Anthony Edwards = Playoff Harden? Plus OKC's Big 3, Knicks-Pacers & Draft talk with Andrew Sharp + my conversation with Derik Queen

Yahoo3 days ago

Andrew Sharp joins KOC on this episode to discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder's 3-1 lead in the WCF. Has Anthony Edwards regressed to the point of being this era's version of Playoff James Harden? Have the Thunder "big 3" emerged to the point where a title is almost guaranteed in June? Plus speaking of OKC - Kevin and Sharp wonder if SGA has officially become the greatest player to ever wear a Thunder uniform (even beyond Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook). And the guys hit the Pacers-Knicks series out east, plus talk Chris Paul news, and NBA Draft latest.
Then, Kevin sat down with Derik Queen, one of the stars of March Madness and current projected Lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft. Is he really "baby Jokic?" What does he need to work on? What sets him apart? Plus, a look back at what went through his mind during his all-time classic buzzer beater back in March.
(0:40) OKC goes up 3-1 vs. Wolves
(21:42) Could SGA be the best OKC player EVER?
(32:09) Knicks beat Pacers in Game 3
(42:13) Chris Paul won't return to Spurs
(46:32) Brooklyn may trade Cam Johnson + picks to move up in Draft
(48:49) Who should Wizards target in NBA Draft?
(1:04:52) Draft prospect Derik Queen joins the show

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It's time for Connor McDavid to win the Cup 'right [expletive] now'

USA Today

13 minutes ago

USA Today

It's time for Connor McDavid to win the Cup 'right [expletive] now'

It's time for Connor McDavid to win the Cup 'right [expletive] now' A championship is earned, not given. But there are moments when you know when it's a star athlete's time. You've watched them grow, tweak their games, adjust their leadership, found the right combination of teammates and coach, perhaps maybe even find comfort off the court or field. It's Connor McDavid's turn. I say this knowing full well there's a buzzsaw waiting for him in the Stanley Cup Finals. His Edmonton Oilers will once again face the Florida Panthers, the defending Cup champions who are built for postseason play with depth, ferocity and veteran savvy. But I'll be rooting for the NHL's generational star to finally get over the hump and win it. He was so close last year, with a seven-game series ending in a heartbreaking 2-1 win for the Panthers in the final winner-takes-all contest. I think back to that clip of him that FACEOFF: Inside the NHL captured, in which cameras found him screaming at his Oilers teammates in the locker room: "RIGHT [EXPLETIVE] NOW!" Maybe McDavid and the Oilers have learned from that experience. Maybe they now know that it takes an extra gear to take down a playoff-tested team like the Panthers. Maybe this is the best shot they'll have with this deep roster, better goaltending and a coach in Kris Knoblauch with an added year of experience. What I know is it's McDavid's time to win it all. Now, he's just got to go and get it. The Knicks figure it out (is it too late?) Hi! Life-long Knicks fan here! I'll tell you how I'm feeling after a Game 5 in which my team never looked back: "Awesome job pushing off elimination ... but the Pacers are going to bring it in Game 6 at home. What are you going to do to combat that?" Because: the Knicks had intensity on both ends of the court. Karl-Anthony Towns continues to pile up dumb fouls, but at least he's also continued to torch the Pacers on offense. The second unit with [Knicks fan chant] LAN-DRY SHA-MET continues to flummox Indiana. And I know Tyrese Haliburton is going to watch that game tape and know he's got to do what he did in Game 4. So, the Knicks simply have to replicate that for two more games. It's doable. Quick hits: BEAR IN BRISTOL! ... Oh no, AJSS ... and more. -- There's a bear roaming around on ESPN's Bristol campus. Be safe out there. -- AJ Smith-Shawver got some help from a Braves teammate when it came to his injury. Meanwhile, lip-readers think he talked about hearing a "pop." -- John Mellencamp -- yes, the singer/songwriter! -- ripped Pat McAfee for the personality's NSFW speech at the Pacers' Game 4. -- Matthew Stafford had some laughs over playing Olympic flag football. This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. This was Charles Curtis.

Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday

Yahoo

27 minutes ago

Yahoo

Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday

Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks extended their Eastern Conference Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers with a 111-94 win at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, giving Tom Thibodeau's team a chance to even things up at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday. Advertisement The game included stellar performances from Knicks stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson, who combined for 56 points in the Big Apple. Brunson and Towns' performances put the Knicks duo in the NBA record books alongside Lakers legends Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, a testament to their considerable talents. Brunson and Towns scored 20-plus points during each of the Knicks' first five games of their conference series, making them the only duo to accomplish the feat since O'Neal and Bryant during the Western Conference Finals in 2002 against the Sacramento Kings. Jalen Brunson snags the ball against Indiana on Thursday night. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images Fellow Lakers duo Elgin Baylor and Jerry West also scored 20-plus points in five straight games against the St. Louis Hawks during the 1966 Western Division Finals. Advertisement Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart added 12 points apiece to help lead the Knicks in their win, sending the series back to Indianapolis for what will be another must-win game for coach Thibodeau's team. The Knicks held star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to just eight points on Thursday. Benndict Mathurin scored 23 points to pace the Pacers while Pascal Siakim added 15 points and Obi Toppin added 11 points. Haliburton smiled while walking off the court, a sign that he remains confident in the Pacers' chances heading into Game 6 Saturday night. Towns complimented the Knicks' support players after the game alongside the NBA on TNT crew, a sign of the team's cohesiveness heading into Saturday night's contest. Advertisement Related: Charles Barkley Reveals What 'Drives Him Crazy' About Jalen Brunson's Knicks Teammates Related: Charles Barkley Reveals Nine-Word Phrase That Caused Julius Erving to Fight Larry Bird This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

Highest-paid athletes of African descent in 2025

Business Insider

43 minutes ago

Business Insider

Highest-paid athletes of African descent in 2025

Four players of African descent made the top 50 list of Forbes' Highest-Paid-Athletes. Giannis Antetokounmpo - 13th place Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nigerian/Greek star of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the highest-ranked athlete of African ancestry on Forbes' 2025 list, coming in at 13th with $94.4 million in earnings. His on-court NBA salary and performance bonuses accounted for $49.9 million, while off-court activities, including sponsorships, investments, and media endeavors, brought in $45 million. Giannis's ability to blend elite-level play with business collaborations has propelled him to the ranks of the world's wealthiest sportsmen. Kylian Mbappé - 16th place Kylian Mbappé, the French football prodigy with Cameroonian roots, is ranked 16th with a total earnings of $90 million. His on-field contract and incentives contributed $70 million to his total earnings, making him one of the highest-paid football players in the world. His off-field earnings totaled $20 million, owing to a portfolio of sponsorships and commercial deals that reflect his global celebrity status. Joel Embiid – 36th place NBA center Joel Embiid, another world-class athlete of Cameroonian descent, ranks 36th on the list, with a total earnings of $60.4 million in 2025. The majority of his earnings ($40.4 million) came from his salary and performance bonuses with the Philadelphia 76ers. He also earned $10 million off the court through endorsements and other commercial activities. Embiid's worth to the NBA and worldwide businesses is growing. Sadio Mané - 48th place Senegalese footballer Sadio Mané earned $54 million in 2025, ranking him 48th overall. His on-field earnings were considerable, totaling $50 million, most likely indicating a lucrative deal in a top-tier league. He also made $4 million in sponsorships and commercial deals, solidifying his status as one of Africa's most successful footballers both on and off the field. These four athletes demonstrate the growing global relevance of African talent in sports, not just via their abilities, but also by their enormous market worth and commercial appeal.