Latest news with #LarryO'Brien
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"He called me and asked for forgiveness" - Toni Kukoc on how Michael Jordan almost didn't induct him into the Hall of Fame because of his daughter's wedding
"He called me and asked for forgiveness" - Toni Kukoc on how Michael Jordan almost didn't induct him into the Hall of Fame because of his daughter's wedding originally appeared on Basketball Network. Toni Kukoc waited nearly 15 years to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. The three-time NBA champion with the 1990s Chicago Bulls was one of the key pieces of that era, even winning the 1996 Sixth Man of the Year award. Many expected it to happen much earlier, just like the retirement of his No. 7 jersey. While jersey retiring may never come, in 2021 Kukoc finally received basketball's greatest honor: induction into basketball immortality. He had long ago chosen the man who would present him, his championship teammate, Michael Jordan. But it didn't go quite as smoothly as planned. "We agreed on everything a long time ago," Kukoc said for a Croatian news site "He promised me he'd be the one to present me at the HOF. Years went by, and when I found out it was finally happening, I sent him a message asking if that promise still stood. He replied with a short message: 'If I promised you, then you know there's no problem.'" "However, it turned out his daughter's wedding was scheduled for September 11," the Croatian legend continued. "He called me and asked for forgiveness, saying he had to walk his daughter down the aisle. Of course, I didn't hold that against him; his daughter obviously means more than I. But about ten days later, he reached out again and told me the wedding was canceled due to COVID and asked if the invitation still stood. Of course it did. He got on a plane and flew over." Proof how much Jordan valued his teammates Jordan was famously tough on teammates, but Kukoc's story perfectly shows just how much he valued them, knowing he wouldn't have won six titles without them. Their bond, which lasts to this day, was truly formed in 1993, when Kukoc earned MJ's respect with one gesture. "The thing that I respect the most about Toni Kukoc... I retired in 1993. I never spent any time with Toni Kukoc other than playing against him in 1992," the Bulls legend saidn. "He showed up at the press conference and when I was leaving, he literally cried because we never had an opportunity to play. That earned my respect and camaraderie."Kukoc's talent took that team to a whole new level Greatness recognizes greatness. Kukoc arrived as the best player outside the NBA at the time. Jordan was the best in the world. But both quickly put their egos aside in pursuit of a higher goal — the Larry O'Brien trophy. Jordan was well aware of the uncut gem the Bulls had added to their roster. Kukoc's talent took that team to a whole new level and by showing up to his Hall of Fame ceremony, MJ gave his final stamp of approval to the greatness of the Croatian maestro. After The Last Dance documentary, many felt that Kukoc didn't get the credit he deserved, especially compared to players like Steve Kerr, who received significantly more attention. But Kukoc didn't seem too bothered by it. When it came time to induct Kukoc into the Hall of Fame, Jordan flew in just for that occasion — he stayed for only two hours before flying back. It was yet another sign of the mutual love and respect between two basketball story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Caruso sees Warriors as threat to Thunder in upcoming 2025-26 season
After winning the NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder understand that the 29 other teams in the league will circle their calendars for their matchups. They had one of the greatest seasons ever with a historic 68-14 record. That means they're the bar. If anybody knows what it's like to be the reigning champion, it's Alex Caruso. Continuing to enjoy his summer before training camp kicks off in two months, the 31-year-old talked about OKC's repeat aspirations with an "NBC Sports Bay Area & California" show at a golf course. The last team to repeat as NBA champions was the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Those were Kevin Durant's first two years with the franchise. Paired with Stephen Curry, they were unstoppable and could be written in Sharpie in September that they were going to cruise their way to multiple titles. Since then, there's been a new NBA champion every year. If anybody is built to break that trend, it's the Thunder. They return the same roster minus some changes at the bottom of the depth chart. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented himself as arguably the best player in the league. One team the Thunder might need to beat to inch closer to a second Larry O'Brien trophy is the Warriors. The veteran squad might've lost in Round 2 last year, but Curry remains one of the league's best players. Draymond Green was in DPOY conversations. And Jimmy Butler rejuvenated the franchise and will be Curry's last co-star. The Curry-Green-Butler trio might be in their mid-30s, but they have the pedigree and talent to battle with the Thunder. Caruso broke down how the Warriors' star trio is enough to make any team take them seriously — even with questionable depth and ugly negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga. "For the Warriors, it just comes down to if they can get Steph healthy. That's the big deciding factor. If he's healthy, you'll always have a chance to win a playoff series. Him and Draymond obviously have so much experience," Caruso said. "Then Jimmy is Jimmy. Everybody knows. I don't think he was particularly 100% healthy in those playoffs either. Having those guys healthy is a big deal." The Thunder didn't get a chance to face the Warriors in the playoffs, but they're always in the conversation as a team that could give them a challenge. Every time they square off in the regular season, you always see a show as Gilgeous-Alexander and Curry try to lead their team. Maybe other teams are ahead of the Warriors in terms of toughest challenge, but you can't sleep on a team that's done it before. Even with their old age and inconsistent role players.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
When will OKC Thunder receive championship ring? 2025-26 Opening Night revealed
Over a month since they won the NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder still have one group celebration left to commemorate their playoff run to the Larry O'Brien trophy — receiving their rings. As the NBA heads on vacation over the next two months with its driest part of the calendar, the Thunder have a pretty good idea of when they'll receive their championship ring. The NBA published its key dates for the 2025-26 regular season. The Opening Night will be on Tuesday, Oct. 21. If tradition keeps up — which you have every reason to believe it will — the Thunder will play their home opener on that date. Likely in the debut game for the NBC broadcast, as broadcast rights return to the network. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will headline the Thunder next season once again. All three signed long-term deals this past offseason to keep them in OKC for the foreseeable future. Besides some changes on the bottom of the depth chart, the NBA champion will run it back with basically the same roster in hopes of being a rare repeat winner. The opponent is unknown. The NBA will release its 2025-26 regular season schedule sometime in August. But you can circle Oct. 21 for when the Thunder will unveil their championship banner and the roster will receive their ring in a pregame ceremony.
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Summer League thoughts: What Brooks Barnhizer, others did to stand out
Usually, the NBA champion has little to look forward to in the Summer League. With low draft picks, they spent the two-week extravaganza rewatching playoff highlights on their way to the Larry O'Brien trophy. But the Oklahoma City Thunder remain an exception to the rule. The Thunder had a productive Summer League. They played eight games in Utah and Las Vegas. Nikola Topic's debut after sitting out last season recovering from a torn ACL was worth the watch. The Thunder lost to the Charlotte Hornets in the playoff semifinal. Reflecting on the 2025 Summer League one last time, let's give one quick thought for the 16 players that suited up. Thunder Wire will divide the entries into three separate articles: Brooks Barnhizer Barnhizer lived up to his scouting reports. Playing at Northwestern for four seasons, most Thunder fans had zero clue who the 2025 NBA draft No. 44 pick was. After a couple of weeks at the Summer League, though, most have fallen in love with his blue-collar brand of basketball. Joining one of the greatest defenses ever fueled by turnovers, Barnhizer will fit right in on the Thunder. He had several steals during his time in Utah and Las Vegas. His endless motor made him a menace at causing havoc and second-chance points. Let's see if he can sharpen out a jumper. Cameron Brown Brown was another player with familiarity on his side. He spent last season on the G League's OKC Blue. He was a rotation player there. He must've shown enough to be added on their Summer League roster. Alas, even with rotation minutes, the 24-year-old didn't do much. Considering how well they know Brown, maybe the Thunder will overlook his pedestrian stats and bring him back on the Blue for a second year, anyway. He went undrafted out of Saint Joseph's in 2024. Hason Ward Ward was another player the Thunder added as a G League Player. He spent last season on the Maine Celtics. He went undrafted out of Iowa State in 2024. The 24-year-old is a little undersized as a center. That puts him in an awkward frontcourt tweener role. Ward averaged five points on 71.4% shooting, meaning most of his looks were on easy shots near the rim. He didn't stick out, though. Let's see if the Thunder add him to their Blue roster. Ty Brewer Brewer played decent moments in Summer League as a third-string player. After he went undrafted in 2023, he's spent some time overseas. He spent last season playing in Germany. The 25-year-old joined several other international players who hope to restart their NBA ambitions. He unfortunately didn't do much in the Summer League to show why he should get a deal. Maybe he can get a G League spot. Cesare Edwards Edwards is another undrafted rookie who didn't log enough playing time to form a serious opinion on. He went undrafted out of Georgie State. Perhaps the fact he didn't play a ton in the Summer League says enough in itself about his NBA chances. Maybe Edwards gets signed overseas or on a G League roster. But his limited playing time showed that he didn't do enough to warrant a spot on the Blue.
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On 4-week anniversary, Thunder fans will have rest of offseason to enjoy NBA championship
It's the four-week anniversary of the Oklahoma City Thunder's first NBA championship. With the one-month anniversary a couple of days away, fans continue to ride the high of bringing home the Larry O'Brien trophy. It's been a busy month since the Thunder blew out the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. There's been zero time to sit down and enjoy the taste of a title. They went from the championship to the parade to the NBA draft to free agency to the Summer League. Now that the Thunder played their Summer League finale, the NBA enters its worst part of the calendar year. For nearly three months, the league will head to vacation with rosters mostly set. Now is the perfect time to soak in the championship run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stamped his spot among the all-time greats. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren shushed any critics on them being good enough to be the second-best and third-best options on a championship contender. Mark Daigneault is now one of the top coaches. And then the role players stepped up. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein were home-run offseason additions. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe all had their own moments throughout the playoffs. With plenty of time to kill, Thunder fans should reflect on their playoff run. Too many moments are worth a rewatch. There's no guarantee they get another championship, so you should fully enjoy what happened during the two months now that you know how the story ends. It's now the 4-week anniversary of the Thunder's first NBA
