Tag: NBA Restart

Orlando Bubble: Pair of former Warriors help the Kings past the Clippers in scrimmage

Harrison Barnes and Kent Bazemore combined for 19 points as the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers in an Orlando Bubble scrimmage.

With Golden State one of the eight teams on the outside of the Orlando Bubble, Dub Nation will have the opportunity to catch up with former members of the Warriors at Disney World. Twelve former members of the Golden State Warriors are slated to take the court in the NBA’s restart of the 2019-20 season.

With no Golden State basketball on the calendar, Warriors Wire is highlighting former Dubs in the Orlando Bubble.

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On Monday, a pair of former Warriors laced up for the Sacramento Kings scrimmage against the Los Angeles Clippers. In 21 minutes, Harrison Barnes tallied 12 points on 2-of-8 shooting with six boards. Barnes channeled his Golden State roots, draining a pair of long-distance shots for the Kings.

Behind Barnes, former Warrior Kent Bazemore recorded seven points on 3-of-6 shooting with four rebounds, an assist and a block in 21 minutes.

Bogdan Bogdanovic ripped off 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting with four triples to help lead the Kings past Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-102.

Watch highlights from the Kings scrimmage against the Clippers via YouTube:

After their final scrimmage, the Kings will officially begin their battle for a playoff spot in the seeding games on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs.

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Other former members of the Golden State Warriors in the Orlando Bubble include Miami’s Andre Iguodala, Brooklyn’s Jamal Crawford, LA’s Quinn Cook and JaVale McGee and Philadelphia’s Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III.

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JaVale McGee brings millions inside the NBA bubble

Former Nevada player and current Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee started a YouTube vlog about what life is like in the NBA bubble.

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Los Angeles Lakers player vlogs about life in the Disney World bubble

Contact/Follow @cisabelg & @MWCwire

JaVale McGee hasn’t played for the Nevada Wolf Pack since 2008, but the next three months might give him flashbacks to his college life.

“I feel like I’m in college. I feel like I’m in a dorm,” he told his dad on a video chat featured in one of his YouTube videos.

The 7’0 Lakers center recently started Life in the Bubble, a vlog that gives a true insider look at what life is like for NBA players staying in the Disney World bubble. McGee’s oldest video on his YouTube channel is the Golden State Warriors’ Championship parade three years ago. He has not always been a consistent vlogger, although he has shared a decent amount of music credited to Pierre, his music producer alter ego.

Life in the Bubble is only about two weeks old, with the first episode being released on July 12. However, each of the first six episodes have reached at least a million views and have helped him acquire 432K subscribers even with less than 40 total videos in his channel. An episode titled Full Team Scrimmage! Who Won?! posted on July 21 has been the most popular so far, reaching 2.1 million views. That video also happens to debut LeBron James and head coach Frank Vogel.

Sports bubbles are something that have not really been done before, so a lot of people are curious about the details of it. McGee’s videos show a range of stuff, from the Call of Duty set up in his room to the area where players get tested for COVID-19. Since McGee is a familiar face, other players and staff are seen having relaxed, casual interactions with him.

Stacey Robinson, a massage therapist who McGee playfully teases, has quickly become a fan favorite. She doesn’t love being on camera, she told McGee to “turn that mess off” after he told her she was a star and people love her on the internet.

A handful of players have already shared photos of food, but the vlog shows McGee’s experience with his vegan diet. Spoiler alert: not everything is good, but the tater tots are fire. McGee is not afraid to share parts of his personal life. In one episode, he is seen having a conversation with strength and conditioning coach Chattin Hill talking about when he first found out he had asthma.

McGee films his own videos but they are edited by Devin Dismang who is also an executive producer of the series. They feature some of Pierre’s music.

The latest episode came out July 26 and it’s a little different from the other ones.

“Another 9AM Practice? I wasn’t in the mood to vlog so decided to make one of my teammates do it,” wrote McGee, not a morning person, in the YouTube video description.

Danny Green, who has his own podcast called Inside the Green Room, was the lucky player to take over the show for that day.

The Lakers are not the only ones with this type of content. Matisse Thybulle from the Philadelphia 76ers is also vlogging a series called Welcome to the Bubble. The rookie films and edits all the material himself. As for media members, outlets like the Washington Post have published content sharing their own experiences.

Fans have already shown their love for insider looks. Earlier this year, Michael Jordan’s The Last Dance averaged 5.6 million viewers throughout its 10 episodes. In Thybulle’s first video, Tobias Harris joked about how they were practically filming their own version of an ESPN 30 for 30. With a limited amount of media access in Orlando, any content that gives an inside look at the bubble should be hot stuff for a while, so maybe that’s not so far fetched.

The NBA is currently playing scrimmages but the season is set to officially restart at the end of July. McGee and the rest of the Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers for their first game at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena on July 30.

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LeBron James will reportedly debut his new signature shoe in Orlando

It looks kind of wonky.

Sneakerheads have another reason to watch Thursday night’s Lakers game against the Mavericks.

Not only is the best team in the West playing basketball once again, but LeBron James is apparently debuting his latest signature sneaker — the LeBron 18 — tonight in Orlando, according to a report from ESPN’s Nick DePaula.

It’s rare that we’d ever get a look at a LeBron James signature shoe this early in the year, but it’s also extremely rare that we actually see NBA basketball being played in July.

Typically, James first debuts his latest signature shoe when the NBA season first begins in the fall. But the design process is almost always completed in the middle of the summer.

Now, because fall basketball is being pushed back and James is playing games in the summer, James is debuting his shoe in July.

Nike released an early sketch of the shoe’s design and it’s not that far removed from the look of James’ LeBron 17.

James also gave fans a bit of a sneak peak on Wednesday when he was pictured actually wearing the shoes in practice.

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It’s hard to judge these shoes based off of the current looks we have. The black pair James wore at practice looks solid, but every shoe always looks better on foot.

The sketch provided by Nike looks like some sort of weird fusion of a baseball cleat on the forefoot and a basketball shoe with an air bubble on the heel. It’s kind of wonky.

The best look we’ll get is on Thursday night when James actually wears them on court. We’ll see what they’re hitting on then.

Either way, they won’t be available for the public until September.

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Bank on these NBA Championship best bets

Looking at the betting odds to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship with picks and best bets.

The NBA restart is almost here and that means it’s time to look ahead to the NBA Finals. Below, we make our best bets to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship and the Larry O’Brien Trophy with all odds courtesy of BetMGM.

2019-20 NBA Eastern Championship picks: Favorite

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, July 20 at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Milwaukee Bucks (+280)

The safest bet to win the NBA Championship is the Bucks, who have the second-best odds behind only the Los Angeles Lakers (+250). Before the NBA season was suspended, the Bucks had the league’s best record at 53-12 and will have their whole roster available to them in Orlando.

Not only do the Bucks have the No. 1 offense in basketball, but they also have a top-five defense as they possess an unbelievable amount of length and athleticism. Led by superstar PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have arguably the best player in the NBA, surrounded by a supporting cast that fits his strength.

Another reason why the Bucks are such a safe bet is due to the Eastern Conference. As a whole, the conference is weaker than usual and even more so at the bottom of the playoff bracket. The Bucks will likely be able to sleepwalk through Round 1 and there just aren’t many teams that can challenge them in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks have already proven they can have success against quality teams like the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, making it even more likely they can compete in an eventual Finals matchup.

Looking to place an NBA futures bet? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Bet Now!

2019-20 NBA Eastern Championship picks: Contender

Houston Rockets (+1200)

One of the best value bets on the board is the Houston Rockets, who are 12-1 underdogs to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy. While Houston was up-and-down during the regular season, they have the ability to get red-hot and rip off a bunch of wins due to their shooting.

It also doesn’t hurt that they are experienced and have one of the top-five players in the NBA in G James Harden. With Harden nearly guaranteed to score 30 points a night, all the Rockets need are a few other role players to step up in big games. With proven players like PG Russell Westbrook, SG Eric Gordon and SF P.J. Tucker on the roster, they certainly won’t be afraid of any team in the Western Conference.

This is a great mid-range bet for bettors looking to bet on someone outside of the Lakers, Bucks or Clippers.

2019-20 NBA Eastern Championship picks: Long shot

Philadelphia 76ers (+2500)

If you are searching a long-shot bet, consider wagering on the 76ers to win the NBA Championship. In the 2019 playoffs, they took the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors to seven games and came within a few bounces of taking them down. While they are currently just the sixth-seed in the Eastern Conference, they have enough talent on their roster to compete with anyone.

If the 76ers can get favorable matchups in the playoffs, they could certainly make a run in Orlando. Don’t be surprised if this 76ers team at least reaches the Eastern Conference Finals.

Get some action on NBA futures bets by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

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Mountain West Alumni In NBA Bubble

Ten Mountain West basketball alumni are inside the Disney World NBA bubble as the 22 teams are getting ready for the 2019-20 season to resume.

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Mountain West alumni in the NBA bubble

Five Mountain West schools will be represented as the NBA resumes

Contact/Follow @cisabelg & @MWCwire

The NBA is getting ready for a restart at the end of this month with the 22 teams that made it into the bubble in Florida. Among the players who made the trip are 10 Mountain West alumni representing five schools in eight NBA teams.

JaVale McGee – Los Angeles Lakers 
Nevada Wolf Pack (2006–2008)

Before the season was paused, McGee was proving to be a valuable asset for the Lakers, the team that currently sits at the top of the Western Conference with a 49-14 record. 

He’s played in 61 games this season. In the 16.8 minutes he is averaging, the 7’0 center is getting 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Before the pause, he was shooting at 64.0% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc.

McGee has asthma, and was even hospitalized with pneumonia for three days in 2018. However, he has made it known that he feels the organization will take the necessary precautions to keep him and others safe in the bubble.

 

Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers
San Diego State Aztecs (2009–2011)

Leonard delayed his trip to Orlando due to family matters but he has arrived and participated in his first practice on July 13. 

He is eight overall in the league in scoring this season with an average of 26.9 points per game. He is also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game to his team. His talent is obvious, the main question is his health. Leonard is known for load management, and was struggling with an old knee injury when the NBA was suspended.

During media availability on July 13 head coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t expect limits on Leonard because “Kawhi is healthy, for the most part” but that they were still going to be smart about how they maintained him and the rest of the players to get to the playoffs with a healthy team.

Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
Fresno State Bulldogs (2008–2010)

Like Leonard, George wasn’t fully healthy when the world of sports stopped turning. He was recovering from offseason surgery on both shoulders but the last four months have given that recovery some extra time.

George is the Clippers’ second highest scorer, contributing 21.0 points. 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

The Clippers are No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, just below the Lakers, a team the Clippers have already beat twice this season. The two LA teams will face off on the first day of reopening. 

Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies
SJSU Spartans (2015–2017)

This is Clarke’s first season in the NBA. He has appeared in 50 games, averaging 12.0 points 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The 6’8 power forward suffered a quadriceps injury late February, but the four-month break gave him time to recover so he can finish his rookie season on the court.

Memphis will reopen the season with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 31. When the Grizzlies beat Portland on Feb. 12, Clarke tied his season-high 27 points by going 12-of-14 from the field. That wasn’t completely out of character because he has been shooting at 62.3% this season.

 

Zylan Cheatham New Orleans Pelicans
San Diego State Aztecs (2015–2017)

Cheatham went undrafted in 2019 but his participation with the Pelicans during Summer League that year helped him sign a two-way contract with the team.

The rookie has only appeared in three games for the Pelicans so far, but he’s had good experience with Erie, the Pelican’s G-League affiliate. In 34 appearances there he averaged 16.2 points and 11.6 rebounds. 

Patrick McCaw – Toronto Raptors 
UNLV Rebels (2014–2016)

McCaw has won three championship rings in his first three seasons in the NBA. He’ll continue chasing a fourth one alongside the Raptors, the team that has surprised the league by reaching second place in the Eastern Conference even without Kawhi Leonard.

McCaw has seen the court in 37 games this season, with an average of 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Raptors had all 17 roster members go into the bubble. The players and other members of the organization have been in Florida since June 22.

Paul Watson – Toronto Raptors
Fresno State Bulldogs (2013–2017)

Watson started the season with Raptors 905, Toronto’s G-League affiliate, averaging 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 13 games. It took almost three years after graduating from Fresno State, but Watson finally made his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks early January thanks to a 10-day contract.

After he was released by the Hawks, Watson signed a two-way deal with Toronto on Jan. 15. 

Derrick Jones Jr.– Miami Heat
UNLV Rebels (2015–2016)

Jones tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after the NBA began mandatory testing in preparation for the resumption of the season. The 23-year-old never reported any symptoms and he was cleared in time to travel to Florida with the rest of his team.

Jones has played in 51 games this season, averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Tyler Johnson Brooklyn Nets
Fresno State  (2010–2014)

Johnson is new to the Nets. The 6’4 guard signed with the team late June, but he brought plenty of experience with him. He appeared in 31 games with the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.

He has registered a combined 301 career games with the Suns and the Miami Heat.

Khem Birch – Orlando Magic
UNLV (2012–2014)

Birch was re-signed by the Magic in 2019, a two-year deal. The 6’9 center is not a scorer, but he is a valuable role player. Head coach Steve Clifford asked the 27-year-old to go way outside his comfort zone this season. Injuries were affecting the team and as a result, Birch was asked to play as starting power forward. 

The NBA is beginning scrimmages on July 22, and the Magic will get a good look at where they are at by having their first game be against the Clippers.

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Lakers Restart Refresh: Jared Dudley, a pro’s pro off the bench

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley hasn’t been asked to play much this season, but he will likely get a shot come playoff time.

With the NBA Restart on the horizon, we are going to take stock of who is on the Los Angeles Lakers, what they did, or didn’t do this season, and what to look for as the Lakers look to march towards their 17th championship banner in the most unprecedented circumstances in NBA history.

Jared Dudley

There might be no player on the Lakers, aside from LeBron James, that is more comfortable using his voice than forward Jared Dudley. And just because Dudley was used sparingly this season by the Lakers and coach Frank Vogel, the leadership role, the respect he commands and most importantly, his strong resume of playoff performance, indicates that he will likely have a bigger role in the postseason than he did for much of the regular season.

While Dudley is a 12-year veteran in the league, he’s only been fortunate enough to play in the postseason in 4 of those 12 seasons. However, when he’s been there, he’s been a solid shooter and team defender. Dudley is a career 43.2% shooter in the postseason career, which currently spans 33 games.

In addition to his shooting, his willingness to play up a position, whether at power forward or at center, is useful. The only worry, as we saw last year in Brooklyn, is that Dudley can get pretty banged up doing that. But on a team with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers will need several players that are ready for that job.

The good news is that Dudley, even though he’s not high on the forward pecking order, will provide that in spots. Dudley has also gotten a lot of credit from some of the younger players on the Lakers for his activity in keeping the team engaged and focused on their goal of winning the championship.

Dudley’s personal stats aren’t going to blow anybody away and he will rarely if ever, create his own shot. But he can provide a willing defender and a consistent 3-point shooter that LeBron James will definitely utilize if they are out on the floor together.

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LeBron James and Jared Dudley ‘active’ in keeping Lakers engaged

Alex Caruso told reporters on Wednesday that Jared Dudley and LeBron James have been key in keeping the group together.

Players and coaches are now back at their respective practice facilities as teams across the NBA are preparing for the league’s restart, which is scheduled to begin July 30 at the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports Complex. But over the past four months, players have had to deal with not even knowing whether they would come back at all. And even when some facilities were open, the strict guidelines for sanitation and social distancing made players question whether it would all be worth it.

As for the Los Angeles Lakers, who at the time of the league’s postponement had arguably the league’s best chemistry, two of their most gregarious veterans have made sure to keep the squad engaged through the team group chat, according to Melissa Rohlin of SI Now’s All Lakers blog.

Dudley is one of the most outspoken veteran role players in the league, with his voice being a big reason why he’s been looked at as a leader in several of his past spots and with the Lakers. And LeBron, of course, was serious this season in organizing off-court activities for the team to bond, particularly on the road. That type of leadership has only been more vital to their team in the quarantine, with the hopes that it will lead to the results they’d been hoping for all year.

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Clippers Doc Rivers expects Lou Williams to join team in Orlando

The 4th and final regular season game between the Clippers and Lakers will kick off the NBA’s first day of action on July 30.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams has been the subject of much speculation over the past few weeks regarding whether he would go to the Walt Disney World restart site. Williams had told the Los Angeles Times’ Andrew Grief that he was 50-50 on joining his team in the restart and Williams also expressed some exasperation on twitter with some of the league’s social distancing policies outside of games while they’re at Disney World. But his head coach Doc Rivers believes the two-time defending 6th Man of the Year will join the Clippers, as they are one of the three biggest favorites, alongside the Lakers and Bucks, to win the championship.

Rivers told this to reporters on a conference call Wednesday.

Williams has been a key to the Clippers success over the last two seasons. This season, he is their third-leading scorer, averaging 18.7 points per game. He’s also second on the team behind Kawhi Leonard in free-throws made per game.

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