Category: NBA

NBA World Pleads for TNT to Mute Loud Pacers Fan During Game 6 Broadcast
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

NBA World Pleads for TNT to Mute Loud Pacers Fan During Game 6 Broadcast

The Indiana Pacers hosted the Milwaukee Bucks for Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Thursday night, a game televised nationally on TNT.

It didn't take long for NBA fans to grow frustrated with the audio on the broadcast, thanks to the behavior of one supporter in the stands at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, who happened to be seated distractingly close to the TNT broadcast's microphone.

The fan in question was constantly heckling the Bucks, loudly and relentlessly shouting at players on the road team throughout the game. All of his antics were picked up by the TNT microphone, leading to a rather unpleasant viewing experience for fans at home.

The fan had distinct trash talk for different members of Milwaukee, including Damian Lillard, Bobby Portis and Danilo Gallinari, among others, and he was incessantly letting them hear it.

The basketball world on social media voiced their frustrations with the booming Pacers fan, and urged the broadcast to mute the microphone.

Damian Lillard, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA
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Galveston Fires Back at Charles Barkley With Mysterious Series of Clever Billboards
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Galveston Fires Back at Charles Barkley With Mysterious Series of Clever Billboards

Galveston, Texas took it on the chin this weekend.

The Gulf of Mexico resort city—minding its own business during the NBA playoffs—suddenly gained notoriety when Hall of Fame forward and TNT analyst Charles Barkley proposed the city as an alternate vacation destination to Cancun for teams after uninspired playoff efforts.

"We're not even gonna send them to Cancun. We're gonna send them to Galveston with that dirty-a-- water," Barkley said after the New Orleans Pelicans lost 106-85 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the first round Saturday. "Y'all quit. Drive your a-- down to Galveston."

However, Galveston has struck back. Per TMZ, mysterious billboards taking shots at Barkley have sprung up around the city.

Messages include "Hey Charles, our water is cleaner than your golf swing," "Hey Charles, come on down—the water's fine!" and "Hey Charles, you've never turned down any of our great food."

All are signed, "Love, Galveston."

Who would've guessed a feud between a television personality and a city that has produced two NBA players ever—and a city close to one of Barkley's old teams, the Houston Rockets—would rank among the most compelling rivalries of these NBA playoffs?

Charles Barkley, Houston Rockets, NBA, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns
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Bucks-Pacers Game 6 Odds Move After Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Report
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Bucks-Pacers Game 6 Odds Move After Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Report

The third-seeded Bucks are clinging for their playoff lives and hoping for reinforcements ahead of Game 6 against the sixth-seeded Pacers on Thursday night. 

It looks like they could get some help, but oddsmakers are guessing both of their stars won’t return from injury. 

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday afternoon that Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) are both trying to play tonight but it’s “still unclear if either will be able” to suit up. 

After the news, the spread for Bucks-Pacers moved from Pacers -8.5 to -6.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook. That indicates that at least one of them will play, but likely not both. 

Antetokounmpo is dealing with a strained left calf and hasn’t played since mid-April. Lillard injured his Achilles tendon during in Game 3 and missed Game 4. 

In Game 4, the Pacers were -10 point favorites with both of the Bucks' stars out. The Pacers won that game by 13 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

The Bucks staved off elimination with a win in Game 5 at home, but now travel back to Indiana where they haven’t won a game in this first-round playoff series. 

The odds movement is substantial enough to warrant belief that either Lillard or Antetokounmpo will play, but it doesn’t seem oddsmakers believe both will. If they did, the line would have moved even lower than Pacers -6.5. 

Antetokounmpo is the longer shot given the precariousness of a calf strain and potential for further injury. 

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA, NBA Odds
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Jimmy Butler's Next Contract Will Decide the Future of Heat Culture
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jimmy Butler’s Next Contract Will Decide the Future of Heat Culture

Heat Culture is reaching a crossroads. According to the Miami Herald, Jimmy Butler is seeking a contract extension this summer and it sounds like the Miami Heat are going to have to make a decision about the future of the franchise. Extend Butler or prepare for the next phase, whatever that may be.

Butler is the consummate Miami Heat player, but he turns 35 later this year. He missed 22 regular season games this season and appeared in more Fall Out Boy videos than playoff games. It's never been a problem that he misses a big chunk of the regular season because he's been such a great competitor in the postseason. Despite having a reputation for being an iron man under Tom Thibodeau during his early days, he's only played 70 games in a season twice in his entire career and hasn't appeared in more than 65 games since 2017 when he was still in Chicago.

But again, that hasn't mattered because he would show up when the games really mattered. He was "Playoff Jimmy" and he helped Miami reach the NBA Finals twice in his first four seasons with the franchise. This year, with him unvailable during the regular season the Heat finished with the 8th best record in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year. Instead of making a miraculous run to the Finals, they were eliminated in five games by a hated rival.

So now Butler wants an extension that will change the two-years, $101.2 million remaining on his contract into a three-year deal worth $161.7 million. Miami would be paying Butler about $58.6 million in his age 37 season. There's no reason to believe he'll be available more often going forward. Miami's only really good regular season in the Butler era was when they won 53 games two years ago. Butler appeared in just 57 games.

While Butler and the Heat have until next summer to work out that deal it doesn't sound like Butler wants to wait. According to the Miami Herald, "Butler and his camp will push for that extension before the start of the upcoming season. Choosing not to offer this exact extension this offseason could lead to a disgruntled Butler."

"Disgruntled Butler" is a very close relative of "Playoff Jimmy." You may remember him from such previous stops as Chicago and Minnesota, before he decided he wanted to get out of Philadelphia and head to Miami back in 2019.

It would be pretty interesting to see Butler and Pat Riley have a staring contest because what other franchise would want an expensive, aging star who rarely plays? I mean, besides the teams that already have one or two of their own. And how much is another team willing to give up in a deal for Butler?

It kind of feels like a situation where no one is going to get what they think they deserve, but Pat Riley always seems to find a way to wriggle his way out of this jam or another. The team has won three titles since he too his talents to South Beach and they've been reached Eastern Conference finals seven other times.

So maybe he can keep getting away with this. Maybe there will be another player available in the next year or two who fits perfectly with Heat Culture. It just seems unlikely that Jimmy Butler plays alongside this hypothetical player - whether he's on the roster or not.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, NBA, Pat Riley
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Don’t Count Out TNT in Battle With NBC to Keep NBA Package
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Don’t Count Out TNT in Battle With NBC to Keep NBA Package

1. News broke earlier this week that NBC has offered the NBA $2.5 billion to steal TNT’s (aka, Warner Brothers Discovery) package of games when the current television deals expire after next season.

The “A” package of games are expected to remain on ABC/ESPN, according to Puck senior correspondent, John Ourand, while Amazon is expected to get a “C” package in the new television deals.

Appearing on a brand-new episode of the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast, Ourand said despite the monster offer, it’s far from a lock that NBC would get the “B” package from TNT.

“I am very positive about Warner Brothers Discovery’s chances to keep the NBA,” said Ourand.

“I know they prioritize the NBA. I know their NBA contracts are a big part of why TNT and TBS command so much money from cable and satellite operators. I know the idea that they’ve had the NBA since the 1980s, that’s part of the DNA of the company. So even though the executives haven’t been around for that long, it’s just who that company is. I believe WBD will pull out all the stops in order to keep the NBA.”

Ourand, who cautioned that the negotiations are “fluid" and things can change at any time, also said it is a “big plus” that WBD has matching rights for the NBC offer.

Ourand said he expects the NBA to announce the new television deals within a couple of weeks.

In addition to a full breakdown of where everything stands with the NBA’s negotiations for new television deals, Ourand also shares thoughts on how the new TV deals would impact the future of the Inside the NBA crew of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal.

Ourand also discusses the changes at CBS’s NFL Today with Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms out and Matt Ryan in, whether the NFL draft would ever move to a Wednesday-Thursday-Friday schedule instead of Thursday-Friday-Saturday, the status of the Marchand & Ourand Podcast and more.

Following Ourand, Sal Licata from WFAN and SNY joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s topics include an NFL draft shocker, a blow to an MLB superstar, Dave & Busters allowing gambling, Jerry Seinfeld turning 70 and much more.

2. Earlier this week, I said that Charles Barkley has been on an unbelievable roll (even for him) this postseason. That continued Wednesday when he went after people on hot take shows, or as he called them, “punks, idiots and jackasses,” who like to pretend the Lakers and Warriors are good teams.

3. How pathetic is this? Philadelphia’s ownership group had to purchase tickets to tonight’s Knicks-Sixers game in order to prevent New York fans from infiltrating the Wells Fargo Center like they did last Sunday for Game 3. So not only does the team have to resort to sad tactics because Sixers fans won’t support their team, but the game still had tickets available! Double whammy.

4. While not as exciting as the sound picked up by Aaron Boone after getting tossed by an umpire a couple of weeks ago, we had another solid audio moment from a baseball game Wednesday night.

After Pete Alonso was thrown out at home plate to end the Cubs-Mets game, resulting in a 1–0 Chicago win, New York challenged the play. There were two things in question: whether Alonso was out and if Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya illegally blocked the plate.

Replay ruled Alonso was indeed out, but umpire Chad Fairchild botched the call with some word salad.

“After review, two calls on the field, blocking is confirmed. There is no blocking. After review, the call of out on the field stands. Runners out.”

When Fairchild said, “blocking is confirmed” the Mets fans cheered, only to then be given the gut punch of Fairchild saying Alonso was out.

This brought out New York skipper Carlos Mendonza, who went at it with Fairchild.

“I’m not in replay,” said Fairchild. “I’m telling you what they told me.”

“But the rule says you cannot stand on homeplate without the baseball,” pleaded Mendoza.

“I’m not arguing with you, Carlos. But I’m saying …”

“That’s bulls---,” declared Mendoza.

“Take that up with the office,” said Fairchild.

5. Regarding that Cubs win over the Mets, Shōta Imanaga picked up the win after tossing seven shutout innings to improve to 5–0. It was the Japanese star's first time playing in New York and he shared his impression of the Big Apple after the game.

6. Peacock will air a three-part docuseries on the 1990 Yankees, Bronx Zoo ’90: Crime, Chaos and Baseball, premiering on May 16. Even if you hate the Yankees, as I know many of you do, you can’t deny that this looks extremely entertaining.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Happy 52nd birthday to the People's Champion, The Great One, The Brahama Bull, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter,Instagram and TikTok. 

NBA, NBC, sports media, TNT
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Charles Barkley on What Bothered Him Most About Beef With Kendrick Perkins
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley on What Bothered Him Most About Beef With Kendrick Perkins

ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins made waves last month when he criticized TNT's Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley for the duo's dismissal of the New York Knicks as a viable threat in the Eastern Conference.

"Obviously they don't watch basketball," Perkins said at the time on The Michael Kay Show. "I'm serious, they can't watch basketball on a consistent basis. The only time they actually probably watch the Knicks are when they're covering the Knicks on their game nights."

Barkley and O'Neal had fun with Perkins's verbal shot at them, as they put the NBA analyst's face on a punching bag and punched it on live television during Inside the NBA. Barkley appeared on the Club Shay Shay podcast this week with Shannon Sharpe to discuss the beef between himself and Perkins.

"Yeah it doesn't bother me because we take shots at players," Barkley said. "The only problem I had with what Kendrick says...there's nobody in the world who watches more basketball than me. And I had just come out of March Madness, which pissed me off even more because I was watching two or three college basketball games a day. March Madness really sucks because I'm watching games all day long. But to say other guys don't watch the games..."

"Because he has a different opinion than yours," Sharpe chimed in.

"Yeah," Barkley replied. "So that's the only thing that bothered me. There's nobody in the world that watches more basketball than me. But I don't get mad. The thing that's really funny about it...Shaq is so sensitive at times. I was gonna like let it go and he's like, 'Nah, nah, nah! My momma told me growing up we kill all roaches!'"

Barkley will continue to make his thoughts felt on the NBA unapologetically as the playoffs continue, whether Perkins likes the opinions or not.

Charles Barkley, Kendrick Perkins, NBA, Shaquille O'Neal
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Fans React to Scott Foster Being Named Crew Chief for Knicks-Sixers Game 6
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Fans React to Scott Foster Being Named Crew Chief for Knicks-Sixers Game 6

The Philadelphia 76ers made an improbable comeback on Tuesday night to force Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Playoffs first round series against the New York Knicks. Tyrese Maxey made two huge three-pointers with the help of a favorable whistle to send the series back to Philadelphia where the team owners are literally giving away tickets in hopes of actually having some sort of home court advantage.

To mae things even more interesting, the NBA announced this morning that Scott Foster would be the crew chief for the pivotal contest, which sent fans into a tizzy. New York fans smelled a conspiracy while Sixers fans saw a great opportunity to force Game 7 because teams trailing in a series seem to have such success with Foster working games that he's been nicknamed "The Extender."

Bill Kennedy and Mark Lindsay will work the game alongside Foster tonight. While neither has the same reputation as Foster, Kennedy is a true personality, especially on the mic during replay reviews.

Hopefully there's enough screen time for everyone involved. Between Foster and Kennedy, there's a great chance that the broadcast will have incredible entertainment value, no matter how good the actual game is.

As long as you're not rooting for the team that loses, because there's a 99% chance you're going to end up complaining about the officials. Especially when you know exactly who to blame.

Bill Kennedy, NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Scott Foster
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Sixers Owners Buy Huge Amount of Game 6 Tickets to Keep Them From Knicks Fans
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Sixers Owners Buy Huge Amount of Game 6 Tickets to Keep Them From Knicks Fans

The last time the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the New York Knicks, the New York faithful made their voices heard at the Wells Fargo Center. The cheers for Knicks players were nearly as loud as the home crowd's enthusiasm for their own favorites. The support for the orange and blue was audible on the broadcast and even got to Joel Embiid, who complained about Philly fans not showing up for Game 4.

The 76ers owners are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that doesn't happen again.

On Wednesday it was reported that the team's ownership group, consisting of Josh Harris, David Adelman, and David Blitzer, teamed up with Fanatics founder Michael Rubin to purchase over 2,000 tickets to Game 6 on Thursday evening. They plan to give out those tickets to essential workers in Philadelphia, which is obviously great and a lovely way to give back to the community.

But, as Rubin himself said, it also serves the dual purpose of taking tickets off the market for those dastardly Knicks fans who might be looking to make the Amtrak trip down from New York City.

This is, of course, one big PR stunt and really just a drop of water in an ocean since the Wells Fargo Arena capacity clocks in at 21,000. Which means there are still roughly 19,000 tickets to be purchased for any Knicks fan who really wants to go.

Nevertheless, this whole situation feels a lot like a teacher stepping after one kid whined that things weren't fair. As Embiid pointed out, Philadelphia is widely recognized as one of the best sports towns in the country. The franchise superstar challenged the fanbase. Let them step up to the plate without the intervention of billionaires with endless pockets.

How successful the gambit ultimately is will be revealed at 9 p.m. ET tonight when Game 6 tips off between the Sixers and Knicks.

NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
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Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for ‘Cowards' on TV Who Rip NBA Coaches
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Charles Barkley Had Blunt Message for ‘Cowards’ on TV Who Rip NBA Coaches

Charles Barkley is never afraid to share his opinion on just about everything, which makes him one of the best analysts, and personalities, on television.

He continued that during Wednesday night's Inside the NBA when he took a minute to bash analysts on other networks who have been taking shots at Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham and Phoenix Suns coach Frank Vogel after their teams were bounced from the playoffs.

Barkley isn't a fan of the way other people on other sports shows have been talking about Ham and Vogel, and he didn't hold back with his feelings, calling those people "cowards" and "jackasses."

Both Ham and Vogel could very well be fired after their poor playoff performances. And it seems like Barkley wouldn't be a fan of either of those moves happening.

Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Phoenix Suns
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Clippers Used Savage Arena Advertisement to Troll Mavericks Ahead of Game 5
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Clippers Used Savage Arena Advertisement to Troll Mavericks Ahead of Game 5

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to host the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night for Game 5 of their opening round playoff series, which is currently tied up 2–2.

Ahead of the clash, the Clippers took the opportunity to comically troll their opponent.

When Mavs players arrive at the arena for Wednesday night's game, they'll be greeted by a cleverly placed advertisement. Plastered on the side of the arena is a massive Skyscanner advertisement, hilariously depicting a flight offering direct from Dallas to Cancún.

"For great flights to Cancún, visit Skyscanner," reads the ad.

Of course, among NBA circles, there is not a more notorious postseason vacation destination than Cancún, and Los Angeles boldly hinted to the Mavs that it may be time to start doing some research on tickets and hotels in the area.

Regardless of how Game 5 plays out, the series won't be ending on Wednesday, as both teams need two more wins to clinch their place in the Western Conference semifinals. That gives Dallas and the American Airlines Center the perfect opportunity to clap back with some good-natured trolling of their own ahead of Game 6 on Friday night.

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA
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