Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports UFC 276 Dricus Du Plessis looks to remind everyone who he is (Video) by Thomas Albano Kevin Durant has officially requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat roster has the pieces to get a deal done. Things have rapidly disintegrated in Brooklyn, with Kyrie Irving loudly exploring
Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving decided to send a message amid Kevin Durant’s trade rumors, but what does it even mean? Nothing is off the table, and everything is on it for Kyrie Irving. After the cryptic message he sent off his Twitter, it’s pure chaos, yet it also says plenty. He didn’t write anything. Irving didn’t put
The Phoenix Suns are considered one of the favorites for a Kevin Durant trade but what is the trade package the team could send to the Nets in a deal? Upon the breaking news that Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, the superstar’s list of preferred landing spots was also reported.
COMMERCE CITY, CO – JUNE 25: Taylor Kornieck #20 of the United States celebrates scoring with Megan Rapinoe #15 during a game between Colombia and USWNT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 25, 2022 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images) As Pride Month comes to a close, FanSided celebrates LGBTQ+
Damian Lillard and other Trail Blazers seemed to shoot their shot with Kevin Durant amid trade rumors but KD’s brother was quick to pour some cold water. Another Brooklyn Nets shakeup seems almost inevitable at this point. After the team sent James Harden away in a trade for Ben Simmons ahead of the deadline this
Apr 25, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts during the second quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Mo Bamba should be the Chicago Bulls dark horse free agency target
Apr 12, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Simone Biles gets her first Wheaties box for company’s 100th anniversary by Lela Moore Kyrie Irving’s off-the-court antics make him a perfect fit for
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Team USA. (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin already eyeing LeBron James’ crown by Cody Williams Damian Lillard posted a photo of himself and Kevin Durant, who was wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, on his Instagram Story. The NBA world
Now that insiders have listed preferred destinations for Kyrie Irving if he seeks a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Which are the best and worst fits? Kyrie Irving has about a week to opt in or out of his player option with the Nets for the 2022-23 season. In the meantime, pressure is riding on
Kevin Durant responded to Charles Barkley’s claim that he needs to be “the bus driver” of a championship team to earn respect from “the old heads.” The Golden State Warriors are once again NBA Champions, which means that Kevin Durant will be discussed ad nauseam. Why? Because he left the Warriors in 2019 to join
Kevin Durant responds to the Golden State Warriors winning an NBA Finals without him. With the Golden State Warriors beating the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, Kevin Durant has to deal with the fact he now has two fewer rings than Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The noted NBA wanderer decided to leave basketball paradise to
The Brooklyn Nets believe the Philadelphia 76ers will be worse next year than this past season. By deferring the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 2022 first-round pick from the James Harden–Ben Simmons trade to 2023, the Brooklyn Nets are telling everyone to short the 76ers next NBA season. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski informed everyone of the Nets’ intentions of the pick
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant disagreed with Draymond Green’s take that Steph Curry not winning Finals MVP was due to being double-teamed. The Golden State Warriors are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2019. They had made it to the Finals six times in the past eight years, winning three Larry
The 2022 NBA Finals will be contested between the teams that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving left in the summer of 2019. The 2022 NBA Finals is now set after Sunday night. The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Their
NBA analyst Jalen Rose admitted he made a mistake when he was the lone person to vote Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving to All-NBA 3rd Team. It’s not easy to own freezing cold takes in sports, but Jalen Rose did it with grace: he actually called himself out for making a big mistake during
Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving responded to online trolls by calling his critics “cockroaches” during a recent Twitch stream. “It’s but so long y’all can say the same jokes,” Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving warned the Twitch community. “But so long.” Irving, who has become a reviled figure among the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston
Apr 25, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) and forward Kevin Durant (7) drop back on defense during the second quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Seahawks draft plans could
Mar 8, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) gestures during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports UFC Vegas 53: Yohan Lainesse is the fighter to watch by Curtis Calhoun Packers targeting massive trade to get Aaron Rodgers an elite
When Charles Barkley called Kevin Durant a “bus rider” on NBA championship teams, Durant said it all with photos of Barkley’s own former teams. Criticism deserves context: only the greatest players in NBA history have the right to call out fellow players if their game is lacking. Though Charles Barkley is absolutely qualified to comment
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets helps up Kevin Durant #7 during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Nets 114-107. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Joel Embiid
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Cris Cyborg blasts PFL’s Donn Davis after slight by Chad Porto Ben Simmons was destroyed on Twitter for missing the Brooklyn Nets playoff game yet again. The last time Ben Simmons played in a basketball game that mattered, he quit on the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports) Ben Simmons getting clowned by NBA Twitter for another ridiculous outfit by Ethan Lee The Boston Celtics took a 3-0 lead over the Nets in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, prompting dreams of a sweep and criticism of Brooklyn. When Game 1 ended with a thrilling
The Boston Celtics are carrying a 2-0 lead into Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets. Will the Nets be able to defend their home court and get a win? As the series shifts up to Brooklyn, the Boston Celtics are holding an impressive 2-0 lead over Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the rest of the
Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Ben Simmons could make his Nets’ debut at home in Game 4 by Sapphires Sealey Kevin Durant has not been his best offensively in the first two games of the Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics series. He explained why. Kevin Durant has not been himself
Kyrie Irving returned to Boston for the first day of the playoffs on Sunday, and he was not given a warm welcome. The Brooklyn Nets point guard and shooting guard Kyrie Irving returned to the TD Garden in Boston for the Playoffs on Sunday. He’s a former Boston Celtics player, and his return to the
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the Eastern Conference 2022 Play-In Tournament at Barclays Center on April 12, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 115-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Jayson Tatum game winner: Celtics steal show from Kyrie Irving, Nets by Mark Powell Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving absolutely hates everything about the Boston Celtics. The pure unrivaled disdain Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets has for the Boston Celtics is
Mar 29, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) high fives guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Pistons 130-123. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Kevin Durant makes his pick for NBA MVP by Cody Williams The Brooklyn
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA Play-In Tournament kicked off last night with the Nets and Timberwolves advancing and seizing the No. 7 seed in each conference. Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks will take
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA Play-In Tournament kicks off tonight with the Brooklyn Nets facing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves. In each case, the
This season delivered a fascinating and unique MVP race, but only one of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić can take home the most sacred of the individual NBA awards. With Rookie, Coach, Sixth Man, Most Improved, All-Defense and Defensive Player of the Year awards taken care of, it’s time to wrap up the
Apr 5, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green (0) drives the ball against Brooklyn Nets small forward Bruce Brown (1) and Brooklyn Nets center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half of the game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports White Sox shopping young outfielder after electric
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 16: Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash instructs his team against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Barclays Center on March 16, 2022 in New York City. The Nets aren’t going to enter the NBA Playoffs with a high seed, but that doesn’t mean they can’t defy the
Kevin Durant expects for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors organizations to retire his No. 35 jersey shortly after he calls it a career. While Kevin Durant is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, his exits from both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors were not exactly smooth. Now
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 23: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets react during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 23, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph,
With New York City athletes now allowed to perform without having the COVID-19 vaccine, Yankees star Aaron Judge commented on the issue. The COVID-19 vaccine has become politically polarizing, even in the world of sports. Many athletes have tried to keep their vaccination status to themselves, evidenced by the Aaron Rodgers debacle in which he
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 29: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during the game on March 29, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph,
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving’s historic 60-point performance against the Orlando Magic. When NBA fans saw Karl-Anthony Towns and Kyrie Irving join the exclusive 60-point club in the same week, it garnered reactions from across the league. Most points in a half this season: 36 — Karl-Anthony Towns
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: Kyrie Irving of Brooklyn Nets is seen during NBA match between Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn of New York City, United States on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Seahawks: Tyler Lockett expresses desire to play with
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 06 Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game at TD Garden on March 6, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
James Harden makes his home debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as Philly takes on the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:30 pm ET. While the Brooklyn Nets are still waiting to benefit from their end of the Ben Simmons-James Harden trade, Harden has excelled in his new role
NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed what sports agent Rich Paul had to say on his client, Nets point guard Ben Simmons, in regards to his injury status. The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have four games on the calendar this season: one in October, two in December, and one on March 10. Their upcoming March
It sure looks like Joel Embiid is having fun playing alongside James Harden. It’s only been one game so far, but Embiid definitely seems to be thrilled to have his new teammate. So far, so good for Joel Embiid and James Harden. Harden, who was moved from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers in
Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images After the fight: Daniel Jacobs and the end of a boxer’s road by Jeremy Herriges Kevin Durant had some fun on Twitter after the Brooklyn Nets roared back to beat the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Wednesday evening. Kevin Durant got the last laugh after the Brooklyn Nets
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Ben Simmons for James Harden swap has been completed and the ultimate perception of the trade will be based on how each team performs over the next 18
Because of injuries, vaccinations and dissatisfaction the Brooklyn Nets’ Big 3 only played 16 games together. How might we remember them if they made it to 17? To understand the suspension that is time, one must examine the spider web cables that hold and ensnare it. It is 2029 and the Memphis Grizzlies are about
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is pursued by DeAndre’ Bembry #95 and Bruce Brown #1 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half at Barclays Center on February 08, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images Erin Andrews on Tom Brady: ‘He’s my inspiration’ by Aryanna Prasad With the NBA trade deadline arriving on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, will Brooklyn Nets star James Harden end up getting sent out of town? All eyes are on James Harden right now. With the trade deadline arriving on
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 09: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 09, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
Until the very last moment, it seemed like it might not happen. But it did, so who won the James Harden for Ben Simmons swap? First, it just made sense on paper. Then it began leaking from fake trades on Twitter to actually sourced rumors. We’ve known for days that both the Philadelphia 76ers and
An even(ish) swap of two rares is an exceedingly rare occurrence, especially at the NBA Trade Deadline. But James Harden for Ben Simmons could be a win-in. The Nets’ big three dissolved before it ever fully came together, broken apart more by the constantly changing forces of the NBA trade market than any real on-court
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets passes the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of their game at Golden 1 Center on February 02, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Blazers face the franchise-defining choice of trading Damian Lillard or holding onto him for another playoff run. The trade deadline typically serves as an inflection point of the NBA season, both for the league as a whole and for individual teams. Championship contenders try to upgrade their rosters,
NBA All-Star voting ends this week. Which players from the Eastern Conference deserve a spot in this year’s All-Star Game, and which ones just miss the cut? NBA All-Star voting closes this Friday, and while I don’t have an official media vote for who gets into this year’s game, I still went through the exercise
Nic Claxton has played fewer than 70 NBA games, but the Nets’ wiry big man could be the key that unlocks the best version of a title contender. Kevin Durant and James Harden excluded, the most crucial variable in Nets’ championship aspirations isn’t a former All-Star big man, a sharp-shooting wing or a mercurial, galaxy-brained
Though Antonio Brown trying to get away from MetLife Stadium was a big subplot of yesterday, he never left New York after quitting the Bucs and football. Antonio Brown was the talk of the NFL on Sunday, but not for anything he did on the field — well, at least in terms of playing in
Dec 16, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots the ball as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Vanderbilt fires back at Tennessee after Music City Bowl loss by Scott Rogust Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant
Dec 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Ohio State football lands Arizona State transfer RB to play LB by Cody Williams James Harden was
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) 3 teams screwed over the most by NFL’s COVID-19 schedule changes by John Buhler Kevin Durant is now the eighth Brooklyn Nets player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Brooklyn Nets are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to COVID,
According to Bleacher Report, the Brooklyn Nets have expressed a “surprising willingness” to trade sharpshooter Joe Harris as NBA trades open up this week. On Dec. 15, the trading period begins that could rock the NBA with seismic shifts across the league. Players who signed contracts as free agents last year will soon be eligible
James Harden returned to Houston on Wednesday night to face the Rockets, his former team, and there was a mutual showing of love prior to tip-off. Though it feels like an eternity ago, it was just last season that James Harden all but forced the Houston Rockets to trade the superstar guard and former NBA
Warriors Draymond Green calls out former teammate Kevin Durant for his ashy ankles that are currently making the rounds online. Kevin Durant is one of the most feared big men in the league, both on the court and in the DMs. KD has developed a reputation for firing back at critics on social media, evidenced
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. We’re still months away from seeing an NBA MVP crowned for the 2021-22 season but individual campaigns have a way of codifying earlier, building momentum that sets the narrative
Kevin Durant has a matchup against the Warriors on Tuesday, his former team, and the Nets superstar’s activity on Twitter suggests a revenge game is coming. While with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant was nothing if not prolific. The superstar forward spent three seasons with the franchise, helping to lead them to two NBA
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant complimented the basketball IQ of Toronto Raptors rookie forward Scottie Barnes relative to his young age. The Brooklyn Nets may have won their Nov. 7 game against the Toronto Raptors, but the Raptors came away with a different kind of win: high praise from one of the best forwards in
James Harden hasn’t been himself to start the new season, but how concerned should the Nets be about their star’s struggles? When the Nets acquired James Harden last season, they hit the ground running. Integrating the ball-dominant Harden into an offense that already featured Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving required virtually no time at all
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Even with a sample size of exactly one game, there are meaningful takeaways. Here’s what we learned about the Bucks, Nets, Lakers and Warriors on Opening Night. The Bucks
This week, The Long Two breaks down how much the Brooklyn Nets will miss Kyrie Irving on the court and how good the Raptors’ young core has looked. If Kyrie Irving were as intelligent as he fancies himself, he might have avoided getting into this mess altogether. Instead, he has chosen to put both his
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The NBA preseason officially got underway Sunday with two championship favorites — the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers — facing off. It’s tough to draw too many meaningful
First Take commentator Stephen A. Smith claims the Brooklyn Nets wanted to swap Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons, but Kevin Durant got in the way. Stephen A.’s NBA sources can be trusted in some cases, especially in Philadelphia, where he was a reporter and columnist for decades. So, as far as Ben Simmons trade talk,
Kevin Durant, LeBron James, MVP Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports LeBron called Carmelo Anthony directly to ask him to join the Lakers by Josie Rohach Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is the MVP favorite for the 2021-22 NBA season, but should LeBron James be counted out? It’s almost exactly a month until the NBA
Nets guard Kyrie Irving. (Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) Week 2 NFL upset picks to watch this week by John Buhler Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving allegedly will retire if he is ever traded to another team. Kyrie Irving has found his forever home with the Brooklyn Nets and has no intentions on playing for any other
With their latest additions, the Brooklyn Nets have beefed up the supporting cast around their Monster Big 3. But what does their depth look like now? Last season, the Brooklyn Nets had just a few complications: The health of their Big 3, their depth and their defense. While the trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and
Self-generated scoring is the most visible on-court component of basketball, but how important is it to a player’s overall value? The start of a new NBA season is just over five weeks away, which means we’re even closer than that to another long-held basketball tradition: ranking the best players in the league (and inevitably fighting
According to oddsmakers via Bovada, the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are favored to meet in the 2022 NBA Finals; the exact outcome odds are available. This potential matchup has +380 odds of occurring. Ranking second, the Golden State Warriors have high odds of reaching next season’s NBA Finals. A Nets-Warriors matchup shows +800
NBA executives are discussing the possibility of awarding forfeited draft picks to various competitors, such as top contenders. The goal here is to help struggling young players. Similar to the new draft lottery system, this will open the door to many changes—whether positive or negative for some teams—across the league. Needless to say, it will
Per sources, the Brooklyn Nets have traded center DeAndre Jordan, four second-round draft picks and $5.78 million to the Detroit Pistons for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. The Pistons are planning to work out a contract buyout for the remaining two-years, $19.7 million owed to the 33-year-old. He was set to earn $9,881,598 next season
The Los Angeles Lakers already have their eye on DeAndre Jordan, who is likely heading for a buyout after being traded from the Nets to the Pistons. DeAndre Jordan could be on his way back to Los Angeles very soon, this time as a Laker. The Nets just traded the forward and four second-round NBA
Power forward Paul Millsap has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The 15-year veteran was also considering the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls as well. In the 2020-21 NBA season, the four-time All-Star averaged nine points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in 56 games played. Last season,
Seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge has been medically cleared to play for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. The 36-year-old retired from the Brooklyn Nets in April after dealing with an irregular heartbeat. On April 15, 2021, the player left a comment after his retirement: “Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night
According to oddsmakers via Bovada, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the favorites (-250) to retain five-time All-Star Kevin Love. The Brooklyn Nets have the second-best odds (+800) of trading for the 32-year-old player, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers (+1000) and Philadelphia 76ers (+1000). Five days ago, Jeff Schwartz, Love’s agent, said he has no interest
Per sources, center DeAndre Jordan is working towards a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets. On Monday, it was first reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were expressing interest in signing the 13-year veteran; they are now the official favorites. This news comes right after Rajon Rondo’s contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies. Rondo is
According to sources, Rajon Rondo plans to sign a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. The guard will clear waivers today. The four-time All-Star was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies on August 16, 2021. This past Saturday, the guard reached a buyout with the Grizzlies.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Rein Taaramae reins in others to win La Vuelta a Espana Stage 3 by Marisa Wikramanayake Fabio Jakobsen wins 2021 La Vuelta a Espana Stage 4 by Marisa Wikramanayake NBA superstars like Kevin Durant and LeBron James hate their overall ratings in NBA2k22. In a tradition
Summer is drawing to a close and while the buzz surrounding free agency has lessened, there are still some impactful moves that teams can make. Now is the time for the front office executives to trim out their roster, take a closer look at some veterans, and possibly taking a chance on a young prospect
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. I happened to catch my first glimpse of statistical win projections for the 2021-22 season this morning, thanks to Kosta Medvedovsky and his DARKO system. There weren’t a ton
Kyrie Irving might have the best handles in NBA history. Here are five times he used that skill to produce moments of pure magic. 525,600 crossovers. 525,600 moments of shake-and-back. 525,600 crossovers. How do you measure, measure a career? In the case of Kyrie Irving, it’s all about his absolute magical mastery with the ball.
The Christmas Day and opening day schedule for the 2021-22 NBA season was released last Wednesday. Then, the full schedule for the upcoming season was released this past Friday. Sportsbooks have also now published their win total projections for all 30 teams for next season. The win total is based on a full 82-game traditional
Paul Millsap of the Denver Nuggets in action against the Miami Heat. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Suni Lee gets Olympic rings tattooed following medal haul at 2021 Olympics (Photo) by Baigen Seawell Former Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap is reportedly generating interest from two NBA title contenders. NBA free agency began earlier this month,
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant announced a partnership with Weedmaps, a cannabis marketplace, with an eye on destigmatizing marijuana use by athletes. Kevin Durant took a major stand for marijuana use among athletes on Thursday by announcing a partnership with Weedmaps. Weedmaps is a cannabis marketplace that links up users with dispensaries. By partnering with
On Wednesday, Kevin Durant opened up about his departure from the Golden State Warriors after his on-court altercation with Draymond Green, which led to his abrupt, questionable trade to the Brooklyn Nets. The two-time MVP insinuated that the way general manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr handled the petty quarrel between him and
Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin is coming back for another season, signing a one-year deal as the NBA opened free agency. Blake Griffin wants another shot with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. The veteran forward signed a one-year deal to return with the Brooklyn Nets for his 12th season as a pro, according
Blake Griffin, Brooklyn Nets. (Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports) Noah Syndergaard blasts ESPN in NSFW Instagram story (Photo) by Braulio Perez Notre Dame football: Brian Kelly names starting QB for season-opener by John Buhler Blake Griffin throws a bucket of cold water on the Los Angeles Lakers superteam hype. Brooklyn Nets forward Blake
LaMarcus Aldridge watches his shot in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Raiders potentially bringing in Gerald McCoy to bolster defense by Alicia de Artola Fifteen-year vet LaMarcus Aldridge is consulting with his medical doctors and heavily considering a return to competition after retiring due to concerns over his heart.
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Left to linger long enough, ramifications spider-webbing away through the seasons, some NBA trades have a way of taking on a mythic quality. In my basketball lifetime, I’m not
Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Tyreek Hill leaves practice early for the Chiefs by John Buhler The Washington Wizards are close to signing Spencer Dinwiddie away from the Brooklyn Nets. Entering day two of 2021 NBA free agency, the Washington Wizards are nearing a deal that would bring Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Spencer
For the past several years, the Western Conference has widely been considered the deeper, more talented conference. Don’t look now, but the teams in the East have caught up and passed them as the premier conference in the league. Considering the elite-level talent (superstars) and the rising young stars, the argument could easily be made
According to Shams Charania, NBA veteran Andre Iguodala has narrowed down his choice of next destination to Brooklyn, Golden State, and Los Angeles. At 37 years old with three NBA titles under his belt, Andre Iguodala can afford to be picky in free agency. With their eyes on other prized free agents, the Miami Heat
The NBA Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images) With the close of the NBA’s 2020-21 season, eyes are on next season and who could dethrone the defending champion, Milwaukee Bucks. We did it, guys, we’ve closed out the 2020-21 NBA season without any major hiccups (I think?). The Milwaukee Bucks take home
The Los Angeles Lakers have formed their three-headed monster as they pursue the franchise’s 18th championship next season. Just as the NBA Draft was getting started, the Lakers completed a deal with the Washington Wizards that landed them the 2016-17 league MVP, Russell Westbrook. The deal sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and the
Landry Shamet of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after scoring a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) SEC unanimously votes to approve Texas, Oklahoma to join conference by John Buhler Watch: Kris Bryant admiring Wrigley Field one last time is
From Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the reporter mentioned, “Lakers have a ton of veteran-type players ready and interested to come sign on minimum deals.” Now, this is not necessarily breaking news near the end of July, but this gives fans a reason to believe that Los Angeles is going all in this offseason to win
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors talks to head coach Steve Kerr during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is known for his social media personality. Why, then, is he deleting tweets? No, there’s no hidden Twitter banter of Durant’s that would come off as morally offensive (we think). If anything, KD talks a lot of smack, and therefore it gets to a point where it’s tough to keep
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 22: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Spencer Dinwiddie #26 (L) and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center on December 22, 2020 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Warriors 125-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and
There are many factors to blame for the Brooklyn Nets’ second-round playoff exit, but James Harden should not be one of them. Despite having three of the best players in the league, the Nets fell short on their Finals-or-bust expectations this season. That being said, it shouldn’t be looked at as a complete failure given
Steve Kerr thinks Kevin Durant should be considered the NBA’s most gifted player ever, even more so than the great Michael Jordan. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has high praise for Kevin Durant, comparing the Brooklyn Nets star to none other than Michael Jordan. Kerr and Durant will be reunited in Tokyo as
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Game 7 performance vs. the Brooklyn Nets did wonders for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s legacy. In a game that went down to the wire, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks bested Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. By defeating the No. 2-seeded Nets in Brooklyn
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 19: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after winning basket as teammate Pat Connaughton #24 joins during the final minutes of overtime during game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The
NBA Twitter was all praise for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton as they led the Milwaukee Bucks to force a Game 7 against the Brooklyn Nets. With their season on the line, the Milwaukee Bucks made a statement in Game 6 against the Nets: They’re not done yet. The Bucks went wire-to-wire to beat Brooklyn
In a battle of NBA superstars, Kevin Durant outshined a great performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 5 between the Nets and Bucks. If you missed last night’s Game 5 between the Nets and Bucks, you missed an all-time playoff performance by Kevin Durant who finished with 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists while
The Nuggets were shorthanded and worn down in their loss to the Suns, but they’ll still need to make meaningful improvements this offseason to reach the NBA’s top tier of title contenders. Getting swept by a legitimate championship contender while missing three key rotation players shouldn’t send the Nuggets into crisis mode, but it should
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets is injured during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference second round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum on June 13, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
Fiserv Forum had to be evacuated because of a fire in the building after the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4. The Milwaukee Bucks turned up the heat against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 on Sunday, tying the series at two games apiece. Bizarrely, the celebrations were cut short because there
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets is injured during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference second round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum on June 13, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Euros 2020 England vs Croatia live stream Reddit by FanSided Staff The Brooklyn Nets hold a 2-1 lead on the Milwaukee Bucks heading into Game 4 on Sunday. Here’s how to watch the NBA playoffs online. The second-round playoff series between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks is finally
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green thinks the NBA has gotten a little too soft in response to the Kevin Durant – PJ Tucker scuffle in Game 3. Green isn’t of an older generation, but sure plays like it. While we can rightfully question whether certain stars — not naming any names — could survive
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 05, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks calls to players during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Barclays Center on June 05, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
Kevin Durant had nothing but amazing things to say about Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum with his most recent comments. Despite the Boston Celtics getting dominated by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, there’s no denying Jayson Tatum continued to prove he’s one of the best players in the
Nets guard James Harden. (Steven Ryan/Getty Images) Saints’ Cameron Jordan trolls Falcons for Julio Jones trade by Braulio Perez The Brooklyn Nets updated the injury status of guard James Harden as the team gears up for Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs. From the moment James Harden walked off the court
Mike Budenholzer said he wants to keep the Bucks’ best players fresh after Game 1 against the Nets, which is a strategy that will put his job at risk. In what should be a long, competitive series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, winning will be done in small margins. Game 1 seemed to
The Nets and Bucks have been on a collision course all season and are finally squaring off in the second round of the NBA playoffs. It’s not often that a second-round playoff matchup delivers the best series of the entire postseason, but it’s equally rare that two juggernauts like the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets had little trouble getting past the Boston Celtics in Round 1, but they should be worried about their next opponent: the Milwaukee Bucks. Fresh off a 4-1 victory in which they looked unstoppable at times, the Brooklyn Nets now face a much more formidable foe in the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets boast
The contentious relationship between Kyrie Irving and Boston Celtics fans didn’t get any better on Friday as fans rained down boos on the Brooklyn Nets guard. There was no question Kyrie Irving’s reception at TD Garden for Game 3 between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets would be less-than-friendly. Boston fans and the former Celtic
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021 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
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics fouls Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. The Western Conference play-in games kick off tonight with the Grizzlies and Spurs starting at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Warriors and Lakers at 10:00 p.m. ET. Whoever wins
Damian Lillard has incredibly high praise of Kevin Durant when he is healthy. Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has mad respect for Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant. “I think [Kevin Durant] healthy could very well be the best player in the NBA,” said Lillard on The Dan Patrick Show Tuesday. “I mean nobody can
NBA news for Wednesday morning, includes LeBron James needing to miss more time, the Nets suddenly look vulnerable, Tyrese Haliburton is out for the year and Damian Lillard is big mad. The NBA season is in the homestretch of the regular season and playoff positioning is heating up, especially in the Western Conference with the Los
Nets forward Kevin Durant. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports 3 moves Seahawks need to make during NFL Draft to hold off the Rams by Matt Verderame NBA fans think they found Kevin Durant’s burner account liking tweets saying he’s better than Stephen Curry and the evidence is damaging. Kevin Durant is one of the
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr. won an Oscar as producers of a live-action short honored at the Academy Awards. Kevin Durant was a big winner as the Nets star returned from injury with 33 points off the bench against the Suns on Sunday. He won again on Sunday
New York Knicks fans are so excited about their team they got a NSFW chant about the Brooklyn Nets going. Following the New York Knicks‘ 120-103 win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon, basketball fans in the Big Apple were feeling pretty pumped about their team. And why wouldn’t they? The Knicks have won
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant had major praise for Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis during a Twitter debate, calling him a human cheat code. Kevin Durant has time on his hands right now, recovering from a thigh contusion he suffered on Sunday. So he’s doing what he does best besides playing basketball: Tweeting. This
LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the Brooklyn Nets, hoping to win that elusive ring. Instead, a medical scare led to a surprising retirement announcement. On Thursday morning, LaMarcus Aldridge released a statement announcing his retirement from the NBA. The statement revealed that he had suffered from an irregular heartbeat, which sparked the surprising decision. “My last
Philadelphia 76ers fans got an anti-Kevin Durant song going en masse while closing out a victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets. On Wednesday night, 4,000 76ers fans watched as their team took down the Brooklyn Nets. They celebrated by targeting Kevin Durant with a chant in the final minute. “KD sucks” chant erupts in Philly.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets wears a shirt supporting social justice before the start of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on April 13, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests continue across the U.S. after 20-year-old Daunte Wright was recently killed by a Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Blake Griffin looks revived playing for the Brooklyn Nets after looking listless with the Detroit Pistons. The dunks are definitely back. By the end of his tenure with the Detroit Pistons, Blake Griffin looked washed up. It turns out, he still has plenty left in the tank. All he needed was a fresh start. The
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder says he got ejected for waving goodbye to Kyrie Irving. Dennis Schroder and Kyrie Irving got into it Friday night during the Los Angeles Lakers‘ surprising road win over the Brooklyn Nets, and the end result was both guards getting ejected from the game. While the Lakers were just happy to
Mar 26, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Women’s March Madness: Paige Bueckers, UConn too much for Caitlin Clark, Iowa by Patrick Schmidt Blake Griffin made his return
Blake Griffin had some trash talk saved up for the Detroit Pistons in his return to Little Caesars Arena. Blake Griffin gave the Detroit Pistons arguably one of the best years of his career. He never asked for the LA Clippers to trade him there, and he got them to the playoffs for the first
The NBA buyout market is the last major moment within the NBA season for significant player movement. It’s fun! However, there are teams that think the fun isn’t fair. After the trade deadline passes, the reactions settle and the focus on this season resumes, NBA buyout season begins in earnest. Players leave teams, join new
Could Andre Drummond be on the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets soon? With the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline rapidly approaching, rumors are heating up around the league. It’s no secret the Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking out a trade for center Andre Drummond, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has been sitting
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving had an emphatic mic drop against his former team, the Boston Celtics. Irving’s falling out in Boston is well-documented, with former teammates going as far as to (anonymously) rip him for being a bad teammate. Now two seasons removed from that Celtics drama, Irving has pretty clearly won over the
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Astros interested in perfect replacement for Framber Valdez by Mark Powell Kawhi Leonard gets caught being super gross on the Clippers bench by Bre’ana Singleton After agreeing to a buyout from the Detroit Pistons, NBA veteran Blake Griffin is rumored to be likely to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Blake
Feb 13, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) walks towards the court before the start of the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports Alabama trolls Georgia with special 2nd-and-26 throwback (Video) by John Buhler Kevin Durant has been ruled out
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports First Week Finals separates the NBA’s contenders from the pretenders after the first week of every month of the season. Yes, technically it is not the first week after the first month of the 2020-21 NBA campaign, but it’s never too early to jump into the predictive time machine to see
Feb 21, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Saints: Michael Thomas takes ownership of tough losses and is
Former Lakers and Houston Rockets center Demarcus Cousins. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports The Houston Rockets are reportedly parting ways with center DeMarcus Cousins in the coming days. Here are thee playoff contenders who should sign him. Prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, the Houston Rockets decided to create a bit of
The March 25 NBA trade deadline can’t come soon enough for these title hopefuls that need to bolster their rosters. As the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season winds down, front offices across the league need to conduct objective evaluations of their respective teams. Are they good enough to win this year’s championship as
The Golden State Warriors released their first tribute video to Kevin Durant in his return to the Bay Area. Back on Feb. 5, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant left the team’s game against the Toronto Raptors after he was deemed a close contact to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, he
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Florida State football: Smooth 4-star WR Destyn Hill signs with Seminoles by John Buhler After the Clippers’ four-point loss to the Nets last night, Paul George explained why it’s so hard to stop them. The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Brooklyn Nets in one of the most highly anticipated games
The Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets were all value-driven sports organizations. Until they weren’t. Rex Ryan and Mickey Callaway are two people with seemingly nothing in common. The brash, bombastic Ryan’s introduction to the media as the Jets’ head coach featured a defiant pledge not to “kiss [the New England Patriots’] rings” and
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images Paul Finebaum torches Ed Orgeron, LSU over Arik Gilbert transfer to Florida by John Buhler Forbes has released their annual list of the highest-paid NBA players of the year. Where do LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant rank? Starring in the NBA is an incredibly lucrative profession with salaries
Jan 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives to the basket as Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Boston Celtics get positive injury update on Marcus Smart by Scott Rogust The Wizards beat
JJ Redick is bound to be on the move soon, with the Nets, 76ers and Celtics all interested. It’s unknown what the New Orleans Pelicans asking price is for one of the best three-point shooters in the game, but draft capital should be expected in any return. Redick has been a DNP for the past
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Nathan Florence discusses the Vans’ Triple Crown of Surfing changing to a digital format by Nicole Bosco Kyrie Irving paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant approaching the one-year anniversary of his death. It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a full year since Kobe Bryant’s tragic death. From the
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) If this Philip Rivers video doesn’t have you in tears, nothing will by Scott Rogust Wizards are having to fight the NBA to postpone next game by Scott Rogust Kyrie Irving returned to Cleveland for the
The 2020-21 NBA season is young, especially with how many players have missed time, but trends are beginning to emerge for the best teams. In the post-Warriors era of the NBA, there isn’t an overwhelming title favorite. The Los Angeles Lakers are reigning champions and look primed for another Finals run, but they’re not so