Basketball

NBA owners approve proposal to resume season; some steps remain before plan is finalized
Basketball

The NBA took the first step toward a return to play for the 2019-20 season, but other details must be handled before the plan is finalized. NBA owners on Thursday approved a plan to resume the season with 22 teams and a full playoff schedule, which includes a potential play-in game for the eighth seed, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida. The proposal, developed in conversations, feedback

When will the NBA return in 2020? Key dates, schedule & more to know about season restart in Orlando
Basketball

After nearly three months with no game action, NBA teams finally have an idea of when they will get back on the court. On March 11, the league shut down following Rudy Gobert’s positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test, suddenly forcing players to practice social distancing rather than prepare for the playoffs. Now commissioner Adam Silver has been entrusted with the difficult task of guiding the NBA through one of the most turbulent

Aussie NBA star’s powerful racism letter
Basketball

Australian NBA star Aron Baynes has penned a powerful letter on racism and how he transformed from a “silent bystander” growing up in a white majority small Australian town to understanding ignorance is not a crutch. The Phoenix Suns centre said it breaks his heart people would judge his children, or any other child, based on the colour of their skin. “I’m usually a private person,” Baynes, who grew up

NBA owners on verge of approving plan to resume 2019-2020 season
Basketball

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other high-ranking NBA officials plan to propose a finish to the 2019-20 season that includes 22 teams, a play-in tournament for the final seeds in each conference and a 16-team playoff at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex just outside of Orlando, Florida, a person with knowledge of the details told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to

Stephen Jackson promises to remain in George Floyd's daughter's life: 'I'm here for her'
Basketball

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson is still mourning the loss of his “twin” and close friend George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody. Floyd’s death has started protests across the country, and Jackson has become a prominent voice standing alongside Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter Gianna and her mother, Roxie Washington. Washington made her first public comments Tuesday evening to mourn the loss of Floyd. “I don’t have a lot to say, because I can’t get

Sources: Top NBA seeds mull playoff advantages
Basketball

Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. Just days away from Thursday’s vote of the NBA board of governors to approve a plan to restart the season with 22 teams in Orlando, Florida, several of the franchises considered to be title favorites are internally discussing how to retain some

Grant Napear out as Kings play-by-play announcer following 'All Lives Matter' tweet
Basketball

Grant Napear resigned as the Kings’ TV play-by-play announcer and was fired from KHTK radio in Sacramento on Tuesday.   Napear was previously placed on administrative leave after he tweeted “All Lives Matter… Every single one.” His tweet was in response to former Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who asked Napear for his take on the Black Lives Matter movement amid worldwide protests stemming from the death of George Floyd. KHTK’s parent company, Bonneville International Corporation, said in a statement that

NBA announcer fired for ‘All Lives Matter’ tweet
Basketball

Grant Napear was fired by his radio station and resigned as the play-by-play announcer for NBA franchise the Sacramento Kings after his tweet that said “All Lives Matter” was met with backlash amid the George Floyd protests. Napear tweeted “All Lives Matter … Every Single One!” after former Kings star DeMarcus Cousins asked the 60-year-old for his view on the Black Lives Matter movement. The phrase “All Lives Matter” is

Knicks explain lack of public comment to staffers
Basketball

Staff Writer Joined ESPN in 2018 Appears regularly on ESPN Chicago 1000 NEW YORK — An internal email was sent out to Madison Square Garden employees on Monday addressing the lack of a public statement regarding the outrage following the death of George Floyd. “We know that some of you have asked about whether our company is going to make a public statement about the killing of George Floyd by

Vanessa Bryant uploads image of Kobe wearing “I can’t breathe” shirt from 2014
Basketball

Six years ago Eric Garner gasped “I can’t breathe” after being placed in a chokehold by a New York police officer. The officer in question escaped charges, despite a coroner ruling Mr Garner’s death a homicide. Footage of the incident and Garner’s death led to national “Black Lives Matter” protests and saw high-profile athletes across America come together against the incident. The US once again finds itself in a similar