Latest news with #NBAAll-StarGame
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
7-foot-2 NBA draft prospect from China drawing comparisons to 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic
The post 7-foot-2 NBA draft prospect from China drawing comparisons to 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic appeared first on ClutchPoints. Scouts were always high on the prospects entering the 2025 NBA draft. For the majority of the 2024-2025 season, 7-foot-2 Hansen Yang fell into the category of a mystery player or a 'draft and stash' prospect. Advertisement People were skeptical about whether Yang's dominance in China could translate to the NBA. However, everyone's perception of Yang changed once the NBA draft combine and Klutch Pro Day came around. Who is 2025 NBA Draft prospect Hansen Yang? Yang has flown under the radar on most draft boards, not just because of the surplus of talent in this year's class, but for three main reasons: – Limited sample size in his game. – Recent track record of Chinese players playing in the NBA – Inferior competition Born in 2005, Yang isn't following the mold of slender, 7-foot unicorns who shoot threes all game. Yang is more of an old-school big who relies on his IQ and soft touch to generate offense. Advertisement Yang is currently in his second season in the CBA. In his first 10 games with the Qingdao Eagles, he averaged 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. Last season as a rookie, Yang averaged similar numbers and won Defensive Player of the Year. Last April, the NBA and ESPN released their latest mock drafts. Both had Yang as a late second-round pick, around the late 40s to early 50s. At the draft Combine, Yang was determined to change the narrative. As a player whose perceived weakness is with his lateral speed and quickness, Yang finished in the top 5 among centers in all dynamic performance tests. This includes the shuttle run, lane agility drill, and 3/4 sprint. Why Yang has been compared to the likes of Alperen Sengun, Nikola Vucevic, and Nikola Jokic The comparisons were always there. Most scouts just refused to give in to the hype because of his competition. During the combine, Yang's bag was on full display. On a day when most people pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the projected top picks of the draft, Yang's play took the headlines. Advertisement He showed that he can extend his range, score (and defend) in the post against stronger centers, and deliver accurate passes. There's still a lot more scouts need to see from Yang in the coming days. Luckily, he is represented by Klutch Sports. If for some odd reason he won't hear his name called on draft night, Rich Paul most likely has something up his sleeve that ensures Yang is in the best situation for him to develop and make an NBA roster. If so, he could become a steal like Jokic. Related: Stephen A. Smith sends final NBA All-Star Game warning Related: NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon 'won't dismiss' Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for Knicks
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 bold Cooper Flagg predictions after going No. 1 to Mavericks in 2025 NBA Draft
The post 3 bold Cooper Flagg predictions after going No. 1 to Mavericks in 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Dallas Mavericks officially selected Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday. Flagg was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, as he features the ceiling of a superstar. However, what should fans expect for his career in Dallas? Advertisement Flagg played well during his one season at Duke. His NBA future is exciting to say the least. Now, we will be looking at three bold predictions for Flagg. Don't expect to see the basic predictions such as Flagg taking home the Rookie of the Year, as that is certainly not anywhere near bold (although, I do expect Flagg to win the Rookie of the Year). Without further ado, here are three bold Cooper Flagg predictions after getting selected by the Mavs in the NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg starts the NBA All-Star Game as a rookie The thought of Flagg making the All-Star Game as an 18-year-old rookie is fairly bold in itself. The idea that he will start the game — especially in the loaded Western Conference — unquestionably meets our criteria for the bold requirements. Advertisement The fact of the matter is that Dallas will rely on Flagg more than one may expect in his rookie season. With Kyrie Irving set to miss the first portion of the 2025-26 campaign while recovering from ACL surgery, Anthony Davis will emerge as the Mavs' primary scoring option. There is a realistic opportunity for Flagg to become Dallas' secondary scoring option as a rookie, though. Klay Thompson is going to receive a respectable amount of shots per game. PJ Washington is a capable scorer. Dereck Lively II has continued to take steps forward (more on him later). However, if this Dallas offense wants to reach its full potential without Irving, it will need Flagg to step up alongside AD. When one factors in Flagg's defensive potential as well his intriguing scoring ceiling, the idea of Flagg emerging as one of the best players in the NBA during the 2025-26 season doesn't seem as difficult to believe. Mavericks bring home a championship within Flagg's first three seasons I'm not claiming that the Mavs will win the NBA Finals in 2025-26. The future is suddenly bright for this team once again, though, something that fans may have questioned before the NBA Draft Lottery given the previous Luka Doncic trade. Advertisement Anthony Davis will likely spend the next couple of seasons in Dallas. Kyrie Irving intends to sign a new three-year contract with the Mavs. Dereck Lively II could become a star down the road. Klay Thompson is a four-time champion. And with Cooper Flagg now on the roster, this team's championship window is open. It may require a year or two, especially with Irving's injury, but I expect the Mavericks to win their first championship since 2011 within the next three seasons. Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II emerge as star duo My last prediction focuses on two former Duke stars. It is easy to forget that despite entering his third NBA season, Dereck Lively II is still only 21 years old. Cooper Flagg, meanwhile, won't turn 19 years old until December. Advertisement Once Kyrie returns, Irving and Davis will lead the way. Irving is 33 and Davis is 32, though. Flagg and Lively represent the Mavs' future. Lively has displayed signs of becoming a star early in his career. Injuries have unfortunately limited him. If he can stay healthy, Lively could take a big step forward. He has also been working to develop a 3-point shot, and his game will reach another level if he earns the green light to shoot long-range attempts in games. Flagg features a balanced all-around game. The Lively-Flagg duo projects to work well together. They can both help to anchor a defense while impacting the game on the offensive end of the floor. The final prediction is that Flagg and Lively will emerge as a star duo in the NBA. Related: Mavericks' Cooper Flagg asked about Jason Kidd rumors after going No. 1 Related: Mavericks' Cooper Flagg breaks silence on draft lottery rigging conspiracies
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Author Gets Honest About LeBron James, Michael Jordan's Legacy in New Book
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. What do Steph Curry, Caitlin Clark, Jeremy Lin, Giannis Antetokounmpo, A'ja Wilson, Kobe Bryant, Muggsy Bogues, Lisa Leslie, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan have in common? All of them played professional basketball in the best leagues available to them at the time — that much is common knowledge among even casual fans. More news: Three Bold Predictions for NBA Draft: Giannis Trade, 76ers Shakeup and More More than that, though, each star of the court has something in their personal history to offer children who are picking up the game today. Michael Jordan and LeBron James hug after the presentation of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. Michael Jordan and LeBron James hug after the presentation of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio."These players," author Chris Navalta told Newsweek Sports, "weren't given opportunities just because of who they were." Navalta's first book, Basketball Stars: Stories and Skills From the NBA's and WNBA's Best Players, released Tuesday by Penguin Random House, dives into the back stories of all 10 players. It's aimed at basketball fans ages 8-12. More news: Cooper Flagg Reveals His NBA Comparison Without Hesitation Before Draft The author said he relied on his 13-year-old nephew for inspiration. One tip the youngster wanted to know is conveyed in the book: Every chapter ends with a four-step process for how to do each player's signature move, from Lin's floater to LeBron's spin move. "The purpose of this book," Navalta writes, "is so you can gain valuable basketball skills while appreciating the journey all these players have gone through to make it to this level." More news: Fred VanVleet Inks Multi-Year Deal to Stay With Rockets Each journey is a little different, wisely offering something to teach kids from a variety of backgrounds. Leslie grew up the child of a single parent in inner-city Compton, California. Lin grew up in a wealthy Bay Area suburb, but was not offered any college scholarships, drafted by an NBA team, or even allowed into his first practice with the New Your Knicks (a security guard asked for his employment badge). When he was 6 years old, Bryant moved to Italy, a foreign country whose language he did not understand. Antetokounmpo's parents, who were Nigerian, were constantly under threats of deportation in Greece. More news: Jeanie Buss Finally Speaks Out on Lakers' Record-Breaking Purchase Although Navalta did not interview his subjects, many of these stories are well-told for adult audiences. James effectively grew up poor, and moved 10 times by his eighth birthday; Jordan did not, but he was cut from his high school's varsity basketball team as a sophomore, and used that as motivation to improve his game. Added up, the book offers age-appropriate lessons for children too young to watch every Netflix documentary but old enough to appreciate hard work — and the game of basketball. For more NBA news, visit Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which Duke players had the best NBA careers? Ranking Cooper Flagg's competition
It's going to be a big night for Duke basketball at the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg is expected to become the sixth No. 1 pick in school history and third since 2019. Teammates Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, meanwhile, are also projected to be top-10 selections in the draft beginning Wednesday, June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Multiple Duke players will be selected in the first round for the seventh time in eight years, and for the third time since 2018 the Blue Devils could have three players chosen in the top 10. There are 102 NBA players all-time who went to Duke, according to Pro Basketball Reference, including 23 active players this past season. But even though the Blue Devils have a storied college basketball history, and enjoyed unprecedented success (and five national championships) under former coach Mike Krzyzewski, ex-players' success in the pros has often been unpredictable. Flagg's status as the top prospect in this year's draft class comes with the promise that he can soon join the conversation about the best Duke product to play in the NBA. Where he ranks will depend on whether he can fulfill expectations that envision Flagg as one of the prominent players in the league right away. Only a select few Duke players have been able to do so as planned upon reaching the pros. With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports took a stab at subjectively ranking the best Duke players to play in the NBA based on their accomplishments, statistics and longevity: NBA draft 2025: What Duke player had the best NBA career? Note: Accomplishments include NBA championships, NBA All-Star Game appearances, All-NBA status and NBA awards. Also considered: Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mason Plumlee, Mike Gminski, Tyus Jones, Johnny Dawkins
USA Today
4 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Broncos turn to NBA for latest hire
The Denver Broncos have turned to the NBA for their latest hire. The Broncos are bringing in Daniel Brusilovsky as their new chief technology officer, the team announced Monday. Before joining Denver's staff, Brusilovsky previously served as the Golden State Warriors' vice president of technology. The Broncos wrote in a press release that Brusilovsky will "oversee all technology services and systems for the organization at both Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit and Empower Field at Mile High." Additionally, he will "lead the club's technology strategy, operations and innovation while serving on the Broncos' senior leadership team." Brusilovsky spent 11 years with the Warriors. His previous roles included developing an app, overseeing technology for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, NCAA March Madness and multiple concerts. He co-founded a consumer app before joining Golden State and previously worked at a digital payments company. Brusilovsky will work behind the scenes in Denver as the Broncos continue enhancing their fan and consumer experiences. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
