Latest news with #BaronDavis
Yahoo
2 days ago
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"We were a bunch of Draymond Greens" - Matt Barnes on the talent of the "We Believe" Warriors
"We were a bunch of Draymond Greens" - Matt Barnes on the talent of the "We Believe" Warriors originally appeared on Basketball Network. Matt Barnes didn't feel like he was part of a team until he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2006. Prior to that, Barnes couldn't even finish an entire season with a single team, having bounced around on four different franchises. For Barnes, the Warriors were the first and only team to really give him an opportunity to prove himself. They truly believed in their players and were backed by such a loyal and passionate fan base. That squad was famously known as the "We Believe" Warriors as they lived off the trust and support of each other. As he reflected on it, Barnes couldn't help but reminisce about how fulfilling it was to be a part of that team at the time. "It was a magical season," Barnes told Bleacher Report of the "We Believe" Warriors in 2017. "We only went to the second round, but we captured everyone's imagination and brought the spirit back to this city." "My favorite team, hands down," added Barnes. "The brotherhood was just unmatched. We were a bunch of Draymond Greens back then, as far as our attitudes. We had five of us out there with that same mentality, and that's what made it so much fun." Barnes says the "We Believe" Warriors was all about unity The lone All-Star player on the "We Believe" Warriors was Baron Davis. Nevertheless, the team was able to upset the number one seed in the West, the Dallas Mavericks, in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. All throughout that year, the Warriors prided themselves with their unity and selfless approach to the game. Apart from Davis, tough role players such as Barnes, Stephen Jackson, Jason Richardson and Monta Ellis, all played their part and were pivotal to Golden State's historic run. It was Barnes' first stint with the Warriors. It only lasted two seasons but for Barnes, the impact it had on him lasts for eternity. "Everyone kind of kept their egos at the door," Matt once described the "We Believe Warriors" in a separate discussion. "You know, I mean the goal was to win; that team had so much firepower, so many stars from our coaches to our players that at least while I was there, basketball was what was most important." "Winning was most important, so you know, there were games where guys wouldn't kill, but at the end of the day, you won by 30, [because] it was someone else's turn," he continued. "When I was there, the chemistry was second to none."Barnes ended his career with the Warriors Barnes' two-year run with the Warriors was undoubtedly the high point of his NBA career. He had his best season in '06-'07, averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in the regular season. He also logged his first career-best 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 11 playoff games. Though Barnes traveled from team to team once again after the "We Believe" Warriors parted ways, he took it upon himself to return to Golden State when the opportunity presented itself in 2017 at 36 years of age. At that point, Golden State already had a new look altogether with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson leading the charge. He won the NBA title that year and officially story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"The scariest thing in your life is to be in the club, and having Mike Tyson talking to your ear" - Baron Davis recalls almost getting in the fight with Iron Mike in the club
"The scariest thing in your life is to be in the club, and having Mike Tyson talking to your ear" - Baron Davis recalls almost getting in the fight with Iron Mike in the club originally appeared on Basketball Network. There are plenty of wild stories from All-Star weekends over the years. From those on the hardwood to those, a little less known, that happen in the hazed atmosphere of a packed club or any other place that players go to blow off their steam. But every now and then, a story stands out because it involves someone with an aura that is so big that it fills the entire room, or in this case, the club. That's exactly what happened to Baron Davis, who found himself in a very unexpected situation during one of those downtime nights with his teammate and good friend Jason Richardson. The two were out at the club, relaxing and taking a breather from a disappointing season. At the time, the Golden State Warriors were nowhere near playoff contention, so the vibes were more "we'll get them next year" than anything else. Davis and J-Rich were just talking hoops (mostly) and sipping drinks, when that whole vibe shifted in an instant. "The next thing you know, Mike Tyson is right here," said Davis, while pointing his hand right next to his ear. "And Don Julio (J-Rich) was like, 'Oh, sh-t, that's Mike Tyson…'" "So he started whispering in my ear, talking in the club, dead in my ear. That was the one time… The scariest thing in your life is to be in the club, and having Mike Tyson talking to your ear, and he's mad at you. He is like, 'Man, what's up with you, looking all fat and sh-t,' I'm like, 'Damn, bro, he about to take me out," B-Diddy recalled with a smile, now that he is far away from that situation. Davis jokes about Tyson whispering Now, it's one thing to have a run-in with a celebrity. It's another when that celebrity is Mike Tyson, the man who once bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the middle of a heavyweight title fight. So yeah, Baron had every reason to be on edge, especially with Tyson whispering directly into what he surely hoped would remain his fully intact ear. Tyson's presence alone is intimidating enough. But when he starts talking low and personal, you start thinking about your life decisions real fast. Baron didn't know if he was in for a joke, a lecture or a left hook incoming. Davis may have been one of the flashiest, toughest point guards of his generation, but even he had to admit: when Iron Mike gets in your ear, you don't talk back. You just pray that he leaves you Mike believes that Jordan is the GOAT Interestingly enough, Iron Mike might have given a night to remember for Baron in a club, but when it comes to basketball, he's a certified fan. And not just of the game, but of another Michael who left people shaken for entirely different reasons. Tyson's love and respect for Michael Jordan indeed runs deep. Back in 2022 on "Club Random" with Bill Maher, Tyson opened up about what separated MJ from every other hooper who's ever laced them up. For Mikes, both of them frankly, it was never just about talent; it was the mental warfare, the tunnel vision of success, the sacrifice… "The wholeness and the determination," Tyson said of Jordan at the time. "The willingness to sacrifice. You only do that by sacrifice. Only sacrificing can make you the best in the world. Nothing else. You have to sacrifice." So, yeah, Tyson might roast you in the club. He might even scare you half to death if you're Davis. But when it comes to basketball, he's got nothing but respect for the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul George Mocks the Charlotte Hornets' Lack of Winning Culture
Paul George Mocks the Charlotte Hornets' Lack of Winning Culture originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When it was time for Paul George to decide where he would take his talents after his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers. Teaming up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the nine-time All-Star saw it as a chance to contend for the NBA championship. Advertisement In the latest episode of his show, "Podcast P with Paul George," the 76ers forward welcomed former NBA star Baron Davis. Davis spent the first three years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets, a franchise the two discussed. He even represented the organization in his third year when he made the All-Star team. In all three seasons with the Hornets, Davis led the franchise to the postseason. He was the No. 1 guy for the organization in his final year and had help from Jamal Mashburn. However, Charlotte isn't as successful as before. Even with star guard LaMelo Ball, the team is yet to make a playoff appearance since 2016. Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George controls the ball against the Charlotte Hornets. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images While talking about the Hornets, George shared his thoughts about the franchise. According to him, it's not a place he'd want to sign with if he were a free agent. Not because it's a small market team, but because they haven't been successful over the years. Advertisement "Listen, if I'm in free agency, I'm not picking Charlotte, just because there's no winning culture there alone," George said. "Regardless, Charlotte is an amazing city, would love to play for it because of the city, like I could see myself living there, but in terms of a basketball standpoint? I'm not going, my career's over with if I go there." Since being part of the league as an expansion team in 1988, the Hornets haven't made an appearance in the conference finals. The team's four trips to the second round of the playoffs were its deepest run. Additionally, the franchise has only made the postseason 10 times. Advertisement Fortunately for the 76ers, George thinks they have a chance at leading him to the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy. Related: 76ers Give Update on Paul George on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warriors' Draymond Green says ‘PA made a sh– deal', torches second apron
The post Warriors' Draymond Green says 'PA made a sh– deal', torches second apron appeared first on ClutchPoints. Draymond Green didn't hold back when dissecting what he believes is the death of NBA superteams. With the Boston Celtics trading away both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis just weeks after hoisting the 2024 NBA title, Green zeroed in on what he sees as the culprit: the league's second apron, Boston reports. Advertisement 'This is all about the second apron,' Green said bluntly on The Draymond Green Show alongside Baron Davis. 'People said they didn't want super teams anymore, well here you have it.' The Celtics dumped salary, not talent. Both Holiday and Porzingis were instrumental in Boston's championship run, but the trades weren't made for basketball reasons. They were about dodging the steep penalties tied to crossing the NBA's newly enforced second luxury tax apron. That threshold, now set at $207.824 million for the 2025-26 season, essentially acts as a hard cap. And owners, according to Green, want no part of it. 'The penalties are crazy,' Green emphasized, pointing out how the second apron strips away team-building flexibility, from signing buyout players to using trade exceptions. 'No owner is dealing with that.' Advertisement Green blames NBPA, predicts more broken-up contenders While Green understands the business side, his real frustration lies with how the players' union handled negotiations. In his eyes, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) dropped the ball. 'The PA made a sh– deal, as the PA has done for years now,' Draymond Green vented. 'Every year, the pot gets bigger and the business gets better, and the players get screwed more.' His comments came just hours after the NBA released new cap figures. The 2025-26 salary cap will rise to $154.647 million, with a first apron of $195.945 million and a second apron of $207.824 million. Although the league projected a 10 percent cap increase, the extra breathing room doesn't solve the apron problem. Advertisement Few teams even have the room to make splashy moves. ESPN's Bobby Marks reported the Brooklyn Nets as the only franchise projected to have more than $20 million in space this summer. That leaves most contenders, including those already flirting with or above the apron, looking to cut costs instead of adding talent. Belief that trend will only grow. 'You'll see this all over the NBA for years to come,' he said. 'That's just the way this CBA works.' Davis agreed, warning that the era of five-year title windows for core rosters might be over. 'It's going to be more broken up teams,' he said, 'than the ones you grew up watching.' Advertisement The Golden State forward, a four-time champion himself, knows dynasties don't come easy. But if this second apron climate continues, they may become nearly impossible. Related: WWE star Jey Uso hilariously botches Cody Rhodes' birthday celebration Related: Rockets' Kevin Durant minds the game, brilliantly explains mid-range jumpers
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baron Davis recalls getting manhandled by John Stockton in his rookie year: "All them little tricks, he knew how to do all of that stuff"
Baron Davis recalls getting manhandled by John Stockton in his rookie year: "All them little tricks, he knew how to do all of that stuff" originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Baron Davis joined the league as the third pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, picked up by the Charlotte Hornets, there was no doubt he had all the tools to make a name for himself. Strong, explosive, with that classic California confidence. B-Diddy had the game and the swagger. Advertisement Back in those days, there were guys in the league who commanded immediate respect the second they stepped on the floor. Big, physical, athletic types who'd make a young player think twice. But, as Baron learned the hard way, looks can be deceiving. John Stockton was not the guy who jumped out at you with his appearance. No ripped arms, no flashy sneakers, no intimidating look on his face. In fact, Stockton looked more like the random dude you'd run into at your local gym — maybe the guy coaching his kid's team on the weekends. But behind that regular-guy look was one of the most ruthless competitors to ever run point in the NBA. And when Baron finally got his shot against the Utah Jazz legend, Stockton made sure the rookie would never forget it. Davis got humbled by Stockton quickly Davis wasn't going to sit quietly on the bench. Like most rookies, he was itching for his chance to prove his worth in the big boys league. He might not have been starting — Paul Silas wasn't exactly known for handing out minutes to first-year players — but when that opportunity came, B-Diddy was ready. And what better way to announce yourself to the league than going toe-to-toe with an iconic guard who was on his last leg in the twilight of his career? Or that's what he thought. Advertisement "A couple. In my rookie year I didn't start, so I came off the bench. In Charlotte, Paul Sylas didn't play rookies," Davis recalled, like it was yesterday. "And I remember, we was playing Utah, John Stockton. You know, you are on the bench mad, like, 'Man, put me in the, who is this dude?' I'm like, 'This is John Stockton?' He ain't that tall, he ain't that big, I'mma do all this…" he added. But whatever Baron had planned in his head didn't exactly play out on the hardwood. In the first possession off the bench, he got his "Welcome to the league" moment. "I check in the game, they shoot free throws, I go get the outlet pass, bro, I turn to outlet pass, and he just steals the ball. Boop!" narrated B-Diddy with a smile on his face. Advertisement "All-time steals leader!" quipped Paul Pierce, one of the podcast's guests. Oh, but Stockton wasn't done. He was just getting started. After that first turnover, he went into his bag. Davis found himself caught in the pick-and-roll action that Stockton had been perfecting for nearly two decades. Every move, every screen, every little nudge, John had seen it thousands of times and had it down to perfection. "He took me under the screen, grabbed me and BOOM! Pushed me into my big man. All them little tricks, he knew how to do all of that stuff," Davis concluded. Physically, Stockton didn't look like much next to the big-bodied Davis. But that night told a different story. The Jazz floor general manhandled the rookie without breaking a sweat. Using the mix of craftiness, toughness and just the right amount of dirtiness to make sure the young UCLA product learned his lesson. Advertisement Dirty or just very smart? This wasn't the first time Baron talked about that night Stockton made him look "stupid" and sent him right back to the bench. And Davis wasn't alone in this one. A long list of players could share similar stories. Because Stock operated on that fine line between crafty and dirty. And how you saw his greatness largely depended on which side of the tricks you found yourself on. Take Vernon Maxwell, for example. He was the man known for his fearless attitude and willingness to go at anyone, but Mad Max never shied away from sharing how much he hated John and his game. "Stockton dirty as fu*k. One of the dirtiest players ever in NBA is dirty as hell, he is a dog, he is a demon. Just don't look like that," Maxwell once explained. Advertisement But that's what made him Stockton. A player who wasn't just about assists and steals on paper, but about out-thinking the opponent in every way possible. Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia No ring, but a legend in his own right For all his brilliance and greatness on the hardwood, Stock retired without a ring on his finger. That's the one thing critics will always point to when they talk about his career. But take that away, and what's left is a resume that's as untouchable as they come. First all-time in assists. First all-time in steals. His records feel almost untouchable and unreal in today's game. Advertisement But beyond the sheer numbers, he was a Jazz icon who, alongside Karl Malone, helped turn a small-market team into a perennial contender. Unfortunately for them, Utah found themselves against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls squad on the biggest stage and that's the one obstacle they couldn't overcome. And for Davis, that night against Stockton was more than just a rookie lesson — it was the moment he realized that in the NBA, the guys who humble you the most don't always look the part. Related: When K.C. Jones called Larry Bird the best of all time after just six seasons: "Go down the list of the greats and I doubt you'll come up with anyone with all those credentials" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
