Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 42

The Washington Wizards secured the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference after obliterating the Indiana Pacers in their play-in tournament battle on Thursday. Russell Westbrook was instrumental in the do-or-die victory, tallying 18 points, eight rebounds, and 15 assists. To many, that would be a fantastic game already. But for the caliber of Westbrook, who […]

The race for the MVP trophy is as tight as a new jar of pickles. The NBA on Thursday announced the three finalists for the league’s top individual honor: Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. While the result will definitely be […]

Are you good? Can you pick your jaw off the floor now? The insane play-in tournament duel between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors was an instant classic, with the ending straight out of a typical sports movie. In the end, LeBron James donned his Superman cape once again and saved the […]

The San Antonio Spurs will miss the NBA Playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in team history. But while it’s not fair to pin the blame solely on DeMar DeRozan, it’s also hard to overlook his dismal showing against the Memphis Grizzlies in their play-in tournament battle on Wednesday. DeRozan, who’s had his […]

It’s hard to satisfy Ja Morant. Even after the Memphis Grizzlies staved off the San Antonio Spurs in their play-in tournament battle on Wednesday, Morant is far from celebrating. In fact, just moments after their 100-96 victory, Morant returned to the floor to get up some shots. Job isn’t done ⏰ @JaMorant | #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/Iz9kNzdct6 […]

For Anthony Davis, there’s a silver lining in every dark cloud. Or a gold lining to be more appropriate. The Los Angeles Lakers star big man opened up about missing a ton of games this season due to various injuries. Davis’ absence was truly felt by the defending champions, especially since LeBron James also got […]

One would think that the Los Angeles Lakers would draw heavy inspiration from their triumphant run to the NBA title last season. Because that would be too logical, right? No, if you ask Kyle Kuzma. While Kuzma acknowledged they had an inspired journey last season, this campaign has been entirely different, especially with almost half […]

LeBron James has always been a team player. He even said so, tagging himself recently as a pass-first guy. So it didn’t come as a surprise that he was fired up after learning the latest feat of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers ended the regular season with the top-ranked defense in the entire NBA. […]

Spencer Turnbull was stingy as they come on Tuesday. Turnbull gave a performance of a lifetime as he threw his first no-hitter, leading the Detroit Lions to a stirring 5-0 victory against the Seattle Mariners. On a perfect evening, Turnbull tossed a 117-pitch masterpiece on the road at T-Mobile Park. It was only the eighth […]

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have gone to many battles together. They have shiny trophies and battle scars to prove it. This season was no different, with the two veteran stars having to carry much of the load for the Golden State Warriors with their fellow stud Klay Thompson out for the second straight year. […]

The Boston Celtics’ impressive victory over the Washington Wizards in their play-in tournament matchup could be a costly one. Shooting guard Marcus Smart injured his right ankle after he got tangled up with Bradley Beal in the second quarter, and it could be a lingering issue as they advance in the NBA Playoffs. But after […]

Golden State Warriors main man Stephen Curry isn’t new to getting compliments. But when it comes from his fellow players, it becomes extra special. It should be, right? On Tuesday, he received the ultimate compliment, quite unexpectedly, from Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, who is set to shadow Curry in their play-in tournament skirmish. […]

Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics are fighting for survival in the play-in tournament. But it seems Walker has more problems to contend with after donning a controversial pregame outfit ahead of their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. The Celtics’ Twitter account posted pictures of Walker wearing a yellow jacket with a Gadsden […]

Of course, Nick Young has something to say about Kwame Brown’s clap back against Gilbert Arenas, Stephen Jackson, and Matt Barnes. Because if there’s a chance to ruffle more feathers, Young is always willing to oblige. Brown posted on YouTube a savage response to Arenas, Jackson, and Barnes after they ridiculed him on a recent […]

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal might have made a costly decision when he played against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, their final regular season assignment. Now, he’s feeling its effect on his hamstring injury heading into their do-or-die play-in tournament matchup with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. In a report by NBC Sports Washington, Beal […]

You come at The King, you best not miss. That popular line from the hit TV series The Wire is arguably perfect for LeBron James. He continues his reign atop the NBA after averaging 25 points for the 17th straight year. The number of other players who have accomplished the feat: Zero. Still, LeBron has […]

Russell Westbrook is many things. A triple-double machine, an NBA MVP, a fireball of endless energy, and a fashion icon. For ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, Westbrook is also like a boxer. In a story by Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Perkins talked about the Eastern Conference scenarios in the NBA Playoffs. He said […]

Somebody clean the NBA Sixth Man of the Year trophy and inscribe Jordan Clarkson’s name on it. The high-scoring guard has truly found a home with the Utah Jazz as he has fully embraced his role as the team’s spark plug off the bench. Clarkson was instrumental in the Jazz’s historic run this season, clinching […]

Mason Plumlee’s shoulders sank as quickly as Anthony Davis buried the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets in 2020. This, in turn, has inspired this post on the NBA Playoffs and coaching blunders. That moment ranks up near […]

Chris Webber has always been an articulate dude, leading him to get a job as a TV analyst just a few years after retiring from the NBA. But after his surprising exit from TNT, it seems Webber chose to use cryptic words to describe his feelings. A few moments after announcing he won’t be calling […]

Reminder to the Milwaukee Bucks: Do not let Giannis Antetokounmpo take over your Twitter account. Giannis wrote a short caption to a picture of him flexing hard on the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Safe to say, it was kind of crappy. I almost pooped 💩 pic.twitter.com/kSm80Ss3go — Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) May 14, 2021 But look […]

The return of LaMelo Ball has surely reinvigorated the Charlotte Hornets. The recovery of the rookie sensation from his wrist injury couldn’t come at a more crucial juncture for the Hornets as they need all the momentum they can get heading into the play-in tournament. But of course, a 19-year-old kid can’t solely carry a […]

With the way he’s been playing, Stephen Curry needs a day of rest. Or two. Or 34696. Curry was given a day off by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Thursday as he skipped practice to get some much-needed respite. He’s been averaging around 37 minutes but with an incredibly high usage rate in […]

Since Anthony Davis’ celebrated arrival to the Los Angeles Lakers, he and LeBron James have had a very close relationship. Davis even frequented LeBron’s house during the offseason, joining him in The King’s popular TACO TUESDAY (you have to say that aloud). But in an alternate universe, the Space Jam: A New Legacy universe to […]

Damian Lillard sure knows how to drop bars. After the Portland Trail Blazers completed a statement win over the league-leading Utah Jazz on Wednesday, 105-98, Lillard gave a comment that would surely get the entire Rip City charged up (via ESPN). “It’s what our identity has always been. We put our hard hats on. (We’re) […]

Petty wars continue to splatter in the NBA. These days, when many are just cooped up at home, a petty war is the best kind of war, really. Just open up Twitter and then BOOM! There it is. Oh look, there’s another one. In fact, even a savvy veteran like JJ Redick is participating. Sort […]

The Atlanta Hawks got their ticket to the NBA Playoffs on Wednesday after their down-to-the-wire victory over the Washington Wizards. Trae Young and company also did it in dramatic fashion with John Collins providing the late-game heroics. The young Hawks will return to the postseason after a three-year absence. Curiously, the last time they were […]

Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell wasn’t having it. With him still sidelined due to a sprained ankle, it seems he has loads of extra free time to scroll through social media. And one post particularly piqued Mitchell’s interest. Veteran ESPN writer Kevin Pelton bared his choices for the All-Defensive Teams this season. At first glance, […]

The Beard is back! James Harden made his much-awaited return for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, helping them cruise to a 128-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Harden looked good coming off the bench, displaying the elite playmaking that made him one of the most unstoppable offensive weapons in NBA history (flopping propensity notwithstanding). […]

It’s that time of the year again! It’s that time when many make unreasonable predictions for the NBA Playoffs. But all’s fair in love, war, and basketball. So even if Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal made a pretty biased assessment, that’s par for the course. On NBA on TNT on Tuesday, Wade and Shaq were […]

LeBron James was expected to suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. But he didn’t. So he was relegated once again as a cheerleader. And boy, did he cheer the heck of the Lakers’ thrilling win over the Knicks in overtime. After the 101-99 OT win, with Talen […]

When Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green talks, everybody listens. He’s a treasure trove of interesting soundbites and amusing takes, and his most recent remark on Tuesday is surely among them. Green, Stephen Curry, and the rest of the Warriors hacked out a statement win over the Phoenix Suns, 122-116 to continue their valiant late […]

Andrew Wiggins borrowed the spotlight from Stephen Curry for a bit after throwing down a vicious slam against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Safe to say, Curry was impressed. In the early goings of the fourth quarter of the hotly contested game, Wiggins broke bad. He received a pass from the elbow from Juan Toscano-Anderson […]

With LeBron James still out due to his ankle sprain, the Los Angeles Lakers need Anthony Davis to be an absolute monster and gobble up the rest of the NBA. Well, he’s pretty close so far. In a critical game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, Davis once again showed how much of […]

To say that Jaylen Brown’s season-ending injury is a tough blow for the Boston Celtics is an understatement. But we’re gonna say it anyway: Jaylen Brown’s season-ending injury is a tough blow for the Boston Celtics. And there’s no other player who feels this the most than star forward Jayson Tatum. Without his partner in […]

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has always about keeping it real. Even if sometimes, he needs a burner Twitter account. But on Tuesday, Durant was straightforward with his assessment of the Chicago Bulls. After the Nets beat the Bulls in a competitive contest, 115-107, KD said he’s actually impressed with the boys from Windy City, […]

Rasheed Wallace has never been shy to share his opinions. And of course, he has one on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. In his recent guesting on ESPN’s The Jump, Wallace sounded off on what the Lakers need to secure an outright berth in the NBA Playoffs with just a few games remaining. […]

There’s no other person harder on Ja Morant than Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies on Monday had a hard time fending off the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans, who played minus their two All-Stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, plus Steven Adams due to various injuries. But in the end, Morant and company did enough […]

Remember when many said Oscar Robertson’s triple-double record will never be broken? Well, Russell Westbrook is probably laughing hard right now. If only hashtags were already a thing during Robertson’s time, Westbrook’s patented #WhyNot? would’ve been absolutely perfect. Westbrook finally broke the Big O’s record for most career triple-doubles after tallying his 182nd on Monday […]