Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 156

San Antonio Spurs recently-retired shooting guard Manu Ginobili shut down the coaching rumors that have surrounded him since taking part on the coaches’ retreat after Gregg Popovich extended an invitation for him to join along. Ginobili told Argentinian newspaper La Nación that he has “no intention” of becoming a coach, according to Tom Orsborn of the […]

The start of training camp is often the time for hope and big dreams, as every team starts with the same record and can begin to carve its own destiny as they gear for the regular season. LeBron James has taken that same approach, committed to work along with a cast of young players and […]

Despite Jalen Rose recently doubling down on his take, once again assuring Pelicans star Anthony Davis will join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency after switching to LeBron James’ agency Klutch Sports earlier this summer, colleague Stephen A. Smith pumped the breaks on that statement, claiming the Lakers won’t be alone in the pursuit […]

LeBron James shocked the sports world when he committed to a four-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first day of free agency after a long saga awaiting his impending decision, even before he became a free agent. While most were expecting a shorter deal, James signed a long-term deal to […]

Klay Thompson doubled down on his desire to stay with the Golden State Warriors on Monday’s Media Day and he did so once again after a couple days of training camp under his belt, hoping to make the most of his teammates, who like him are also entering or already in the prime of their […]

DeMarcus Cousins has taken plenty of heat for his decision to join the Golden State Warriors as a free agent this summer, and looking back at his recent predicament, he didn’t back down from it. “Yeah, I am a Warrior now,” wrote DeMarcus Cousins in a personal letter in The Players’ Tribune. “It was the […]

Julius Randle might not have signed a max deal or a long-term one heading into a juicy 2018 free agency period, but the sturdy power forward landed in his dream scenario, even if he didn’t know it yet. “If you ask every [NBA] player if they had their dream scenario, their dream scenario is everyone […]

The Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers and the Cleveland Cavs are among the teams still interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe. Those three will join the Miami Heat, who is the frontrunning suitor for Butler’s services, given the mutual interest despite the frustrating process of […]

The Dallas Mavs received a huge blow early in training camp, as forward Harrison Barnes tweaked his hamstring during Thursday’s practice, expected to be “out for a while,” according to head coach Rick Carlisle, per Tim Cato of The Athletic. Barnes is expected to miss all of the preseason, but he has yet to have […]

Despite knowing he had yet to recover from a March knee surgery, Portland Trail Blazers forward Moe Harkless vowed to be back for the season-opener. “I’ll be back,” Moe Harkless said on Wednesday, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic. “I’ll be ready.” Harkless had revealed that his knee wasn’t fully healed during Monday’s Media […]

The Sacramento Kings are still interested in being a complementary team in case of a three-team trade needs to take place in the pursuit of Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Jimmy Butler, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The Kings had extended their services as a potential haul for a bloated contract such as Gorgui Dieng’s […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one tough cookie when it comes to facilitating a trade for All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, leaving teams confused and frustrated with their demands. Inquiring front offices believe president/head coach Tom Thibodeau wants to at the very least recoup the assets he originally lost in trading for Butler during the 2017 […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have frustrated more than half of the league by now after teams have inquired about four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. Yet part of it has to do with the minimal leverage this small market team has when engaging in talks with suitors, considering the three teams atop his original shortlist, all have room […]

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich left his recently-retired player Manu Ginobili with an open invitation to join his coaching staff. That invitation included allowing him to tag along for the annual coaches’ retreat, where Ginobili did a lot of listening and observing, but it wouldn’t take too long before he chipped in with some […]

New York Knicks offseason signing Mario Hezonja didn’t have the dream start he expected to have with the Orlando Magic after being drafted fifth overall by the team in 2015. Yet his patience and positive attitude were what kept him from becoming an early journeyman like Jahlil Okafor, still looking to find his place in […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have too steep of an asking price for teams inquiring about All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, including his favorite, the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Wolves are seeking quality veterans, top prospects, future assets, and the willingness to take on bloated contracts. Teams have also become weary and skeptical of […]

In the midst of trade rumors and a never-ending wave of proposals for his All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, rumor has it that Minnesota Timberwolves president/head coach Tom Thibodeau is looking to get fired, according to Chris Sheridan of GetMoreSports. A source close to Butler and trade rumblings told Sheridan that “Thibs actually wants to get […]

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has high aspirations for his future after finally getting the nod for Defensive Player of the Year and putting his team on the map through a very tough Western Conference. Gobert suffered a left knee injury early to the season, only to return and become the difference-maker for the Jazz, […]

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge isn’t making much of Kyrie Irving’s sudden desire to remain in Bean Town for the long-term, as he’s expressed in recent interviews since the start of training camp. Irving turned down a recent extension offer this summer, saying it wouldn’t make sense to sign one and potentially miss out on […]

The pursuit of a third straight title is bound to be the Golden State Warriors’ most challenging one to date, but head coach Steve Kerr is going back to his foundational roots in order to make it happen. Mindfulness, compassion and competition have been three of the four core values that Kerr has asked his […]

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon could potentially take part in Mike D’Antoni’s new starting lineup, which would relegate new acquisition Carmelo Anthony to the bench as the team’s new sixth man. “It doesn’t really matter to me,” said Eric Gordon of his position in the starting lineup, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I just […]

Jordan Bell will head into this 2018-19 season in an open competition for the temporary starting center spot, which will be available until new signing DeMarcus Cousins returns from injury. Finding the right fit will be the team’s first hurdle to overcome, while the latter will be adjusting Cousins’ high-usage game to one of the […]

The race for Jimmy Butler’s services has intensified as of late, as the All-Star forward notified Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor of his interest for the Miami Heat, who have become the frontrunner to acquire him in a trade. Butler is expected to be dealt in the very near future, according to Chris Sheridan of […]

The Phoenix Suns’ constant interest in a starting point guard could open up an avenue for the Minnesota Timberwolves to pursue a trade with the Miami Heat that involves Goran Dragic, in efforts to trade estranged star Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Suns have inquired about acquiring backup point guard Tyus Jones […]

The Golden State Warriors will head into this 2018-19 season with a completely different challenge of any other title-contending team, developing their young players. While teams like the Houston Rockets, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Los Angeles Lakers try to break down potential ways to dethrone the Warriors, Golden State’s main mission during this […]

Minnesota Timberwolves estranged forward Jimmy Butler has recently expressed deep interest in the Miami Heat as the frontrunner for his services, yet the internet remains undefeated when it comes to digging up old dirt. Butler had once been on record saying he would never wear a Miami Heat jersey… and boy how things have changed. […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni seems to be “strongly leaning” toward bringing his offseason acquisition Carmelo Anthony off the bench as the team’s sixth man, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. While his lineup isn’t set in stone by any means, D’Antoni wants sharpshooter Eric Gordon as a starter, a move that could move James […]

The Golden State Warriors will attempt the pursuit of the very elusive threepeat this season, a daunting concept, but one head coach Steve Kerr and company have been willing to take head-on. Kerr was part of a threepeat himself with the Chicago Bulls as a player, an experience which has helped him navigate this rather […]

San Antonio Spurs veteran center Pau Gasol still sees himself as a starter for this new-look team, despite recently turning 38 years old in the offseason. The team recently shed some of its oldest players with the retirement of Manu Ginobili, 41, and Tony Parker, 36, deciding to join the Charlotte Hornets. “I always want […]

Jimmy Butler and his agent Bernie Lee have informed the Minnesota Timberwolves ownership that the Miami Heat is his preferred trade destination, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. Despite Butler listing teams like the New York Knicks, the L.A. Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets originally during his meeting with head coach/president Tom […]

Miami Heat shooting guard Dion Waiters appears to be in less-than-desirable shape upon his initial appearance for training camp after posting a picture of himself two weeks ago in full uniform. His headshot for the 2018-19 season was published on Tuesday after having gone through the Media Day obligations on Monday. Naturally, Twitter had a […]

Devin Booker and top overall selection Deandre Ayton have yet to share the court for their first NBA game together, but the franchise star can already see the traits that will make Ayton an important cog for the Phoenix Suns moving forward. “Just a willingness to learn, picking things up quick,” Booker said of Ayton, […]

Isaiah Thomas has yet to play his first game in a Denver Nuggets uniform, but he’s already making noise in the locker room — as the loudest voice in a group of a relatively quiet bunch. Head coach Mike Malone was given Thomas the green light to be the leader of this team, hoping to […]

Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone is expecting more than just a potent sixth man from new acquisition Isaiah Thomas, but a commanding voice in the locker room to assert leadership. Since his departure from the Boston Celtics, his two stops in Cleveland and Los Angeles were relative misfits, asking the 5-foot-9 to be the […]

The Brooklyn Nets had been dormant suitors for Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler, failing to engage a confused and frustrating Twin Cities front office in the midst of its indecision to trade their four-time All-Star forward. Yet neither coach Kenny Atkinson nor his players are paying much attention to the rumors, letting general manager Sean […]

Willie Cauley-Stein won’t fake his intent going into this 2018-19 season — getting the green is priority No. 1 for the Sacramento Kings center. “I’m ready to get paid,” Willie Cauley-Stein said Tuesday during the Kings’ media day, according to James Ham of NBC Sports California. “This is what we’ve got to do, that’s what type […]

Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson is coming off an up-and-down rookie season where he flourished and wilted at times, hoping to find his niche on the court. One he slowly navigated thanks to his star teammate Devin Booker. Jackson started the season playing at power forward under former coach Earl Watson, who didn’t see a […]

Bulls forward Bobby Portis has come to embrace his role as Chicago’s sixth man, embracing his inner Taj Gibson to make his damage on the floor once his name is called. “I like the role,” said Bobby Portis, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. “I get to come off the bench and score […]

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich won’t commit the same mistake he made with All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge after trying to transform his game, noting his new star, DeMar DeRozan, won’t be victim of the same mold. “DeMar is already an All-Star. He’s played a certain way,” Gregg Popovich admitted during Media Day, according […]