Michael Redd – Syndication Server

How one intangible may help Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving face adversity in Brooklyn

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have something few others have across the NBA, and that could make all the difference for the Brooklyn Nets.

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Statistics have always been important when it comes to analyzing athletes, but today’s advance metrics have brought things to another level.

As data comprehension becomes more and more important, immeasurables can easily be looked over — even though they’re exactly what can with you a game on a given night.

Though there are some who still understand the importance of intangibles.

Former Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Michael Redd, for instance, thinks Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s relationship — which can’t be calculated or measures — will play a big role in the Brooklyn Nets’ success.

The retired sharpshooter explained why to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson and Sean Deveney on Heavy Live With Scoop B Show:

KD’s so unique and I know Kyrie has a special love for him … and KD has a special love for him. So, I think their chemistry — because they’re boys and friends, similar to a [James] Harden/[Russell] Westbrook, I think [that] will get them through a lot of ups and downs that they may face.

These guys are close off the court and hopefully that will translate to on the court chemistry. Because if KD can get on Kyrie, Kyrie won’t take it personally. ‘That’s my boy telling me what I should do,’ or vice-versa.

Michael Redd thinks Kevin Durant’s absence from playoffs is impacting LeBron James’ confidence

Without the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant in the postseason picture this year, LeBron James has an easier road to the NBA Finals.

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Jamal Muray and Nikola Jokic once again have everyone’s attention following the Denver Nuggets’ crucial win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 to avoid going down 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals. But, while those two have been a compelling story in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, there are others.

The Miami Heat’s run has also been a sight to watch, storming through the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks before taking a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals over the Boston Celtics.

Then there’s LeBron James.

He and Anthony Davis cruised past the hottest player in the Disney bubble, Damian Lillard, and the Portland Trail Blazers in five games. They then did the same to James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets the following round.

It’s gotten to the point where there are more than a few who are frustrated he didn’t win MVP this year over Milwaukee’s Giannis Antentokounmpo, especially after the Bucks got bounced so early in the playoffs. (Of course, the MVP is based solely on what happened in the regular season.)

The addition of Davis certainly helps James in his efforts, but former NBA All-Star Michael Redd thinks there might be another factor at play — the absence of a certain Brooklyn Nets forward.

Redd explained Kevin Durant’s role in the 2020 Playoffs to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson and Sean Deveney on Heavy Live With Scoop B Show:

LeBron’s playing with an unbelievable level of confidence this year. Part of that is because I think there’s one guy in the NBA — Kawhi [Leonard] obviously can give LeBron trouble, but there’s one guy that can … that KD is something else. He’s not in the picture at all. So with him and the Golden State Warriors being out of the picture, people feel — and LeBron and the Lakers have to feel — so confident that they can win it all. Any team actually. Because that juggernaut was just…it was too much.

Former Ohio State basketball star Michael Redd to speak at summer commencement

Former Ohio State basketball star Michael Redd will speak at OSU’s summer commencement on August 9 per a release from the university.

NBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and former Ohio State basketball star Michael Redd will address graduates at summer commencement according to a release from the university.

The event will be a virtual one because of the COVID-19 pandemic and be streamed live from the Schottenstein Center on August 9.

“We are pleased to welcome Buckeye basketball great Michael Redd to speak to our summer graduates and their family and friends,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron in a statement.

“Michael was a leader on the court for Ohio State and continues to lead off the court in the Columbus community,” McPheron said. “His commitment to excellence as an athlete and an entrepreneur will inspire our graduates as they prepare to lead in their communities.”

Former Buckeye, NBA star Michael Redd to address Ohio State grads https://t.co/14JGNsHx6O

— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) July 16, 2020

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Redd came to Ohio State as a local product and graduate of Columbus West High School. He quickly established himself as a dangerous scorer, leading the Big Ten in points his freshman year and earning the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year in 1998.

The accolades don’t stop there. He was a five-time Milwaukee Bucks MVP, and was elected into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame and Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Redd came back to Ohio State and graduated in 2015 with a degree from the College of Arts & Sciences.

2000 NBA re-draft: The way it should have been

One of the worst drafts in NBA history not only lacked in star power, but also in terms of longtime starters.

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One of the worst drafts in NBA history not only lacked in star power, but also in terms of longtime starters.

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