Legler 'not sure' Luka is over shock of trade
Lakers vs Timberwolves Game Highlights
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-113, in Game 3 of their First Round series. Minnesota Timberwolves Top Performers Anthony Edwards – 43 points (16 in 4Q), 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 3PM Ties Rick Barry (5) becoming the 2nd player in NBA history with 5 or more 40-PT games age 23 and under in the Postseason, only player with more game is Luka Dončić (8) Julius Randle – 25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 3PM Los Angeles Lakers Top Performers Luka Dončić – 38 points, 5 3PM LeBron James – 27 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 2 3PM Passed Wilt Chamberlain (143) for 3rd all-time on the Playoffs double-doubles list Passed Kevin McHale (281) for 9th all-time on the Playoffs block list The Minnesota Timberwolves lead the best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers, 3-1. Game 5 will take place on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Doc Rivers tells Kobe Bryant story from 2008 NBA Finals: 'He put that fear in you, man'
Doc Rivers tells Kobe Bryant story from 2008 NBA Finals: 'He put that fear in you, man' Kobe Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers great, was one of the greatest basketball players and overall athletes of all time. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships, and he was not only one of the greatest crunch-time performers ever but, in the minds of some, he was possibly the greatest closer ever. Even when the Lakers were down by double digits in the fourth quarter of a game, fans often thought there was still a chance the team could pull out a victory because of Bryant's exploits under pressure and his lack of fear. Like anyone else, he had his share of lowlights, and one of the worst moments of his career came when L.A. was embarrassed in the 2008 NBA Finals by the archrival Boston Celtics. It lost Game 6, 131-92, in Boston as the Celtics claimed their 17th championship, and although the Celtics were ahead by a wide margin down the stretch, head coach Doc Rivers could still feel the fear that Bryant always put in the minds and hearts of opponents. Celtics defensive coordinator Tom Thibodeau wanted Rivers to take his starters out midway through the fourth quarter, but Rivers refused because he feared that Bryant could get L.A. back in the game. Via Fox Sports: 'Game 6 was terrific,' Rivers said. 'That's a moment that I remember in 2008. The funniest moment, Kobe knows this, but we were up 1,000 [points] in Game 6 and the guy who you would least expect walks over to me during the game -- Tom Thibodeau -- and he asks me, 'Are you going to sub out? There's six minutes and we're up 42 points.' 'Of all the guys to say that, it's Tom Thibodeau. And I looked over there at the Lakers and Kobe was still on the floor, and I actually said, 'When Phil [Jackson] takes that guy out, I take my guys out.' And Thibs said, 'You're safe.' And I said, 'Not with that guy on the floor.' 'I was dead serious. I had obviously lost my mind because it was a 42-point lead. But he put that fear in you, man. He could run off threes. I was obviously not good at math, so I was worried about him. Then finally Phil took him out so I could sub. It was good.' The type of deficit the Lakers faced in the fourth quarter of that game was one even Bryant couldn't overcome. The embarrassment they suffered bonded the team together, and coming into next season, it was clearly on a mission. It won the 2009 NBA title, but it defeated the Orlando Magic and not the Celtics. The Lakers finally got another shot at the men in green in the 2010 finals, and this time, they won it all, as they overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter of Game 7. Bryant shot 6-of-24 from the field in that seventh game, but he played very well for most of the second half and especially in the fourth quarter, as he found ways to be efficient offensively while also contributing in other areas. For those who paid attention to his excellent play down the stretch of the game, it reinforced his image as arguably basketball's ultimate closer.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
"Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball" - Phil Jackson recalls the Finals play that fueled Pau Gasol to work on his strength
"Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball" - Phil Jackson recalls the Finals play that fueled Pau Gasol to work on his strength originally appeared on Basketball Network. Phil Jackson deeply understood the emotional toll that the Los Angeles Lakers experienced after their loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. While Kobe Bryant was undeniably the team's leader and driving force, "The Zen Master" also felt the heavy disappointment that weighed on Lakers' All-Star big man Pau Gasol. Advertisement The memory of that series remains vivid for Coach Jackson, particularly one specific play that served as a turning point in his perspective on Gasol. Despite Pau's impressive skills and relentless effort on the court throughout that playoff run, it became clear to Phil that he was not yet equipped to handle the intense physicality that NBA championship basketball demands. For Jackson, this realization highlighted the challenges the team was about to face if they really wanted to get back to their winning ways. Moreover, it also served as a rude awakening for Gasol. "The humbling defeat by the Celtics during the Finals was a challenge to Pau," the legendary coach reflected. "In the final game, early in the first period, Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball. Probably an offensive foul, but not a call in that Finals." Pau took it personally Like what Jackson sensed in his star power forward at the time, Gasol was also devastated. Though it was only Pau's first trip to the NBA Finals, the feeling of being so close to capturing the coveted championship and ultimately failing left the Spaniard dejected. Advertisement Instead of staying depressed, Gasol took it upon himself to spend the summer getting better. With the unwavering moral support of Coach Jackson and Kobe, "Meal Ticket" found the strength to rise again. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to rigorous workouts, channeling his energy into building and strengthening his body. "Pau took the challenge and worked on his strength game and was able to fight back in the 2010 Finals," Jackson fondly recalled. As the muscles in his body were developing, Gasol's mind was undergoing a transformation as well. He was laser-focused on achieving nothing short of a championship victory next season, determined to not only contribute to the legacy of the storied franchise but also achieve his ultimate goal. With the entire Lakers organization rallying behind him, Pau felt the immense encouragement that fueled his ambition and drive. The combination of physical conditioning and mental fortitude set the stage for the versatile big man's inspiring comeback, reaffirming his commitment to winning the chip. Advertisement "It had a big effect. The frustration and the pain that it caused us and me personally," Gasol confided as he looked back at the Lakers' championship loss in '08. "It definitely fueled me. It made me a better player. It made me work harder. It made me more prepared. It made me more determined about winning a championship." "Kobe was the same way," he continued. "He had that fire in him. He wanted to win it so badly. That's why he always motivated me along with Phil to be the best version of myself and to be the best player that I could be. To push me and challenge me to be better, I took that personally. That's what mattered to me. It wasn't so much about comments made on the outside. It was a feeling that we didn't get this one, but we're going to do everything we can to get the next one. We put ourselves in a position to do that, and we did," Pau explained. Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was Pau got his revenge Just as how he envisioned it, Gasol bounced back stronger in the 2008-09 season. He showcased his all-around skills throughout the year, playing a pivotal role in leading the Lakers to an NBA championship victory over the Orlando Magic. Advertisement Building on this success, the six-time All-Star even elevated his performance to new heights in the following season. Pau delivered the most outstanding playoff performances of his NBA career, impressively averaging 19.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in the 2009-10 postseason. What made this achievement even more significant was Gasol's chance to redeem the Lakers after their disappointing defeat in the '08 Finals. In a thrilling rematch, the Lakers faced off against the Celtics once again. Alongside Andrew Bynum, Gasol played a crucial role in helping his team secure the chip in seven hard-fought games and finally avenging their upsetting defeat. "Of course, Andrew Bynum was unable to play due to injury in the 2008 Finals," Phil further recounted. "But he was injury-free in the 2009 win over Orlando and the seven-game series vs the Celtics in 2010. He and Pau were a potent force together with that Laker team." Advertisement In retrospect, Gasol's championship journey with the Lakers is not only defined by his resilience and talent. It also solidified his place as a key figure in the franchise's history. Related: "They don't think he passes to Pau enough" - Grizzlies fans turned on Jason Williams for not getting the ball to Gasol sufficiently This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Dwight Howard chooses between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
Dwight Howard chooses between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James The hot debate these days is whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James is the greatest player in NBA history. Many still give the nod to Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s and never lost in the NBA Finals. For some people, there is also a hot debate about whether James or Kobe Bryant was a better player. There are those who believe that Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers legend who led the franchise to five world titles, was a superior player because of his sublime scoring skills and incredible abilities in crunch time. Dwight Howard is an incredibly lucky man, as he got to play with both Bryant and James during his Hall of Fame career. During an appearance on the "Club 520" podcast, he appeared to give James the nod as the overall better player, but with one caveat — a big one. 'Everything combined, you got to give it to LeBron,' Howard said. 'Scoring-wise, I got to say I like Kobe. If it's late in the game, I'm giving the ball to Kobe. I'm not going to give the ball to LeBron late in the game. I'm going to give it to Kobe.' While one could argue James is the better scorer, especially since he's the NBA's all-time leading scorer, Bryant was definitely much more skilled in that category. He was, according to many, the superior player in crunch time, and much of his legend is based on how he regularly rose to the occasion under pressure. In fact, the late Dr. Jack Ramsay, one of the greatest coaches and teachers in basketball history, once called Bryant the greatest closer in the history of basketball. He said that Bryant would not only hit the game-winning shot, but prior to that, Bryant would hit a series of shots or make plays to bring the Lakers back from a deficit and put them in position to win. While James has hit his share of clutch shots during his 22-year career, some feel he has faltered in big moments or simply failed to deliver too often.
