Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 67

New Orleans Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin has nothing but gratitude for Anthony Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, who cleared the way for the Los Angeles Lakers to be the only team his organization would deal with. Griffin, who had worked with Paul in the past, thanked the agent for clearing the way […]

Despite Los Angeles Lakers manifesting an Anthony Davis trade to their beloved purple and gold, general manager Rob Pelinka had his share of roller-coaster moments trying to bring that dream into a reality. The Lakers executive explained how the coin almost turned on the wrong end during negotiations: “Major NBA trades live on the edge […]

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released a lengthy new statement regarding the league’s relationship status with China. Silver’s first statement fell under heavy criticism from U.S. senators and many others, while also being misinterpreted by the Chinese media. Instead, Silver took a more firm stance after a pro-Hong Kong tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl […]

Kyle Kuzma first got to play with one of his idols in LeBron James during his second year in the league. Kuzma’s experience was starkly different than draftmate and former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball as to how he dealt with being able to play alongside someone he looked up to growing up: […]

Never meet your idols is as common a phrase in today’s day as any. Yet this piece of not-so-crisp advice is actually true for the likes of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, who patterned his game after LeBron James, only to play alongside him for the first time with the Los Angeles Lakers and […]

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Steven Adams has gone from newcomer to being among the longest-standing cogs of the franchise, now entering his seventh season alongside draftmate Andre Roberson. Teammates like Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Jerami Grant were traded this offseason, and he’s aware his turn could come next, depending on how this season […]

The feeling is very different in the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, as the last original member of the franchise is no longer there. Russell Westbrook, the last vestige of the organization that relocated from Seattle to OKC, is gone for good, and Steven Adams has noticed the palpable difference: “Someone was there, and now they’re […]

Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen is hoping to start the 2019-20 season with an identity, and what better way than to represent “The Windy City” with the toughness that’s inspired teams of the past like the old Chicago Bears of yesteryear, not a glamorous city like Los Angeles, but rather a nose-grinding one. Boylen […]

Damian Lillard didn’t care to go back at Shaquille O’Neal after the latter released a second diss track at the Portland Trail Blazers star. The former NBA star has been hellbent in winning this rap war against Lillard, but the Blazers star considers it done after his latest diss track, “I Rest My Case” did […]

The NBA has now cleared teams to scout practices featuring 2020 draft lottery prospect RJ Hampton of the NBL New Zealand Breakers in Memphis this week, clearing the way to do the same for LaMelo Ball as well, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The league office had sent a memo to all […]

The Toronto Raptors made a $31 million investment in the continuity of their culture, signing the only piece left over from the initial core of players in the Masai Ujiri regime. The one-year extension puts Kyle Lowry’s contract at a hefty $64 million for the next two seasons as the organization banks on his veteran […]

The NBA has informed teams that they are not permitted to scout practices involving LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, two of the projected 2020 top-10 draft picks, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.  The ban stems from interpreting the NBA’s no-contact rules, which prohibits teams from having contact with draft-ineligible players outside of official games, select […]

Try to find someone that has something negative to say about Kemba Walker, that might just be as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. The former Charlotte Hornets point guard and current Boston Celtics floor general has left a great impression in most he’s come in contact with. Take for example Marvin Williams, […]

Pascal Siakam is coming off a rousing third-year campaign that netted him the Most Improved Player award. Now, the MIP must make another jump, going from second option to the go-to player for the Toronto Raptors — a jump veteran point guard Kyle Lowry already expects. Lowry, who just agreed to a one-year, $31 million […]

The Toronto Raptors have a tough task ahead defending their NBA title, the first in 24 years since the formation of the expansion franchise. Yet veteran big man Serge Ibaka believes his team won’t be really defending its title, but rather swinging for a new one. Unlike a championship belt in wrestling, mixed martial arts, […]

The NBA has taken serious criticism after drawing some short-lived praise when Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out a since-deleted image that read, “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” The league was quick to emphasize that Morey’s comments were his own, pointing to his immediate two-tweet apology — something U.S. senators have […]

James Harden apologized to Chinese fans after a wave of mutilation rain down stemming from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s comments on Hong Kong in a since-deleted tweet. The tweet was an image that read “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong” — a message that irked China after months of civil unrest between […]

Despite Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s last-ditch attempt to calm the waters, with reports coming out saying there will be no discipline for general manager Daryl Morey after the furor stemming from his Hong Kong tweet, his Instagram feed says he might be thinking otherwise. The Athletic’s Alykhan Bijani took note of the owner “liking” […]

Point guard Kyle Lowry has agreed to a one-year, $31 million extension to remain with the Toronto Raptors, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Lowry was on an expiring contract, and now he’s on the books for two years and $64 million as he tacks on another year to the tail end of his three-year, $100 […]

The Boston Celtics will look very different at the center position without a versatile big that can stretch the floor. Upon trading backup Aron Baynes, the Celtics turned to Enes Kanter as their next signing, but the double-double threat isn’t known for his shooting ability as former center Al Horford has been throughout his career. […]

The Toronto Raptors have picked up OG Anunoby’s fourth-year option, the team announced Friday. Anunoby’s deal for the 2020-21 season is worth $3.87 million, which boosts Toronto’s total guaranteed contracts to $23.3 million, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. The organization is hoping Anunoby can have the same type of breakout season Most Improved Player Pascal […]

Andrew Wiggins has 148 million reasons to perform like an All-Star player, yet he’s fallen well-shy of that progression ever since finishing his third year in the league. According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, sources have confirmed the five-year, $147.7 million deal Wiggins signed in Oct. 11, 2017, was among the things that irked star […]

The Indiana Pacers battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit to survive in a 132-131 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday as part of the NBA India Games 2019. T.J. Warren, who was traded to the Pacers over the summer, scored a game-leading 30 points to pace Indiana, making 11-of-18 from the floor […]

New York Knicks legends and teammates alike have already raved about rookie RJ Barrett, the franchise’s No. 3 overall pick this summer. This time it was longtime icon and former scoring champ Bernard King who sung praise for the rookie, along with second-year forward Kevin Knox, who’s likely to start alongside him this season. “It’s […]

The Golden State Warriors will need every minute that Stephen Curry is on the floor to have an impact, now bound to return to his MVP ways after the departure of Kevin Durant and an injury that will leave Klay Thompson sidelined until the All-Star break. Backtracking to three years ago, Curry was coming off […]

The Washington Wizards landed on a gold mine at the time they picked up Thomas Bryant off the waiver wire. Bryant had spent most of his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but was claimed by the Wizards, soon taking up the opportunity to back up Dwight Howard as head coach Scott Brooks had […]

New Philadelphia 76ers addition Al Horford is already seeing signs of growing leadership in teammates Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, noting the two young stars are ready for the next challenge: “They’re proven players in the NBA, they’re All-Stars, I feel they’re ready to take that next challenge, and I’m ready to take that next […]

Zion Williamson has officially measured at 6-foot-6 for the New Orleans Pelicans, a full inch shorter than the height he was listed at during his lone season at Duke University, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The NBA recently sent a memo to all 30 teams, asking for accurate heights and ages for their […]

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam is seeking a maximum contract extension on his rookie contract. Otherwise, Siakam is preparing to become a restricted free agent in a 2020 free-agency market that would peg him as one of the top players available, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Siakam is eligible for as large as […]

San Antonio Spurs star DeMar DeRozan is discussing a potential contract extension with the franchise, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. DeRozan has a player option for next season worth $27.7 million, which makes clarity on his future of utmost importance as both sides have greased the wheels toward discussing an extension. DeRozan, however, […]

James Harden put his new one-legged move to work during the Houston Rockets’ second preseason game against the LA Clippers, saucing up Rodney McGruder in the right corner, only to get fouled on the attempt: Another fading one-legged, three-pointer from the corner for James Harden. This one leading to 3 FTs. pic.twitter.com/vNULeLPmDL — Salman Ali […]

Mike D’Antoni became the first NBA coach to ever make a coach’s challenge during Thursday’s 109-96 preseason victory over the LA Clippers in Honolulu. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was in disbelief as D’Antoni visibly twirled his right index finger and challenged an offensive foul called on his star player James Harden with 2:02 remaining […]

Recent rumors surrounding the Sacramento Kings’ potential interest in Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams are “not accurate at all,” according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Adams has $53.4 million left in the last two years of a beefy four-year, $100 million deal, which makes it a somewhat affordable deal for a team […]

Marquese Chriss has been far from the highly touted talent the Phoenix Suns were hoping to get in 2016 after drafting him with the No. 8 overall pick. Following two years in the desert and another split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets, Chriss now has a chance to resuscitate his short-lived NBA career […]

Kawhi Leonard was among the most sought-after talents in this recent slate of free agency, but nine years ago, he wasn’t as heavily recruited as others in his class. Before he became The Klaw and before he became known for the ice in his veins during the closing seconds of games, the LA Clippers forward […]

Jimmy Butler’s arrival in South Beach after the Philadelphia 76ers worked out a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat has been an absolute blessing for the franchise that had Dwyane Wade as the flag-bearer for the better part of the last 16 years. The controversial 30-year-old is the very dream of a Pat Riley-led organization: strict, […]

Denver Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. is just beginning to scratch the surface of learning how to play off the ball at the next level, and he’s still in need of constant assistance from his teammates. However, the main assist-man in this area of knowledge isn’t Gary Harris, Torrey Craig, Malik Beasley, or even fellow […]

Washington Wizards big man Ian Mahinmi will be sidelined for at least six weeks after sustaining a strained Achilles tendon injury, according to the team. Head coach Scott Brooks had hinted at Mahinmi missing training camp due to an injury, but this timeline will put him out at least until mid-November, leaving newly paid starter […]

Mike Conley has only been around the rest of his new teammates a few days upon the start of the Utah Jazz training camp, but he’s already gained the trust of his head coach Quin Snyder in a matter of a few hours. “It’s unusual that you trust a player so quickly, but he’s earned […]