Latest news with #MVPof
Indianapolis Star
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
What OKC Thunder said about Pacers ahead of NBA Finals: 'The whole is better than the sum of the parts'
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Thunder's nose has seemingly perked up. It can sense another team with a strong sense of self. All it takes is a watch of Indiana's Game 6 win over the Knicks on Saturday, punching its ticket to the NBA Finals, to understand that its identity is almost aromatic. Watch the way Andrew Nembhard clings to superstar guard Jalen Brunson like a holster. His ball pressure is as distinctive a mark of their identity as a dimple. Or the fact that a player like Thomas Bryant, who averaged 15.1 minutes this year, could help lunge the Pacers to the promised land; they're hardly surprised. Or Tyrese Haliburton's vindicated glares in the face of being labeled overrated. This team is proud. Groomed internally, dismissive of the notions that they needed some farm of superstars to stun the East. Almost everything they needed, it seems, was in their backyard. 'We have a lot of respect for them from afar,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of the Pacers on Sunday. 'The program they've built, the way that they play, the identity they've built on the court, the way their guys play together. The whole is better than the sum of the parts with their team, which I think is the sign of a good team.' More: Celebrate the Pacers' run to NBA Finals with our commemorative book Not unlike the Thunder, the Pacers withstood this postseason in large part because of their depth. Haliburton is the head of the snake, but they click on multiple cylinders to work. Pascal Siakam won MVP of the East finals, a sign of his consistency. Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith have proved necessary on both ends. Myles Turner is a proud part of the foundation. Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin have also been relied on. If you need to know anything, know that the theme of their tunnel walk on Saturday was all-black: a coordinated, team-wide preparation for a New York funeral. 'Mark made a really good point,' OKC star Jalen Williams said. 'Like, they're feeling the exact same way we feel. They've had to win three series, we've had to win three series. So they're coming in extremely confident.' Pacers versus Thunder — for those not thinking of TV ratings or the pockets of billionaires — is being presented as an all-time defense against an all-time offense. A matchup where OKC's stingy defense, which leeches off turnovers, faces a competent Indiana offense that refuses to cough it up so easily. But the Thunder offense has been the third-best in the league this postseason, just behind the Pacers, even if its shooting can be shaky and its halfcourt presentation is sometimes questionable. And while there aren't nearly as many pests to call on, the Pacers defense has a sense of self — and frankly can beset more offense with how much they score. 'The way they defend contributes to their team identity,' Daigneault said. 'It's not just offense. Their defensive philosophy is very much aligned with their offensive philosophy. So it creates a certain air to the game when you play against them that is difficult to play against. 'They play the same way in January as they do in May. They play the same way up 20 as they do down 20. They've got unbelievable integrity to the way that they do things.' Perhaps no one has been asked to look in the mirror as often as Haliburton. A player whose future was once promised in Sacramento, only to be traded, to then be questioned as an All-Star as recently as this winter. He wasn't selected for February's All-Star game, and yet was selected as an All-NBA Third Teamer. Some weeks after being voted among the NBA's most overrated players in The Athletic's annual anonymous player poll, Haliburton has laughed and emoted and smiled through series wins, even grabbing his throat to revive haunting memories during the Knicks series. 'What makes him very good is that he's very confident,' Williams said of Haliburton. 'To be able to play as well as he's been playing through a lot of the 'overrated' stuff, you gotta tip your hat to him for that.' Haliburton's rise and demeanor have mirrored that of Indiana during this playoff run. Proud. And hardly overrated.
NBC Sports
28-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Hall of Famer Dick Barnett, champion with Knicks and NCAA legend, dies at 88
NEW YORK (AP) — Dick Barnett, a basketball Hall of Famer who played on both New York Knicks NBA championship teams after being part of a historic college powerhouse at Tennessee A&I, has died. He was 88. The Knicks announced the death of the former guard Sunday. There were no details provided about his death. 'Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court,' the Knicks said in a statement. 'He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories.' Barnett played on the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and 1973 and reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and as a member of his college teams at Tennessee A&I (later Tennessee State), the first HBCU to win a national championship in basketball. A native of Gary, Indiana, Barnett went on to star for the Tennessee A&I teams that made up one of college basketball's first dynasties. The Tigers won three straight NAIA championships starting in 1957, with Barnett being chosen an All-American each season and twice being selected the MVP of the NAIA Tournament. He was taken by the Syracuse Nationals with the No. 5 pick in the 1959 draft and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent nine years with the Knicks, averaging 15.6 points and playing on their championship teams in 1970 and 1973. Barnett is ninth on the Knicks' career scoring list and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990. Barnett led a long quest for recognition for his college team. The Tigers were eventually enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Barnett, who was selected for one NBA All-Star Game, was inducted in the Hall of Fame as a player in 2024.
Fox Sports
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Dick Barnett, champion with Knicks and college powerhouse Tennessee A&I teams, dies at 88
Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Dick Barnett, a basketball Hall of Famer who played on both New York Knicks NBA championship teams after being part of a historic college powerhouse at Tennessee A&I, has died. He was 88. The Knicks announced the death of the former guard Sunday. There were no details provided about his death. 'Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court," the Knicks said in a statement. "He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories.' Barnett played on the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and 1973 and reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and as a member of his college teams at Tennessee A&I (later Tennessee State), the first HBCU to win a national championship in basketball. A native of Gary, Indiana, Barnett went on to star for the Tennessee A&I teams that made up one of college basketball's first dynasties. The Tigers won three straight NAIA championships starting in 1957, with Barnett being chosen an All-American each season and twice being selected the MVP of the NAIA Tournament. He was taken by the Syracuse Nationals with the No. 5 pick in the 1959 draft and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent nine years with the Knicks, averaging 15.6 points and playing on their championship teams in 1970 and 1973. Barnett is ninth on the Knicks' career scoring list and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990. Barnett led a long quest for recognition for his college team. The Tigers were eventually enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Barnett, who was selected for one NBA All-Star Game, was inducted in the Hall of Fame as a player in 2024. ___ AP NBA: recommended
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dick Barnett, champion with Knicks and college powerhouse Tennessee A&I teams, dies at 88
FILE - Phoenix Suns' Dick van Arsdale, right, comes in on a play as New York Knicks' Dick Barnett, left, prepares to move out with the ball during an NBA basketball game at New York's Madison Square Garden, Oct. 21, 1969. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File) NEW YORK (AP) — Dick Barnett, a basketball Hall of Famer who played on both New York Knicks NBA championship teams after being part of a historic college powerhouse at Tennessee A&I, has died. He was 88. The Knicks announced the death of the former guard Sunday. There were no details provided about his death. Advertisement 'Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court," the Knicks said in a statement. "He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories.' Barnett played on the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and 1973 and reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and as a member of his college teams at Tennessee A&I (later Tennessee State), the first HBCU to win a national championship in basketball. A native of Gary, Indiana, Barnett went on to star for the Tennessee A&I teams that made up one of college basketball's first dynasties. The Tigers won three straight NAIA championships starting in 1957, with Barnett being chosen an All-American each season and twice being selected the MVP of the NAIA Tournament. He was taken by the Syracuse Nationals with the No. 5 pick in the 1959 draft and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent nine years with the Knicks, averaging 15.6 points and playing on their championship teams in 1970 and 1973. Advertisement Barnett is ninth on the Knicks' career scoring list and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990. Barnett led a long quest for recognition for his college team. The Tigers were eventually enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Barnett, who was selected for one NBA All-Star Game, was inducted in the Hall of Fame as a player in 2024. ___ AP NBA:
Winnipeg Free Press
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Dick Barnett, champion with Knicks and college powerhouse Tennessee A&I teams, dies at 88
NEW YORK (AP) — Dick Barnett, a basketball Hall of Famer who played on both New York Knicks NBA championship teams after being part of a historic college powerhouse at Tennessee A&I, has died. He was 88. The Knicks announced the death of the former guard Sunday. There were no details provided about his death. 'Throughout his illustrious career, Dick Barnett embodied everything it meant to be a New York Knick, both on and off the court,' the Knicks said in a statement. 'He left a positive impact on everyone he encountered and this organization is incredibly fortunate to have him be such an integral part of its history. His jersey will forever hang in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, and his play throughout his career will forever be a part of Knicks fans memories.' Barnett played on the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and 1973 and reached the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and as a member of his college teams at Tennessee A&I (later Tennessee State), the first HBCU to win a national championship in basketball. A native of Gary, Indiana, Barnett went on to star for the Tennessee A&I teams that made up one of college basketball's first dynasties. The Tigers won three straight NAIA championships starting in 1957, with Barnett being chosen an All-American each season and twice being selected the MVP of the NAIA Tournament. He was taken by the Syracuse Nationals with the No. 5 pick in the 1959 draft and also played for the Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the Knicks in 1965. He spent nine years with the Knicks, averaging 15.6 points and playing on their championship teams in 1970 and 1973. Barnett is ninth on the Knicks' career scoring list and his No. 12 jersey was retired in 1990. Barnett led a long quest for recognition for his college team. The Tigers were eventually enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019, represented on stage by Barnett, and in 2024 visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Barnett, who was selected for one NBA All-Star Game, was inducted in the Hall of Fame as a player in 2024. ___ AP NBA:
