Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 286

James Harden managed to outmatch his MVP-candidate counterpart Russell Westbrook in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series on Sunday, despite the two going against two defensive juggernauts of their own right. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard had to go against one of the grittiest defenders in Patrick Beverley while Harden went toe-to-toe with Andre Roberson. So […]

With the first game of the NBA playoffs already under wraps, it wouldn’t take long for James Harden to hear back from Lil B The Based God after a 118-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The rapper didn’t take kindly of The Beard’s famous cooking celebration and called him out on it […]

Following a 109-108 Game 1 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George expressed his desire to get the last shot of the game and how he had talked about it with teammate C.J. Miles following the end of the game. Miles bailed out George after LeBron James came storming to double […]

The Houston Rockets didn’t have enough with just a 31-point blowout Game 1 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but also went the extra mile to troll star player Russell Westbrook with a shocking infographic on the Toyota Center’s big screen display. Westbrook shot a measly 27 percent on the night and was outplayed in […]

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was especially complimentary of his defensive ace Draymond Green after Sunday afternoon’s 121-109 Game 1 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Green had an inspired night, racking up 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocks and three steals during his 37 minutes of floor action. “Draymond was […]

Just as Twitter had a ruthless reaction to TNT analyst Charles Barkley saying he felt “uncomfortable” with Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas crying on the sidelines next to teammate Avery Bradley prior to the game, there were also others that took his side. Thomas lost his younger sister Chyna in a one-car crash early Saturday morning, dying at […]

The internet had no mercy on TNT analyst Charles Barkley after his somewhat insensitive comments regarding Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas crying on the sidelines next to teammate Avery Bradley prior to the game. Thomas lost his younger sister Chyna in a one-car crash early Saturday morning, dying at the scene of the accident, Interstate 5 […]

The Portland Trail Blazers backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum put on a fireworks show in the first half of Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 48 of their team’s 56 points in the first half. A constant barrage of buckets had the two guards exchanging words with the Warriors’ best all-around […]

ESPN/ABC color commentator Mark Jackson sung high praise to his former player Draymond Green, who put up a gem of a Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday afternoon. His emphatic block against a fearless Damian Lillard was one of two highlight reel plays at the defensive end that encouraged the longtime game-caller to […]

In the midst of a tight affair between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors, forward Draymond Green made yet another case for his Defensive Player of the Year campaign, turning a sure-shot two-on-one fast break opportunity into a highlight reel rejection at the rim. Klay Thompson made an errant pass to no […]

Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum had a jaw-dropping first half against the Golden State Warriors, pouring in 27 points in 11-of-15 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep, keeping his team knotted at 56 at the half. His 27 points in a half tie the team’s playoff record high, previously set by LaMarcus […]

After taking the a 97-83 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 squarely on his shoulders, Kyle Lowry vowed to play better and mend his reputation of being a slow starter in playoff scenarios. But the Toronto Raptors point man won’t be able to do so without some adjustments to his game, coming off […]

There seems to be no love lost between Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap and Washington Wizards big man Markieff Morris, who went right at each other in a very tight Game 1 since the very start. Morris sparked the rivalry between the two when he took exception to being called a “stretch-four,” but didn’t consider […]

The National Basketball Players Association Executive Director, Michele Roberts, released a statement Saturday slamming New York Knicks president Phil Jackson regarding his comments about his star player Carmelo Anthony, expressing that he’d be better “somewhere else.” Roberts expressed that she had reached out to NBA commissioner Adam Silver in efforts to resolve the issue, urging […]

Prior to their collision in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs today, Russell Westbrook is putting his friendship with Houston Rockets guard James Harden aside, claiming his focus is zeroed-in on victory. The two MVP candidates played together for three seasons in Oklahoma City and have known each other since […]

Oklahoma City‘s transformation since the post-Kevin Durant era began has been a sight to marvel at, as not only the Thunder, but OKC itself has adapted the mentality of a wounded phoenix willing to rise from the ashes and keep fighting. Sixth man Enes Kanter has been involved in this morphing cycle and has kept […]

The Golden State Warriors hold the best chance to get through their matchup in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but no matter how much they’re favored, a now experienced veteran team knows better than to take the Portland Trail Blazers lightly. “Man, this the NBA,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant told ESPN’s Chris Haynes […]

Post-game lamentations were in order following a two-point loss at the hands of Joe Johnson and the Utah Jazz, as the L.A. Clippers start their first-round best-of-seven series with a loss. Diving into the specifics, reporters asked Clippers head coach Doc Rivers if he considered running down the clock for the final shot when down […]

While players like Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce and Kyrie Irving are thought of as masters of the clutch within recent memory, Joe Johnson has been the silent assassin no one seems to think about when it comes to closing out games. The man known as “JJ” or “ISO Joe” has been the Utah Jazz‘s best-kept secret, […]

San Antonio Spurs forward Jonathon Simmons had no mercy on the Memphis Grizzlies‘ shooting guard Wayne Selden despite being up 31 points in the fourth quarter, chasing him down in transition and violently rejecting his shot off the backboard. And Jonathon Simmons has ended this game.#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/vj7MGjH2pW — Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 16, 2017 […]

Following Friday’s revealing comments from New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, the team seems to have completely turned against him, openly refusing to run his beloved triangle system, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Jackson’s latest media tirade appears to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, even upsetting the future of the […]

The Indiana Pacers had the chance to literally steal a game on the road with 10.6 seconds to go after trailing the majority of Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. All-Star forward Paul George held the ball in his hands down 109-108 and found himself double-teamed for the third straight possession, […]

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry is not shying away from the responsibility of Saturday’s 97-83 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the first-round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The All-Star floor general had a feeble four points in a 2-of-11 outing from the field, as the Raptors shot a ghastly 36 percent from […]

The NBA playoffs will have some beautiful illustrations to commemorate them yet again, thanks to French Artist Asur Misoa from Asur Illustrations detailing each of the eight matchups of the first round. If you recall, this artist did the same thing last year as well. Western Conference No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 […]

L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin had no problem endorsing his hometown star, Russell Westbrook, for the Most Valuable Player award, claiming he can’t see how any other player could get it this year after all the records he’s broken and the numbers he’s put up. “It almost blows my mind to think that anybody else […]

New Orleans Pelicans talisman Anthony Davis was turned away from a popular Japanese restaurant on Monday, prior to their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center the next day. Davis and some of his teammates were barred from entering eatery Katana in West Hollywood as they attempted to dine while wearing their team-branded athletic […]

The Miami Heat were eliminated from this year’s postseason despite a rampaging 30-11 turn-of-the-page 2017 calendar year, falling just short of an eighth seed due to a tiebreaker with the Chicago Bulls. But the team’s shortcomings haven’t been seen as a failure by the organization or the fans, but rather an admirable display of will and togetherness […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is no stranger to fighting words when it comes to playoff time, though after a couple of fines in recent years, he’s chosen to go with a more subtle approach this time. Prior to his team’s first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors executive was complimentary of their star […]

Rajon Rondo‘s career with the Chicago Bulls came to a tumultuous halt at the end of the calendar year, going from reduced minutes to nonexistent ones in a matter of a few games, thanks to coach Fred Hoiberg‘s never-ending offensive adjustments. While Rondo struggled to get back in the rotation and faced constant criticism, former […]

With not many interesting high seed vs. low seed matchups in the first round, the history between Lance Stephenson and LeBron James should make the 2-vs-7 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers a rather interesting one to see. Many remember Stephenson comically blowing air into James’ ear during Game 5 of the Eastern […]

It’s only been 10 months since Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors let a chance to become back-to-back champions slip from their grasp. The team has done well to get back to their winning ways in 2016-17 by leading the league in wins for a third straight season and nabbing home court advantage for […]

The business that is NBA basketball forced Boris Diaw and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to go their separate ways last offseason, as the French international has settled in nicely with the Utah Jazz, while Pop is enjoying youthful reserves to contrast his veteran plugs in the starting lineup. Asked to name what he […]

Despite three seasons at the top of the NBA standings, Draymond Green notes a particular difference between this year’s team and the one that went on a championship run last year. “You’re a little bit hungrier trying to get something or go get something back than you are when you got it,” Green told Tim […]

Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls will take on a tall task on Sunday, tipping off their best-of-seven matchup with Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics. Butler is particularly eager to test his defensive mettle against the third-leading scorer in the league. Thomas is also proven to be the most lethal player in the fourth […]

One of the Portland Trail Blazers‘ key spark plugs could be sorely missed throughout the first round of the NBA playoffs, as Jusuf Nurkic‘s return from a nondisplaced right leg fracture is still uncertain, according to a report from the Associated Press. The midseason acquisition has fit right into the starting lineup and given Rip City […]

New York Knicks unicorn Kristaps Porzingis unexpectedly skipped on Friday’s team meeting due to the drama and complete disarray surrounding the team, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. Team president Phil Jackson spoke to reporters today, revealing his intention to part ways with star forward Carmelo Anthony, coupled with a few jabs at the Knicks centerpiece […]

Most Valuable Player candidate James Harden isn’t worried about being tired after playing 81 games for the Houston Rockets this season, but is rather looking forward to the challenge that awaits him in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I didn’t have the personnel that I need,” Harden told ESPN’s Calvin Watkins on Friday, […]

Despite winning back-to-back MVP trophies, Stephen Curry has been stigmatized with the “soft” label despite all of his accomplishments. Whether it’s devaluing the all-time record of 13 threes in a game or a record-shattering 402 treys in the 2015-16 season, or even his inclusion in the rare 50-45-90 club, which made him the first unanimous Most Valuable Player […]

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson‘s public revelation of potentially trading star forward Carmelo Anthony has done nothing but hurt his trade value. While many viewed Anthony as a hard-to-deal-with character in his exit from the Denver Nuggets in 2011, he’s now widely viewed as the martyr of this trade scenario. After a much maligned stint […]