective play. He likewise discovered a method to contribute some prompt pails too.

“We chose him for his defense,” Kerr stated, per The Athletic. “He’s playing actually well defensively, and he was securing LaMelo (Ball).”

“At the minute– 4th quarter,” Kuminga confessed, “I do not generally get to remain in the video game.”

Ricky Rubio Feels ‘Back to Normal’ After Comeback Game

Ricky Rubio is back!

The previous lottery game choice scored 9 points and got 3 rebounds throughout the 10 minutes he played off the bench to assist the Cavaliers beat the Trail Blazers 119-113. He likewise won the junkyard pet dog chain for his efforts in his very first video game considering that suffering a season-ending broken ACL in December 2021.

“It felt great,” Rubio stated of his very first video game, per ESPN. “It felt unusual in the start, particularly the very first time, however after that, it felt back to regular. Obviously, rhythm and all that things will come, however today was a great deal of feelings out there. Striving all year simply to be healthy and grateful to be out there playing basketball once again.”

Brad Stevens: No Update On Removing in Joe Mazzulla’s Interim Status

Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla had actually led the Celtics (22-10) to an extraordinary start this season, at one point holding the very best record in the League before their current three-game skid that permitted Milwaukee (22-9) to take the area.

The incredible play from the Celts hasn’t led Celtics president Brad Steven to think about eliminating Mazzulla’s interim tag. Steven stated that Mazzulla has actually “done an excellent task” and is “running the program like a head coach.” Those words could not be anymore real for a group that ranks 2nd finest on offense (116.6 offending ranking) and seventh in defense (110.6 protective score).

Boston likewise has an MVP frontrunner in Jayson Tatum and an All-NBA/All-Star in Jaylen Brown. They can still depend on the two-way quality of Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and Al Horford. With those 5 and a reputable bench mob, the Celtics appear like the best of the best.

The post Brad Stevens: No Update On Removing in Joe Mazzulla’s Interim Status appeared initially on SLAM.

REPORT: Anthony Davis Set to Undergo Reevaluation in 10 Days

The discomfort in Anthony Davis’ foot has actually supposedly diminished, and the Lakers anticipate him to review his health status after 10 days off, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. They’re enthusiastic that he will not need to go through surgical treatment to assist with the discomfort.

Steve Kerr On the Golden State Warriors’ ‘Bad Road Trip’

The Golden State Warriors are having a difficult time of it this season. The glamour and glamour around their 2022 title run have actually disappeared after their 15-18 start to the season. They’re an uncharacteristic 3-16 on the roadway without Stephen Curry (shoulder) and Andrew Wiggins (kidnapper stress), and their schedule will not brighten in spite of an upcoming eight-game homestand.

They’re likewise 1-5 on their most current journey, highlighted by back-to-back blowout losses to the Knicks (132-94) and Nets (143-113).

“You are what your record states you are,” Kerr stated, per ESPN. “It was a bad journey. We are 15-18, so we’re a below -.500 group, and we’ve got to discover a method to reverse that.”

REPORT: Indiana Expected to Trade Myles Turner At the Deadline

Myles Turner is set to be a totally free representative after the season’s conclusion if he does not sign an extension before the trade due date in February.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Indiana and Turner have actually opened extension talks. Matt Moore of Action Network reported that if no offer can be worked out, the Pacers may pull the trigger and move on from the eighth-year veteran.

Turner is balancing 16.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per video game on 55.6 percent shooting from the field and 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. He’s been the topic of trade reports for a number of seasons regardless of being among the leading defensive huge males in the League while obstructing 2.3 shots per video game for his profession.

Over his last 5 looks, Turner has actually installed 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per video game and is tearing down 62.3 percent of his shots.

The Pacers (21-18) are seventh in the Eastern Conference, directly in the play-in competition, and hold the tiebreaker over the New York Knicks. Indiana had actually won 6 of its last 8 video games and was on a four-game winning streak before the Philadelphia 76ers snapped it on Wednesday.

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Jaylen Brown and Set Free Richardson Want to Educate NBA Rookies on the Value of Investing Through Art

When we overtook Jaylen Brown for the cover of SLAM 242, the Celtics super star made it clear that his believing works out beyond simply basketball. He presently acts as Vice President of the NBA Players Association (NBPA) and has actually been revered for his operate in the Boston neighborhood, whether that’s unexpected middle schoolers at the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester with back-to-school equipment, or when after signing his five-year handle the group, he revealed that he wished to bring a “Black Wall Street” neighborhood back to the city.

The NBA All-Star is keeping that exact same energy when it concerns supporting the existing crop of NBA novices. Brown, who has his own brand name, 7uice, is now venturing into art gathering and wishes to inform gamers entering into the League on the worth of investing through art.

Working along with innovative legend Set Free Richardson, they’ve set out to present novices with art pieces that, in time, will value in worth. The 2 met Portland Trail Blazers guard and fellow Marietta native Scoot Henderson throughout NBA Summer League in Vegas and provided him a hand-signed print by acclaimed painter and among Brown’s preferred artists Rafa Macarrón at the Rookie 1 Party. The piece, which deserves over 20k, was gotten from Lio Malca’s Gallery 60 White.

“An excellent quantity of our gamers are present art collectors,” Brown informs SLAM. “I’m presently growing my art collection and eagerly anticipating discovering more about art and all its capabilities. As I discover and grow, I intend on sharing that finding out procedure with the world, along with my NBA equivalents.”

Macarrón, a self-taught artist from Madrid, Spain, has an individual design that’s motivated by dreams and youth. The piece talented to Henderson is both diverse and fascinating as it is lively, and includes pastel colors and distinctively drawn figures. It completely gets in touch with Henderson’s own imagination, too, as the SLAM 244 cover star is likewise thinking about art and style.

Now, thanks to Brown and Richardson, he has his own really limited-edition piece to take with him to his brand-new house in Portland. Scoot is simply the very first of lots of novices Brown and Richardson intend on gifting art pieces to, consisting of Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller.

Hopefully in time the piece will grow in worth and art gathering will end up being an excellent pastime that [they] will find out to enjoy and value,” Brown includes.


Pictures thanks to Set Free Richardson.

The post Jaylen Brown and Set Free Richardson Want to Educate NBA Rookies on the Value of Investing Through Art appeared initially on MORE FROM WSLAM.

10 Things the NBA and Tennis Can Learn From Each Other

Every NBA offseason, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr checks out the exact same book, “The Inner Game of Tennis.” Composed by Timothy Gallwey, the book takes a look at the psychological element of the sport and the connection in between the body and mind. Kerr’s coach, Chip Engelland, provided it to him to repeat when Kerr was using the Bulls, and now, the five-time NBA champ (and four-time championship-winning head coach) causes 10 copies with him whenever he’s taking a trip so that he can provide to his own gamers.

“In tennis you can inform who has control of the point by the depth of the gamers,” Kerr informed the media back in 2022. “If you’re pushing (in basketball) and get them beginning their offense well above the three-point line you’re managing the belongings.”

As somebody who began playing tennis about 10 years back, and still continues to like the video game today, I’m quite acquainted with the ins and outs of it. When I had the chance to intern for SLAM in New York City, that’s when I was completely presented to the world of basketball. After investigating various gamers, seeing highlights and assisting arrange older problems of SLAM, I began to believe more about what the 2 sports might perhaps gain from each other.Let’s keep it genuine, expert hoopers are simply as into other sports as they are basketball, whether it’s golf or perhaps tennis. Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward utilized to play tennis as a kid and when stated that if basketball didn’t exercise, he would’ve attempted going professional in tennis. He still credits tennis for the majority of his psychological video game and states he still takes pleasure in dipping into house in his spare time.

Tennis gamers like Frances Tiafoe likewise have a love for the video game. Tiafoe even played in the 2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity video game this year.

There’s a lot that both video games share– from appeal to the truth that both basketball and tennis are international sports. There’s likewise a lot they can discover from each other. SLAM let me have some enjoyable with it throughout my internship and believe artistically about what they may appear like. Provide tennis fans more flexibility at matches to make the experience more pleasurable When you’re at a tennis video game the guidelines are quite rigorous. If an arena employee sees you standing, they’ll instantly run over to inform you to take your seat. If the umpire hears excessive talking prior to a point, they’ll make a statement for it to be quieter.

When these kinds of things occur while you’re attempting to delight in a match, it can make you feel irritated and not wish to exist rather of improving the live sports experience. In this case, tennis can want to the NBA and see how gamers feed off the crowd’s energy. Why do you believe groups have an in the house benefit? If the tennis world alleviates up a bit and lets the audience go as insane as they please, the experience for the audience will be on a various level. It may even motivate more individuals to go to.

What if tennis had two-way agreements and a G League?

The two-way contact has actually been huge for the NBA and its gamers. By offering the professional athletes the chance to bounce in between 2 clubs, it enables them the opportunity to adjust to professional ball instead of simply being dropped in and anticipating to produce from Day 1. Tennis ought to attempt a principle like this, particularly considering that it can be tough for an up-and-coming gamer to break through while betting the very best. Without high rankings, they wind up playing the front runners and losing immediately.

If there were some sort of starter league where they might play in the past, and even a two-way kind of agreement, that might be way more useful for a gamer’s profession.

Tennis requires a set season and a champion

Without a set season like the NBA, a tennis “season” begins to feel unlimited. There’s a brand-new competition every 2 weeks or two, and at the end of November, they get about 5 weeks off prior to it simply reboots. While the NBA has now end up being a year-round video game in regards to protection, there’s an ups and downs to the season with the playoffs being the most amazing time to conclude the season.

Possibly tennis ought to want to the PGA in regards to a playoff and champion design beyond the majors to contribute to the storytelling and drama of contending for a title each year.

The NBA might take advantage of setting up the Hawk-Eye computer system vision system to make calls

In the previous couple of years tennis has actually set up a cam system that makes all the calls exact. It’s altered the video game. If basketball were to install this kind of innovation it might conserve not only time, however any confusion/skepticism on particular calls. Whether it’s for fouls or who struck it out of bounds, this might likewise be extremely advantageous for the refs.

Tennis ought to have an All-Star Weekend

NBA All-Star Weekend is when the League’s finest gamers come together and complete in video games and abilities competitors. Tennis frantically requires something like this, and it would definitely draw some much-needed attention for the sport’s up-and-coming stars. From the abilities competitors to legends playing doubles (or pickleball as we simply saw in Florida), having a good time with the video game and putting private competitions aside for a weekend would assist move the sport forward.

Basketball ought to have more males’s and females’s overlap at occasions

In all tennis competitions there’s a guys’s and a females’s draw going on at the very same time. That implies the video game’s greatest stars, no matter gender, are all in one location. Tennis has the ability to integrate guys’s, females’s, doubles, juniors, and even wheelchairs all in the exact same competition. Why can’t we see that in basketball? Could the NBA season overlap with the WNBA season and have more crossover kind of occasions? We’ve seen it a little throughout NBA All-Star Weekend through the years, however in more of an exhibit vs. competitive format.

Tennis stars require to engage the crowd more NBA gamers like Jayson Tatum will strike an insane shot or make a terrific play and after that engage with the crowd. The audience lives for that, which sensation in between gamers and fans makes the video game much more amazing. Tennis does not have that as much due to the fact that the gamers tend to remain secured (sure, they might shout for a 2nd after winning a huge point, however it’s simply not the exact same). It’s not a surprise that tickets to Nick Kyrgios’ matches offer more than any leading gamer, and it’s time for the remainder of the trip to use that exact same energy.

Enable tennis fans to cheer and shout throughout points

Think of a quiet NBA video game. Not the very same? In tennis, you can hear a pin drop throughout the arena while a point is being played, and fans are right away shushed if they begin to shout throughout points. While the silence might often make the point more extreme, it’s about time we begin letting the fans get more into the video game.

Let tennis fans stroll to their seats anytime throughout the match

Tennis just permits individuals to stroll to their seats on a modification over, which is every odd-numbered video game. If you go to the restroom or go to get a beverage and return as they reboot, you might be waiting to get in for over 10 minutes (and nobody wishes to do that). While you might need to wait a 2nd if you’re sitting courtside at an NBA video game, you can stroll to your seats at any given minute, which motivates fans to seem like every video game is really an experience.

Discover methods to get the next generation of fans more into tennis

How do we make tennis more amazing and get the next generation to like the sport simply as much as the rest people do? Let’s seek to the NBA. By marketing marquee matches and following the video game’s most significant stars from high school to college to the League, gamers are developing a fanbase prior to they ever step on an NBA court. By unifying youth tennis and with more constant storytelling, the buzz will match the skill by the time they take center court at their very first significant.


Images through Getty Images.

The post 10 Things the NBA and Tennis Can Learn From Each Other appeared initially on SLAM.

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