Month: February 2020

A phone conversation we shared on Oct. …

A phone conversation we shared on Oct. 1, 2018 — snippets of which appeared in my “Landing LeBron” story but were not as detailed as what I’m about to share below — brought me to this view. There are some people within the league who disagree, and that’s fine, but Kobe’s influence on both Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager/Kobe confidante Rob Pelinka was absolutely essential to the creation of this current team.

LeBron says Kobe was happiest last three years, says it’s important to put family first

LeBron James said he never saw Kobe happier than he was in retirement with family. He says players should never feel bad about putting family first.

LeBron James said he never saw Kobe happier than he was in retirement with family. He says players should never feel bad about putting family first.

Anthony Davis says that Kobe Bryant taught him how to ‘get dressed for a game’

After Anthony Davis forgot his jersey during an Olympic game, he said Kobe Bryant had some words for him, and he thinks about it before every game.

After Anthony Davis forgot his jersey during an Olympic game, he said Kobe Bryant had some words for him, and he thinks about it before every game.

WATCH: Lonzo Ball hits five threes, helps Pelicans to blowout win vs. Grizzlies

Lonzo Ball had one of his best shooting nights of the season on Friday, hitting seven of his 10 shots and five of his seven three-pointers as the Pelicans scored a season-high in points in a 139-110 win over the Grizzlies.

Lonzo Ball had one of his best shooting nights of the season on Friday, hitting seven of his 10 shots and five of his seven three-pointers as the Pelicans scored a season-high in points in a 139-110 win over the Grizzlies.

Ball finished with a final stat line of 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the win. He was one of eight Pelicans to reach double figures in scoring while leading the team in assists.

Zion Williamson had a game-high 24 points and continue his strong start to his rookie season. Ball and Williamson linked up a couple of times for highlight plays and alley-oops. On the night, Ball and Williamson played 23 minutes together and had a net rating of 29.7.

Since Williamson’s return five games ago, Ball and Williamson have played 93 minutes together and have a net rating of 17.9 in that span. The two have shown their chemistry in multiple plays and ways on the court and have given the Pelicans a boost.

Friday’s win also kept New Orleans in the playoff race as they moved to four games back of Memphis in the eighth seed.

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Damian Lillard’s big night pushes past Lakers in honor of Kobe

The Portland star pushed past the Los Angeles Lakers but like everyone else, Kobe Bryant was on his mind on Friday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers, and the city of Los Angeles, did their best to get back to basketball on Friday night as they returned to the Staples Center for the first time since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and seven others in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The night was filled with beautiful tributes, including “Amazing Grace” from Usher, and a special speech from LeBron James. But after the game was played, the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to come out victorious as Damian Lillard delivered a Mamba-esque performance of 48 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in Portland’s third straight win.

Lillard surely honored Bryant with his play but he wasn’t alone. Hassan Whiteside had 30 points and 12 rebounds, while CJ McCollum had 19 points and five assists. Before the game, Lillard shared what it meant to him to play on the day that honored Kobe.

View this post on Instagram

In his name we play. @bruceely :🤳🏾

A post shared by Damian Lillard (@damianlillard) on

Anthony Davis tried to match Lillard shot-for-shot on the night as he had 37 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. LeBron James had 22 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds but the Lakers were unable to slow down Portland the way they needed to to get a victory.

The best bit of news for the Lakers is their next game isn’t far away as they will fly north tonight for a game tomorrow against the Sacramento Kings.

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Warriors rookie Eric Paschall selected for 2020 Rising Stars Challenge

The 41st overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Eric Paschall has been officially selected to the Rising Stars Challenge as a member of team USA.

A positive side to injuries ravaging the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season has been the opportunity that’s opened up for players at the bottom of the roster. One player that’s benefitted the most from the Warriors depleted lineup is rookie, Eric Paschall.

Paschall was selected No. 41 overall in the second round of the NBA draft by the Warriors in 2019. High expectations don’t usually surround a second-round draft pick. However, Paschall quickly became one of the Warriors leading scorers at the start of the season.

The 23-year-old rookie is averaging 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 26.9 minutes per game. For a period when D’Angelo Russell was injured, Paschall became Steve Kerr’s best offensive option, leading the Warriors in scoring seven times this season. Paschall has registered games with scoring totals of 34 and 30 points in his first NBA season. Paschall is tied for third with Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter for total points scored by rookies with 590.

During the NBA’s 2020 All-Star weekend in Chicago, Paschall will receive some recognition for his productive rookie season. Paschall was selected to Team USA for the NBA’s Rising Star Challenge — an All-Star game for rookie and sophomore players. Paschall was voted in by NBA assistant coaches across the league.

The Villanova product is the first Warriors selected for the Rising Star Challenge since Harrison Barnes in 2014. Current Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have also been previously selected for the challenge.

For now, Paschall will be the only member of the Golden State Warriors represented in Chicago, as the team did not have a player selected as a reserve or starter for the 2020 edition of the All-Star game.

The Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Friday, February 14, at the United Center in Chicago.

Thunder uses late-game rally to top Suns 111-107

Oklahoman City went on a 13-0 run in the fourth to pull ahead 105-99 with 25 seconds to play. OKC has won 11 of their last 12 on the road.

Oklahoma City didn’t have to come back from a double-digit deficit this time, but they did need a fourth-quarter rally as the Thunder edged the Suns 111-107 on Friday night.

Down seven late in the fourth, OKC went on a 13-0 run, highlighted by a Dennis Schroder 3-pointer to tie the game at 99 with 2:17 to play.

The Thunder would move ahead on a Chris Paul jumper before capping the run with a pair of Danilo Gallinari free throws with 25 seconds remaining and Oklahoma City up 105-99.

Gallinari was one of three players to score a game-high 27, along with both Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Schroder came off the bench to score 24 while Paul added 20 points as part of a double-double to go along with 10 rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named to the Rising Stars game for the second-straight year on Friday, and Nerlens Noel were also in double-figures for the Thunder.

Including Friday night, Oklahoma City has won seven in a row on the road, improving to 30-20 overall and 15-10 away from Chesapeake Energy Arena.

According to Erik Horne of The Athletic, the Thunder are in the midst of their second-longest road winning streak in the organization’s history.

OKC has won 11 of their last 12 on the road, the lone loss coming to 76ers on Jan. 6.

The Thunder finish the month of January with a record of 12-5. Oklahoma City has a couple of days off to return home and rest before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 5.

When, where, how to watch, how to stream Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

Oklahoma (13-7, 3-4) and Oklahoma State (10-10, 0-7) battle for a bit more than just state pride on Saturday.

Oklahoma (13-7, 3-4) and Oklahoma State (10-10, 0-7) battle for a bit more than just state pride on Saturday. Both the Sooners and Cowboys come into the game struggling, giving the game an extra level of meaning.

Oklahoma is still looking for their offense. Coming off of three straight games of 62 or fewer points, the Sooners have slipped on offense. To compensate, Oklahoma has held its past three opponents to under 63 points.

The Cowboys have had quite a rollercoaster of a season themselves, starting the year 9-3 before going winless so far in Big 12 play. Oklahoma State picked up their tenth win against Texas A&M in the Big12/SEC Challenge, beating the Aggies 73-62.

Despite the records, Bedlam is getting prime treatment. Here is where you can catch the game.

WHERE: Norman, Okla. (Lloyd Noble Center)

WHEN: 2:00 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: ABC

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

HOW TO STREAM: WATCH ESPN

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