Category: NBA

Jontay Porter Scandal Could Spark Changes to NBA Player Props
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jontay Porter Scandal Could Spark Changes to NBA Player Props

If the over/under on the number of betting scandals it would take a professional sports league to reexamine its gambling ties was set at 1.5, the under would have hit.

Following the lifetime ban of Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, the NBA is in discussions with sportsbook partners to figure out some changes that might prevent another scandal.

According to ESPN, the NBA is looking for ways to tweak betting menus including, "prohibiting betting on players on two-way contracts between the G League and the NBA," and "not allowing bets on the 'under' on a player prop."

However, there are concerns that limiting what consumers can gamble on might push them back into the arms of unregulated sportsbooks. For example, the kind of off-the-books bookie that took the action of Shohei Ohtani's translator, Ippei Mizuhara.

Legalized sports gambling has been spreading rapidly since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act 2018. While 38 states (plus the District of Colombia) have legalized gambling, there are still plenty of states dragging their feet to get involved. Possibly because there are so many kinks to work out where it is legal.

In the meantime, leagues are desperate to find ways to keep something like the Porter situation from happening again because there's so much money at stake. Where once we were inundated with daily fantasy sports ads, we're now subject to nonstop legal gambling ads. Sportsbooks advertise everywhere and there's a huge push to make gambling more accessible everywhere. It's where all the money is right now, and it's new and exciting and everyone wants to be involved and no one wants to miss out.

Things like the Porter scandal put it all at risk. That's why leagues have to do whatever they can to make sure it doesn't happen again. Even if they know deep down it probably will.

ESPN, Jontay Porter, NBA, Shohei Ohtani
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Lakers Firing Coach Darvin Ham Led to NBA Fans Posting Endless Memes
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Lakers Firing Coach Darvin Ham Led to NBA Fans Posting Endless Memes

The Los Angeles Lakers officially will begin their search for a new head coach after parting ways with Darvin Ham on Friday after two seasons.

Ham, who reportedly had two years remaining on his contract, led the Lakers to a 90–74 record over two seasons and guided the team to the Western Conference finals last year.

However, Ham was often criticized by Lakers fans throughout his tenure for constantly tinkering with starting lineups and rotations amid the team's shortcomings. Los Angeles fell well short of competing for an NBA title this season, finishing with the Western Conference's seventh-bet record and losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

It was no surprise, then, when Ham's dismissal resulted in an avalanche of reactions and memes posted to social media:

The Lakers reportedly will target Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick and—if he becomes available—Ty Lue, among others, to fill their coaching vacancy.

Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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How Darvin Ham Stacks Up in Lakers' Coaching History
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

How Darvin Ham Stacks Up in Lakers’ Coaching History

The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham on Friday. The decision comes three days after the franchise was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs by the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

While it is no great shame to lose to Nikola Jokić and a very good Nuggets team, Ham was on the hot seat all season long due to some questionable coaching decisions, especially in regards to the starting lineup. Paired with the sky-high expectations that come with coaching a LeBron James-led outfit, the change is not entirely shocking.

The Lakers will now begin the search for the 29th head coach in franchise history. Before looking ahead, however, it is important to look back and contextualize Ham's tenure at the helm. How does he stack up to his counterparts throughout franchise history?

Lakers' Coaching History

With his dismissal on Friday, Ham will officially finish his Lakers career boasting a regular season record of 90–74. His 90 wins put him 14th all-time in franchise history, more than Mike D'Antoni but fewer than Joe Mullaney. The all-time leader in Lakers history is— you guessed it— Phil Jackson, who recorded 610 victories in his dominant years with the franchise.

Ham's 164 games coached from the bench puts him in a five-way tie for 10th in Lakers franchise history. The other coaches with 164 games exactly under their belt are the aforementioned Mullaney, Butch van Breda Kolff, Mike Dunleavy Sr., and Byron Scott. For fans of HBO's Winning Time, Paul Westhead is next on the list with 161 games coached. The all-time leader for the organization in this category is, once again, Jackson with 902 games coached.

In terms of winning percentage, Ham will finish his time in Los Angeles clocking in at .549. That ranks 19th all-time in Lakers history, ahead of Randy Pfund (.452) and behind Rudy Tomjanovich (.558). Technically speaking, the franchise leader in winning percentage is Bernie Bickerstaff, who went 4–1 back in 2013 and thus owns an even .800 winning percentage. However, among coaches with more than 10 games coached, Pat Riley leads with .733.

Ham's playoff record is not quite as flattering in the light of the giants who came before him, although he did avoid the ignominy of becoming the 11th coach in Lakers history to not coach a single playoff game. His 21 postseason appearances are good for 12th all-time, but his 9–12 record (a winning percentage of .429) slots him 13th. Jackson leads all Lakers coaches with 118 playoff wins but Riley won at a better clip, posting a winning percentage of .685 during his tenure.

As the numbers suggest, Ham had a fine run as head coach of the Lakers. It was not drenched in glory but it also wasn't drenched in failure. A decidedly average tenure, and one that came to an end on Friday.

Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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Darvin Ham's Contract With Lakers Had Multiple Years Left
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Darvin Ham’s Contract With Lakers Had Multiple Years Left

The Los Angeles Lakers will be led by the eighth different coach since 2010-11 next year, as the team fired Darvin Ham on Friday.

Ham led the Lakers through troubled waters to start the year to qualify for the NBA Play-In Tournament only to ultimately lose to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason.

Earlier in the year, the Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament, but the Lakers went 3–10 in the games following that victory.

The Lakers under Ham made it to the Western Conference finals in his debut season with the team in 2022-23.

Ham, for his part, will get his paychecks from the Lakers for the foreseeable future even if his team facilities badge is denied access.

Ham was fired with two full years left on his contract. He signed a four-year deal at $5 million per year according to The Athletic, and the team will "assume" that, according to the report.

The now-former Lakers head coach's contract was on the smaller side of NBA coaches. Steve Kerr gets $17.5 million annually, Gregg Popovich earns a $16 million salary, and Erik Spoelstra is paid $15 million. It's unclear if the relative bargain Los Angeles had Ham played into their decision to move on and hire a new leader.

Ham is now free to pursue other opportunities in the coaching ranks, whether that be at the head coaching or assistant ranks, a capacity in which he worked for several seasons before being hired by the Lakers.

Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
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Celtics' Payton Pritchard Reveals Why He Wears Sabrina Ionescu's Signature Shoes
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Celtics’ Payton Pritchard Reveals Why He Wears Sabrina Ionescu’s Signature Shoes

Payton Pritchard and the Boston Celtics are currently awaiting the end of the Orlando Magic - Cleveland Cavaliers series to learn their opponent for the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal series.

While everyone waits for the unofficial NBA TV series to wrap up on national television sometime this weekend, the local press gets to ask whatever questions they don't have time for when there are actual games to talk about, which is probably why someone finally asked Pritchard about his sneakers.

Prtichard wears Sabrina Ionescu's signature Nike shoes. Pritchard and Ionescu both went to Oregon as freshmen in 2016 and played all four years in Eugene before turning pro.

Ionescu was selected with the first pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, while Pritchard was taken 26th by the Celtics. While Pritchard doesn't have his own signature shoe, at least he found a comfortable one with his friend's name on it.

Pritchard is not the only NBA player rocking the Sabrina's. During All-Star Weekend, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II revealed that he had an exciting exchange with Ionescu about her shoes. She thanked him for wearing them while he thanked her for making them so comfortable.

That's some solid word-of-mouth. Not only does Ionescu have the skill and profile to be featured during NBA All-Star Saturday, but she also has got the footwear to back it up.

And if she has it her way, more WNBA players will get signature shoes. If they're half as comfortable as hers apparently are, that's a good thing for all basketball players.

Boston Celtics, NBA, Payton Pritchard, Sabrina Ionescu, WNBA
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ESPN Analyst Claims Jalen Brunson Could Be Greatest Player in Knicks Franchise History
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

ESPN Analyst Claims Jalen Brunson Could Be Greatest Player in Knicks Franchise History

On Thursday night the New York Knicks moved on to the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs by way of a 118-115 win in Game 6 over the Philadelphia 76ers. Jalen Brunson was magnificent once again, recording 41 points (including 14 points in the fourth quarter) to put the persistent Sixers away. ESPN analyst Jay Williams was so in awe of his performance he went on Friday morning's episode of Get Up to sing the point guard's praises.

He may have gone a bit far, though. Even for the most diehard of Knicks fans. Williams said he believes Brunson will go down as one of the greatest Knicks of all-time— if not the greatest.

Brunson has been incredibly impressive and the marks he's hit as noted by the chyron are historic. However, Williams himself acknowledges he may be getting a bit over his skis by speaking so highly of Brunson's place in franchise history when he hasn't won a championship yet. Patrick Ewing didn't get one but Walt Frazier and Willis Reed both did. Even the most ardent Brunson supporter would balk at arguing Brunson is above any of those three in the franchise hierarchy as of now.

This sort of Brunson-mania is completely understandable through the lens of recent Knicks history. The organization was desperately searching for a new face of the franchise for nearly five years after Carmelo Anthony left and hadn't been seriously competitive in nearly a decade. The years between Ewing's retirement and the Melo trade aren't even worth discussing in this space. The Knicks were seriously lacking in 21st century legends before Brunson came along.

And he is perfect for the Knicks, just like franchise faces of old. Anthony was a walking highlight reel but didn't draw the love of the more gritty, earn every inch segment of the fanbase in the same way Brunson has. Knicks fans love a grinder and Brunson, if anything, is exactly that. Plus, before Brunson signed the best point guard to grace Madison Square Garden was 2007-'08 Stephon Marbury and he didn't win a single playoff series. It's been a while.

Brunson is very exciting to watch and feels tailor-made for the New York Knicks. He's still a long ways off from the heights reached by Frazier and Willis and even Ewing. A great first round series makes a franchise legend not, but perhaps this is the year when that changes.

ESPN, Jalen Brunson, NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
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Patrick Beverley Refused to Talk to a Reporter Who Wasn't Subscribed to His Podcast
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Patrick Beverley Refused to Talk to a Reporter Who Wasn’t Subscribed to His Podcast

The Milwaukee Bucks' ill-fated 2023-2024 season came to an end on Thursday night as the Indiana Pacers eliminated them from the playoffs. The Pacers won, 120-98, sending the Giannis Antotenkounmpo-less Bucks home in six games. Pacers guards Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell combined for 51 points and 23 assists. Their counterpart, Patrick Beverley, played a team-high 40 minutes, equaled his season average with six points, and threw a basketball at a fan.

After the game the media gathered around Beverley's locker to talk to the team's sixth-leading postseason scorer. That was when Beverley looked at ESPN's Malinda Adams and asked if she subscribed to his podcast and informed her that she could not interview him if she didn't.

She laughed it off, likely assuming he was joking, but he actually wasn't. So Beverley then pushed her microphone away and said, "Can you move that mic, please? Or just get out the circle, please for me, please ma'am. If you're not subscribed to my pod I'd appreciate that." She then walked away.

Beverley's unprofessional, childish, and quite frankly, lame request has been widely condemned in the media, but the most shocking part is that this apparently wasn't a one-time thing. According to CBS Sports' Jack Maloney, Beverley "has refused to talk to any of us in Milwaukee who do not subscribe to his podcast since he arrived at the trade deadline."

Some people in the comments (never read the comments!) are arguing that since it's free and easy to subscribe to the podcast, media members should just do what Beverley asks (or just lie about it!), but that misses every possible point. First of all, the NBA has rules about media availability and nowhere in those rules does it say a media member needs anything but a credential to get access. Smashing that subscribe button certainly isn't a requirement.

Most importantly, this is just kind of sad. Sad for Beverley, who needs to force people to subscribe to his podcast. Sad for any media member who caved to this ridiculous demand. And especially sad for anyone who has to listen to his reaction when he's told he's definitely not allowed to do this.

ESPN, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, Patrick Beverley
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Charles Barkley Blasts Patrick Beverley for Throwing Ball at Pacers Fans
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley Blasts Patrick Beverley for Throwing Ball at Pacers Fans

The Bucks had their season come to an end with a 120-98 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of their first round series in Indianapolis on Thursday night.

An ugly moment from the end of the game is likely going to lead to a big punishment, as Bucks guard Patrick Beverley was seen throwing a ball at Pacers fans not once, but twice, while standing near Milwaukee's bench in the final minutes.

Charles Barkley rightfully blasted Beverley for his actions, saying the NBA is likely going to suspend him and that it should be a lengthy one.

Here's Barkley's full take on the situaion:

Barkley is right, the NBA should come down hard on Beverley. We'll have wait and see just what Adam Silver and Co. decide to do.

Bucks, Charles Barkley, NBA, Pacers, Patrick Beverley
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Knicks Fans Ruthlessly Trolled Joel Embiid While Leaving 76ers’ Arena
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Knicks Fans Ruthlessly Trolled Joel Embiid While Leaving 76ers’ Arena

The New York Knicks eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers from the NBA playoffs Thursday night, scoring a 118-115 win in Game 6 to take the first round series 4-2. The Knicks fans who made the trek to Philadelphia for the game were not shy afterwards, unleashing a "f--- Embiid" chant as they made their way to the exits.

Video of the incident is below, but be warned it contains some bad language.

Embiid faced accusations of being a dirty player during this heated series. In Game 3, he was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for an incident involving Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. During an awkward sequence, Embiid fell to the ground attempting to draw a foul. When the whistle didn't blow, he grabbed Robinson's right leg out from under him. Robinson eventually left the game with an ankle injury. New York guard Donte DiVincenzo called the play dirty, and Knicks fans were irate.

During the Sixers' 112-106 overtime win in Game 5, Embiid hit Knicks' star Jalen Brunson in the head on a late drive. He was called for Flagrant 1 for unnecessary contact to the face. After those two incidents, Knicks fans will almost certainly regard him as a dirty player for the rest of his career, hence the post-Game 6 chant.

Embiid was excellent in the series, averaging 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals in 41.5 minutes per game. He dropped 50 points in that Game 3 win, had 34 in Game 2 and 39 in Game 6. It was an incredible performance in a losing effort by the 2023 NBA MVP. But no one will recall those numbers. Instead, they'll remember the two flagrant fouls.

The Knicks-Sixers series was competitive, contentious and incredibly entertaining. It was exactly what you'd expect from a budding NBA rivalry. That made the victory even more sweet for Knicks fans, who let their feelings for Embiid be known after the series was won.

Joel Embiid, NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Uses Old Damian Lillard Quote to Troll Patrick Beverley
3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Uses Old Damian Lillard Quote to Troll Patrick Beverley

The Indiana Pacers are headed to the Eastern Conference semifinals after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.

Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton pulled no punches when gloating over the series victory, taking to X and referencing an old quote from Bucks point guard Damian Lillard in order to take a shot at Patrick Beverley.

"Con man. Flip from above the rim," wrote Haliburton on X, quoting an old post of a video in which Beverley was talking trash about Haliburton's game to reporters.

Lillard and Beverley, who are now teammates in Milwaukee, haven't always gotten along. In a previous spat between the two guards, Lillard used that same quote to compare Beverley to Bernie Mac's character, Flip, from the 1994 film, "Above the Rim."

Suffice to say, Flip isn't a character most would want to draw connections to, and Haliburton made his own feelings on Beverley abundantly clear with his seven-word tweet on Thursday.

It's not the first time that the Bucks have been eliminated by Indiana this year. The Pacers knocked Milwaukee out of the in-season tournament, a game during which Haliburton did his fair share of showboating, which prompted a response from Damian Lillard in a postgame press conference.

After ending the Bucks' season with their 4–2 series win, Haliburton once again was eager to celebrate and took the opportunity to troll Beverley in savage fashion.

Damian Lillard, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, Patrick Beverley, Tyrese Haliburton
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