Ashish Mathur Articles - Page 164

Small forward Stanley Johnson believes the Toronto Raptors will be a “nightmare” this season once their defense clicks. Johnson signed a two-year, $7.4 million contract with the Raptors this summer. He says Toronto is going to wreck havoc on the defensive side of the ball this season since they have young and hungry players who […]

Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis hasn’t played a single game for the franchise, but he’s still putting himself in the Lakers’ all-time starting lineup. Davis has Magic Johnson running the show at point guard, Kobe Bryant at shooting guard, LeBron James at small forward, himself at the four spot and Shaquille O’Neal anchoring […]

The 2019-20 NBA season is all about dynamic duos and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel says he has the best tandem in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. After the Lakers completed their first practice of the season on Saturday, Vogel couldn’t hide his excitement when talking about LeBron and AD. “I think we […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook believes it’s important for players on the team to bond off the court. The Rockets will be playing in Hawaii during the preseason, a trip which Westbrook says is going to give the team an opportunity to spend time with each other. Russell Westbrook on Hawaii trip: "I […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says his job is to “make the game easier for everybody.” Westbrook believes the preseason is going to be important so he and his new teammates can get accustomed to one another. Russell Westbrook on the importance of preseason for him: "It's very important. Getting adjusted to me […]

Atlanta Hawks veteran Vince Carter admits he would get “chills” if Toronto Raptors fans break out a “We want Vince” chant when the Hawks play up in Toronto. Carter is playing in his final season in the NBA in 2019-20. The former All-Star began his career with the Raptors, where he made a name and […]

Atlanta Hawks veteran Vince Carter admits he enjoys playing the mentor role in Atlanta. Last season, Carter worked diligently with Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. It’s something the former All-Star takes pride in. However, Carter wants everyone to know he’s not trying to be a coach with the Hawks. “I don’t want people […]

Atlanta Hawks veteran forward Vince Carter has been on the record saying he doesn’t want a farewell tour this season. Carter is about to play an NBA-record 22nd season in 2019-20. The former high-flyer knows he’s going to get serenaded with love from fans everywhere, but Carter is still going to be uncomfortable being in […]

Erik Spoelstra’s contract extension with the Miami Heat is for four years, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Spoelstra, who would have been entering the final season of his deal with the Heat, quietly negotiated a new contract with Miami president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison. Erik Spoelstra's contract extension is for […]

Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox told reporters head coach Luke Walton hasn’t talked to the team about his sexual assault case in Los Angeles. Investigators for the Kings and the NBA determined that based on available evidence, there was “not a sufficient basis to support” the sexual assault allegations made against Walton. Fox asked […]

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel thinks Rajon Rondo can model himself after Jason Kidd and become a better 3-point shooter later in his career. Rondo is a career 31.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. Kidd, who is an assistant coach with the Lakers, started becoming a more reliable shooter from deep toward […]

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel says center Dwight Howard set a physical tone in the team’s first practice of the season on Saturday. When the media was allowed to watch the end of practice, JaVale McGee was working with the starters. Howard is expected to back up McGee this season. Frank Vogel said […]

Erik Spoelstra has agreed to a long-term extension with the Miami Heat, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Story filed: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has agreed to a long-term contract extension, league sources tell ESPN. Spoelstra, who had one year left on deal, quietly negotiated extension that's been finalized on the eve of his […]

Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen visited power forward Lauri Markkanen in Finland this summer. Markkanen says he had a great time with Boylen, who met Markkanen’s family as well. “We had a really good time,” Markkanen said of Boylen’s trip to Finland, via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “We talked about not just […]

Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen says veteran swingman Thaddeus Young is “very physical.” Young signed a three-year, $41 million free agent deal with the Bulls this summer after spending the previous three years with the Indiana Pacers. Markkanen has worked out with Young this offseason and loves what the lefty brings to the table. “I’ve […]

Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen wants to make the playoffs this season. The Bulls haven’t been to the postseason since 2017, the final year of the Jimmy Butler era. Markkanen, arguably the most important player in Chicago, says everyone on the Bulls is “focused on improving every day.” “That’s our goal,” Markkanen told K.C. […]

Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen says he “got stronger this offseason.” After the Bulls’ season ended in 2018-19, Markkanen said he wanted to get stronger so he could absorb more contact on his drives to the hoop and finish in heavy traffic. “I’m not running from that,” Markkanen told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri says he has had conversations with Pascal Siakam’s representatives regarding a contract extension. Siakam is eligible for an extension. If he doesn’t sign one before the upcoming season starts, he’ll enter restricted free agency next summer. “We’ve had conversations with Pascal’s representation and we’re excited whether it’s going to be this […]

Remember when DeAndre Jordan was locked in his house during the 2015 free agency period? According to the new Brooklyn Nets center, none of that stuff happened this summer with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The three All-Stars talked with each other on a conference call about playing together on the Nets. Irving, Durant and […]

Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving will wear a mask when he returns to practice. Irving suffered a facial fracture after taking an elbow to the head in a scrimmage. He didn’t practice on Saturday. Kenny Atkinson said that Kyrie Irving (facial fracture) will wear a mask when he returns to practice. Atkinson does not […]

Los Angeles Lakers star big man Anthony Davis says guards Rajon Rondo and Quinn Cook push him every day. Davis has played with Rondo and Cook on the New Orleans Pelicans before, so he has a close relationship with both of them. The Lakers re-signed Rondo this offseason and signed Cook in free agency. “Those […]

In early September, Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis said he’s going to hold LeBron James accountable on defense. James wasn’t his usual elite self on defense last season for the Lakers. Davis, who also said he wants to be Defensive Player of the Year this season, wants to make sure he does everything […]

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is expected to be back sometime between late October and late November, according to Sam Amick and Jovan Buha of The Athletic. George underwent surgery to his right rotator cuff and left labrum after the 2019 playoffs ended. George, fresh off of vacation in Greece, wasn’t cleared to participate […]

Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis doesn’t care about New Orleans Pelicans general manager David Griffin’s subtle dig toward him. In a promotional event earlier this week, Griffin said the following: “Not everyone’s made to be a part of this, and that’s OK. We’re comfortable with that. If sex appeal is your thing and you […]

Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler admits he can be a “little extra at times.” Butler says he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with his demeanor or past actions because he cares about winning and works harder than anyone else. “I’m a little extra at times. I don’t think there’s not too much wrong with […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says he doesn’t have to have the ball to impact the game. Because both James Harden and Westbrook are ball-dominant stars, pundits around the league have questions about whether the two MVPs will be able to coexist and lead the Rockets to a championship. Westbrook, who has averaged […]

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant says his job for this season is to get healthy and “be a teammate.” Durant won’t play this season. The two-time Finals MVP is recovering from an Achilles tear. “I’m not going to do anything extra,” Durant said, via Malika Andrews of ESPN. “Just do what I usually do. Work […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says “next question” has been dropped from his repertoire. Westbrook used to say “next question” when Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer Berry Tramel would ask him a question. Russell Westbrook says with a smile that “next question” has been dropped from his repertoire. “I’m in a new place […]

Miami Heat president Pat Riley says small forward Jimmy Butler is a top-10 player in the NBA. Riley has been enamored with Butler for quite some time. He tried to acquire the four-time All-Star last season when Butler requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the post-Dwyane Wade era, Pat Riley has found his […]

Austin Rivers says the Houston Rockets have “everything we need to win a championship this year.” The Rockets acquired Russell Westbrook this summer and also signed Tyson Chandler in free agency. With Westbrook in the fold, Houston is the only team in the NBA with two MVPs on its roster. Austin Rivers on the Rockets: […]

Miami Heat president Pat Riley believes acquiring Jimmy Butler is a “real” step in the direction of bringing a championship back to Miami. The Heat acquired Butler from the Phiadelphia 76ers this summer in a sign-and-trade deal involving Josh Richardson. Riley and Miami tried to acquire Butler last season when the All-Star requested a trade […]

All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler says he wants people to hate the Miami Heat. Butler, one of the best two-way players in the NBA and a rugged defender, essentially wants the Heat to play a style of basketball which opponents hate going up against. Jimmy Butler: “I want people to hate us. I want people […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis can become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he declines his 2020-21 player option with the Lakers. Davis is widely expected to decline his $28.8 million player option since he can make more money on the open market. At Lakers media day on Friday, Davis addressed his upcoming […]

Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis says it was “very kind” of LeBron James to say he’s going to be the focal point on offense this season. Davis believes he and James will feed off each other and be a lethal dynamic duo. Anthony Davis when he heard LeBron James say the Laker offense […]

Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers admits he and his dad, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, had some “explicit” trash talk this summer. Austin says his dad was on Cloud 9 all offseason, and you can’t blame him. The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard in free agency and traded for Paul George. Austin says the […]

Los Angeles Lakers veteran forward Jared Dudley says Kyle Kuzma is the key for the Lakers to have a championship season in 2019-20. It looks like Dudley is going to be in the ear of Kuzma all season, making sure the youngster is taking care of his body and playing the game the right way. […]

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook says teaming up with James Harden in Houston is going to be “scary” for opponents this upcoming season. Harden has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, while Westbrook has averaged a triple-double three seasons in a row. Houston is the only team in the NBA with two […]

Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kyle Kuzma knows the team has championship aspirations, but the talented swingman doesn’t want to look ahead. Kuzma is focusing on simply making the playoffs before thinking about a championship. The Lakers haven’t made the postseason since 2013. Kyle Kuzma on the #Lakers' goals as a team – "Make the […]

Los Angeles Lakers swingman Kyle Kuzma will miss the start of training camp as he continues to recover from a stress injury in his lower left leg. Kuzma talked about the injury with reporters on Friday at Lakers media day. #Lakers' Kyle Kuzma on his stress reaction injury – "At first I was disappointed because […]