Mike Cruz Articles - Page 25

Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden looked forward to this highly-anticipated second round “showdown” as he called it, with the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, The Beard was forced to leave Game 1 just 43 seconds into the first quarter after he reinjured his hamstring. Harden was unable to return to the game. However, it […]

Things did not look good for the Milwaukee Bucks in their 115-107 Game 1 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. The final score won’t suggest it, but the Nets looked like they were in cruise control the entire way. This doesn’t bode well for the Bucks, especially since Brooklyn essentially played without star […]

After the smoke cleared in round one of the 2021 NBA playoffs (save for the Dallas Mavericks vs. L.A. Clippers series), the second round will feature what figures to be a compelling match-up between the no. 2 Phoenix Suns and the 3rd seeded Denver Nuggets. Phoenix is riding the high of knocking off LeBron James […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ season came to a bitter end on Thursday night as the Phoenix Suns knocked them out of the playoffs in six games. LeBron James’ spotless record in the first round was also tainted as Devin Booker and the Suns hammered the final nail to the coffin in Los Angeles’ hopes to […]

The Chicago Bulls’ dominance of the 1990s is certainly their highest point as a franchise. Nonetheless, for a franchise that has spanned 54 seasons, the Bulls still boasts a rich history of All-Stars and Hall of Famers that wore the red stripes throughout its existence. Certainly, the top player on this list of greatest Bulls […]

It’s not often we see a player put on a classic individual performance that ends up in a heartbreaking defeat. Unfortunately for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, it’s happening regularly. Inspired by Dame Time, it’s time to look at the best NBA Playoffs performances in a loss. For Damian Lillard, that’s exactly what happened […]

The first-round series between the second-seeded Phoenix Suns and seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers shifts to a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday, with both teams looking to inch closer to a spot in the Western Conference Semifinals. There are plenty of storylines heading into Game 5. The biggest, of course, is Anthony Davis’ groin injury. The […]

Through the early goings of the 2021 NBA playoffs, three contenders are slowing emerging out of the pack as the favorites to win the East. The Philadelphia 76ers are proving to be worthy contenders after they finished the regular season with the best record in the conference and with Joel Embiid playing MVP-level basketball. Of […]

With all the stars featured in this first round series between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum shone the brightest in Game 3. Tatum dropped his second 50-piece chicken-nugget burger in the postseason (play-in included) to lift the Celtics to a season-saving 125-119 victory over the star-studded Nets. The 23-year old became […]

Another year, another playoff injury for Chris Paul. The 11-time NBA All-Star has been haunted with injuries at the most inopportune time, and his misfortune just took another turn in his first season with the Phoenix Suns. Paul suffered a shoulder stinger during Game 1 and hasn’t been the same player since. This is such […]

The Los Angeles Lakers evened up their first-round series with the Phoenix Suns with a much-needed 109-102 Game 2 victory on Tuesday night. The defending champions used a late-game flurry led by no less than Anthony Davis and LeBron James to bring the series to 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Los Angeles. This series […]

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the oldest franchises in NBA history. Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, the franchise relocated to The City of Brotherly Love in 1963 after playing in Syracuse for 17 seasons. With their rich history, which includes three NBA championships and 10 retired jerseys in the rafters, the Sixers housed […]

After two 10-day deals, the Los Angeles Clippers signed DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season last month. Ahead of free agency, the veteran big man is a member of an NBA Playoffs team with high expectations. Cousins has provided the Clippers a reliable big man who can provide them with spark minutes off […]

After finishing the regular season with the best record in the league, the Utah Jazz undoubtedly have their eyes on the prize as they look to win their first NBA championship in franchise history. As for Mike Conley, this is going to be quite a weird way to kick start his journey to a title […]

It wasn’t an easy path for the Washington Wizards to secure a spot in the 2021 NBA playoffs, as they needed to go through the play-in tournament to do so. Washington lost its first chance to get into the playoffs when they were pummeled by the Boston Celtics in the 7-versus-8 match-up. However, they bounced […]

The loss of Jamal Murray has dampened the Denver Nuggets’ hopes of winning a championship this year. Nevertheless, the Nuggets will still enter the 2021 NBA Playoffs with high expectations, especially with the kind of campaign franchise superstar Nikola Jokic had in the 2020-21 regular season. Despite finishing with the No. 3 seed, it isn’t […]

The Philadelphia 76ers have experienced the zenith of basketball three times throughout their history, with two of those championships coming in Philly after the move from Syracuse in 1963. The Sixers’ last title, however, came nearly four decades ago. As one of the original franchises in the NBA, the Sixers have a rich history of […]

If you could have any player in NBA history to take the biggest shot of the game to win the NBA Finals, most would probably pick Michael Jordan or perhaps Kobe Bryant. Some may even consider Kevin Durant. However, not a lot would entrust the ball to LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has […]

The Indiana Pacers have never won an NBA championship through their four-plus decades in the NBA. Nonetheless, they’ve experienced some glory days of their own. Here are the five greatest moments in Indiana Pacers franchise history. Spoiler alert: all involve Reggie Miller, undoubtedly the greatest Pacer of all time. 5.) Reggie Miller’s 24-point 4th quarter […]

The Toronto Raptors carry the proud banner as the only NBA team in Canada. Winning their first NBA championship in 2019 was a massive feather in their cap and although they struggled in 2021, there’s still a promising core. Being in a different country, however, Toronto isn’t a destination that most free agents consider. In […]

One spot remains in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the Boston Celtics advancing to take the no. 7 after they defeated the Washington Wizards on day 1 of the play-in tournament. Despite the loss, Washington lives to fight another day and will still get a chance to get the 8th seed. This brings us to […]

Jayson Tatum put on his superstar shoes and dropped a 50-piece to propel the Boston Celtics over the Washington Wizards in the play-in tournament on Tuesday to advance to the playoffs. And what’s their prize? The almighty Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics are entering this contest as overwhelming underdogs against Big 3 Nets led by Kevin […]

Stephen Curry became a mainstay in the NBA Finals through the last half of the previous decade. Led by their superstar point guard, the Golden State Warriors made five straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019 and won three championships. Curry may not have won a single Finals MVP in those three titles wins, but […]

The San Antonio Spurs have established themselves as a franchise of excellence over the past three decades, more so especially over the last 20 years. Winning four championships in the span of nine years and squeezing out another in 2014, the Spurs dynasty is definitely up there among the best in NBA history. Certainly, all […]

The NBA playoff picture isn’t quite set in stone just yet with the play-in tournament still set to determine the final two seedings in both conferences. However, the 3-6 seeds already know who they will face in the opening round of the playoffs. The 4-5 matchup in the Eastern Conference will feature an interesting showdown […]

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame just honored one of the top classes on Saturday by enshrining Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett into basketball immortality. The Hoops Hall is definitely loaded with some of the best stars the NBA has ever seen. Shockingly, however, some of the brightest stars that stepped foot […]

The 2021 NBA Playoffs are just right around the corner, as the strange, pandemic-hit 2020-21 regular season is winding down. The final playoff standings, however, are yet to be determined with a few games still carrying serious seeding implications. In addition, the play-in tournament will also add an interesting wrinkle to the postseason. There are […]

The reigning Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to open their title defense on September 9th against the Dallas Cowboys. After the NFL released the official schedule for the 2021 season, the 7-time Super Bowl champ trolled Dallas with a rather sarcastic jab at the Cowboys’ nickname as “America’s Team.” Brady posted a […]

There has been a lot of chatter with regards to this year’s NBA MVP race. For a good chunk of the season, several players took their respective turns atop the MVP ladder. Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has been on a massive tear as of […]

Serena Williams has undoubtedly cemented her legacy as one of the greatest tennis players ever, and her massive net worth helps prove that. That’s why in this specific post we’re looking at Serena Williams’ net worth in 2021. Serena Williams’ net worth in 2021 (estimate): $210 million Making her professional debut at the age of […]

Russell Westbrook just became the triple-double king by surpassing Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles in NBA history. Albeit coming in a tough 1-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, the Washington Wizards star notched career triple-double no. 182 to take his spot atop the record books. With the way he […]

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal suffered a left hamstring strain that kept him out of the end of regulation and the entire overtime period during their 133-132 win over the Indiana Pacers. Beal certainly didn’t like the fact that the hamstring injury kept him sidelined down the stretch and in the extra session. Via Fred […]

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry erupted for 49 points and cashed in 11 3-pointers in their 136-97 thrashing of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Curry notched his 20th 30-point outing since the All-Star break, a feat not done by any NBA player since Los Angeles Lakers […]

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry went nuts in their 136-97 drubbing of the Oklahoma City Thunder. In just three quarters and 29 minutes of work, Curry drained 11 3-pointers en route to 49 points on 14-of-26 shooting from the field. Chef Curry opened his masterful game with five 3-pointers and 24 points in the […]

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook officially tied Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson on Saturday for the most triple-doubles in NBA history. After notching career triple-double 181 in their 133-132 win over the Indiana Pacers, the 9-time All-Star paid his respects to Robertson for setting the standard. Via Fred Katz of The Athletic: Russell Westbrook on […]

Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green got into it with Oklahoma City Thunder sophomore Isaiah Roby before the end of the first half of their game on Saturday. The two forwards jawed at each as they made their way to their respective locker rooms. Draymond and Roby got techs right before the half 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/N3vL8jMKwj […]

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry absolutely torched the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter on Saturday. The 2-time MVP splashed in five 3-pointers to score 24 points in the opening frame. He didn’t waste any time, draining back-to-back triples from the get-go. Within the first six minutes, Curry had already dropped in four […]

Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook just tied Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson for the most triple-doubles in NBA history during their 133-132 win over the Indiana Pacers. Prior to Westbrook’s historic night, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who had a knack of racking up triple-doubles himself, spoke about the 9-time All-Star closing in on the record. […]

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam left Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a left shoulder strain and did not return, the team reported on their official Twitter account. Personnel update: Pascal Siakam, left shoulder strain, will not return. — Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 9, 2021 The Raptors wound up missing their All-Star forward to […]