David Yapkowitz Articles - Page 29

LOS ANGELES – Through the Los Angeles Lakers’ first four games of the season, one thing is clear, this team is vastly different than last year. Despite the Lakers’ recent loss to the Phoenix Suns, they’re playing a much better brand of basketball. One Lakers player who is having a strong start to the 2024-25 […]

Last season, the Orlando Magic took a huge leap, making the playoffs and putting up a solid showing against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. Magic star Paolo Banchero is off to a strong start to the year and he just made NBA history with his stat line against the Indiana […]

The New York Knicks’ trade for Karl-Anthony Towns sent shock waves through the NBA world on the eve of training camp. After finishing the 2023-24 season with the second best record in the Eastern Conference, many felt the trade could vault the Knicks into title contender status. Count Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson as […]

The Golden State Warriors have gotten off to a solid start to the 2024-25 NBA season with a 2-1 record. Their resolve is going to be tested in the coming days, however. Star guard Stephen Curry was just ruled out due to injuryStephen Curry was just ruled out due to injury for at least the […]

With the 2024-25 NBA season underway, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in making a trade for an upgrade at center. One of the names that’s been linked to the Lakers via trade is Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler. But for the Lakers to acquire Walker Kessler through a trade, it would likely […]

After the Los Angeles Lakers began the 2024-25 season with three-consecutive home games, they will head out on a five-game road trip. The trip begins in Phoenix against the Suns on Monday and culminates in Memphis against the Grizzlies on Nov. 6 with stops in Cleveland, Toronto and Detroit. But ahead of the upcoming road […]

LOS ANGELES – De’Aaron Fox had just knocked down back-to-back three-point shots to give the Sacramento Kings a 94-87 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. The Kings had closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run to snatch the momentum heading into the final period. That was when Lakers head coach JJ Redick […]

LOS ANGELES – Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-127 win against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, the main focus postgame was the fourth quarter explosion by LeBron James. But also important in the Lakers’ win was the backcourt performance of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves. While D’Angelo Russell’s name was in trade rumors throughout the […]

LOS ANGELES – Gabe Vincent’s first season with the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t quite go as planned. He spent most of the 2023-24 season battling a knee injury that limited him to only 11 games. But he’s healthy now and has already earned the trust of Lakers head coach JJ Redick. During the Lakers’ 123-116 […]

This is the generation of NBA players’ sons. It seems like everywhere you look, a former player’s kid is rising up in the ranks, carving a path of their own. For some, that process came quickly like in the case of LeBron James and Bronny James. For others, like Alijah Arenas, the son of former […]

The Los Angeles Lakers resume the 2024-25 NBA season at home on Friday against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers are coming off a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Suns are also coming off a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. But the Lakers will be without reserve guard Jalen Hood-Schifino who appeared on […]

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2024-25 NBA season with a 110-103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Tuesday night. While all eyes were on the Lakers debut of Bronny James playing alongside LeBron James, it was Anthony Davis who shined the brightest. Davis led the way with a game-high […]

The Los Angeles Clippers came into the 2024-25 NBA season with a brand new arena but also with some bad news in that Kawhi Leonard would not be available due to injury. In addition to that, the Clippers have been without veteran forward PJ Tucker who is reportedly seeking an early season trade as per […]

LOS ANGELES – Leading up the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024-25 NBA season opener, head coach JJ Redick often spoke about getting LeBron James and Bronny James on the court together without making it seem forced. During the team’s season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, that moment came late in the second quarter with […]

LOS ANGELES – It was late in the second quarter when it happened, the moment every Los Angeles Lakers fan in attendance was waiting for. LeBron James and Bronny James checked in to the Lakers’ season-opener agains the Minnesota Timberwolves as teammates and officially made history as the first father and son duo to play […]

The deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx is underway, with Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier as the two opposing stars, respectively. The WNBA world is locked in to Game 5 and Chicago Sky rookie sensation Angel Reese was in attendance rocking a special Finals tribute to […]

LOS ANGELES – If the Los Angeles Lakers hope to be a contender in the NBA this season, they’re going to need a big year from All-Star big man Anthony Davis. While LeBron James might be the team’s best player, Davis is arguably their most important player in that they need him playing at a […]

LOS ANGELES – When the Los Angeles Lakers begin the 2024-25 season this week, one player whom they’re going to need to have a big year is Rui Hachimura. Although he has not played in the last two preseason games, he is expected to be ready for the season opener. And one key area of […]

Philadelphia 76ers backup center Andre Drummond recently made a controversial comment about why he is able to rebound so well in the NBA. He initially said that when he came into the NBA, he would watch other players miss shots and study where their shots would come off the rim in order to grab rebounds. […]

Since the 2024 WNBA regular season ended, several head coaches have been let go from their respective teams. The Los Angeles Sparks opted to part ways with Curt Miller after two seasons of lottery finishes. The Sparks search for a new head coach has brought them to possibility of Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Tyler […]

NBA teams are facing next week’s deadline to trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way contracts. Several teams made those final roster cuts and decisions this weekend. The San Antonio Spurs opted to fill their final two-way contract roster spot with former Ohio Valley Conference Player of the […]

NBA teams faced an approaching deadline early next week to finalize their rosters in advance of the 2024-25 NBA season opener. With Exhibit 9 and 10 contracts incurring cap hits each day they were on the roster past Saturday, several teams made roster cuts this weekend. Those losses were other team gains as the Detroit […]

The Chicago Bulls wrapped up their preseason schedule on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But there could be some cause for concern following the game. Bulls forward Patrick Williams suffered an apparent ankle injury during the preseason game and was ruled out, the team announced. There was no immediate update, only that he was going […]

When the 2025 WNBA season tips-off, there will be a new expansion team in the Golden State Valkyries. It’s the first expansion team in the league since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. With the addition of the Valkyries will come an expansion draft. The Los Angeles Sparks, and every other team in the league, will […]

The Los Angeles Lakers season opener is next week on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Teams are facing the deadline to finalize their rosters, and while the Lakers are still pursuing impact players via trade, they made a flurry of roster moves on Friday. The Lakers added former Belmont star Grayson Murphy […]

As the start of the 2024-25 NBA season draws near, the Chicago Bulls got a huge roster boost in the form of Lonzo Ball. Now as training camp winds down and preseason is over, rosters need to be finalized. The Bulls recently made a big roster decision on former Ohio State star EJ Liddell, opting […]

The Los Angeles Clippers received bad news this week when it was revealed that Kawhi Leonard would be unavailable for the season opener due to injury. It’s been an unfortunate set of circumstances for the Clippers and Leonard the past couple of seasons with Leonard being limited during the team’s past two playoff runs. He […]

ROSEMONT IL – Flashback to the 2023 offseason, and the UCLA Bruins were loaded up with incoming freshmen. Mick Cronin was rebuilding on the fly after losing the core group that had secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and had advanced to the Sweet 16. But the 2024-25 roster is going to […]

The New York Liberty took a 2-1 series lead in the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, putting them one win away from their first championship in franchise history. It was a game winner from Sabrina Ionescu that sealed the win for the Liberty. Following the game, Sabrina Ionescu reacted to her game winner that […]

The Minnesota Lynx returned home on Tuesday for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty with the series tied 1-1. During this run to the Finals, Alanna Smith has been a very important player for the Lynx, but she suffered an injury scare in the first half of Game 3. Alanna […]

It’s been two years, but the moment that Chicago Bulls fans have been waiting for finally happened during preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Lonzo Ball returned to the lineup for the Bulls amid a standing ovation from the home crowd, and proceeded to knock down his first shot of the game, a […]

There’s no question that the transfer portal has changed the college basketball landscape forever. Whether it’s for the better or for the worse, it depends on who you talk to. For Georgetown Hoyas head coach Ed Cooley, while he acknowledges the need to change with the landscape, he also sees some of the downfalls of […]

The UConn Huskies are the premier program in college basketball right now. With back to back national championships and several players off to the NBA, it’s hard to argue against them. And head coach Dan Hurley has had success off the court too when it comes to the recruiting trail. UConn just picked up a […]

The night of the NBA Draft is a big night for draft hopefuls. The anticipation of hearing your name called is like no other; the culmination of all the hard work and sacrifice put in that led this moment. For some though, it can be an eye-opener. Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas had a moment […]

This past weekend, Crossroads High School in Santa Monica, CA played host to the second year of the Flight Club Invitational. A partnership between sneaker consignment store Flight Club and Crossroads, the event showcased several of the top high school basketball teams and players in Southern California, including Alijah Arenas, the son of former NBA […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into the 2024-25 NBA season as the only team in the league who did not make any free agent signings in the offseason. That means that they’re going to be looking for breakout seasons from key players. One player in particular that the Lakers should expect a big season […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been without Jarred Vanderbilt since last February as he’s been recovering from a foot injury. Vanderbilt has undergone procedures on both of his feet and the last time he suited up for the Lakers was back on Feb. 1. But as far as the 2024-25 season is concerned, the plan […]

The Los Angeles Lakers were without starting guard Austin Reaves due to injury during their most recent preseason game, a 107-102 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Reaves has been dealing with ankle soreness, but could be nearing a return to the court. Following practice on Saturday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave assembled media an […]

ROSEMONT IL – Coming into the 2024-25 season, the USC Trojans will have an entirely new team. The only returning player from last year’s roster is senior forward Harrison Hornery. But there are a few newcomers on the team who are expected to play a major role, specifically Desmond Claude and Saint Thomas. For head […]