Latest news with #DefensivePlayerOfTheYear
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jamaican National Team Looks Stacked With Influx Of 8 NBA Players
Jamaican National Team Looks Stacked With Influx Of 8 NBA Players originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Jamaican National Team for basketball is due to see a massive influx of talent as eight NBA players have announced their decision to join and represent the country. Featuring the likes of Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes to the Thompson twins, the Jamaican team is in for a massive talent upgrade. Advertisement The news regarding changes to the Jamaican men's basketball team's roster started gaining attention when the twins, Amen and Ausar Thompson, announced their interest in representing them. The Thompson twins are two of the most talented young players in the league. While boasting freak athletic ability and physical toughness, the two have also shown an innate gift for the game. While this was a noteworthy addition in and of itself, the Jamaican team gradually sees an influx of more NBA players. As the Thompson twins are undergoing the passport process, the Jamaican team continues to be engaged in talks with Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes, Spurs guard Devin Vassell, and Pistons center Isaiah Stewart. The notion of adding more talented players is truly exciting. While the Thompson twins are impressive, Barnes is a genuine All-Star. As an immensely gifted forward, the addition of the 23-year-old could have massive connotations for the roster strength, as he averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game last season. Along with these five players, Jamaica will also feature the likes of Clippers forward Norman Powell. Powell is a savvy veteran who is coming off an impressive season with the Clippers. His averages of 21.8 points and 3.2 rebounds on 48.4% shooting from the field and 41.8% from beyond the arc would earn him a starter's spot on any team in the league. His addition could be a huge boost to the team's depth. Advertisement The national team already featured two NBA players in Suns center Nick Richards and Wolves guard Josh Minott. Although the two don't receive much playing time in the NBA, they remain mainstays in Jamaica's national team. Jamaica has produced a number of noteworthy players in its past. Wayne Sappleton was the first Jamaican-born player to be drafted to the NBA. Meanwhile, former Pacers center Roy Hibbert was a runner-up for the Defensive Player Of The Year award in the 2013-14 season. The most iconic Jamaican-born player, however, was Knicks legend Patrick Ewing. While being the first Jamaican-born player to be drafted first overall, he also went on to have a stellar career, with 11x All-Star selections and one All-NBA first team selection. Although he never represented his home country, he managed to win two gold medals at the Olympics for Team USA. The influx of talent from the NBA could signal a new era for Jamaican basketball. With young players paving the way, the team is likely to see massive changes in their performances, potentially leading to greater representation on the world stage. Related: Patrick Ewing Biography: Inspiring Journey From Georgetown To The NBA This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. landed on NBA's All-Defensive team
(This article was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. secured his third career All-Defensive team selection on May 22. Jackson, 25, was selected as a second-team All-Defense member after a strong 2024-25 season. This was his first time being a member of the second team. Advertisement Jackson was first named a member of the All-Defensive first team after the 2021-22 season. He followed up that campaign by winning the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award during the 2022-23 season and making the All-Defensive first team again. Former Grizzlies wing Tony Allen holds the franchise record for most first-team All-Defensive finishes (three) and total All-Defensive finishes (six). Memphis finished 10th in defensive rating this season. When Jackson was in the game, those numbers were even better. According to NBA stats, the Grizzlies' defensive rating was 4.2 points better when Jackson was on the floor. As in recent years, the Grizzlies prided themselves on building a playmaking defense. Memphis finished third in blocks per game and seventh in steals. Advertisement Jackson's hands were all over that success. In 74 games, Jackson averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. He also ranked sixth in the NBA in stocks (steals and blocks combined) per game. Memphis was one of the NBA's elite defenses in the first half of the season, but its numbers drastically slipped in the second half. In late February, Jackson was a slight favorite over Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Mobley went on to win the award, while Jackson finished seventh in voting. Jackson received 21 votes for the first team and 65 second-team votes among a panel of 100 media members for the All-Defensive teams. Another announcement with major implications for Jackson and the Grizzlies will take place May 23. The NBA will announce the three All-NBA teams. Advertisement If Jackson is named as a member of an All-NBA team, he will become eligible for what is often referred to as the "supermax" extension. This would be a five-year contract that could potentially make Jackson the highest-paid player in NBA history. If Jackson misses out on All-NBA he could still receive a contract extension this summer, but it would be capped at 10% above his current salary. Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. makes All-Defensive team
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Metta Sandiford-Artest was shocked by 2004 Team USA snub: "I would've been a ballboy. I would've gotten all the guys water"
Looking back at the individual award winners from the 2003-04 NBA season, a noticeable pattern emerges. Kevin Garnett, the Most Valuable Player, and LeBron James, the Rookie of the Year, were both invited to join Team USA for the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, Metta Sandiford-Artest, who won Defensive Player of the Year that season, did not receive the same honor. Despite securing this prestigious award, the Indiana Pacers were left waiting for a call that never came, leaving Artest both puzzled and frustrated. Advertisement "I was surprised the Defensive Player of the Year didn't get an invite, didn't get called," he said in August 2004, per the NY Post. "I would've been a ballboy. I would've gotten all the guys water. I would've done anything to be down there. It's hard to point out [what's wrong] when it's so frustrating not being there, so frustrating not getting an invite." All-Star rise From a basketball standpoint, Metta was undeniably one of the top contenders for a spot on Team USA's trip to Greece's capital. This was particularly true as he was playing some of the best basketball of his career at that time. The 6'7" swingman's defensive skills were especially impressive, making him one of the league's best in that regard. In fact, his defensive game was so outstanding that it ended Ben Wallace's streak of what would have been his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award. Advertisement But Metta wasn't just a force on defense — his offensive game had evolved just as impressively. With averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Pacers, the New York native was delivering the best statistical season of his career. Artest's efforts didn't go unnoticed: he earned a well-deserved All-Star selection and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Related: "A game for sissies" - Wilt Chamberlain admitted he only started playing basketball because he was from Philadelphia Did Metta's image play a part? Despite becoming one of the NBA's most impactful two-way players and earning individual awards to prove it, no invitation ever came. Metta believed the reason had little to do with basketball and everything to do with his reputation. Advertisement The now 45-year-old openly called the decision "political," suggesting that his image — shaped by past controversies and emotional outbursts — unfairly continued to overshadow his on-court growth. "I was third-team All-NBA, All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year. All the top guys not playing, there's room for me. I was one of the guys who wanted to be there," he reflected, highlighting not just his credentials but his willingness to serve. "If there was a bomb that went off, I would've been fine and played the next day," Metta added, underlining his commitment. While the future NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers may have believed that individual performance and commitment would be enough to earn a spot, national team selections often involve more than just skill. Sometimes, they reflect the image a country wants to show the world. Advertisement In Metta's case, his troubled past — especially his controversial role in the "Malice at the Palace" — likely played a major part. Even though he had grown as a player, decision-makers might have worried that picking someone with a history of scandals would send the wrong message. In the end, it's not only about how much you've changed but also about how people still see you. Related: David Robinson spoke about finding it hard to communicate with Kawhi Leonard: "He's a hard guy to understand and read"
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
WATCH: Evan Mobley's offensive emergence turned Cavaliers into title contenders
Watch my video below to learn about Evan Mobley's offensive evolution and how it helped catapult the Cavaliers into championship contention this season. When the Cleveland Cavaliers were searching for their next head coach this past summer, their priority was finding someone who could help unlock Evan Mobley's game. Advertisement While the 23-year-old Mobley has always been an elite defender — and was rewarded for it by winning the Defensive Player of the Year award — his offense has been a work in progress. New Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson immediately jumped out among the candidates because of what he envisioned for the fourth-year big man. Atkinson's philosophy: Put the ball in Mobley's hands. Throughout the 2024-25 season, the first-year Cavaliers' coach enabled Mobley to be more of a decision-maker. Mobley was used more frequently as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, using his gigantic frame to create advantages and find shooters. All season, Mobley consistently turned defense to offense, leading the team in transition by galloping his way into openings. He also became a more comfortable three-point shooter, knocking down 37 percent of his outside looks on a career-high in attempts. All of this culminated in a breakout All-Star season for Mobley, and it turned the Cavaliers into the best offense in the NBA during the regular season. For the Cavs to follow up their dominant season with a deep playoff run, Mobley, now healthy after missing Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers with an ankle injury, must continue to be their versatile chameleon. Now and in the long term.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mobley and Garland return to starting lineup as Cavaliers try to cut into Pacers' 2-0 series lead
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and All-Star guard Darius Garland are back in the starting lineup for the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Key backup De'Andre Hunter also is active after missing Game 2 with a sprained right thumb. The announcement came about 30 minutes before the start of Game 3 at Indianapolis. The Pacers lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0. Mobley missed Tuesday's game with a sprained left ankle. Garland missed each of the Cavs' four previous postseason games with a sprained big toe on his left foot. Coach Kenny Atkinson wouldn't say whether any of the three would be on minute restrictions, though he seemed most concerned with Garland because of much time he's missed recently. The Pacers have taken advantage of Cleveland's injuries by using their depth to pull away late in Game 1 and rallying from a seven-point deficit in the final minute to take Game 3 on Tyrese Haliburton's 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left. ___ AP NBA: The Associated Press
