Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 77

Aaron Gordon was tasked with picking his ideal all-time dunk contest, using a $15 format as provided by House of Highlights. The Orlando Magic talisman picked Vince Carter with his first overall pick, along with teammate Terrence Ross and showdown partner Zach LaVine, as well as himself — hopeful to take part in such a […]

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart gave some sound insight on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two of his young teammates who blossomed early and then struggled to maintain the same rhythm and efficiency that made them such an integral part of a Celtics team that came a win shy of the 2018 NBA Finals. The […]

Fox Sports 1 voice Colin Cowherd argued that Kevin Durant did not get nearly enough flack for leaving the Golden State Warriors this summer. The longtime sports commentator argued that other massive stars would be crucified for leaving such a high-caliber organization, but his departure was rather buried in a wave of a frenzied offseason. […]

D’Angelo Russell credited his recent surge as an All-Star in the NBA to finally getting the opportunity to shine. The new Golden State Warriors addition was bound to make his mark with the Brooklyn Nets quickly after being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, though an early-season injury derailed that process. The shifty […]

Golden State Warriors newcomer D’Angelo Russell isn’t worried about a change that will see him get more opportunities playing off the ball than dominating it, as he did for the past two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. The lefty guard offered that the NBA has evolved into a positionless game in which players must be […]

D’Angelo Russell will have the chance to learn from one of the most innovative minds in basketball, now bound to play alongside a two-time MVP in Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. The newcomer is hoping to approach this new venture of his NBA career with open arms and an even more open mind, […]

Golden State Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell is already salivating at the chance of pairing up with one of the best shooters in league history in Stephen Curry, likely to slide into Klay Thompson’s spot as he recovers from an ACL injury for the first part of the 2019-20 season. The lefty is going into his […]

Rapper Lil Wayne made a splash during a recent visit to Fox Sports 1 and its show Undisputed, telling hosts Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe that he considers LeBron James to be the G.O.A.T. The Louisiana-based rapper has never been shy of making a loud statement, but this one could perhaps ring hollow for Los […]

Kyle Kuzma is bound to soon have a few sneaker companies flocking to him after being the lone survivor of a blockbuster trade that sent most of his friends to the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis. The Los Angeles Lakers forward is being paid less than six figures per year by Nike, but that […]

Anthony Davis was all set to get his signature No. 23 passed on from no one other than LeBron James himself, yet a timing issue prevented him from inheriting the number, now forced to suit up with jersey No. 3 — one that belonged to a former longtime Los Angeles Lakers cog, Devean George. George, […]

Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee reunited with his former college coach, Duke’s legendary Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Team USA from 2005-16 during a revival of the program’s international dominance. Plumlee was glad to see his longtime friend, noting his relationship with Coach K goes beyond the four seasons he played for the Blue Devils. “I […]

Kevin Durant recently had a clear-the-air conversation with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports to clarify his thought process during a silent stretch since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the early part of Game 5 of the NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors. The sit-down interview revealed Durant chose to master […]

The recent wave of decommitals from USA Basketball has been largely caused by a mix of an untimely scheduling, a wild free agency and an apathy toward non-Olympic competition. Yet many remember Paul George’s crushing injury during a White vs. Blue scrimmage that saw him break his leg on the stanchion after chasing down a […]

Free agent guard Jeremy Lin has had a tough go finding a job in the NBA during the past six weeks of free agency, and while the 30-year-old could still find a suitor if he waits long enough, he hasn’t closed the door on a chance to play in China. “Of course I am thinking […]

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has had plenty of rousing success in the NBA along with his share of painful moments, yet none compare to the gut-wrenching feeling he felt when Team USA lost to Argentina in the semifinals of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The longest-tenure coach in the league was an assistant […]

Fans expected Carmelo Anthony to come out of international retirement in glorious fashion, slated for one last hurrah with the red, white, and blue, considering his precarious situation in the NBA could use a much-needed injection of hoop action with Team USA. Yet managing director Jerry Colangelo thought that while he would excel at the […]

Team USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo has had to face the elephant in the room several times throughout the course of the past few weeks. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and other staples of the program are not walking through that door, neither are James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard or other premier […]

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo has invited more than 50 players to participate in Team USA’s training camp and the consequent FIBA 2019 World Cup that begins at the end of the month. Yet the longtime architect of this project has been disappointed at the recent wave of dropouts from this summer’s task, claiming […]

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has left USA Basketball’s training camp in Las Vegas after suffering an eye infection, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Young was among the few Select Team candidates to make the roster at his position, battling Derrick White for a potential call-up to the senior team after De’Aaron Fox recently […]

Brooklyn Nets fans have been optimistic about Kevin Durant’s impending return from a devastating right Achilles tendon injury. Unlike other right-handed players who have suffered the injury, Durant’s injury is not to the left Achilles, but the right — which brought speculation of a better chance for a successful return. The fan cited Dominique Wilkins, […]

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has tackled the start of his second season with a full head of steam, recently adding some weight to his small frame and taking part on USA Basketball’s Select Team through the summer. While Young has impressed and shown signs of improvement from his rookie season, the Oklahoma product […]

USA Basketball declined a potential reunion with all-time leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, despite the recent wave of players turning down invites to participate in the looming 2019 FIBA World Cup. USAB managing director Jerry Colangelo explained why he turned down Melo in the wake of a potential partnership in which both sides could have drawn […]

Many players, coaches, and scouts are expecting young Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox to crack the final 12-man rotation for Team USA after being called up from the Select Team to take part with the senior team. Among them is likely starter Kemba Walker, who’s had his share of battles with him through the […]

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo cited Sacramento Kings big man Marvin Bagley III and San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White as two players from the Select Team that have stood out over the last couple of days. The two youngsters could get a call-up to join the senior team in practice soon, as camp […]

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma learned of the massive acquisition of Anthony Davis during his stay in China alongside manager Vin Sparacio, who was there with him for business-related activities. The trade sent three of his closest friends in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart to the New Orleans Pelicans, a move that […]

Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal was one of the many NBA players chiming in on the NCAA’s decision to only let certified sports agents with a bachelor’s degree represent those who hope to forego their college eligibility and take on the NBA. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports was the most prominent agent without a […]

CLUTCH Summary: New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson is a player everyone wants to see in the Slam Dunk Contest. Many fans have grown tired of the Slam Dunk Contest over the years, especially with the lack of star players being involved. Williamson enters the NBA as the most hyped player since LeBron James, specifically […]

D’Angelo Russell recently joined new teammate Stephen Curry for some of his summer workouts ahead of what’s soon to be a new backcourt partnership between them. The two reviewed their first interaction as positive, but Curry’s trainer, Brandon Payne, was encouraged by what he saw as the two took the court. “We’ve had D-Lo in […]

Golden State Warriors talisman Stephen Curry will be needed more than ever in a season in which the team will not have the services of Klay Thompson for the first few months. The All-NBA guard has taken the time to recover, refuel and strengthen his core this offseason, knowing he’ll have a big task on […]

Orlando Magic fans have been awaiting any sign of life from Markelle Fultz after the former No. 1 overall selection was acquired via trade after less than two full seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, who ironically traded up to get him in 2017. Fultz is now back in the gym, showing off a polished jumper, […]

Kemba Walker has the unique opportunity to take part in Team USA’s training camp alongside three of his new teammates — Jayson Tatum and the recently called-up Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown. The aforementioned trio has had two seasons of experience playing with one another, and they’ve taken up the mission to welcome their new […]

Kemba Walker will head into the 2019-20 season knowing his new team, the Boston Celtics, will have more than just a puncher’s chance to make the playoffs. The longtime Charlotte Hornets point guard will replace Kyrie Irving after the latter bolted for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. The 29-year-old dynamo is still trying to […]

Kemba Walker is walking into his ninth season in the league, knowing he has a chance to contend from the very start. The new Boston Celtics prized gem will replace Kyrie Irving at point guard, who left as a free agent to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. However the Celtics newcomer won’t try to one-up […]

Kemba Walker found himself leaving the only team he’s ever played for in the NBA, a painful process after a max-level offer seemed all but secure when he qualified for the supermax provision after making the All-NBA Third Team. Yet the Charlotte Hornets did not offer that, as owner Michael Jordan was only willing to […]

Spanish international Sergio Llull spoke up what many players that will take on the upcoming FIBA 2019 World Cup are thinking. The schedule is simply making it harder for teams to put their best rosters forward. The longtime Real Madrid staple put FIBA on the spot, saying it is up to them to modify their […]

Vince Carter will return for his 22nd season in the NBA, but a lot of free agents have switched places, perhaps in the wildest free agent movement in recent memory. The Atlanta Hawks veteran wing explained the nature of this offseason and how it will affect the NBA as a business, noting this wide-open chase […]

Vince Carter has taken a stab at the reason why so many NBA stars have dropped out of consideration for Team USA’s quest for the gold at the upcoming FIBA 2019 World Cup. The longtime veteran and gold-medal-winner with  USA Basketball in the 2000 Sydney Olympics noted players are more aware of the toll it […]

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum was among the large group of NBA players declining their invite to take part on Team USA’s quest for another gold at the FIBA 2019 World Cup. The veteran shooting guard explained the thought process of why these stars have dropped like flies over the course of the past […]

Dwyane Wade finally feels complete after a 16-year career in the NBA, knowing he has achieved what many others have struggled to during their respective roads in the league. The Miami Heat icon told Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated what it’s like now that he has finally hung up the sneakers, able to look in […]