Tag: Grayson Allen

Pat Connaughton NBA Tracker: Jan. 3-9

Not much to report this week.

With the omicron variant causing COVID-19 to be reported at record numbers, it seemed inevitable that Pat Connaughton would get swept up. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened over the past week. Connaughton played only one game this past week before he and Milwaukee Bucks teammate Grayson Allen were placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols. As a result, Connaughton was knocked out of game action for the first time since early last season.

Connaughton’s lone recent contest was played Jan. 3 as the Detroit Pistons snapped the Bucks’ six-game winning streak. In 22 minutes, he managed only one 3-pointer while also grabbing three rebounds and dishing out one assist.

As of this writing, Connaughton is listed as questionable for the Bucks’ Monday road game against the Charlotte Hornets. However, there is reason to believe he is at least reuniting with his team because he tweeted this:

Let’s hope that next week, there will be a lot more to write about here.

Three in the Key: Grayson Allen, Andre Iguodala, Furkan Korkmaz

As part of a new series at HoopsHype, we’re breaking down three interesting topics we’ve seen happening around the NBA over this past week.

As part of a new series at HoopsHype, we’re breaking down three interesting topics we’ve seen happening around the NBA over this past week.

Of course, the name of this column is derived from basketball’s three-second violation rule. But the goal of this exercise is to observe a few subjects and then explain the key to why it’s happening and what makes it interesting.

Here are our three highlights from the last week of the NBA’s 2021-22 season:

Three in the Key: Grayson Allen, Andre Iguodala, Furkan Korkmaz

As part of a new series at HoopsHype, we’re breaking down three interesting topics we’ve seen happening around the NBA over this past week.

Of course, the name of this column is derived from basketball’s three-second violation rule. But the goal of this exercise is to observe a few subjects and then explain the key to why it’s happening and what makes it interesting.

Here are our three highlights from the last week of the NBA’s 2021-22 season:

College Basketball: The 10 all-time most annoying Dukies

Who belongs at the top of this list and why?

College basketball officially starts nationwide tonight which means it’s a chance for all of us in this divided nation and world come together in one cause:

Hating Duke basketball.

As a kid I ate it all up.  Mike Krzyzewski was a hero in my 15-year old eyes when Duke won it all in the spring of 2001, but 20 years later I’m grateful to have seen the light since and realized just how insufferable that entire program is.  How Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey developed into such a likable figure after spending eight years on Krzyzewski’s bench is beyond me, but I digress.

With Krzyzewski starting his final season as Duke’s head coach this year let’s honor him by naming the 10 Most Annoying Dukies of All-Time:

Luka Doncic was only able to make ‘Luka Magic’ happen because of Grayson Allen

Grayson Allen could’ve iced the game. Instead, Luka Magic happened.

The entirety of the basketball world is still in awe after Luka Doncic’s incredible game-winning shot against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Game winners are always incredible when they’re just regular shots. But Luka Doncic hit a floating 3-point shot after splitting a double team to win the game.

That just…doesn’t happen. It’s not supposed to happen. No one is supposed to make a shot like that. It’s the type of magic that Luka Doncic has become known for around the NBA.

The thing about this one is that he also probably should never have gotten the chance to.

Yes, Doncic hit this incredible game-winner. But the only reason it won the game is because Grayson Allen missed two free throws down the stretch as a 91% free throw shooter.

Allen had two shots to put the Grizzlies up 5 at the end of the game and ice it. He missed both.

And then, boom. Luka Magic.

People had so many jokes about what happened.

The odds of this happening were just so slim. It just wasn’t supposed to. Here are some numbers from Inpredict that put it in context.

That’s just incredible. I guess this is just what Luka Magic looks like.

LeBron James receives anti-flopping warning from NBA after play on Friday

LeBron James hasn’t been warned for flopping since the 2013 playoffs when he was fined $5,000 for flopping.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James became the latest profile example of the NBA’s attempts to enforce their anti-flopping policy. Following last night’s 115-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA announced that LeBron James has received a warning from the NBA after violating the NBA’s anti-flopping policy during the second quarter of last night’s win.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Trent Jr. and Houston Rockets guard Mason Jones was warned for flopping in a game earlier this month for his flop on a 3-point attempt against the Charlotte Hornets. However, James is clearly the biggest and most high profile offender of the anti-flopping policy. The last time James was disciplined by the NBA’s anti-flopping policy was in the 2013 playoffs when he was fined $5,000 in a series against the Indiana Pacers.

The last player to receive a fine for violating the NBA’s anti-flopping policy was Boston’s Marcus Smart, who was fined during the 2020 NBA playoffs for flopping.

Following last night’s victory, the Lakers are back on the road where they’ll face a Denver Nuggets team they beat 114-93 on Feb. 4.

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The Trae Young – Grayson Allen beef, explained

Let’s get you caught on the latest beef in the NBA between Grayson Allen and Trae Young.

Welcome to FTW Explains, our series where we try to quickly get you caught up on things going on in the world. Today, we’ll be tackling the Trae Young – Grayson Allen beef. 

Who are these people now? 

Trae Young is a star guard for the Atlanta Hawks, and one of the best up-and-coming young players in the NBA. Grayson Allen is on the Grizzlies, and is primarily known for his time at Duke, when he became one of the most hated players in a long line of guys who were hated at Duke.

Why’d people hate him?

He flopped a lot, and had one of those faces … but also he was often accused of being a dirty player, specifically because he had a habit of tripping players, which is relevant here.

Why is tripping players so bad?

In this NBA, you’ve got very large men running at incredible speeds at one another on a hard court. It speaks to their body awareness and agility that people aren’t hurt all the time. If someone is intentionally tripping players, that puts the player being tripped at risk, and anyone else in his path. It’s bad news.

Got it. So what’s this beef?

On Sunday, Young shared video of Allen appearing to intentionally step on his heel during the Hawks game against the Grizzlies. It happens quickly, but Allen does appear to reach his foot out to catch Young’s heel.

…This is incredibly dangerous, I should point out, even more so than your garden variety trip, because an Achilles injury has ruined careers before. Allen misses and catches up high on the heel, and bad, bad things can happen.

Was it intentional?

No idea. The only person who knows that is Grayson Allen.

Did he respond?

You bet he did!

Wow.

Yep. And there’s history here, too.

Oh is there?

You better believe it. It started back in Summer League 2018, when they first got into it.

Then picked up earlier this month:

I am feeling caught up on this situation. 

Well good. I am glad.

[jwplayer KKlK1sxP-q2aasYxh]

Josh Hart helps lead team to win in SLAM’s third Call of Duty tourney

Josh Hart had another good showing in SLAM’s third Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tourney.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart added to his flawless record Saturday in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tournament.

Hart has played in each of the tournaments, and he picked up a third straight win in this weekend’s tourney. Hart’s team included Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, Washington Mystics forward Aerial Powers and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. The four hoopers helped their squad to a sweep against a team led by Miami Heat big man Meyers Leonard.

The rest of the opposing team consisted of De’Aaron Fox, Mario Hezonja, Grayson Allen, Donovan Mitchell and Kentucky commit Terrence Clarke.

Hart was particularly effective in his team’s last two wins of the sweep. The third game was Domination on the map Hackney Yard. Hart and company won the game, 200-181, and Hart had the second-highest number of kills with 36.

The last game in the series was Capture the Flag on Vacant. Hart and his squad snagged a close 3-2 win to seal the series. He finished with a score of 1,675 and 13 kills.

Hart has been a key part of each winning team in the Call of Duty matches. He’s been on Simmons’ team twice, and during the second week of tournaments he was with Leonard’s squad.

Though Hart hasn’t necessarily been a star on his teams, he has thrived in his role as a player who can tally fairly high scores.

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Ben Simmons and squad earn sweep in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty tourney

Ben Simmons and his team did the sweeping this time around in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty tourney.

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons had his squad rolling from the jump in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tournament.

After his team was swept in SLAM’s second Call of Duty tourney, Simmons and company earned a sweep Saturday in week three of the tournaments. Simmons was joined by Washington Mystics forward Aerial Powers, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart.

The opposing team included Meyers Leonard, De’Aaron Fox, Grayson Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Mario Hezonja and Kentucky commit Terrence Clarke.

With the win, Simmons now has two wins total in SLAM’s Call of Duty tourneys. Booker and Powers were both newcomers, playing in their first round of tournaments.

Both proved to be quality teammates alongside Simmons, one of the NBA’s best Call of Duty players.

Like Simmons, Booker is a top-tier Call of Duty gamer. He showcased his skill set during the first game, boasting a team-high 18 kills in Search and Destroy on the map Arklov Peak.

After the win in Search and Destroy, Simmons’ team had their closest match of the series. Leonard and his team was most competitive during Headquarters on Rammaza, where Simmons’ squad got a 199-182 win. Time ran out before any team got to the typical winning score of 200.

Leonard finished with a team-high 53 kills in Headquarters, and Hezonja had the most captures on the team with nine.

Powers was a quality contributor during the team’s win in Domination on Hackney Yard. Powers finished 11 kills and six captures, tying for the second-highest number of captures on her team.

The series-clincher came in Capture the Flag on Vacant, where Simmons’ squad won 3-2. This game was arguably Simmons’ best. He ran all over the map, covering different areas so his teammates could return the flag. Simmons finished with a team-high 35 kills, and Booker was not far behind with 30.

The two teams played out the rest of the series’ matches, with one of the remaining three being Free for All on Rust. Simmons finished in fifth place, with Booker coming in first and Leonard placing second.

With SLAM’s Call of Duty tournaments, fans are getting to see how hoopers are skilled in other areas off the court. As physical distancing continues, the tournaments are also a good outlet for the players to have while they stay at home.

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Ben Simmons and team got swept in SLAM’s second Call of Duty tourney

Ben Simmons didn’t snag a second straight win in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty tourney

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons had a rough Saturday night on the sticks with his squad in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tourney.

After showing why he’s one of the NBA’s best Call of Duty gamers in the first tourney, Simmons did not have as dominant a showing this time around.

He played alongside Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell and Sierra Canyon freshman Bronny James, and his team was swept, 4-0, in the seven-game series.

The winning team had more cohesion, with Meyers Leonard and De’Aaron Fox being two of the squad’s best players. Josh Hart, Grayson Allen, Kentucky commit Terrence Clarke and former Hillcrest Prep star Kyree Walker made up a solid supporting cast.

Simmons and company went down 2-0 quickly, losing first in Search and Destroy on Rammaza. Simmons usually does well in Search and Destroy, as he is skilled with sniper rifles. He typically knocks opponents down with one shot, but during this game he finished with six kills.

After the lost in Search and Destroy, Simmons and his team lost a 200-110 rout in Domination on Gun Runner. Following that loss, the team lost 9-1 in Capture the Flag on Shoot House. The only hope for Simmons’ squad was to snag a win in Headquarters on the map Vacant.

Despite starting with a 51-0 lead, Simmons and his team didn’t continue their aggressiveness, losing 200-97 in the series’ final game.

Simmons had one of his best performances in the series during the last game, tallying 29 kills for the second-highest amount on the team.

Though the series ended relatively quickly, the two teams still played out the remaining three games. Simmons team didn’t win any of those, either. They lost in Search and Destroy again, as well as Capture the Flag and Headquarters.

 

As the NBA’s hiatus continues, perhaps more of these tournaments will be in store for fans and players to relax and entertain themselves.

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