Bruno Manrique Articles - Page 95

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson has been ruled out for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, according to Jared Greenberg of NBA TV. Thompson was initially listed as questionable, though he noted it would be “hard to see” him not playing in Game 3, noting he feels he could […]

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge made a case for keeping soon-to-be restricted free agent Terry Rozier in “the right role” next season: “You guys know I’m a big fan of Terry’s,” Ainge said on Wednesday, according to Tom Westerholm of MassLive. “I don’t always agree with how everybody handles the media, just like they probably […]

Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker is aiming for a contract extension this summer, despite a recent report stating the organization is shopping him, along with teammates Eric Gordon and Clint Capela. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Tucker has discussed a long-term future in Houston, as the Rockets are “enamored” with Tucker and want […]

Duke forward and soon-to-be No. 1 overall selection Zion Williamson has received an invite from USA Basketball to join the 10-man Select team that will compete alongside the 18-man training camp roster head coach Gregg Popovich will assemble in Las Vegas for World Cup competition, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. Much […]

When Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge initially acquired Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers two summers ago, he was well aware that this could be a daunting proposition. Yet Ainge maintains that even if Irving leaves this summer, he’d never regret making the move in the first place. “There’s always risk in making deals,” said […]

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge gave his full vote of confidence for head coach Brad Stevens after what he called a “difficult” season coaching this roster, one that eventually saw an end in the second round after four straight losses to the Milwaukee Bucks: “There’s no other coach I’d rather have than Brad,” said Ainge, […]

Andre Iguodala recently said he does not care about making the Hall of Fame or the speech he would give if he was to be inducted among the game’s best. However, Golden State Warriors icon and Hall of Famer Chris Mullin noted the 15-year swingman will be at some point recognized by Springfield: “I’d say […]

Kyrie Irving has now become more unlikely to return to the Boston Celtics, as there is a “low” probability to return to Bean Town after a disappointing end to the postseason. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Irving has yet to rule out the New York Knicks or other suitors, despite recent rumors of the Brooklyn […]

Houston Rockets brass, led by newly extended general manager Daryl Morey and new owner Tilman Fertitta, insist they want head coach Mike D’Antoni to continue at the helm of the franchise, despite a recent underwhelming offer the coach and his agent quickly turned down in negotiations, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times: […]

Klay Thompson is the lone most pressing question for the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, after missing a large part of the fourth quarter with a painful hamstring strain, one that has left him as questionable for Wednesday night’s home tilt against the Toronto Raptors. While his participation is pivotal […]

Following a Game 2 win over the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals, Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala provided an insightful passage into his motivation to keep playing, despite being visibly hurt. Iguodala’s response was a simple yet unexpected “I like Steph,” listing the reasons why he’s willing to put his body on the […]

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has navigated four NBA Finals without earning the biggest award at that stage, but even if he’s not chasing the very elusive Finals MVP trophy, his longtime teammates know he’s well deserving of it and will fight to help him get there: “He’s been a great teammate for eight […]

Much has been made about these Kevin Durant-less NBA Finals being the golden opportunity for Stephen Curry to take the much-eluded Finals MVP. However, Golden State Warriors teammate Andrew Bogut doesn’t think his point guard needs the award for extra validation. “I think if you ask him he’ll take that championship and everyone being healthy,” […]

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic is still undecided whether he will play for his home country of Montenegro or not, hoping to resolve his free agency before saying if he will join his country’s national team for the World Cup later this year. “I’m waiting for the situation around the contract to be solved,” the […]

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant is out for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Steve Kerr announced Tuesday: Warriors' Kevin Durant (calf) is out for Game 3 of NBA Finals. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2019 Durant’s awaited return has been a pressing matter throughout this series, one that […]

The Charlotte Hornets are deeply committed to keeping All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker, but they are reportedly unlikely to give him the full five-year, $221 million supermax deal he earned last month upon his selection to the All-NBA Third Team, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. “There is doubt around the NBA that the […]

Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris will command some strong interest as a second-tier free agent, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Teams like the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, L.A. Clippers and the Chicago Bulls are expected to pursue the heavily-coveted power forward. The 29-year-old is arguably coming off his best all-around […]

The Phoenix Suns will prioritize the signing of restricted free agent Kelly Oubre Jr., according to Shams Charania of The Athletic; a player they received in exchange for veteran Trevor Ariza upon trading him prior to the deadline. Oubre averaged 20.2 points per game in 12 starts for the Suns during their best stretch of […]

Despite the recent meeting with New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis, vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is now listening to trade offers for his prized talisman, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. It is believed that the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets are four of […]

A recently-reported story surrounding the Phoenix Suns’ interest in shopping their No. 6 overall pick in pursuit of a veteran point guard was recently refuted by Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro, who notes the franchise will instead eye some soon-to-be free agents instead. Among them are L.A. Clippers defensive ace Patrick Beverley, Philadelphia 76ers […]

The re-evaluation of Draymond Green’s behavioral issues has played a large part on the Golden State Warriors’ pursuit of a third straight NBA title, as a leaner, laser-focused power forward is now the catalyst of a hobbled, but still dangerous contender looking to claim their stake as an NBA dynasty. As it turns out, Green […]

It wasn’t long ago that the fate of the NBA’s most recent dynasty looked like it was starting to crumble, as Draymond Green and Kevin Durant engaged on a heated altercation at the bowels of the Staples Center. Yet Green got the first taste of some cold-served truth upon attempting to make amends with his […]

Draymond Green has played like a significantly different version of himself during this postseason after losing 25 pounds with a strict eating regimen that started in March, yet the biggest change he has made for these Golden State Warriors is channeling his anger and unleashing wrath on his opponents instead of the officials: “It’s all […]

Stephen Curry still vividly remembers his championship experiences, but instead of looking at the three rings he has obtained in the past four years, he’s quick to recall the one that got away. The 2016 NBA Finals, especially Game 7, is a memory that still haunts him to this very day. Curry still recalls hunting […]

As the bodies pile up for the Golden State Warriors, the defending champions have now lost one of their most capable cogs in Kevon Looney, putting DeMarcus Cousins at the forefront of the their three-peat fate for the rest of these NBA Finals. Looney suffered a non-displaced first costal cartilage (collarbone) fracture that will sidelined […]

ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson isn’t one of the few expecting a partnership between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving taking place again, this time as members of the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving has been rumored to have interest in joining the Lakers as a free agent, but Jefferson, who played with both as a member of […]

The Atlanta Hawks could reportedly look into packaging their two top-10 picks to move up in the NBA Draft, possibly to get as high as the New York Knicks’ pick at No. 3, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Los Angeles Lakers at No. 4 and the Phoenix Suns at No. 6 are also engaging […]

Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors’ two main defenders tasked with defending Kawhi Leonard, have proven to be the two best defenders against him in the league throughout this season. Iggy and Klay are not only forcing him to take tough shots, but also forcing him to become a passer, effectively getting […]

Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney suffered a pretty substantial non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, sidelining him indefinitely. While the injury could very likely end his season at this juncture, it is unlikely that will cost him a job next season, as the […]

Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard has been terrific throughout these playoffs, but his shooting efficiency has dipped a bit of late, especially when being guarded by Draymond Green and Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. The Raptors star shot a blistering 62.4% on 2s and 50% from deep in his […]

DeMarcus Cousins was a pleasant surprise for the Golden State Warriors, earning his first start in the NBA Finals after playing only eight minutes of basketball after coming back from a torn quad six weeks ago. Teammate Stephen Curry saw the big man make the most of his minutes after coming back in after two […]

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made his first big adjustment of the NBA Finals on Sunday, choosing to start formerly injured center DeMarcus Cousins after a lone eight-minute stint on the court following a six-week absence. While the move seemed inexplicable at the time, Kerr gambled and won big, with his starting center […]

Kevin Durant’s impending return to the court is among the most pressing questions the Golden State Warriors have been forced to answer throughout the course of these NBA Finals. Durant was sidelined after suffering a calf strain during the third quarter of Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, missing the past seven games recovering from […]

Kyle Lowry’s subpar offensive play has been largely tied to a hand injury, which won’t be addressed until the offseason. The Toronto Raptors point man told reporters of it last week, when they inquired about the state of his injury, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic: “The injury dates to Game 7 of the […]

The Golden State Warriors have endured a slew of injuries throughout this playoff run and nearly everyone in the starting lineup, for the exception of Draymond Green, has suffered an injury in these 18 postseason games. Shaun Livingston, a veteran likely counting the days before his imminent retirement, is perhaps one of the few fully-healthy […]

Kawhi Leonard’s ongoing knee injury is one that has developed at an untimely stretch, recently flaring up in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Joe Vardon and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Toronto Raptors’ forward’s “knee issue stems from overcompensating for his injured right quad suffered last season.” Vardon noted that […]

Duke University forward RJ Barrett will visit the New York Knicks early next week for meetings, medical evaluation and light court work, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Knicks will select third overall in this upcoming 2019 NBA Draft, making Barrett, the consensus No. 3 selection, the most likely selection. The Knicks fell short of […]

Kyle Lowry saw himself battling through foul trouble in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, eventually fouling out of the game with 3:52 left in regulation after a reach from behind on Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins. The Toronto Raptors point man, however, didn’t agree with some of the calls that went against him […]

Danny Green knows the Toronto Raptors let slip away a golden opportunity to go up 2-0 in the NBA Finals against the defending champion Golden State Warriors, falling victim to an 18-0 storm in the opening minutes of the third quarter that saw them clunk shot after shot, unable to find the net. “It just […]