Hugo Gonzalez just showed why the Boston Celtics took him at No. 28 in the 2025 NBA Draft
The Spaniard put up 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes of floor time, shooting 4-of-12 from the field overall, a sizzling 3-of-5 from beyond the arc despite concerns about his outside shot, and a slightly concerning 1-of-5 from the free throw line.
The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below!
If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: https://ytubl.ink/3Ffk
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New York Times
31 minutes ago
- New York Times
Who is Gilbert Arenas? Former NBA guard with unserious persona now in serious scenario
Who uses being arrested on federal charges as a moment for comic relief? Gilbert Arenas. And whether it was ill-timed or timed on purpose, the public had something to talk about. The former NBA All-Star was among six people arrested Wednesday and charged with running an illegal gambling business from an Encino, Calif., home that Arenas owns. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. He pleaded not guilty and was released Wednesday on $50,000 bond. Following his release, Arenas posted a social media video of himself trotting down a set of stairs saying, 'They can't hold me.' He also said in a post he only rented out the house and was not involved in any of the activity. A post shared by Gilbert Arenas (@nochillgil) Arenas was one of the best scorers in the NBA at his peak before he was slowed by knee injuries. During the 2000s, he was a big kid in the NBA who collected autographed jerseys, a fan of the game who couldn't believe he was on the same court as the likes of Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Advertisement But he was also known for his mischievous nature with teammates. That mischief led to Arenas' original instance of being hit with charges — when his back and forth with Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton led to big trouble at the end of 2009. Arenas drew discipline from the NBA and the federal government after bringing guns to the Wizards' locker room following a disagreement with Crittenton. Arenas in 2010 pleaded guilty to felony gun possession, served two days in jail, spent time in a halfway house and was sentenced to two years of probation. The NBA suspended Arenas for 50 games. In the Netflix documentary 'Untold: Shooting Guards,' which was released in May, Arenas said he felt he had to fight the media with humor after the gun incident, which included him pretending to shoot his teammates before a game. Crittenton said in the film he knew Arenas' jokes would affect him. Arenas admitted the length of the suspensions was due partly to his behavior and deserved, but also added that Crittenton did not deserve the same punishment. The charges this time against Arenas are serious once again. Arenas is accused of working with Yevgeni Gershman, who the government claimed to be a member of an Israeli organized crime group, as part of illegal poker games. That association would appear to be more dangerous, not funny. Arenas is also accused of lying to investigators while trying to recover money seized by Homeland Security by saying he wasn't a part of the illegal gambling. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges. Arenas' nature is to turn every serious moment into something funny. And following his latest run-in with the law, Arenas turned being released from custody into something that has drawn more than 3 million views on X and more than 145,000 views on Instagram. Advertisement Some might ask why Arenas is like this. It's really his personality. He grew up around Hollywood because his father was an actor and a bodyguard. He watched actors study roles and was a fan of sketch comedy shows like 'In Living Color.' Arenas' sense of humor, perhaps an acquired taste, was displayed before he was drafted. He told an NBA executive in jest he wanted to be 'an international pimp' before the 2001 NBA Draft. He was considered by some to be a first-round talent, but he fell to the second round, the 31st pick, to the Golden State Warriors. I got to know who Arenas is in previous weeks before his arrest. I was working on a story about the 43-year-old's increasing presence as a media representative. His 'Gil's Arena' podcast streams live on YouTube four times a week, and its popularity continues to grow largely because of Arenas' knack for finding moments that grab attention. The immature moments are actually crafted by hours of research and understanding how to make his co-hosts and staff feel good. The show's YouTube channel has acquired more than 1.1 million subscribers and has grown to the point where there are plans for Arenas to start discussing sports beyond basketball, starting with football this fall. The fourth season is slated to start this month. Arenas said most won't see his mature side — which shows how he prepared to play in the NBA or the countless hours he puts into his podcast and creating content. The latest exit from custody is consistent with Arenas keeping the same unserious persona in the face of serious circumstances. After all, his social media handle is 'NoChillGil.' He's clearly not going to suddenly become meek and silent in the face of adversity. In working on the original story, I asked Arenas about him maturing. He'd been introspective in 'Untold: Shooting Guards.' He talked about not going out after 10 p.m. because it leads to trouble. And there was no way someone who lacked maturity could juggle a show with strong personalities like former NBA players Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Rashad McCants and Brandon Jennings as panelists. Advertisement Being serious, however, is a matter of perspective, Arenas said. 'If you ask somebody what immature really means, it's, 'This person don't take serious stuff seriously,' right?' Arenas said. 'You only want somebody to be mature when there's something happening, and you want them to take it serious, right? That's the idea of being mature or immature, right? It's the personality during a certain time and during serious moments, I don't consider them serious. So … I'm just gonna keep the same energy.' It's worked in Arenas' career as a content creator. Many who work with Arenas cite his creative mind in allowing him to connect with a younger audience. He has consumers in their early 20s who aren't old enough to remember his on-court brilliance. Arenas also sees an opportunity in every situation, especially if it means a laugh and content creation, which he said makes him different from former athletes who have entered media. He adapts for whatever is needed in the moment. 'I'm a streamer first, then I'm a YouTuber, very different,' Arenas said. 'I can jump on any platform, and I can survive because I'm a creator first. I create content, you react to the content, very different than where you're reacting to certain things that's going on. I can take anything.' That apparently includes his legal troubles. And while the general public might not understand his antics, particularly after charges so severe, Arenas is serious about creating content — even it seems sensible to lay low. Arenas, however, does things his way. He declared he was 'fresh out and back on the sticks' on his Instagram story Thursday with a link to his live stream playing the latest EA Sports College Football video game. The charges are serious, but like he did 15 years ago, Arenas is choosing to combat the scrutiny in his own way. Most wouldn't consider it the mature approach, but it's what Arenas knows to do. 'I'm like the streamers now,' Arenas said. 'I'm that guy where you give me an idea, I can take off within that.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
‘I wanted to be him': Jabari Smith Jr. grew up admiring new Rockets teammate Kevin Durant
Jabari Smith Jr. on new Rockets teammate Kevin Durant: 'That was my favorite player, growing up. I wanted to be him, emulate him, and do what he does on the court.' Like many tall basketball players with above-average shooting ability, Jabari Smith Jr. often tried to emulate Kevin Durant. For the 22-year-old forward, Durant's archetype was something of a blueprint during his developmental years. But unlike most of those young players, Smith now has the ability to pick his brain, as teammates on the 2025-26 Houston Rockets. On a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, Smith shared perspective on his affinity for Durant and what the 15-time NBA All-Star has meant to him over the years. During a conversation with host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, Smith said of the 36-year-old superstar: Honestly, (KD) was my favorite player. ... Until he went to Golden State, obviously that kind of threw everyone off. But that was my favorite player growing up. I wanted to be him, emulate him, and do what he does on the court. ... Everyone who was tall and can shoot... kind of wanted to be KD. That's what it was. Growing up, I used to look up to him a lot. Then, getting to the NBA and being able to work out with him was crazy, honestly. People watch him and are like, 'I want to be KD.' It's not that easy. How fluid he is and how precise he is with his movements... it's hard to replicate. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. With Smith and Durant in starting roles, the 2025-26 Rockets are among the league's championship favorites entering the season. Houston finished 2024-25 with a 52-30 record and in the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings, and the hope is that Durant's arrival can launch the Rockets into the true top tier of title contenders. More: As Houston teammates, Jabari Smith Jr. wants to learn from Kevin Durant
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Jabari Smith Jr. sees Rockets star Amen Thompson as ‘most athletic person on the planet'
Jabari Smith Jr. on rising Rockets star Amen Thompson: 'If you look at athleticism as a whole, with speed, strength, jumping... I don't think anybody is as fast as him and jumps as high as him.' As part of a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. shared perspective on his journey within the NBA and with the Houston Rockets. During a conversation with host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, Smith addressed numerous topics related to his own personal growth and that of players around him in Houston. One of his endorsements was for rising Rockets star Amen Thompson, who Smith has played alongside in Houston since the latter was drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round. When asked if Thompson is the league's most athletic player, Smith responded: If you look at athleticism as a whole, with speed, strength, jumping... if you put all of it in there, I don't think anybody (in the NBA) is as fast as him and jumps as high as him. The things I've seen him do in practice... it's ridiculous. It's the random jumping. Being able to jump and not load up... just being able to jump and your head is at the rim. You can't even train that. How do you get better at that? It's just something that you can't really teach. He gets an offensive rebound and just jumps right back up. Doesn't bend down, or anything. It's something I've never seen before, honestly. And it gets me pissed off talking about it, because it's like, 'Why can't I do that?' Amen is just, like, the most athletic person on the planet. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. Beyond their two seasons as Houston teammates, Smith and Thompson also spent considerable time together with the U.S. Select Team prior to the 2024 Olympics. It's worth noting that as good as Thompson was in 2024-25 — including NBA All-Defensive First Team honors — it was only his second professional season. He remains just 22 years old. Showcasing elite defense, athleticism, and positional versatility, Thompson averaged 14.1 points (55.7% FG), 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game last season. The 22-year-old became a full-time starter in January and never relinquished the job. At 6-foot-7, Thompson is tall and athletic enough to play in the frontcourt, and he started at forward last season after Smith went down to a multi-week injury in January. Yet, Thompson also has point-guard skills, making him capable of playing and defending anywhere. It all adds up to a tantalizing talent package, and it's one of many reasons — along with the offseason arrival of Kevin Durant and the presence of All-Star center Alperen Sengun — that Houston is among the NBA's championship favorites for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
