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. In this season, as COVID-19 has pushed player absences and roster uncertainty to historic levels, reliable depth has never been more important — particularly at the point guard position.
Portland Trail Blazers
Tyler Herro and Jusuf Nurkic had to be separated on Wednesday night as tempers nearly boiled over the top on the hardwood. The Miami Heat ended up getting a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, but fans were most definitely treated to some extra fireworks in the middle of the action. That’s
As the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Golden State Warriors, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard addressed rumors about his unhappiness in Portland. There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers this week, and Lillard has heard enough of it. As the 11-14 Trail Blazers prepare to take on the
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. Since the season began, any NBA trade rumors or fantasies have mostly been built around Ben Simmons and the ongoing fiasco in Philadelphia, or lingering pessimism about the Blazers’
While the Suns and Warriors have taken the NBA by storm, the Utah Jazz have quietly improved upon last year’s dominant play with the league’s best offense. The Warriors and Suns currently sit at the center of the NBA world’s attention this week, and rightfully so. The two teams have won a combined 36 of
Longtime Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard revealed how a conversation with LeBron James made him contemplate a move to the Lakers. Throughout his career, Damian Lillard has remained extremely loyal to the Portland Trail Blazers. However, when he and the team fell in the first round of the playoffs last year to a short-handed Nuggets team,
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 39: Mackenzie Dern vs. Marina Rodriguez preview and prediction by Curtis Calhoun Alex Cora gives ominous update on Chris Sale before postseason by Scott Rogust Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry becomes one of the first victims of new NBA rule change. Monday
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. In general, I tend to shy away from making preseason predictions about the NBA. I have no reason to think my insight or analysis is any more prescient than
According to recent Cavaliers rumors, the Eastern Conference team is interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons. Mark Stein insinuated on Tuesday that Lauri Markkanen could in due course swap teams with Simmons during the 2021-22 NBA season. Of course, Cleveland drafted Evan Mobley third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, and
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. This summer, Damian Lillard has repeatedly stated his commitment to winning with the Portland Trail Blazers but the obvious elephant in the room is the roster around him. The
Free agent center Harry Giles has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. In the 2020-21 NBA season, the center averaged 2.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and nearly one assist per game in 38 games played. Giles shot 43.3 percent from the field last season and 34.8 percent from three-point range.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada, the Philadelphia 76ers are the frontrunners to retain their point guard, drastically altering Ben Simmons’ trade odds for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season. Philadelphia have +200 odds of keeping the three-time All-Star—the best odds available. Now, what’s to say the 76ers refuse to trade him before training camp and decide
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. Damian Lillard is committed to the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s been repeating this fact for months, using different words and different degrees of intensity but the core message has
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
The Cavaliers’ young frontcourt trio might pan out, but is it worth the investment the team made to bring them Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley together? It’s difficult to grasp the rationale behind the Cavaliers giving Lauri Markkanen $67 million over the next four years, even before accounting for their other moves this
After Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers fans began speculating that Damian Lillard would not be playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis anytime soon. The salary cap complicates a scenario like this. Los Angeles also signed Carmelo Anthony and are frontrunners to sign Rajon Rondo. However, there was
Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons need to be traded. While a straight-up swap would work, it’s more fun to get a third team involved. It’s time to stop dancing around it. It’s time to make the move. The rumors, swirling. The sources, anonymous. The players, cryptic. Two enormous dominos from opposite coastlines still have to
As part of a three-way deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Chicago Bulls have traded restricted free agent forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The contract signed was a four-year, $67 million deal. Furthermore, the Cavs are also sending forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Trail Blazers and a 2023 second-round draft pick
One of the last dominoes of the 2021 offseason has fallen. How did the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers all make out? Player leverage wins the day. Almost a month after the majority of free agency was settled, restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen was able to find a new home. According to
During an Instagram live stream, point guard Damian Lillard said he wants to remain with the Portland Trail Blazers. He said, “I’m not leaving [Portland], not right now at least.” According to oddsmakers at MyBookie, the Trail Blazers currently have the fourth-best odds (+900) of trading for Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers, ranking behind
The Portland Trail Blazers were the favorites to trade for three-time All-Star Ben Simmons one week ago. However, according to oddsmakers at MyBookie, the Golden State Warriors now possess the best odds (+400) of trading for the guard, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have the second-best odds (+450) as well. The Sacramento Kings are tied with
Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Danilo Gallinari of the Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) 3 ring-chasing vets the Lakers should avoid at all costs by Baigen Seawell The Ben Simmons trade speculation is heating up and it’s getting more and more outrageous, with the Philadelphia 76ers now holding out
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Field of Dreams game was a perfect blend of past and present by David Salituro Damian Lillard just dropped huge hint about him wanting to join the Los Angeles Lakers. After nine years starring for the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard has
According to oddsmakers at BetOnline, the Portland Trail Blazers are the favorites to trade for Ben Simmons, if the 76ers are still aiming to move on from the three-time All-Star point guard. The Trail Blazers’ front office told reporters a few days ago that the organization has no future plans to surrender a first-round draft
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. According to a Sunday story by Derek Bodner of The Athletic, for the 76ers “the goal is less to trade Ben Simmons and more to acquire Damian Lillard.” It’s a
Steven A Smith isn’t sure Damian Lillard will leave the Trail Blazers but says if he does request a trade, the New York Knicks will be the target. Damian Lillard’s future with the Trail Blazers is still very much up in the air. Will he stick around and work it out? Will he request a
According to the Portland Trail Blazers front office, they are not actively shopping shooting guard CJ McCollum for a trade. Is this the truth? One rumor concerned the possibility of the Philadelphia 76ers trading Ben Simmons to the Trail Blazers. However, Portland general manager Neil Olshey is unwilling to surrender a first-round pick for Simmons.
Ben Simmons apparently thinks he has too much of a social life to play for the Portland Trail Blazers or Toronto Raptors. After an embarrassing playoff performance, the rumor mill surrounding Ben Simmons has been churning rapidly. The 25-year-old still has four years and $145 million remaining on his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, but
Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony talk during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Matt Olson walks off Padres in thrilling late-innings comeback for Athletics (Video) by Alicia de Artola As the now Laker, Carmelo Anthony bids his farewell to Portland via Instagram. But Damian Lillard comes with a
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
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. Over the next few weeks, NBA Draft picks will be made and dozens of players will be changing teams. But which potential moves will have the biggest effect on
A pair of surprising lottery teams are reportedly aggressively pursuing disgruntled Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Forget the NBA Finals for a minute. The next-biggest story in the league right now is the uncertainty around Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. Although a trade this summer still feels unlikely, when it comes down
Damian Lillard’s waffling about his future leaves the Portland Trail Blazers with no good options this offseason. On Friday, Damian Lillard did everything but request a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. In an interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Lillard made it clear that he’s no longer content with the status quo in
Damian Lillard Warriors rumors are already starting, as Golden State has reportedly held internal discussions on how to make a trade happen. Remember when it was rumored that Kevin Durant was going to be a target for the Golden State Warriors? We all laughed it off, but the joke was on the rest of the
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. (Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moisés weigh-in results by Jake Foley The Damian Lillard era of Portland Trail Blazers basketball may be coming to an end. After nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard is expected to request
Damian Lillard should have a big trade market if the Portland Trail Blazers put him on the block. After nine years in the Pacific Northwest, All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard may have played his last game for the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has been all-league on six occasions, as well as a six-time Western Conference All-Star.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks. (Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports) 3 teams who should be ready to sign Allen Robinson next offseason by Brad Berreman The New York Knicks will have to give up the farm to be able to trade for Damian Lillard. With Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports) Details emerge after Richard Sherman arrested on domestic violence charge by Josh Hill The Golden State Warriors have the trade pieces for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Damian Lillard has been a mainstay on the Portland Trail
Damian Lillard has a slew of trade options and the Philadelphia 76ers have the right pieces to get him out of Portland if that’s what he wants. As Damian Lillard has been preparing for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he has told numerous outlets including NBC Sports that he’s adamant about keeping trade rumors in the
PORTLAND, OREGON – JUNE 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
Damian Lillard may be traded this offseason, but probably not to the Golden State Warriors. With Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard not exactly thrilled with the franchise hiring Chauncey Billups as their next head coach, he could ask for a trade, but he is probably not going to the Golden State Warriors. Lillard may
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports With Damian Lillard reportedly considering asking for a trade, these are the teams who could get the Trail Blazer’s attention with a compelling offer. After their early exit from the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers knew they’d face a pivotal offseason. It just got a whole lot more dramatic. Talisman
A simple Ben Simmons for CJ McCollum trade would make the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers rosters so much better. With the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers having major roster issues, it would make all the sense in the world for these two playoff teams to strike a deal that sends Ben
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Michael Porter Jr., Dener Nuggets. (Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports) Texas vs. Southern University live stream: What channel is the NCAA baseball tournament on? by Ethan Lee Devin Booker paid tribute to his idol Kobe Bryant after dropping 47 points in Game 6 (Video) by John Buhler Damian Lillard
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. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers saw their seasons come to discouraging ends on Thursday night. For the Lakers, an extended run of horrible injury luck
For the better part of a decade, the Golden State Warriors were the darling of the league. After three championships and five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, the Warriors fell off the horse. Injuries to their star players and the departure of Kevin Durant left the franchise in a state of despair. Now that
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports The Packers other A. Rodgers throws out first pitch at Brewers game by John Buhler Becky Hammon will interview for head coaching jobs with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Orlando Magic. There’s movement on the NBA head coaching front, with the latest buzz revolving around the Portland
PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 29: Head coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on May 29, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
NBA players and fans were left stunned watching Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard’s insane performance against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. For those of you who happened to be watching the Phoenix Suns easily disposing of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5, you missed Dame Time. That is right, Portland Trail Blazers star
Austin Rivers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers. (Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports) How to watch NBA Playoffs: What channel is Hawks vs. Knicks Game 5 on? by John Buhler Austin Rivers had no answer for being able to guard Damian Lillard in Game 5. Even though his Denver Nuggets won Game 5 in double
The Portland Trail Blazers ought to think long and hard about how to appease Damian Lillard should they lose their first-round series to the Nuggets. Consistently building around a superstar is already a major part of running an NBA front office, but after the Blazers lost on Tuesday night despite Lillard’s 55-point output, Portland is
Portland Trail Blazers fans inside the Moda Center sang “Happy Birthday” to Carmelo Anthony during Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Saturday was a special day for Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony. Not only was i Game 4 of Portland’s first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, but it was also Anthony’s 37th
The Portland Trail Blazers stormed past the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series thanks to Norman Powell’s big night. After giving home-court advantage right back to the Denver Nuggets with a demoralizing Game 3 loss at the Moda Center, the Portland Trail Blazers badly needed to bounce back in Game 4.
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) How to watch NBA Playoffs: What channel is Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 2 on? by Steven Kubitza 3 offseason moves the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make by Brad Berreman Facundo Campazzo flopped and CJ McCollum was assessed a Flagrant 1 because of it. In a
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets. (Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports) Here’s everything Aaron Rodgers said about the Packers during Kenny Mayne interview by Josh Hill Nikola Jokic went to bat for the awful officials in Game 2 of the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets first-round playoff series. In between all the whistles by the
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) landed on the floor after he was fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) as he goes up for a basket in the fourth quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports The Whiteboard: Lakers need to bench their bigs, Grizzlies
The Blazers and Nuggets both had elite offenses this season but reached those heights in different ways behind Damian Lillard and Nikola Jokic. Stylistic diversity in the NBA is dead, or so those not familiar with the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers’ work this season will tell you. The two teams, set to square
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
The Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers find their head coaches on the hot seat. Several NBA teams have their head coaches on the hot seat, including Nate Bjorkgren of the Indiana Pacers, Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks and Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers. While Budenholzer and Stotts have been
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
He will surely be elsewhere in short order, but Kevin Love has professed his desire to play for the Portland Trail Blazers. As the Cleveland Cavaliers moved away from their title-contending teams in the second LeBron James era, Kevin Love has not been a fit. An expensive veteran has to be a leader on a
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
Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports NBA rumors: Kyle Lowry prefers to remain with Raptors or trade to Heat by John Buhler NFL Draft: Kyle Pitts’ blazing 40 could run him right into the record books by John Buhler As the NBA trade deadline approaches the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are the favorites
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers competes in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest during the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on March 7, 2021. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) LeBron James literally falls over himself after Chris Paul
It’s rare to see a win-win trade at the NBA Deadline, but credit the Raptors and Trail Blazers for achieving just that with the Norman Powell deal. The Raptors approached the NBA Trade Deadline with quite a few decisions to make. One of their biggest calls was to decide whether or not Norman Powell was
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 17: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and
Several teams stand out as clear winners following Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The NBA trade deadline arrived Thursday afternoon and teams were busy right up until the buzzer. Arguably the biggest news was that Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry stayed put. But there were plenty of trades that did go through, and a few teams
Damian Lillard ended the NBA All-Star Game in typical style by drilling a half-court shot to give Team LeBron the 170-150 victory over Team Durant. They don’t call it Dame Time for no reason, even when a clock isn’t running. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard hit the game-winning shot in the 2021 NBA All-Star
The Trail Blazers were trying to grab Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic. The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the first teams to pull off a consequential move this offseason, packaging Trevor Ariza and two first-round picks to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Robert Covington. While Damian Lillard and Terry Stotts got their
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Brandt says Cowboys can’t pay Dak Prescott fortune and win big by Brad Berreman Saints trying to extend Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk to help cap by Steven Kubitza Last night’s NBA All-Star Game made it clear that 3-point range isn’t what it used to be and Paul George knows that
First Week Finals separates the NBA’s contenders from the pretenders after the first week of every month of the season. Now that a full month of NBA action is in the books, teams are starting to find out how this season’s version of themselves will be able to compete within their respective conferences. While chemistry
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Gary Trent Jr., Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) Bad Coaching in the NFL: Dan Campbell wants kneecaps by Mike Tanier Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found Gary Trent Jr.’s flop to be of the hilarious variety on Monday. There are flops and then there is whatever Gary Trent Jr. of
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports) MMA champion Ben Askren to come out of retirement to fight YouTuber Jake Paul by Amy Kaplan Damian Lillard owns the Oklahoma City Thunder with his incredibly petty new Adidas shoes. When Damian Lillard dropped 50 points and eliminated the Oklahoma City