Virgil Villanueva Articles - Page 59

Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly just laid out his argument on how his team has a ‘real chance’ to win the NBA title. Per Mike Singer of the Denver Post, Connelly believes that the Nuggets have the staff and the talent to be an elite team in the Western Conference, advance to […]

Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego will demand better defense from his team in the 2019-20 season. Not much is expected from the Hornets in the upcoming season. Especially since they lost two of their top scorers in Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb. But this doesn’t mean that they won’t be working on several things. […]

Vincent Poirier and the Boston Celtics are a match made in basketball heaven. … Well, at least according to the Frenchman himself. In an interview with Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Poirier revealed that he sees plenty of similarities between the Celtics’ playing style and European basketball. In fact, he even went on to […]

Vincent Poirier will make his NBA debut in the 2019-20 season for the Boston Celtics. Fortunately for him, he already received some tips from fellow French man and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert during the FIBA World Cup in China. The 25-year-old Poirier shared that Gobert gave him some key details about playing defense in […]

For the upcoming 2019-20 season, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens wants his team to “play with great effort and togetherness.” Stevens will be entering his seventh year as Celtics head coach. This time around, however, he seems to have identified the real key to success in the NBA. He’ll now place a premium on […]

Liz Cambage of the Las Vegas Aces believes she’s a young Shaquille O’Neal with a better shooting stroke and the female version of Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. The 28-year-old Cambage was asked what her play style is like. She initially compared her play to smaller guards and forwards but being that she plays […]

Gilbert Arenas looked back on his illustrious NBA career and joked that he was fortunate for not having to guard Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady. In an interview with Dallas Texas-based NBA scribe Landon Buford, Arenas looked back on not having to guard McGrady and Bryant, players who are considered two of the most potent […]

Amid all the criticisms thrown at Carmelo Anthony, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith took time to look back and praised the 10-time All-Star’s tenure with the New York Knicks. Speaking on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, Smith has no doubts that Anthony will be remembered for his tenure with the Knicks. As transcribed by Heavy: […]

NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has shared what an assistant NBA coach told him on why Carmelo Anthony remains a free agent. In an episode of Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, Smith shared the conversation he had with an assistant coach about Anthony. According to the coach, the 10-time All-Star remains teamless because he feels […]

Houston Rockets’ Eric Gordon has started a fundraiser by donating $50,000 for the relief efforts for the Hurricane Dorian-ravaged Bahamas. Per Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle, Gordon asked for everyone’s help in trying to rebuild the community. The Rockets guard actually spends the offseason in the Bahamas — where his mother is from. […]

After Team USA’s losses in the FIBA World Cup, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox — who backed out days before the tournament — has received some backlash. Speaking on The Jump, Rachel Nichols, Amin Elhassan and Richard Jefferson briefly spoke about Fox’s last-minute pullout from Team USA. As transcribed by Jason Anderson of the Sacramento […]

For Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Real Madrid should be playing in the NBA, specifically in the Eastern Conference. Per BeSoccer, Perez admitted that he has this dream of seeing his ball club in the NBA. He has even offered to be included in the Eastern Conference. “In basketball we play many insignificant games,” Perez […]

Two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom tagged his stint with the Dallas Mavericks as the ‘worst chapter’ of his basketball career. To recall, in 2011 — a season after winning his second NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers — Odom was sent to the Mavs who were then the defending NBA champions. Though many saw […]

Given the rapid evolution of basketball that puts emphasis on small-ball lineups and position-less players, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel thinks that it is the ‘non-shooting power forwards’ who have suffered the most. In an interview with Steve Aschburner of nba.com, Vogel noted that the so-called non-shooting power forwards have been forced to […]

Goran Dragic’s spot as the Miami Heat’s starting point guard may be on the line in the upcoming 2019-20 season. As such, the Slovenian is going to jockey for the spot — the same mindset he carries every year. Last season, Dragic’s campaign was derailed by an injured right knee. The 33-year-old went under the […]

After France beat Team USA in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals, French defensive stalwart an Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert admitted that he’s been dreaming for the moment to come. France beat Team USA, 79-89, to advance to the semifinals in China. While this year’s version of USA Basketball wasn’t that talented to begin with, […]

Ice Cube thinks free agent forward Carmelo Anthony should take a look at the BIG3. Anthony is still without an NBA team with less than a month before training camp. Given Melo’s situation, Ice Cube proposed the idea of Anthony playing in the BIG3 and proving he still has what it takes to play at […]

NBA icon Dwyane Wade has spoken about Carmelo Anthony, particularly on how he’s ‘very disappointed’ that his close buddy is not in the league. Wade believes that Anthony does not deserve to be in this position. He highlighted Anthony’s legendary career in the Olympics — how he has done so much for the country and […]

Former Dallas Mavericks guard Nick Van Exel was surprised to see former teammate Dirk Nowitzki rocking a suit during the Dallas Cowboys opener. Via Twitter, Van Exel — who’s been an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies since 2016 — noted that Nowitzki was not a fan of suits when they were teammates with the […]

Kyle Kuzma was the only one untouched after the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade which sent several of the Los Angeles Lakers young guns to the New Orleans Pelicans. For Laker legend Kobe Bryant, it was Kuzma’s versatility which made him untouchable. Speaking on the Real 92.3 LA’s “The Cruz Show,” Bryant explained how Kuzma’s abilities […]

Dennis Smith Jr. of the New York Knicks and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks tried to impersonate each other in a workout. Per Ballislife, peep Smith and Young’s impersonation of one another. The Knicks point guard tried to imitate Young’s high-arching shot and celebration. Young, meanwhile, tried to emulate Smith’s size-up dribble before attacking […]

Marcus Smart has noting but praises for his new Boston Celtics teammate Kemba Walker, whom he said reminds him a little bit of ex-teammate and now Washington Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas. In an interview with Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Smart admits that he’s impressed by Walker’s scoring ability despite standing just 6-foot-1. On top […]

The Golden State Warriors are going to host a free-agent workout with Malcolm Delaney, Jodie Meeks, Arron Afflalo, and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, per JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors. In addition to Delaney, Jodie Meeks, Arron Afflalo and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell will also work out for the Warriors today, @HoopsRumors has learned. https://t.co/2PzW2PzvUI — JD Shaw (@JShawNBA) September […]

The Utah Jazz have lifted their unwritten no-headband rule. Right after the news broke, star guard Donovan Mitchell shared his desire to don a headband for the first time. The ban was lifted by Jazz head coach Quinn Snyder to welcome Mike Conley, whose signature look includes a headband. Snyder even joked that he might […]

Detroit Pistons big man Blake Griffin showcased his skills in stand-up comedy by roasting Caitlyn Jenner about her sex change and her daughters. Griffin was on The Comedy Roast of Alec Baldwin together with Robert De Niro, Caitlyn Jenner and Ken Jeong. Griffin, who has been spotted with Kendall Jenner before, seemingly dug up from […]

Despite retiring in 2015, basketball legend Steve Nash admits he’s still in the ‘infancy’ stage of his post-NBA life. Per Bruce Arthur of The Star, Nash shared that he doesn’t know what he really wants to do despite having a full schedule everyday. For the majority of his life, Nash identified himself and was known […]

Boston Celtics big man Enes Kanter went back to Madison Square Garden for RAW and trolled the New York crowd. Kanter’s appearance at RAW was met with boos by the New York crowd upon his introduction. In an amusing twist of events, the Turkish big man won the WWE 24/7 title after taking down R-Truth […]

Former NBA guard Jared Cunningham is set to work out with the Golden State Warriors, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN. Oakland native and former NBA guard Jared Cunningham is working out for the Warriors tomorrow, a source said. — Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 10, 2019 Cunningham was the 24th overall pick in […]

Jayson Tatum, who has missed the last three games for Team USA, has a ‘strong chance’ to return back to action on Wednesday against France. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Tatum will be a game-time decision on Wednesday in the Americans’ quarterfinal duel with the French. Good news for the Celtics […]

The New York Knicks will give undrafted rookie Kris Wilkes one more chance amid concerns about his health. The 20-year-old Wilkes played for two years in UCLA before entering the 2019 Draft. Although he was not picked by an NBA team, the Knicks offered him a two-way contract — to which Wilkes verbally agreed to […]

NBA icon Yao Ming has accepted the blame for China’s poor showing at the FIBA World Cup. The former Houston Rockets star shared that the fans expected a lot from China in the World Cup. However, the hosts failed to capitalize on their home floor. Their loss to Nigeria, plus Iran’s win over the Philippines […]

Harrison Barnes believes that defense has to be USA Basketball’s calling card in the FIBA World Cup. Barnes, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, pointed out that the offensive part of the game has never been a problem for past USA teams. The same may not be true for this year’s version […]

Nene recently re-signed with the Houston Rockets. However, there were concerns that he might not return after initially declining his player option with the team. When asked why he decided to return to the Rockets after opting out, the Brazilian big man offered a simple yet heartwarming reason. “They’ve been good to me since the […]

New Golden State Warriors star D’Angelo Russell is already putting in the work this summer, and he’s been focusing on his quick release and ability to play through contact. In a video posted by Warriors Wire, Russell seems to have seamlessly added the quick release jumper to his arsenal. Given that he’ll be playing with […]

Chimezie Metu of the San Antonio Spurs, who’s currently representing Nigeria in the FIBA World Cup, just posterized two Chinese defenders. Peep Metu’s viscious slam below as posted by the Spurs via Nigeria Basketball. As observed, he had no problem extending his arms out for the massive finish. ICYMI: @Chimezie_Metu threw one down today at […]

The Boston Celtics are about to sign Kaiser Gates to a training camp contract to compete for the 15th roster spot with Tacko Fall among others, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Boston Celtics are signing former Xavier forward Kaiser Gates to a training camp contract to compete for the 15th roster spot along […]

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, who is representing Japan in the FIBA World Cup, will sit out the final two games of the international tourney. Per Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports, Japan’s next two games have no bearing. Since Hachimura is experiencing some discomfort in his knee coupled with fatigue, he has opted to […]

For former NBA coach Paul Westphal, today’s playstyles have become cookie-cutter as most teams run the same type of offensive set. Westphal, who was part of the legendary Boston Celtics team of the 70s, chimed in on today’s basketball style which, in his view, have become over-reliant on pick-and-rolls and 3-pointers. Per John Karalis of […]

Nike has named its newest campus building after Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. The LeBron James Building will be home to Nike’s Beaverton-based Advanced Innovation team. Inside the building is a state-of-the-art Sport Research Lab. The team will dabble into fields such as sports science which is aimed to help the athlete reach their […]