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Udonis Haslem Slams Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce for Saying Heat's Window 'Closed'

Oct 30, 2022
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 29: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 29: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Udonis Haslem's two decades of NBA experience have apparently given him a long memory.

The Heat forward clapped back at Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for saying Miami's championship window is "closed," reminding the former Celtics stars that the Heat once slammed things shut on their run in Boston.

The LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh-led Heat took down the Celtics in both the 2011 and 2012 playoffs, highlighted by a seven-game slugfest in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.

A little more than a year after that loss, the Celtics dismantled their veteran core, shipping Garnett and Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets.

A decade does not appear to have cleared all the bad blood between the two sides.

“What’s Miami’s identity?” Garnett said on his podcast. “That’s the first thing I ask myself. They used to be known as a defensive team that can score the ball. Now, they done turned into a three-point shooting team with a bunch of ball movement. I’m trying to still figure out who they are though. They don’t really have no identity."

The Heat are off to a disappointing 2-5 start and have lacked cohesion on both ends of the floor to start the season. Haslem is right in saying it's probably a little early to write them off—particularly after an Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season—but no one knew the Garnett-Pierce era in Boston was over until it was too late.

Perhaps the Hall of Famers are merely speaking from experience.

76ers' Joel Embiid Hyped for Staying Undefeated vs. Bulls with Clutch Game-Winning 3

Oct 30, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 29: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers takes a breather on the bench in the first half against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 29: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers takes a breather on the bench in the first half against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers are inching closer to a .500 record following a 114-109 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at United Center, and the team can thank Joel Embiid for helping secure the victory.

Embiid nailed the game-winning three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to put Philly up 112-109 before Tobias Harris closed things out with two free throws to help the 76ers secure the victory.

Embiid finished the win with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes.

Following the win, the veteran big man was praised for not only pulling off the game-winning triple, but for remaining undefeated (12-0) against the Bulls in his career:

https://twitter.com/btoporek/status/1586547312989552641

Embiid was ruled out of Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors with a knee injury, so fans were understandably ecstatic to have him back on the court against the Bulls.

Entering Saturday's game, the five-time All-Star was averaging 27.6 points, 10 rebounds and 3.2 assists in five games while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor. Considering he's vital to the team's success, the Sixers need him healthy moving forward.

The 76ers are now 3-4 on the season and will be back in action on Monday against the Washington Wizards.

Steve Nash Says Nets' Loss to Pacers Was 'Disaster': 'Didn't See the Desire'

Oct 30, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Barclays Center on October 27, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Barclays Center on October 27, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets' disastrous season continued Saturday with a 125-116 home loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The 1-5 Nets have now lost four straight games, and after the defeat, head coach Steve Nash ripped his team's performance.

Ben Simmons later told reporters the Nets held a players-only meeting following the loss.

The Nets' defense has been porous through six games, with the team allowing 125 or more points on four different occasions.

On Saturday, the Nets allowed Indiana to hit 50 percent of its 46 three-point attempts. The Pacers dished 31 assists to just 12 turnovers and also out-rebounded Brooklyn 53-34.

In addition, Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin dropped 32 points off the bench in his sixth-ever NBA game.

The offense has fared better, but it's been extremely top-heavy, with only Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving averaging over 11.6 points per game. On Saturday, the duo combined 61 of the team's points (52.6 percent of the scoring effort).

The road isn't going to get much easier for the Nets. They host the Pacers again on Monday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday before embarking on a stretch of 10 road games over their next 12 matchups.

Nets' Lack of 'Purpose' and 'Passion' Blasted by Twitter in Blowout Loss to Pacers

Oct 30, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 29: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers tries to keep the ball from Patty Mills #8 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at Barclays Center on October 29, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 29: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers tries to keep the ball from Patty Mills #8 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at Barclays Center on October 29, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets dropped to 1-5 on the season with a 125-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night at Barclays Center, and things are not looking good for Steve Nash's squad.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant combined for 61 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the loss, and Ben Simmons finished with nine points, eight rebounds and nine assists, but scoring and overall offense have been the least of the team's problems.

The Nets entered Saturday's game with the NBA's second-worst defensive rating at 120.2, and the team's woes on that end of the court continued against the Pacers. They were out-hustled, out-rebounded and out-worked by a young Indiana team that looked hungry on Saturday night.

Following the loss, NBA Twitter took aim at Brooklyn's dysfunction on the court:

https://twitter.com/Alec_Sturm/status/1586531683322380288
https://twitter.com/raphiellej/status/1586532703221870592

The Nets were expected to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference entering the 2022-23 campaign. Instead, they have been one of the worst, and they don't even look close to a team with championship aspirations.

Luckily for Brooklyn, there's still plenty of time to turn things around, and that can begin with a bounce-back game against the Pacers on Monday night.

Danny Green Shades Lakers' Rob Pelinka for Roster Construction Around LeBron, Davis

Oct 30, 2022
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 06: Vice President of Operations of the Los Angeles Lakers Rob Pelinka speaks during the Darvin Hams introductory press conference on June 06, 2022, at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 06: Vice President of Operations of the Los Angeles Lakers Rob Pelinka speaks during the Darvin Hams introductory press conference on June 06, 2022, at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies wing Danny Green offered his commentary about how the Los Angeles Lakers have built their team around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, noting that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out" what's needed to best construct the roster.

Green made the comments to Howard Beck on Sports Illustrated's "The Crossover" podcast (h/t Sabreena Merchant of Silver Screen & Roll):

“We know what happened. I think it’s interesting, I mean all the teams that I've played for, you try to see what kind of moves they make, what direction they're going in, and especially if you win a championship there, it's home, you have some type of invested feeling toward that city, toward that group, toward some of the players that are still there, the organization. I mean we know what happened, things have changed, they have Dennis back now for cheaper, I thought he was a good fit for them. I thought there was a lot of good pieces that were good fits for them that they let go or traded away and they thought they had a better fit. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what you need around LeBron and AD.”

In three years, the Lakers have gone from 2020 NBA champions to owning the league's worst win-loss record at 0-5. L.A. has gotten worse each season, falling in the first round of the 2021 playoffs before failing to make the 2022 postseason entirely after a 33-49 season.

Now the Lakers are last in both offensive rating and points per game. They are also last with a 41.6 percent field-goal rate and a 23.7 three-point percentage and third-last with 16.2 turnovers a game.

Rob Pelinka has been the team's general manager since 2017. His third year resulted in a long-awaited championship, the team's first since 2010 and 17th overall.

That 2019-20 squad, which featured Green in the starting lineup, was a deeper squad with far better shooting around James and Davis. They still weren't great (21st overall, 34.9 percent), but it was good enough thanks to a great defense and excellent performances from the top-two stars. They could rely on others in the rotation to knock down shots, handle the ball, crash the boards, play tough defense, etc.

In the shooting realm, Green played a part in that endeavor, as did Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and others.

Three-point buckets have been hard to come by for this year's team, which is completely different from the title-winning squad outside James and Davis. Only one of the eight players who have shot 10 or more threes this year is making more than 24.4 percent of their shots, with Lonnie Walker IV, Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook all shooting in the teens.

The season is just five games old, and the Lakers have plenty of time to improve, but early returns are concerning and emblematic of far deeper problems.

Lakers Become NBA's Lone Winless Team After Kings' Win over Heat

Oct 30, 2022
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

The LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers are officially the NBA's only winless team following the Sacramento Kings' 119-113 win over the Miami Heat on Saturday.

L.A. is 0-5 on the season following a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, while Sacramento is now 1-4.

It marks the second time in Lakers' history that they have been the NBA's last remaining winless team, per ESPN Stats & Info. The last time this occurred was 1957-58 when there were just eight teams in the league.

In addition to Friday's loss against Minnesota, the Purple and Gold have also lost to the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers have one of the most poorly constructed rosters in the NBA, and the team's demise began with the blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

L.A. parted ways with Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Westbrook deal. In addition, the franchise failed to re-sign Alex Caruso ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, and he went on to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

Since then, the Lakers have had to fill out their roster with players on lower-scale deals, including Dennis Schröder, Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, Damian Jones and Thomas Bryant.

The addition of Westbrook was supposed to help the Lakers contend for another title. However, he has not lived up to expectations in L.A, and his $47 million contract has made it so that the Purple and Gold can't trade him for assets that could help the team without attaching future first-round draft picks.

Westbrook has started three of four games for the Lakers this season, but he will likely continue to play off the bench for Darvin Ham's squad after doing so against Minnesota on Friday.

The 33-year-old has struggled mightily this season, averaging 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 30.9 percent from the floor and just 12.5 percent from deep.

While Westbrook has shouldered much of the blame for L.A.'s struggles this season, its 0-5 start extends far beyond the control of a single player.

NBA Denounces Hate Speech After Kyrie Irving's Promotion of Antisemitic Movie

Oct 29, 2022
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 27: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 27, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 27: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 27, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA released a statement denouncing "hate speech of any kind" in the wake of Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving recently promoting an antisemitic film on Twitter.

The NBA statement did not mention Irving by name, but it appeared to be in response to his tweet after it set off a wide-ranging critical backlash.

Those retorts also included a denouncement from Nets governor Joe Tsai, who expressed his disappointment and desire to speak with Irving further.

The organization also released official comments, per The Athletic's Alex Schiffer:

"The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech. We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time."

Nets head coach Steve Nash said Saturday that the organization spoke with Irving but did not go into much further detail.

Irving followed up Saturday and said he did not mean any disrespect with the tweet:

As of Saturday evening, there hasn't been any announcement of a potential punishment for Irving following the tweet promotion. For now, he'll look to lead the 1-4 Nets back into the win column after a date with the Indiana Pacers.

Report: Josh Primo's Spurs Release Stemmed from Allegedly Exposing Himself to Women

Oct 29, 2022
CEDAR PARK, TX - MARCH 8: Josh Primo #11 of the Austin Spurs moves with the ball against Memphis Hustle during a NBA G-League game on March 8, 2020 at the H-E-B Center At Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)
CEDAR PARK, TX - MARCH 8: Josh Primo #11 of the Austin Spurs moves with the ball against Memphis Hustle during a NBA G-League game on March 8, 2020 at the H-E-B Center At Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo was unexpectedly released by the franchise on Friday, and we now have more details on the decision.

The Spurs opted to release the 19-year-old because he allegedly exposed himself to women on several occasions, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski.

Shelburne and Wojnarowski added:

"Many NBA teams remain intrigued with Primo's talent and potential, but are searching for a more complete understanding of the situation as they weigh the possibility of placing a claim to acquire Primo before he clears waivers and becomes a free agent Monday afternoon, sources said."

Primo recently had his $4.3 million third-year option for the 2023-24 campaign picked up by the Spurs before he was released.

The second-year guard was the youngest player selected in the 2021 NBA draft when the Spurs picked him 12th overall out of Alabama. He averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 50 games (16 starts) during his rookie season.

Primo had also played in San Antonio's first four games of the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists off the bench. He was left out of the lineup in Wednesday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was released before Friday's win over the Chicago Bulls.

"It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua," Spurs Sports and Entertainment CEO RC Buford said in a statement.

Shortly after being released, Primo released a statement to ESPN on the situation:

"I know that you all are surprised by today's announcement. I've been seeking help to deal with previous trauma I suffered and will now take this time to focus on my mental health treatment more fully. I hope to be able to discuss these issues in the future so I can help others who have suffered in a similar way. I appreciate privacy at this time."

The Spurs are 4-2 and are back in action against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

LeBron James Calls for Action Against Hate Speech After Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover

Oct 29, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James reacted Saturday to a reported surge in hate speech on Twitter since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform Thursday.

James responded to a report from Drew Harwell, Taylor Lorenz and Cat Zakrzewski of the Washington Post, which detailed findings from a research group known as the Network Contagion Research Institute. The NCRI said use of the N-word on Twitter increased by nearly 500 percent in the 12 hours after Musk took over.

LeBron tweeted the following, calling for Musk and Twitter to take the information seriously:

CNN's Donie O'Sullivan and Clare Duffy reported Thursday that Musk had finalized a $44 billion deal to buy Twitter.

Musk, who is a 51-year-old native of South Africa and the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, has been outspoken about his support for free speech, which has left some Twitter users bracing for the return of notable banned accounts, such as that of former United States President Donald Trump, who was removed from the platform in 2021 "due to the risk of further incitement of violence" following the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

It has also led to questions about whether accounts banned for racist rhetoric will be allowed back, or if accounts using racist language will be allowed to continue doing so.

In response to questions about the future of Twitter, Musk noted that a content moderation council will be created:

Musk also noted that no decisions regarding the potential reinstatement of accounts have been made, nor have any changes been made to the platform's content moderation policy.

James is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time and has 52.3 million followers on Twitter, making him one of the platform's most influential users.

Regardless of Musk's plans for Twitter, he will undoubtedly be made aware of LeBron's concerns in the wake of his takeover.

Victor Wembanyama Wows with Highlight-Packed Performance in Metropolitans 92 OT Win

Oct 29, 2022
Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92's Victor Wembanyama plays against the NBA G League Ignite in an exhibition basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92's Victor Wembanyama plays against the NBA G League Ignite in an exhibition basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Fans who tuned in to the NBA App to watch Victor Wembanyama lead his Metropolitans 92 against JL Bourg-En-Bresse in French league LNB Pro A on Saturday were treated to a dazzling show, as the 18-year-old once again had a strong performance to spearhead a 95-91 overtime victory.

Wembanyama was a force on both ends of the floor, finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. He wowed fans with his expansive arsenal on offense as well as his impact on defense. A couple of his blocks even came on three-point shot attempts.

Here are some of the top highlights from Wembanyama's performance:

The top prospect in the 2023 NBA draft, Wembanyama looks ready to make an immediate impact when he joins the league. At 7'4" with a polished skill set, he has the chance to be a generational talent who can turn around a franchise.

The next chance for fans to catch Wembanyama will be Friday when the Metropolitans 92 take on Limoges at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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