Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 128

The Golden State Warriors still consider the Boston Celtics their greatest threat to a three-peat this season, claiming their sheer quality of assets are what could make them so tough to beat. Backup point guard Shaun Livingston was only the latest of many to allude to president Danny Ainge’s brilliance/thievery in the NBA Draft, which […]

The Golden State Warriors considered the Boston Celtics as their biggest threat to their championship hopes, and they still do; largely in part to one key player — Kyrie Irving. Shaun Livingston, who has experienced three straight NBA Finals playing against him (2015-17) knows what a catalyst like Irving can do for a team, having […]

Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul won’t be available for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Head coach Mike D’Antoni expressed hope he would be able to return on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. D’Antoni previously gave a loose timetable, saying Paul could return Friday or Sunday […]

Before the 2018-19 season got underway, the Golden State Warriors viewed the Boston Celtics as the greatest threat to a potential third straight title and the fourth in a five-year span. Bound to meet for the first time past the halfway mark of the season, the two-time defending champions still feel the same, despite Boston […]

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was cognizant that the days of having an All-Star studded lineup could come to a brief halt. His team has had four players included in the All-Star festivities in the past two seasons, but noted this year might be different, as Draymond Green is likely to miss the […]

DeMarcus Cousins has looked sharp in his three outings since making his season-debut with the Golden State Warriors last Friday against the L.A. Clippers. The big man had fouled out in 15 minutes during his first game in blue and gold, shaking off the rust, yet still scored an encouraging 14 points in his debut, […]

Through three games of a pivotal road trip through the vertebrae of this 2018-19 season, the Golden State Warriors have seen plenty of flashes of brilliance from their newly-incorporated center DeMarcus Cousins, but they’ve also had some growing pains along the way. Draymond Green, the team’s quarterback on offense, noted it’s been an adjustment to […]

Russell Westbrook showed his full array of skills with a monster triple-double effort in Thursday night’s 122-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan lauded his star’s versatile effort to pull out the win and help keep the third seed in the West, doing so in more ways than […]

The Orlando Magic are at a make or break point of the season, a crucial span of two weeks in which they’ll have to decide if they are buyers or sellers ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline. Mired in 11th place in the East after losing seven of their last 10 games, the Magic […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to be the peacemaker in this upcoming All-Star Game and if given the chance, bring two known adversaries together in one team during the upcoming festivities. The Milwaukee Bucks forward garnered the second-most votes by fans, and will get his chance to choose the players alongside him. Two mortal enemies are in […]

The Washington Wizards were close to turning the tables on the Golden State Warriors, as they slowly evaporated a sizable lead in the third quarter, though it proved too little, too late to make it come to fruition. Challenging the Warriors in such way was an encouraging sign for a team that had won seven […]

The Golden State Warriors’ recent visit to former President Barack Obama during their visit to the nation’s capital was one that was meant to be kept under wraps, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. The photo seen below was actually leaked through one of the security guards’ Instagram account, which quickly went viral ahead […]

The Golden State Warriors had a feast inside against the Washington Wizards on the road, recording a season-high 70 points in the paint en route to a 126-118 win on Thursday night. Stephen Curry had another iffy night shooting from beyond the arc, hitting only two of his eight 3-point attempts, but managed a strong […]

The L.A. Clippers inquired for a potential trade involving Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez, but “talks did not advance,” according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The Bulls are aggressively looking to deal Lopez, their oldest player in the roster (after passer-by Carmelo Anthony) and one that won’t take part in the future core of the team. Chicago dealt swingman Justin […]

The final voting of the 2019 All-Star Game fan voting is finally here, as LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks were named as team captains after leading all nominees in the voting. As the top overall finisher in fan voting, @KingJames will make first pick in the First Round […]

Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss entered this season with playoff expectations, expectations that had to be tempered after a slew of injuries had hit with purple-and-gold just when they had started to peak. The Lakers lost their cornerstone player in LeBron James to a groin injury during a Christmas Day blowout over the […]

Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan was glad to have point guard Dennis Smith Jr. back in the starting lineup in a win over the L.A. Clippers, even making a reference to his 2015 botched free agency promise to boot. “I’m glad he’s back,” said Jordan, who had 13 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks against […]

Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Luka Doncic had a closed-door workout with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry ahead of his rookie season. The two met at the Hub 925 gym, 20 miles east of Oracle Arena, drawing the curtains to ensure no one would peek while the two held this secret workout in late August. […]

Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo had only seen 10 minutes of action in a bar-measuring game against the East-leading Toronto Raptors before suffering a freak injury that saw him leave the court stretchered, helped by the medical staff on his way out of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. To the horror of fans in the stands and […]

Recent news of Victor Oladipo’s diagnosis with a ruptured quad tendon could potentially be an omen to his career as a member of the Indiana Pacers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, only two players in recent history have suffered the same injury — Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and Tony Parker as recently as two […]

The Dallas Mavericks might have done much more than the most daunting trade of the 2018 NBA Draft by swapping picks with the Atlanta Hawks to garner the rights to Luka Doncic, but could have also used their last overall pick to look out for their long-term future. The Mavs drafted Kostas Antetokounmpo with the […]

Thursday morning’s MRI exam revealed a ruptured quad tendon for Indiana Pacers shooting guard Victor Oladipo, who left Wednesday night’s 110-106 win over the Toronto Raptors at the 4:05 mark of the second quarter, according to Shams Charania. The injury will see him miss the remainder of the season, as the Pacers look to find […]

The Indiana Pacers are still unsure of the extent of Victor Oladipo’s injury, scheduled to receive an MRI on Thursday morning to determine damages. Team co-captain Thaddeus Young acknowledged he is worried about his teammate, but the rest of the team will be forced to play even harder if they hope to keep the third […]

Jae Crowder could have been part of an ejection train after Utah Jazz teammate Derrick Favors was ejected alongside Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee during a scuffle early in the first quarter, but the three-and-D forward ultimately kept his composure when being tested by Nikola Jokic. Jokic jumped in Crowder’s face following a light nudge […]

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich made a surprising decision to bench his star player DeMar DeRozan in the winding seconds of regulation, as the Spurs had only 1.1 seconds to tie the Philadelphia 76ers or leave with a win on their hands on Wednesday night after trailing 122-120. DeRozan was hit hottest player […]

Nikola Jokic reacted with a look of surprise when informed a potential suspension could come his way by having stepped onto the court during a scuffle between Denver Nuggets teammate Mason Plumlee and Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors. “I was not on the court. I mean, I cannot step? I was not even close,” said […]

Boston Celtics point guard Terry Rozier made the most of a Kyrie Irving absence against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to flu-like symptoms, erupting for 22 of his game-high 26 points in the first half, making him the first Celtics player since Paul Pierce to log 20-plus points on a perfect shooting clip since Pierce’s 20-point, 7-of-7 […]

The Indiana Pacers suffered a huge loss with the injury of Victor Oladipo but managed to pull out a bar-measuring 110-106 win over the Toronto Raptors, despite losing him early in the game. Oladipo exited at the 4:05 mark of the second quarter, but team captain Thaddeus Young saw the extent of his injury after […]

Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul could return as soon as Friday night against the Toronto Raptors, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Paul has been ramping up his workouts in recent days after missing more than a month with a bothersome hamstring injury, sitting out 16 games in the process. “If it’s […]

Memphis Grizzlies controlling-owner Robert Pera called point guard Mike Conley Jr. and center Marc Gasol to make them aware the organization will include them in trade talks ahead of the impending Feb. 7 trade deadline. Conley spoke to reporters about his thoughts on the matter, noting it was something he expected after the Grizzlies have […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are clear sellers entering the trade deadline, already willing to part ways with their two pillars, Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol. Forward JaMychal Green could attract “significant interest” from teams, while Memphis has tried to engage several teams in a deal involving Chandler Parsons — most notably the Atlanta Hawks, according to […]

The Chicago Bulls have dangled forward Jabari Parker in trade scenarios, most recently to the New York Knicks, who are hoping to find a third team to rid themselves of Enes Kanter’s contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. That third team has yet to arise, with the Bulls in no rush to part ways […]

The Utah Jazz have shown interest in acquiring Washington Wizards swingman Otto Porter Jr., according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, still looking for an agile three-and-D wing to help them in their quest for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Shooting guard Bradley Beal is unlikely to be moved this season, as it’s […]

The Charlotte Hornets have been clear in their intent to keep point guard Kemba Walker as the cornerstone of the franchise, but that hasn’t kept teams from inquiring about him. According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavericks inquired about him in the past, but the Hornets showed no inclination […]

Tuesday night’s exchange of pleasantries between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was the first in the seven years they’ve gone against each other in countless Western Conference battles. While it was an odd sight to witness, Lillard admits there’s no love lost between the two, but the […]

In the midst of trade rumors surrounding Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley Jr., the former noted the if he was to be moved this season, it wouldn’t change his longstanding relationship with the city. “That doesn’t change, does it? It’s not gonna change to me,” said Gasol on Wednesday morning […]

L.A. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers believes Denver Nuggets point man Jamal Murray will lead the league scoring one year, a hot take that surprised president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank when he first did. “It’s funny — his rookie year he couldn’t make a shot,” said Rivers, according to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan. “I told […]

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki has received an invitation to participate in this year’s All-Star Three-Point Contest, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. If he accepts, this could be Nowitzki’s sixth career entry into the contest, doing so in his 21st and possibly last season in the league. The German international won […]

Tuesday night’s Western Conference showdown between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder marked the first time point guards Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook had exchanged in-game barbs, as Westbrook was visibly irritable in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. “In the past, we’ve just never spoken on the court,” Lillard admitted, […]