Category: Longhorns in NBA

Kevin Durant’s 30 points not enough to hold off the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3

Breaking down Kevin Durant’s performance and the Brooklyn Nets’ struggles in game three against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Just days after the Brooklyn Nets embarrassed the Milwaukee Bucks beating them by 39 points, the Bucks came into game three with a much more efficient strategy to cut the Nets series lead to 2-1.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer took a new approach by playing Giannis Antetokounmpo practically the whole game, having the two-time MVP on the court for 43 minutes. Milwaukee also kept center Brook Lopez in the game in clutch time to help make the jumpers from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant much more difficult. Lopez also blocked Bruce Brown’s potential go-ahead game winning layup.

This game looked like it was fresh out of the Jordan era, with the final score being 86-83. Durant shot a series worst 39% from the field, and the rest of his team was not much better. As a team, the Nets shot 36% from the field and 25% from three.

The frustration from Durant and the Nets was evident, especially when he and former Longhorn teammate, P.J. Tucker, got into a slight scuffle on the court.

In game two, the Nets had five players score in double digits with two other players scoring nine and eight points. The offensive support was just not there in game three, as the five other players not named Durant, Irving, or Brown combined for 15 points.

Nets head coach Steve Nash has to make some counter adjustments in order to help Durant and Irving score at a more efficient clip while getting more players involved. It helps he has offensive guru mike D’antoni on his sideline, but it is games like these where missing one of the best offensive players in league history, James Harden, exposes the Nets fragility.

“He’s (Harden) progressing nicely as well,” Nash said of Harden. “So we’re optimistic that we can have him back at some point.”

Durant rarely has two bad games in a row, and even with his worst scoring performance, his team only lost by three. It is safe to say he and the Nets are still very well in the drivers seat.

How to watch Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs

The Brooklyn Nets are seen as the most intriguing team in the East. Here is how you can watch their series against the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Durant is back in the NBA playoffs with hopes of securing his third ring since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder. After missing last season’s playoffs in the bubble, Durant is finally healthy and ready to go with the Brooklyn Nets.

Until recently, Durant has been dealing with COVID-19 issues and injuries all season, only playing in 35 games. As usual, he was a dominant scorer, averaging 26.9 points per game. Add in 7.6 rebounds, and 5.6 points per game, and Durant bounced back nicely from his Achilles injury.

The Nets are seen as the most intriguing team in East thanks to their newly formed Big Three. James Harden and Kyrie Irving have been putting up monster numbers as well. Brooklyn earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face off against the Boston Celtics.

You can see the game dates and times (all EST) below:

Game 1 and Game 3 will take place on ABC, while Game 2 and Game 4 will be broadcasted on TNT. If the next three games are necessary, TV information will be determined later.

If the Nets are able to progress, a possible matchup against former Longhorn P.J. Tucker and the Milwaukee Bucks could be in store.

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What’s keeping Greg Brown and Jericho Sims from making a decision?

With the deadline to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft, the Texas Longhorns still haven’t heard anything from Jericho Sims or Greg Brown.

The deadline for players to declare for the upcoming 2021 NBA draft is May 30.

Texas currently has two players that have already announced their decision to declare for the draft in Kai Jones and Matt Coleman III. Courtney Ramey and Andrew Jones have chosen to return to Austin under Chris Beard. 

What about Jericho Sims and Greg Brown? What’s the hold up? There hasn’t been a peep out of either since the season ended as to what their plans for the future are.

At one point, Brown appeared to be a lock as an NBA Lottery pick at the start of the season before his play deteriorated, he started to get more fouls than points or rebounds and fell out of favor in the lineup.

It’s possible that as the season progressed, his draft stock took a hit. The fact that he wasn’t the first Longhorn to declare, despite having the most press, could have caused him to reconsider.

Sims was more of a rotational player to provide points and rebounds off the bench, but started to earn more minutes when the combination of him and Kai Jones proved to be more effective on offense and defense.

Sims’ draft stock likely increased as the season went on, but might not have been enough to get drafted. There haven’t been any major publications that have mocked him in the any of the 60 selections of the draft, so choosing to use that extra year of eligibility is important. 

With new head coach Chris Beard coming into the picture, that might entice either or both to return and take another run at the NCAA Tournament, but the big name transfers that Beard has recently landed likely hasn’t made it any easier for them to decide. You have to remember that Sims and Brown were recruited under former head coach Shaka Smart and have no loyalties to Beard or vice versa. 

Players such as Devin Disu and Timmy Allen coming to Austin via the NCAA transfer portal have already made the rotation a lot better than it was a year ago, regardless of what Brown or Sims ultimately decide.

Brown has only played one collegiate season and Sims has one more year of eligibility. It’s entirely possible they’re also considering the Royce Hamm route and transferring out of Texas. Both would be welcomed additions to plenty of college basketball rosters should they decide to play elsewhere.

Brown and Sims could be looking to gain more playing time under a different regime, but could miss out on the publicity Texas would offer as well as the developmental coaching that Chris Beard brings.

Both players would certainly be welcomed back in Austin, but their time is running short and will need to decide soon before their futures are decided for them.

Texas ex LaMarcus Aldridge retires from the NBA due to health reasons

Texas ex and Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge suddenly announced his retirement via Twitter on Thursday.

The basketball world received some surprising news on Thursday. Continue reading “Texas ex LaMarcus Aldridge retires from the NBA due to health reasons”

All-time starting lineup of former Texas basketball players

Shane Carter lists his all-time starting lineup composed of only former Texas players.

The Texas Longhorns basketball program has had many great players come through the Forty Acres. Continue reading “All-time starting lineup of former Texas basketball players”

How Texas Exes are performing in the NBA this season

The NBA season is underway with 11 different Texas Longhorns playing in the league. Here’s an update on their performances through Jan. 9.

The NBA season is well underway as they tipped off the season opener on Christmas Day. Continue reading “How Texas Exes are performing in the NBA this season”

A look at Kevin Durant performances on Christmas in the NBA

Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets are set to take the floor on Christmas against the Boston Celtics. A look at his Xmas performances.

Christmas Day is a huge day in the NBA and former Texas Longhorn Kevin Durant is no stranger to playing on this day. When the Brooklyn Nets take the floor against the Boston Celtics, it will mark Durant’s 10th appearance on Christmas Day.

Dating back to when Durant came into the league back in 2007, he has only been inactive once on Christmas. That came during the 2014-15 season when he played for Oklahoma City. Now on his third team in his career, Durant will finally make appearance number 10.

Another former Texas Longhorn will be on the court as well with Tristan Thompson suiting up for the Boston Celtics.

A look through the years of Kevin Durant’s performances on Christmas.

Report: No reunion to come for former Texas star Kevin Durant and James Harden

According to some reports, the Brooklyn Nets were interested in securing James Harden. However, it appears that will cost them, Kevin Durant.

In today’s NBA, the big thing has been for stars to unite to make a run at the NBA Finals. Former Texas Longhorn, Kevin Durant is no stranger to that premise. He joined Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to make a run for back-to-back NBA Championships. Continue reading “Report: No reunion to come for former Texas star Kevin Durant and James Harden”

Four former Longhorns to compete in the NBA’s bubble playoffs

The NBA season will now turn to the playoffs down in Orlando. Four former Horns will be in action across the Eastern and Western Conference.

After eight games in the NBA bubble, their season will now turn to the playoffs down in Orlando, FL. Four former Longhorns will be in action across both the Eastern and Western Conference.

Starting in the East, Jarett Allen of the Brooklyn Nets, D.J. Augustin of the Orlando Magic, and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers will be vying for their first NBA championships.

Turner has become a star for the Pacers, averaging 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. However, he did miss Indiana’s finale against Miami, dealing with a wrist injury and being listed as day-to-day.

Brooklyn was supposed to feature two former Longhorns in Allen and Kevin Durant. An Achilles injury has sidelined Durant for the entire year and the duo will have to wait another year.

In the meantime, Allen has been averaging nearly a double-double, with 11.1 points and 9.6 points per game. He is the Nets’ second-leading rebounder, only behind DeAndre Jordan, who has 10.0 per game.

Finally in the East, Augustin has a tough mountain the climb against the one-seed Milwaukee Bucks. The point guard finished the regular season second on the Magic in assists, having 4.6 per game and adding 10.5 points per game.

Moving over to the West and Houston Rockets’ star P.J. Tucker. The 6-5 forward is shooting 35% from three this year, averaging 6.9 points per game. He has been a consistent player for head coach Mike Dantoni, playing 34.3 minutes per game. Houston will be playing the Oklahoma City Thunder.

All NBA playoff games can be found either on ABC, ESPN, NBATV, or TNT.

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WATCH: Jaxson Hayes’ monster dunk against the Washington Wizards

In the Pelicans’ game against the Washington Wizards on Friday night, former Longhorn Jaxson Hayes threw down a ferocious slam dunk.

If there is one thing that has been going right in the sports world, it is the NBA bubble. One of the most exciting young teams in Orlando has been the New Orleans Pelicans and their push towards the playoffs.

Former Texas Longhorn and rookie Jaxson Hayes has been apart of the youth in New Orleans, becoming a solid role player off the bench. His size and length, combined with his athleticism make him a threat around the entire court.

In the Pelicans’ game against the Washington Wizards on Friday night, Hayes threw down a ferocious slam dunk, something we are getting used to seeing.

With time winding down in the first quarter, Hayes ran a pick and roll with guard Frank Jackson. The 6’11 ex-Longhorn picked up the ball at the elbow, took a dribble, then caused havoc on the rim.

You can watch the dunk from all kinds of angles here:

Since the NBA’s restart, Hayes has been averaging 4.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.

As a team, the Pelicans are 2-3 in the bubble and are currently 2.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Hayes will have to continue to make impact plays for New Orleans to stay in Orlando.

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