NBA stalwart Patty Mills says Australia have bottled up all their previous Olympic failures and plan to let them loose against the United States in their crunch basketball semi-final on Thursday. The world’s third-ranked team, known as the “Boomers”, have been trying to finish on the Olympic podium since the Melbourne Games in 1956 but […]
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Former US President Obama joins NBA Africa as partner
Former US President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner, advancing social responsibility efforts across the continent, the NBA announced on Tuesday. Obama will support programs and partnerships that provide greater gender equality and economic inclusion. Obama will have a small equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends […]
Bucks lose Thanasis Antetokounmpo to Covid-19 protocols
Milwaukee Bucks reserve forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Greek star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, was placed into Covid-19 safety protocols on Saturday before game five of the NBA Finals. A game official and Bucks staffer were also sidelined from the contest at Phoenix after being pulled due to virus safety measures. On the eve of […]
US Olympians seek ‘corporate knowledge’ says Budenholzer
US Olympic basketball coach Gregg Popovich’s struggling group of NBA stars is having to build the “corporate knowledge” that became a trademark of Popovich’s NBA championship teams in San Antonio. So says Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who spent 17 seasons as an assistant to Popovich with the Spurs, being on his staff for four […]
Paul excited yet locked in for first NBA Finals at age 36
Chris Paul has waited 16 seasons to finally reach the NBA Finals and finds himself focused on winning a long-sought title while trying his best to enjoy the moment. The 36-year-old playmaker has sparked the Phoenix Suns to their first NBA Finals since 1993, a best-of-seven showdown that opens Tuesday against visiting Milwaukee. “Just enjoying […]
NBA star Doncic leads Slovenia into Tokyo Olympics
NBA star Luka Doncic delivered a triple-double to lead Slovenia over Lithuania 96-85 on Sunday and into their first Olympic basketball tournament. Slovenia punched their ticket to Tokyo with the victory in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania. Doncic, 22, scored 15 of his 31 points in the second quarter and added 11 […]
Title-hungry upstart Suns and Bucks meet in NBA Finals
Two long-frustrated franchises, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks, will meet in the NBA Finals starting Tuesday and one of them will put an end to an epic title drought. The Bucks captured their only title half a century ago while the Suns have never claimed the crown since the club began play in 1968. […]
Boomers’ Broekhoff out of Olympics with mental health issues
Former Dallas Mavericks swingman Ryan Broekhoff pulled out of Australia’s Olympic basketball squad Friday citing mental health issues. His decision is a blow for a third-ranked Boomers team looking for a medal in Japan given his NBA and European experience and potent three-point presence. The 30-year-old, a standout for Australia at the Rio Olympics, said […]
Veteran Gasol makes Spanish pre-Games list
Double silver medalist basketball veteran Pau Gasol has made Spain’s pre-list for the Olympics in Tokyo, the Spanish federation announced Saturday, giving the 40-year-old a fresh tilt at glory. The pivot is named in the 18 who will be targeting a medal in Japan after Sergio Scariolo’s ‘Roja’ squad is whittled down to 12. Though […]
Top-seeded Sixers, Jazz on brink after Hawks, Clippers win
The top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz were left on the brink of elimination from the NBA playoffs on Wednesday as the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers notched against-the-odds victories on the road. In Philadelphia, Trae Young scored 39 points as Atlanta overturned a 26-point second-half deficit to lead the Hawks to a 109-106 […]