Radioactive: Brad Keselowski's pit-road miscue at Pocono
Who should the Knicks be targeting as its next head coach? | The Kevin O'Connor Show
Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor and fantasy analyst Dan Titus discuss New York's series of rejections for head coach interview opportunities and throw out some names of coaches who are available and should be considered for the role. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Where will Maxime Raynaud's breakout at Stanford land him in 2025 NBA Draft?
Maxime Raynaud didn't distinguish himself in his first two seasons at Stanford as he averaged a combined 6.9 points and 5 rebounds per game. Then the 7-foot Frenchman blossomed as a junior, bumping those averages to 15.5 and 9.6, respectively. He then took his game to another level as a senior this past season, averaging 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds en route to earning first-team All-ACC honors. With the NBA draft set for this week, Raynaud seems likely to earn the distinction of becoming a late first-round pick Wednesday or -- at worst -- an early second-round choice Thursday. How has Raynaud risen from someone who started just five games as a freshman to someone on the precipice of joining the NBA? He'll tell you it stems from putting in the time and effort. 'You just work,' Raynaud said in a phone interview Thursday morning. 'You get better every year. You stick to your process, stick to your routine and eventually you get better. That's what four years of college are for.' Raynaud received his degree in computer science this month. After the 2023-24 season, Raynaud entered the transfer portal, but he opted to remain on The Farm and become the anchor of Kyle Smith's first season as the Cardinal's head coach. 2025 NBA Draft In his previous job as Washington State's head coach, Smith certainly knew of Raynaud. Once Smith got to know Raynaud personally, the Paris native impressed Smith both on and off the court. 'He does have the growth mindset, which is usually the separator for most of the guys,' Smith said. 'The ability to work through your weaknesses and add a little dimension (to your game), I think he was able to do that every year.' The Cardinal went 21-14 in 2024-25, including 11-9 in the ACC. Smith ran the offense through Raynaud, which enabled the big man to expand his game as a passer and as a 3-point shooter. He went 67-for-193 from beyond the arc as a senior. In his first three seasons combined, Raynaud was 45-for-130 from long range. 'They just gave me a lot of freedom,' Raynaud said of Smith and his staff. 'We meshed pretty well. They really had confidence in me and my abilities, so that helps a lot.' Smith believes Raynaud is NBA-ready in terms of his proficiency in hitting corner 3's and his ability to switch onto smaller players when necessary. 'What people don't know is he can really move his feet defensively,' Smith said. He likened Raynaud to the Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk and the Lakers' Maxi Kleber. Raynaud is listed at 237 pounds and Smith thinks Raynaud 'still needs to get stronger, more physical. He can become a better shot blocker.' Smith quickly added that one reason for Raynaud's relatively low number of blocks (50) this past season was a result of the coaching staff telling him not to leave his feet to attempt to block a shot. The Cardinal simply could not afford to have Raynaud get into foul trouble. Raynaud apparently raised his draft stock with a strong performance at the combine in Chicago last month. 'He looked like an eight-grader playing with sixth-graders,' Smith said. Raynaud estimated that he has worked out for about 10 teams. Last year, one of Raynaud's former teammates, forward Harrison Ingram, got taken by the Spurs in the second round. Barnes had spent his first two seasons with the Cardinal before he transferred to North Carolina. The most recent player drafted directly from Stanford was forward Ziaire Williams, the 10th overall pick in 2021 by New Orleans. The Pelicans quickly dealt Williams to Memphis. He played three seasons with the Grizzlies and this past season with the Nets.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pacers' Pascal Siakam reveals ice-cold lesson he learned from Kawhi Leonard
The post Pacers' Pascal Siakam reveals ice-cold lesson he learned from Kawhi Leonard appeared first on ClutchPoints. Pascal Siakam learned a lot from Kawhi Leonard during their time together as teammates on the Toronto Raptors. So much so that the former understood a key lesson from the star forward as he looks to lead the Indiana Pacers to glory. Advertisement Siakam and Leonard were only co-stars for one season with the Raptors during the 2018-19 campaign. That was all they needed to lead the team to their first-ever NBA title after beating the Golden State Warriors in six games. Siakam played a solid role as a full-time starter throughout the playoff run as Leonard went on to win Finals MVP. Now with the Pacers, Siakam is preparing for Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has a chance to do what he accomplished with Toronto in 2019, which led him to reflect on Leonard's impact on his development to being a star. 'Being even-keeled. I think Kawhi, no matter what happened, he is always the same. That's something I try to have for me. It's like no matter good or bad, make shots, miss shots, it doesn't really matter. Just be yourself,' Siakam said, per Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. What lies ahead for Pascal Siakam, Pacers Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Pascal Siakam has done a lot to build himself as one of the best players at his position. He has Kawhi Leonard to thank for that, as the Pacers star now looks to make history on Sunday night. Advertisement This postseason has been marvelous for Siakam. After 22 games, he is averaging 20.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He is shooting 51.8% from the field, including 42.9% from beyond the arc, and 72.2% from the free-throw line. He played a crucial role in helping the Pacers elevate themselves into title contention, first reaching the East Finals in 2024. This year, they are now one game away from cementing themselves in NBA championship history forever. The Pacers will fight to win their first-ever NBA title when they face the Thunder in Game 7. The contest will take place on June 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Related: Is Scott Foster officiating Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals Game 7? Related: Is Tyrese Haliburton playing tonight? Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals Game 7 injury report
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong message to Thunder for ‘dream' Game 7 vs. Pacers
The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's strong message to Thunder for 'dream' Game 7 vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints. OKLAHOMA CITY — As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare for the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the MVP's message to his team is simple. It's a common theme throughout the 2024-25 campaign and one they plan to stick to as the reality of Thunder's do-or-die Game 7 sets in amid preparation. Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander is appreciative of the opportunity to compete in only the 20th Game 7 of the NBA Finals the association has seen, and advises his team to stick with the approach that's led the Thunder to the doorstep of an NBA championship. 'Really exciting opportunity, like a dream come true. Above all, I try to look at it as a blessing and an opportunity,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Then, go out there and try to be the best version of myself. I think that's what we need to do, what we have to do, across the board. Don't try to do anything spectacular. Don't try to do anything that you haven't done before or be less of what you've been. Just be who you are and what got you here.' Most of the wins throughout the Thunder's NBA Finals series against the Pacers have come down to intangibles, including winning the 50/50 balls, making hustle plays, and exerting effort. For Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder must gain that competitive advantage in Game 7. Advertisement 'It has to be an emphasis. It has to be at the top of our minds. It has to be all we care about,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Above all, we just have to want to do it. We just have to have a sense of urgency in that part of the game.' The Thunder will look to avoid blowing a 3-2 finals lead against the Pacers in a do-or-die Game 7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 'simple' Game 7 Thunder take Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explained the magnitude of Game 7, putting it bluntly after losing his first opportunity to clinch an NBA title. After Game 6's 108-91 loss to the Pacers, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed what competing in an NBA Finals Game 7 means to him. Advertisement 'It's one game for everything we dreamed of,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'If you win it, you get everything. If you lose it, you get nothing. It's that simple. We sucked tonight…We have one game for everything, for everything we've worked for. The better team Sunday will win.' Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host the Pacers in Game 7 at the Paycom Center on Sunday. Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Haliburton embracing the moment ahead of Game 7 Related: The Pacers' 'largest upset' NBA history that's on line vs. Thunder in Game 7
