SGA's MVP showcases NBA's international influence
Chris Webber joins Dan Patrick to discuss Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP win, the Indiana Pacers' historic comeback against the New York Knicks and his memories of playing against the 1992 "Dream Team."
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
NBA Makes Historical Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Announcement on Sunday
NBA Makes Historical Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Announcement on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured his first Most Valuable Player trophy this past season, averaging 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Advertisement The Kentucky product didn't just prove that he's a superstar, but that he's among the best players in the entire league right now. The Thunder, behind the play of Gilgeous-Alexander, won 68 games and has been just as successful throughout the playoffs. Oklahoma City is headed to its first NBA Finals since 2012 -- which was a 4-1 loss to the Miami Heat. Now, they're taking on the Indiana Pacers as they aim to raise their first banner in franchise history. Of course, the superstar guard had a remarkable supporting cast, led by Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, as they are the most connected team in the NBA. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season.© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Ahead of the NBA Finals tipping off later this week, the league made a historical announcement regarding Gilgeous-Alexander and his incredible season. Advertisement Gilgeous-Alexander is the eighth player in NBA history to win his first MVP and make his first NBA Finals appearance in the same season. "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 8th player in NBA history to achieve both for the first time in the same season!" the NBA announced on Sunday. The feat was most recently achieved by Stephen Curry in 2015, with Allen Iverson being the third most recent in 2001, showing just how rare Gilgeous-Alexander's feat is. The Thunder's emergence as a contender has been rapid and loud -- led by Gilgeous-Alexander -- as they aim to cap off their arrival with a championship. Advertisement Oklahoma City opens as a significant favorite over the Pacers in the Finals, as they should be able to play as the more talented and deeper team, also owning home court advantage to start the series. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
Disappointing Playoff End May Have Knicks Looking For Roster Flexibility
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 10: Precious Achiuwa #5, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Jalen Brunson #11 and ... More Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks react on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2025 in New York City. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 126-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo) The New York Knicks went all-in on an NBA title push this past offseason with separate trades for power forward Karl-Anthony Towns and small forward Mikal Bridges. The end result did produce a postseason finish better than a season ago, but it also collected a second consecutive postseason series defeat to the Indiana Pacers this time coming in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now with an offseason of cap constraints and roster questions ahead, decisions loom on where the Knicks should go this offseason in pursuit of its first NBA title this century. For starters, New York has two unprotected first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 that can be valuable pieces in a potential upgrade via trade. It'll likely have to be attached to an asset on its roster making substantial bank which points to a player like Karl-Anthony Towns. Escaping Future Cap Hell Through A Towns' Trade NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after a dunk ... More in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo) Towns showed flashes throughout the playoffs of his scoring upside, but both he and franchise cornerstone Jalen Brunson couldn't put together a positive postseason net rating when on the floor together for New York. The team had its highest net rating with KAT on the floor and Brunson off, and its lowest defensive net rating with both stars present on the court. Over the next two years, Towns has salary numbers into the $50 millions which will constrict free agency movements the Knicks could potentially make as a potential second apron team. Their best chance of any type of flexibility is to move off of him now when his stock is somewhat high to an organization looking to eat cap space. A likely trade partner could be the Charlotte Hornets in a deal centered around power forward Miles Bridges and the upcoming expiring contract of center Jusuf Nurkic. Such a deal would allow New York to move off of Nurkic at the end of next season while potentially dealing Bridges at the same time too if he generates value with a solid Knicks season. Shop Josh Hard and Mitchell Robinson For Additional Frontcourt Depth NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks ... More celebrate as the game ends against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo) Another move New York could make is trading the contracts of guard Josh Hart and center Mitchell Robinson for a younger big man and a potential depth piece at power forward. Hart is revered by many as the heart and soul of the Knicks due to his hustle and grit as a rebounder and perimeter defender. The downside of his presence comes in the postseason where his shooting woes from deep become too magnificent to overcome. In this year's conference semifinals for the Knicks, Hart shot a woeful 2 for 11 from three-point range through six games and finished the series as a -59 on the floor. With the team now rostering wings in Bridges and O.G. Anunoby that features higher floors as spot-up shooters and defenders, Hart's presence may no longer be needed. Robinson's rebounding was a huge factor for the Knicks against Indiana, but his long-term health concerns may be too big to overcome. He's played a combined 48 games the past two seasons and just averaged around 21 minutes in the 18 postseason matchups played to manage his conditioning and potential injury concerns. Both Hart and Robinson have moveable contracts that could be dealt to a team like the Utah Jazz for the rights of Center Walker Kessler and power forward John Collins. Kessler and Collins give the Knicks an infusion of youth and depth to its frontcourt alongside potential flexibility for its present and future if they decide to move off of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Boston Globe
5 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Thanks to a freshman, Ava Kiley, Reading survive Division 2 first-round scare in extras
'All cylinders are firing for her right now,' said Reading coach Dom Gasdia. 'She always comes through. It's absolutely amazing to watch as a coach, how many times she's come through clutch in high pressure situations.' Kiley went 3 for 4 and scored all four runs, propelling the Rockets (19-2) past the Highlanders (9-9). Advertisement 'Hands down MVP material in the conference,' said Gasdia of his star senior. 'She's just clutch. She's always been good, but now she's always on fire. She's really locked in on every aspect of the game.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Rockets, who won the Middlesex League outright, have earned wins in every fashion, including several late game comebacks. From Gasdia's standpoint, it's a whole team effort. 'Everything just keeps on falling into place,' said Gasdia. 'The team never gives up.' Tewksbury 12, Notre Dame (H) 7 — Julianna Cappiello blasted a two-run homer after knocking in a pair of runs with a single, as the sixth-seeded Redmen (18-3) picked up a first-round triumph against No. 27 NDA (11-7). Anya Cranston drove in two, Abby Tower cracked a two-run double, pinch-hitter Jordan Doucette scored two on a bases-loaded single, and Sophie Cappiello provided an RBI as the Redmen overcame a five-run deficit in the first inning. Advertisement Division 1 State Andover 3, Wellesley 1 — Junior Alivia Baldwin had a pair of hits, including a three-run blast for the No. 12 Golden Warriors (16-5) in a first-round win over No. 21 Wellesley (11-9). Attleboro 12, Newton South 2 — Lola Ronayne put on a show, going 3 for 4 with her 16th home run of the season, three runs scored, and a trio of RBIs in a first-round win for the No. 4 Bombardiers (17-4) against No. 29 Newton South (12-8). Madison Moran finished 2 for 3 with three runs scored and four RBIs, clubbing her sixth home run of the campaign. Jenna Callahan hurled a complete game, allowing one earned run and striking out seven with zero walks. Freshman Kaylee Magnan contributed three hits and an RBI. Bishop Feehan 5, Peabody 4 — Bella Silva smacked a walkoff single that plated Mylee Ramer in the bottom of the seventh, propelling the fifth-seeded Shamrocks (17-5) to a dramatic first-round win over No. 28 Peabody (9-12). Bridgewater-Raynham 13, Acton-Boxborough 3 — Sophomore Avery Erlichman had three RBIs, including a two-run double in the second inning for the No. 8 Trojans (15-6) in the first-round win. Sophomore Madison DeLano went the distance, fanning seven, to oust No. 25 Acton-Boxborough (12-9). Wachusett 10, Medford 1 — Addison Scoble went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs as the second-seeded Mountaineers (19-2) defeated No. 31 Medford (19-3) in first-round action. Shayna Bakun fanned 10 and allowed one run on three hits, adding two hits and an RBI at the plate. Giana Johnson crushed a triple and drove in two. Advertisement Weymouth 6, Beverly 2 — Senior captain Paige Sellon connected for a two-out, two-run single in the third inning, leadoff hitter Bella Pires had a solo HR in the fifth inning, and freshman Viv Palazzo had a two-RBI single in the seventh to power the visiting No. 17 Wildcats (12-9) in the first round against No. 16 Beverly (14-6). Junior Jill Ondrick had 13 strikeouts to reach 200 on the season and is just two away from 750 for her career (2 seasons prior at Archbishop Williams). Division 3 State Bishop Fenwick 22, Hanover 14 — Sophomore Alyssa Butler was 4 for 4 with a home run, double, four RBIs, and four runs as the No. 24 Crusaders (8-12) outslugged host No. 9 Hanover (15-6) to a first-round upset. Senior Natasha O'Brien scored a pair of runs and was 4 for 5 with three RBIs, sophomore Sarah Shann had three hits and four RBIs, and senior Lola Amendolare had three RBIs as the Crusaders scored eight runs in the fifth inning. For the Hawks, senior Abby Hanna blasted her 11th home run of the season, had four RBIs, and scored a pair of runs. Senior Noey Giardina ended her career by going 4 for 5 performance with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Gloucester 5, Medfield 3 — Aleena Brown ripped a two-run double down the third base line to highlight a four-run fourth inning in a first-round victory for the No. 8 Fishermen (17-4) over No. 25 Medfield (8-13). Norton 6, Blackstone Valley 0 — Junior righthander Liana Danubio scattered five hits with five strikeouts for the No. 2 Lancers (19-2) in the first-round win. From the leadoff spot, she had a pair of hits and three RBIs to beat the No. 31 Beavers (7-15). Advertisement St. Mary's 10, Dedham 6 — Catherine Newbury tossed 2⅔ scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and fanning four, to vault the No. 11 Spartans (14-7) to a first-round triumph over No. 22 Dedham (8-11). Olivia DiSessa (3-4, 2 runs, RBI) and Ryleigh Williams (2-2, 2 runs, RBI) sparked a 13-hit game for the victors. Division 4 State Tyngsborough 12, Rockland 0 — Junior righty Kiley Hogan fired five hitless innings with 13 strikeouts for the sixth-seeded Tigers (17-4). As part of a nine-run outburst in the fifth, Hogan blasted a three-run homer and sophomore Hailey McMahon had a two-run single in the first-round win against No. 27 Rockland (7-13). Uxbridge 13, West Bridgewater 1 — Junior Erin O'Day fired a 16-strikeout one-hitter for the second-seeded Spartans (20-1) in the first-round win. She also cracked a double, walked four times, and drove in a run. Junior Lola Grube blasted a three-run homer and had seven RBIs against No. 31 West Bridgewater (7-15). Division 5 State Georgetown 12, Springfield International 0 — Maddie Grant did not allow a hit or run in five innings and fanned 11 of 15 batters she faced, dazzling in a first-round win for the fourth-seeded Royals (18-3) over No. 29 Springfield Charter (9-13). Ava Fair drove in two on a pair of hits. The Royals broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning. Lenny Rowe contributed to this report.
