Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 55

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 […]

Aside from the incredibly tight race for the NBA Playoffs and the play-in tournament, another nip-and-tuck affair that’s been exciting to watch is the scoring title duel between Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. The two flamethrowing guards have absolutely torched the NBA this season with their […]

The Orlando Magic closed out their home schedule for this season with a sorry 128-96 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. While most fans would be embarrassed, it seems Magic supporters are um, supporting the defeat as they want the squad to embrace Tankapalooza 2021. RJ Hampton, however, isn’t impressed. The rookie guard is […]

If Julius Randle doesn’t win as Most Improved Player of the Year, there will be a second reckoning, with galactic comets and raging asteroids raining down from the burning sky. Too hyperbolic? Well, let’s just say this: Randle is good. He has truly, completely, totally, absolutely come to his own in his second stint with […]

It’s one of the worst-kept secrets in the NBA: Tom Thibodeau likes Derrick Rose. They’re like a match made in hoops heaven. But despite this, Rose has been coming off the bench for the New York Knicks since getting acquired in a midseason trade with the Detroit Pistons. But who are we to question Thibodeau, […]

Only two things are certain in life: 1. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal arguing and 2. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal not not arguing. But while they always don’t see eye to eye most of the time (which also makes for quality TV, BTW), they seemed to agree on one thing on Thursday: Barkley trolling fans […]

Sit down, Zion Williamson. Because Paul Millsap is the real king of the alley-oop. Or at least that’s what he likes to think. The Denver Nuggets veteran forward had another cheesy yet hilarious remark after their win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, telling reporters that he’s been imploring his teammates all season to […]

Damian Lillard is a man of many talents. He is also a man with many three-pointers—from way deep too. Wink if you’re there, Paul George. On Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, Lillard achieved another impressive milestone. After draining four three-pointers, the Portland Trail Blazers main man became the second fastest player in NBA history to […]

If this story doesn’t make you chuckle, then you are a heartless android. Michael Porter Jr. had another huge game for the Denver Nuggets on Monday, leading the team to an impressive win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter tallied a game-high 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, on top of seven rebounds. After […]

Buddy Hield must be the most hated man by Minnesota Timberwolves fans—all 40 of them—after he sank the go-ahead three-pointer on Wednesday, leading the Sacramento Kings to a come-from-behind win, 128-125. Hield drained the dagger from deep with less than 10 seconds left to give the Kings a 126-125 advantage. The Timberwolves failed to score […]

To be nervous or not to be nervous, that is the question. For Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams, that is. Especially when it involves his All-Star backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul. The Suns hacked out a convincing 106-86 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday to improve to 39-15, the second best record […]

It was a sight no one wants to see. As Jamal Murray drove to the rim in the dying minutes against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, his left knee folded even without contact, leaving the Denver Nuggets guard grimacing in pain on the floor. Fortunately, Murray eventually stood up and was able to walk […]

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors tussled to the last second on Tuesday. As expected, it wasn’t lacking in fiery highlights. Bucks guard Jrue Holiday absolutely balled out and even embarrassed Warriors forward Draymond Green in one play. Holiday drove hard to the rack but was impeded by Green. So, he cracked a […]

It seems Nikola Jokic isn’t convinced yet that the Denver Nuggets can take the extra step this season. The Nuggets notched a pretty convincing 134-119 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday to extend their winning streak to five games. Jokic, however, noted some holes in their performance. While the Nuggets dominated almost the entire […]

Pop quiz: What do Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard and former boxer Marvin Hagler have in common? Not much, right? But for one fan, there’s one striking similarity between the two well-known athletes: The Glare. Lillard has always been one of the toughest players in the NBA and he’s not shy showing some flex […]

Not many banked on Anfernee Simons to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. After all, he’s more known as a shooter with the Portland Trail Blazers. But Simons took home the trophy, proving he doesn’t need the approval of people. Well, maybe except Zach LaVine. In the postgame interview, the 21-year-0ld Simons was asked why […]

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has always said he wants to be one of the NBA’s elite. Well, there’s no doubt he already is. But after Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, he climbed a notch higher as he joined the elite of the elites: Michael Jordan. After leading Team LeBron to an easy 170-150 win over […]

Kyrie Irving is not just about the handles. And Flat Earth theories. On Sunday’s much-anticipated NBA All-Star Game, the Brooklyn Nets’ ankle-breaking, jelly shot-making, sage-burning guard showed he also has the hops. After a turnover by Team LeBron early in the contest, Irving got an outlet pass from Bradley Beal. With the lane open, Irving […]

With his team comfortably ahead in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, LeBron James caught on camera casually eating. Not his fingernails this time though, but an actual snack. According to the intense digging made up by our research team, it looks like LeBron is eating some kind of candy bar. Or energy bar. Our […]

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is known for two things: 1. His otherworldly shooting and 2. His crazy bench reactions. The latter was surely on full display during the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday as he cheered for his Team LeBron teammate Damian Lillard. Late in the third period, Lillard shot a three-pointer several […]