Ashish Mathur Articles - Page 160

The Zion Williamson era for the New Orleans Pelicans is off to a flying start. In his NBA debut on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks, Williamson threw down a monster one-handed dunk, bringing the Pelicans bench to their feet. 😤 ZION. WILLIAMSON. 😤#NBAPreseason on @NBATV pic.twitter.com/EDEF64Ko2o — NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2019 NBA fans are […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni thinks the Toronto Raptors will remain title contenders despite the departure of star small forward Kawhi Leonard. D’Antoni says the obvious, pointing out that it will be harder for the Raptors to win this season now that Leonard is gone. However, the Rockets coach thinks Toronto has the right […]

Miami Heat president Pat Riley thinks All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler “had a perfect week” with Miami in the first week of camp. From getting an early training session at 3 in the morning, to bringing intensity to practice, Butler is doing everything Riley thought he was going to do when the Hall of Famer […]

Atlanta Hawks rookie small forward Cam Reddish says he’s “super excited” to make his NBA debut Monday night. The Hawks are hosting Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Reddish, who didn’t play in Summer League, is looking forward to playing in a competitive setting again. "It feels like I haven't played in forever. So […]

Former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose is picking the Los Angeles Lakers to win it all this season. Rose liked what he saw from the Lakers in their preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were unstoppable, a trend Rose sees happening all season. Davis put up […]

The Denver Nuggets have picked up the team option on small forward Michael Porter Jr.’s deal for next season, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Porter missed his entire rookie season recovering from back surgery. He will make his NBA debut on Tuesday. Source tells @TheAthletic that the Nuggets have picked up the team […]

Charlotte Hornets point guard Terry Rozier knows he has to grow into a leader if he and the Hornets are going to improve over the next few years. Rozier is replacing Kemba Walker as Charlotte’s new floor general. The rugged defender is trying to learn how to take on a leadership role on the fly […]

New York Knicks power forward Bobby Portis won’t play in the team’s preseason opener against the Washington Wizards on Monday due to a hip injury. Portis is suffering from a contused left rib. Bobby Portis (contused left rib) is out tonight, the Knicks say. — Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 7, 2019 Bobby Portis signed a […]

Phoenix Suns small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. started feeling pain in his right wrist when taking physicals before training camp started. As a result, Oubre is unsure if he’ll play in the Suns’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. The good news is that Oubre is no longer wearing a brace/splint on his […]

Toronto Raptors big man Marc Gasol says he would add the athleticism of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to his game if he could borrow one skill from any player in the NBA. James, who is arguably the most athletic player in league history, is still a force of nature despite being 34 years […]

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic won’t play in the team’s preseason opener on Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jokic will get ramped up in the last three games, according to Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. Nikola Jokic will not play tomorrow night against the Blazers. He is just resting. Malone said he will ramp […]

Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen loves what he has seen so far from rookie point guard Coby White in training camp. Boylen has been impressed with White’s “maturity level on the floor and how quickly he can kind of pick up things.” “He’s been really good [the first week],” Boylen said, via Joe Cowley […]

Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan Whiteside returned to practice on Monday and is hopeful to play in the team’s preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Whiteside tweaked his left ankle last week and has been sitting out practices as a result. The Blazers were clearly being cautious with Whiteside, who will start for […]

Orlando Magic big man Jonathan Isaac says Mo Bamba and Markelle Fultz have bright futures ahead of them. Bamba, who had a disappointing rookie season with the Magic, put up 18 points and six rebounds in the Magic’s first preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. Menwhile, Fultz — playing in his first NBA game […]

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has written a letter asking NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to cancel exhibition games in China. Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey voiced support on Twitter for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Morey deleted the tweet and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta posted a strong rebuke of Morey’s statement on Twitter. However, a […]

Denver Nuggets small forward Michael Porter Jr. expects to “kill it” in his NBA debut on Tuesday. The Nuggets take on the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland. Porter missed his entire rookie season recovering from back surgery. MPJ: “I expect to go in there tomorrow and kill it.” Said he doesn’t worry about slowing down […]

The Detroit Pistons have plans to build an Isiah Thomas statue outside their arena, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press: FYI on LCA statutes: Source says there are plans for an Isiah Thomas statue at downtown arena. Home opener will mark third season downtown. — VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) October 7, 2019 Isiah Thomas […]

Brooklyn Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving was among the players who trained with Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at an invite-only camp in August. Bryant hosted the Mamba Pro Invitational, a multi-day performance and basketball camp for some of the best players in the NBA. Attendees did strength training, on-court training and video […]

On paper, Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey likes how his roster looks compared to last season. The Pistons made the playoffs in 2018-19 for the first time since 2016, but got swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Eager to win a playoff series this season, Detroit’s front office made some moves […]

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry says people shouldn’t compare Zion Williamson to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Williamson is garnering the same hype James did when he was a rookie back in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gentry says the Pelicans just want Williamson to be the best version of himself. “They […]

Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell believes playing at a slower pace will help him take the next leap in his development this season. Mitchell says he wants to play more under control and not reckless. The high-flyer thinks that will help his game and lead the Jazz to the promised land: “It’s just being […]

Magic Johnson thinks Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will average close to a triple double this season. James racked up eight assists in 18 minutes of action against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Lakers are playing him at point guard this season. I think Lebron is going to average close to a […]

Magic Johnson enjoyed watching Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis torch the Golden State Warriors in the first half of their Saturday matchup. Davis, making his Lakers debut, was a monster. The Brow put up 22 points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes while shooting 9-of-16 from the field. James, meanwhile, wasn’t […]

Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz hit a turnaround jumper with his first shot with the team. It was Fultz’s first NBA basket since Nov. 19, 2018. https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1180653541062512640?s=20 Markelle Fultz has fully recovered from Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The Magic believe the former No. 1 overall pick can be an effective two-way player for them […]

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers says star small forward Kawhi Leonard participated in his first full practice on Saturday. As expected, Rivers says Leonard played great. Doc Rivers says Kawhi Leonard participated in all of today’s practice, live/contact included. Also says there’s a chance we’ll see him down the line in the preseason. […]

Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand is confident about Sixers star Ben Simmons’ improved jump shot. Simmons worked hard all summer on his perimeter game and has been hitting 3’s in practice. “He’s worked hard at it. And we support Ben, we believe in Ben,” Brand said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “We want him to […]

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says he “enjoyed” working with center Hassan Whiteside despite there being rumored tension between the two. The Heat traded Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer, ending Whiteside’s five-year run in South Beach. “I enjoyed working with Hassan,” Spoelstra said, via Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. “And I […]

Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson says he’s not going to try and be “Jimmy Redick” with the Sixers. Richardson is referring to Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick, two players the Sixers lost from last year’s team. Philly acquired Richardson from the Miami Heat in the Butler sign-and-trade deal. He’s one of the best two-way players in the […]

Kyrie Irving will make his Brooklyn Nets debut on Oct. 10 against the Los Angeles Lakers in China. Irving, who suffered a facial fracture after taking an elbow to the head in a scrimmage, will wear a mask. Kenny Atkinson confirmed that Kyrie Irving will be ready to play when the #Nets go to China. […]

Veteran small forward Thaddeus Young says the only way the Chicago Bulls are going to win games this season is by “being unified.” Young signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the Bulls this summer. The lefty will be asked to be one of the leaders on the team since Chicago has a lot of […]

Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox received MVP chants in India during the Kings’ game against the Indiana Pacers. Fox, who finished with 10 points in 26 minutes, appreciated the love and support the fans in India showed him and his teammates. “But I heard the fans chanting, ‘MVP, MVP,’ when I was shooting free […]

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons says he hates Sixers rookie Matisse Thybulle on defense. Thybulle was a pest on defense on Saturday during Sixers practice. Simmons says the guard is an amazing defender. What did you think of Matisse today?Ben Simmons: "I hate him. I hate him on defense." Simmons, who was matched up against […]

Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen has some goals for power forward Lauri Markkanen, and it has nothing to do with offense. Boylen wants Markkanen to “improve defensively” and “be a more consistent rebounder” for the Bulls this season. “I want him to improve defensively,” Boylen said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “And I want him […]

Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks says shooting guard Bradley Beal won’t play in every preseason game. Beal is going to play a lot of minutes for the Wizards during the regular season, so Brooks might as well rest his star guard in meaningless contests. Scott Brooks said he hasn’t figured out his starting lineup […]

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford has liked what he has seen so far from second-year big man Mo Bamba in training camp. Clifford says Bamba’s “purpose of play has been greatly improved.” (1/2) Steve Clifford was asked today how second-year center Mo Bamba looked in training camp. "I think his purpose of play has […]

With Kawhi Leonard gone, Kyle Lowry thinks Pascal Siakam will be the Toronto Raptors’ “go-to guy” this season. Siakam won the 2019 Most Improved Player of the Year Award and will have the ball in his hands more often this season with the departure of Leonard. "Pascal will be probably our go-to guy." Kyle Lowry […]

Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic expects small forward Michael Porter Jr. to help Denver’s offense immensely this season. Porter will make his NBA debut for the Nuggets this season after missing his entire rookie year recovering from back surgery. Nikola Jokic can’t wait to see the youngster in action. “He’s a really good […]

Veteran shooting guard Danny Green knows role players must step up for the Los Angeles Lakers to win in the playoffs this season. The Lakers have two of the best players in the game in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Green, though, says teams win in the postseason when their supporting cast players play at […]

After missing Friday’s practice due to a hamstring injury, Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard was back on the floor with his teammates on Saturday. Hassan Whiteside and Pau Gasol remained out for the Blazers. Damian Lillard (hamstring) practiced today, while Hassan Whiteside (ankle) and Pau Gasol (foot) did not. Neither Whiteside nor […]