Latest news with #BIG3
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Beasley shares the gangster way Pat Riley welcomed him to Miami: "Pulled up in a '47 Mercury, matte black"
Michael Beasley shares the gangster way Pat Riley welcomed him to Miami: "Pulled up in a '47 Mercury, matte black" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Michael Beasley lasted only two seasons with the Miami Heat after the team drafted him No.2 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. But before Pat Riley shipped him out of South Beach, the Godfather left a lasting impression on him. Advertisement During a recent podcast hosted by Ice Cube's BIG3, Beasley talked about his first meeting with Riley as the most memorable experience he had in those two seasons he played in Miami after the draft. "Pat Riley is one of the most gangster, just the smoothest person. I landed on a jet, and Pat Riley pulled up in a 47Mercury, matte black… no socks, slacks on, got hamburger meat out, with shades on, the slick back. He got the gold. Shorty's smooth…Just smooth like a mob boss," said Beasley in one breath. Pat drove a 1950 Mercury around L.A. Big things were expected from Beasley coming out of college. "B-Easy" had a dominant freshman year at Kansas State, where he ranked third in the nation in scoring and was college basketball's top rebounder. And so, being the No.2 pick, the Heat had to impress and give him the VIP treatment, with no less than the team president picking him up at the airport. Advertisement Riley was always a guy who dressed like a Wall Street banker. He wore Armani suits and had that signature greasy slick-back hair. And yes, Beasley wasn't exaggerating. In 2015, Riles was spotted by TMZ driving a vintage black Mercury coupe around Los Angeles, but a 1950 model, not a 1947. Maybe Michael missed the model, but still, it was as gangster as a car could be, and it surely matched the looks of the "Godfather". "That's one of my favorite memories, like just him pulling up…As soon as I landed, picked me up and chopped it up with me, get something to eat. That was our relationship. It was always behind closed doors. But that was just a fly, that Mercury was just…you could smell the gasoline from the street. It was fly," Beasley added. Related: Dominique Wilkins shares why there's no way Michael Jordan wins six NBA titles without his teammates: "Mike doesn't get six championships without those other pieces" Riley showed Dragic his rings Well, Riley had a way to impress his top recruits. While he flaunted his vintage car and dashing good looks at Beasley, he boasted his championship rings when he first met Goran Dragic after Dragic was traded to the Heat in 2015. "The Dragon" himself told that story during a recent interview with Basketball Network. Advertisement "First meeting with him (Riley), I remember I came to his office, and he was like, 'Goran, we are happy to have you, welcome to the team," said Dragic. "Now it's time to go to war, you know what we play for?' I said, 'Yes, of course, the championship.'" "He opened the drawer and showed all nine rings. He's like, choose one, I'm like,' What?!' At that time, I just picked one ring. He was like, 'Okay, we are going to get you one.' You know, it never happened, but if I'm honest, I've spent the best seven years in Miami," Dragic recalled. Whether it was Beasley's surreal airport pickup or Dragic's welcome with a drawer full of championship rings, Riley always knew how to leave a lasting impression. His old-school charm, unwavering confidence, and direct approach created a culture that players still speak about with respect — even if things didn't always end in rings. Related: "Fu— you guys... we are in a war zone now" - Goran Dragic explains why the Heat avoided everyone in the Orlando Bubble This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Pink Villa
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Former NBA All-Star Dwight Howard's marriage ends in six months as wife files for divorce
In a sharp turn from their whirlwind romance, former NBA star Dwight Howard and his wife, Amber Rose Howard, known publicly as rapper and reality TV star Amy Luciani, are officially calling it quits after just half a year of marriage. Court records filed in Georgia on July 1, obtained by multiple outlets, indicate that Amy has initiated divorce proceedings. She describes their marriage as 'irretrievably broken' with 'no prospects for reconciliation.' The following day, a mutual restraining order, initially entered on January 2, was also formally submitted to the court. The rapper has requested that all marital property be split equally and is seeking alimony. A quick rise and a sudden fall Howard and Luciani announced their engagement in December 2024 with affectionate social media posts that have since been deleted. The couple married quietly on January 11, 2025. The union followed Amy Luciani's rise in the entertainment industry through Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and her 2023 album Amy's World, while the 39-year-old transitioned from the NBA to Ice Cube's BIG3 league. Though they initially kept much of their relationship private, cracks became evident as recent weeks brought stressors, including Howard's emotional tribute to his dog, who was killed in a hit-and-run. Just days later, Luciani's filing made headlines. Drama off the court Dwight Howard has remained silent on the divorce filing. However, his off-court life has been subject to growing scrutiny, most recently following a scuffle with Lance Stephenson during a BIG3 opener and his ongoing appearances in reality competition series. Luciani told The Shade Room she's still 'wrapping (her) head around a lot' and asked for privacy as the legal proceedings move forward, stating, 'Although I know it won't happen, I hope the public can give us grace and privacy right now.'
Newsweek
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Big3 Basketball Miami: Live Stream, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Week 2 of the new Big3 Basketball season will get underway on Sunday, June 29, 2025, live from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. One of the featured matchups in Sunday's Big3 Basketball action from Miami, Florida, is an exciting game between the Houston Rig Hands and the LA Riot. Ice Cube performs during halftime in the game between the 3 Headed Monsters and Triplets in BIG3 Week 5 at Comerica Center on July 17, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. Ice Cube performs during halftime in the game between the 3 Headed Monsters and Triplets in BIG3 Week 5 at Comerica Center on July 17, 2022 in Frisco, Texas. Photo byfor BIG3 The LA Riot boasts one of the strongest rosters in the Big3, featuring former NBA superstar Dwight Howard, as well as high-scoring guard Jordan Crawford and former top-five NBA draft pick, Wesley Johnson. Crawford leads the LA Riot in scoring at 23.5 points per game while Howard is putting up 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. How to Watch Big3 Basketball Miami Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Time: 1:00 p.m. ET Venue: Kaseya Center Channel: CBS Stream: Fubo (try for free) The Houston Rig Hands, meanwhile, don't boast quite as much star talent, but are led by Corey Brewer, who won one NBA championship in his career and even has a 50-point game on his NBA resume. Both the Rig Hands and LA Riot are 1-1 this season, and will be desperate for a win to get over the .500 mark in this Big3 basketball season. The Miami 305 also takes to the court on Sunday, taking on the Boston Ball Hogs. Miami 305, led by Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley, is 1-1 on the campaign, while the Ball Hogs, featuring one-time NBA wing Jonathan Simmons and coached by Hall-of-Famer Gary Payton, are likewise 1-1, setting up for another intriguing matchup on Sunday. Change the channel to CBS at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon to catch Big3 Basketball action, live from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Live stream Big3 Basketball Miami for free on Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lance Stephenson explains why Carmelo won't play against Michael Beasley 1-on-1: "Nobody wants to lose their stripes"
Lance Stephenson explains why Carmelo won't play against Michael Beasley 1-on-1: "Nobody wants to lose their stripes" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Michael Beasley last played in the NBA at the age of 30 — a surprisingly early exit for a player of his talent and natural scoring ability. However, the former forward never gave up on proving his worth. Advertisement Boasting regularly about his dominance in one-on-one matchups, Beasley has continued to back up his words with performances in various competitions around the world. After witnessing that firsthand in a game in the BIG3, Lance Stephenson is convinced that other greats of the league, like Carmelo Anthony, would fear going up against B-Easy solely out of the fear of damaging their legacies. Stephenson on why Anthony would never face Beasley From claims of having beaten LeBron James in a private matchup during his playing days to outdueling players like former players like Stephenson (31-21 triumph and walked away with a $100,000 cash prize), former DPOY Dwight Howard in a recent BIG3 contest and local gym sensations in casual runs, B-Easy has built a reputation as a nightmare one-on-one opponent. With a lethal mix of footwork, speed, and shot-making, Michael has shown time and time again that he still has gas left in his tank and the tools to embarrass almost everyone in isolated situations. As a result, B-Easy confidently set his sights on Melo, publicly challenging him to a one-on-one duel. But Lance understands why Carmelo, a Hall of Famer and reckoned as one of the best pure shooters in the league's history, is unlikely to step forward and accept such challenges. In his eyes, someone of Anthony's stature would never put his legacy on the line in a game where there's more to lose than to gain. Advertisement "Nobody wants to lose their stripes, man," Stephenson said with a smile. "Melo not gonna play him. I don't feel like Melo would play him just because if Beas won… he's just gonna take that stuff (personally)." Related: "He never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room" - BJ Armstrong said Michael Jordan was very different behind the scenes Melo claimed he wouldn't lose to B-Easy On his "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Anthony was asked about the challenge thrown his way by Beasley. He reflected on his own dominance in one-on-one matchups during the NBA and even behind the scenes, where Carmelo routinely schooled stronger and faster players. While he acknowledged the brilliance of Michael in such environments even to this day, Melo made it clear that even after his days on the hardwood are over, there's no chance anybody could be a legitimate opponent to him. A showdown between Beasley and Anthony would be the kind of off-the-court battle fans did not even know they needed, but one that could catch fire with fans and global media alike. However, the truth is that it probably will not happen. Even former players recognize that a loss in such a matchup could cause more harm than good to a Hall of Famer's legacy. And perhaps that is precisely why Melo, like others, may continue to admire B-Easy's talent — from a distance, which is to the best of even their personal interest. Advertisement Related: "I see the one-on-one atmosphere growing" - D-Wade reacts to the Lance Stephenson/Michael Beasley showdown This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Basketball Fans Saddened By Rachel DeMita Career Announcement
Basketball Fans Saddened By Rachel DeMita Career Announcement originally appeared on The Spun. Fans of basketball influencer Rachel DeMita received unfortunate news this Friday. DeMita, 35, became quite popular in the 2010s as the host of NBA 2KTV. That led to her building out a massive following on X, Instagram and YouTube. In June 2024, the BIG3 hired her to be a courtside commentator providing behind-the-scenes content. Advertisement "It's a little different than your traditional sideline reporter," DeMita said after being hired. "We're also going to make sure that there's a fun spin to it. I also do a lot of content on social media and with the media landscape changing as much as it has over the past few years, just knowing what the basketball audience and the BIG3 audience wants to see and what's going to excite them. What are some of the little questions that we can ask? What behind the scenes content can we give them that's interesting to them, gets them more invested in the players and coaches and the culture of the league?" Unfortunately for the former Old Dominion hooper, she won't be working with the BIG3 any longer. On Friday afternoon, Front Office Sports reported that DeMita is no longer with the popular 3-on-3 basketball league According to Front Office Sports, the 'final straw' was that she tweeted Caitlin Clark highlights during a BIG3 game she was working at. LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 03: Rachel Demita attends 32nd Annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular at W Los Angeles - Westwood on April 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Sports Spectacular) Though it's not a huge surprise, basketball fans are furious with the BIG3's decision. Advertisement "Higher morals than ESPN with their lead analyst playing solitaire during the NBA FINALS," one fan commented. "And just like that the Big3 loses all of its few actual viewers," a second fan said. "Multitasking is no longer a required skill out here huh," a BIG3 fan wrote. "But Stephen A. Smith can play solitaire and then shit on players he wasn't even watching. What a joke," another fan commented. "What a mistake by the BIG3," a social media user declared. DeMita has not yet commented on her fallout with the BIG3. She did, however, post a lot of WNBA content on social media Thursday night. Advertisement BIG3 has not named a replacement for DeMita. Related: Rachel DeMita Turns Heads In Team USA Basketball Jersey Basketball Fans Saddened By Rachel DeMita Career Announcement first appeared on The Spun on Jun 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
