Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 39

While most NBA players would choose to recuperate after an injury-riddled campaign, Kevin Durant and James Harden did the exact opposite. Just days after a painful exit in the NBA Playoffs, the two Brooklyn Nets stars committed to playing for Team USA in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Obviously, this would mean they’ll have a shorter […]

David Fizdale once felt like he was floating atop the Empire State Building after he was named as coach of the New York Knicks. He had a young squad led by new acquisition Julius Randle and lottery pick Julius Randle. The future seemed bright. Until it wasn’t. After just 104 games with the Knicks, Fizdale […]

Many people’s jaws are probably still on the floor after Deandre Ayton’s game-winning alley-oop extravaganza on Tuesday. It was a perfectly drawn play by Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams to give the Phoenix Suns the nail-biting win over the Los Angeles Clippers. While it was Williams’ call to run the play, which is not an […]

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has never been shy about his admiration for the late Kobe Bryant. He wears his shoes, imitates his moves, and lives his philosophies. It’s great to witness, really. Recently, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith recently declared Booker as the next Kobe. While many were slanted to agree, one former NBA […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are never out of the headlines. Take a bow, Alex Caruso. But recently, Lakers legend Magic Johnson gave suggestions for his beloved team after a premature exit in the NBA Playoffs. Quite predictably, Magic singled out LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The two All-Stars are the cornerstones of the squad and […]

Trae Young is legit. At this point, there’s no more questioning the ability of Young to hang with the NBA’s elite. When he first entered the league in 2018, many observers were quite apprehensive because of his diminutive frame and ball-heavy style. Well now, Young just led the Atlanta Hawks to a historic win in […]

After back-to-back wins, the Phoenix Suns are pretty optimistic heading into Game 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Adding to their shiny disposition is the possibility of Chris Paul suiting up. Paul didn’t play in the first two games after testing positive for COVID-19. But Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum couldn’t help but […]

The Atlanta Hawks continue to shock the world and probably even themselves. Many have perhaps signed on the Hawks bandwagon form, rooting for the underdog squad to upset the Milwaukee Bucks. Trae Young and company have been on a tear, completing a seven-game escape against the top seed Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round of […]

The Boston Celtics are in a period of transition and one of the main priorities of new general manager Brad Stevens is to maintain his healthy relationship with his star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But obviously, getting a coach to guide the two All-Stars is imperative as well. Stevens, who’s always had a […]

Ah, Ben Simmons. What to do with you? Well, if you ask his coach Doc Rivers, he’s already pretty sure of the next steps to take with the struggling Philadelphia 76ers star. And it looks like Simmons won’t be going anywhere. At least for now. While Simmons’ performance in their series against the Atlanta Hawks […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has made it known that he’s far from done. While he showed signs of breaking down after another injury-riddled season, LeBron implied he’ll be back with a vengeance. Lakers great Magic Johnson, however, doesn’t necessarily agree. For him, LBJ is already on his last legs and his reign will […]

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib made a monumental announcement on Monday after coming out as gay, becoming the first player in NFL to do so. In a league largely typified by jock culture, Nassib’s courageous act was indeed worthy of praise. After getting strong support from the Raiders and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, […]

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons had a bad series against the Atlanta Hawks. But that’s putting it lightly. Like a mild hot sauce. But if we want to put him on fiery blast with the juice of ghost peppers slowly being dropped on his eye, Simmons had an atrocious, horrifying, unacceptable series against the Hawks. […]

Veteran commentator Marv Albert is one of the most beloved figures in the NBA. His body of work in 60 years as one of the pioneering voices of the league has been lauded by many. However, he might’ve committed a regrettable mistake last Saturday. During TNT’s broadcast of Game 7 between the Brooklyn Nets and […]

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid once again saw his season end bitterly after dropping Game 7 to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. The Sixers had several chances to get the victory and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals but they simply couldn’t close out the gritty Hawks. Embiid was once again visibly dejected after […]

Joel Embiid probably planned to open a can of whoop-ass against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. In the end, there was indeed Embiid and a can. But no whoop-ass was involved. In the dying seconds of the Philadelphia 76ers’ defeat to the Hawks in Game 7 at Wells Fargo Center, a fan threw a can […]

Aside from Stephen Curry, it could be argued that Baron Davis is the most iconic Golden State Warriors player in the last three decades. Davis truly revitalized the erstwhile languishing Warriors, culminating in the inspired run of the “We Believe” crew. Davis recently reunited with two other members of that memorable squad, joining Matt Barnes […]

Raise your hand if you’re raring to see Klay Thompson play again! Well, it seems Golden State Warriors rookie James Wiseman is eagerly raising his hand like a kid excited for Show & Tell in school. Wiseman, like the rest of the NBA, is thrilled for the impending return of Thompson, who has sat out […]

The Milwaukee Bucks are still alive and PJ Tucker is all for it. The Bucks staved off elimination after soundly beating the Brooklyn Nets in Game 6, 104-89 to force a do-or-die match. Tucker only put up three points and five rebounds, but he once again covered Kevin Durant for most of the game. His […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo saved the Milwaukee Bucks from elimination in Game 6 against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. He was absolutely sensational throughout their do-or-die mission. The Greek Freak displayed his strength and athleticism on both ends, pummeling the Nets’ defense, especially in the painted area. Former NBA player Al Harrington, however, said Giannis has “very […]

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic recently hinted that he’s going to stay with the squad and sign a maximum extension. Doncic leaving the Mavericks in the offseason sounds as outrageous as Dirk Nowitzki’s singing voice, but for ESPN analyst Jay Williams, it has become more probable. Williams on Thursday even upped the ante and said […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has faced many antagonizers in the past. But it seems the latest one is Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder. Crowder fired shots at LeBron after the Suns eliminated the Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. In arguably his best shade, the Suns banger mocked The King […]

Donovan Mitchell has no other choice but to remain optimistic regarding his ankle injury. With the Utah Jazz dropping their third straight game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Mitchell simply has to play through the pain. He himself acknowledged it after their 119-111 defeat in Game 5 on Wednesday. But Mitchell also couldn’t help but […]

Let’s all bow our heads and have a moment of silence for all the Pandemic P jokes. Paul George, pray for us. With the odds stacked against them, playing without Kawhi Leonard on the road, George stepped up BIG for the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 on Wednesday. PG-13 towed the team to a […]

Reggie Miller is one of the best shooters in NBA history. But he might’ve missed the mark on this one. The NBA on TNT analyst took to Twitter to make a bold (read: ridiculous) suggestion for the Brooklyn Nets ahead of their Game 6 tiff with the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Miller, maybe the Nets […]

Los Angeles Lakers main man LeBron James recently went off on Twitter about the rash of injuries in the NBA Playoffs, pointing out that the early start date of the season didn’t do any wonders for the players. While many would side with LeBron, given the latest string of injuries to star players, Philadelphia 76ers […]

Trae Young has obviously enjoyed being the villain in the NBA Playoffs. In his first postseason stint, Young has already annihilated, torched, and pummelled opponents with his devil-may-care attitude. After leading the Atlanta Hawks to an OMG-did-that-really-happen win in Game 5 on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers, Young only further validated himself as an […]

Ben Simmons had more misses from the free throw line than his points in Game 5 on Wednesday. Read that again. If you’re a Philadelphia 76ers fan, don’t. Simmons’ shooting woes continue to haunt the Sixers as they had a monumental meltdown against the Atlanta Hawks, blowing a 26-point lead to lose the game. Simmons […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has heard it all before, especially the taunts. But it seems his favorite shade on him is “Washed King.” So much so that it has become an inside joke for him and his peers. After being named to the All-NBA Second Team on Tuesday, LeBron was congratulated by Golden […]

After several days of dilly-dallying due to his hamstring injury, James Harden finally decided to suit up for Game 5 on Tuesday. Harden, however, was as rusty as an old nail, tallying only five points on a terrible 1-of-10 shooting from the field. He did have six rebounds and eight assists, but also committed four […]

It’s not really a shade, but it sounds like a shade. But whatever the case may be, Draymond Green was only spitting facts. Golden State Warriors reporter Marcus Thompson, who has gotten close with Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson, throughout the years, said the former Defensive Player of the Year won’t allow Kevin Durant […]

The number of minutes Kevin Durant rested in Game 5: Zero. Yep, KD played the entire time, and every minute was worth it for the Brooklyn Nets as they took a 3-2 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. With their season on the brink of getting axed, Durant took it upon himself to make […]

Kevin Durant woke up today and casually said: I’m going to drop 50 on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. While he fell short by a hairline, Durant actually outdid himself with a historic triple-double, tallying 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a come-from-behind victory over the Bucks […]

The talent level in the NBA today is through the roof. Various superstars are in full swing like Joel Embiid’s elbows. But when it comes to a key statistic, it is Golden State Warriors main man Stephen Curry who’s head and shoulders above the rest. According to a report by NBC Sports Bay Area, Curry […]

There’s no debating that NBA debates won’t end. A recent remark by a former MVP candidate might raise some eyebrows after he declared Stephen Curry as the best point guard in NBA history. He chose Curry over Magic Johnson, who’s widely recognized as the GOAT PG. The Golden State Warriors sharpshooter was also picked over […]

The Philadelphia 76ers couldn’t catch a break. After missing Danny Green for the rest of their second round series against the Atlanta Hawks due to a calf injury, it’s clear that main man Joel Embiid isn’t at full strength. Due to a lingering knee injury, Embiid limped off to only 17 points on an atrocious […]

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers didn’t bite his lip after their tight Game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Rivers didn’t offer any excuses as the Hawks gutted it out all game long to tie the pulsating series at 2-2. While it was the backcourt of Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic who torched […]

The Boston Celtics are in the midst of a crucial offseason, with difficult decisions set to be made in the following days. But perhaps first on the agenda is the search for a new coach after Brad Stevens was promoted as general manager. One would think it won’t be difficult for Stevens to find his […]

For all his greatness, Chris Paul’s career has been tainted by his failures in the NBA Playoffs. Prior to their sweep of the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Paul has only been to the Western Conference Finals once, losing to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in 2018. Year after year, the disappointments piled up […]