Latest news with #MarcJSpears
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA insider reveals Warriors star Stephen Curry's ‘cred in the hood of Oakland'
The post NBA insider reveals Warriors star Stephen Curry's 'cred in the hood of Oakland' appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Golden State Warriors are trying to do whatever they can to wring something out of the final years of Stephen Curry's career. Unfortunately, that has amounted to pretty much nothing so far this offseason, as Golden State seems poised to run back essentially the same roster that exited the second round a season ago. Trading Curry has never seemed to be a remote possibility for the Warriors, as the star has long made known his desire to spend his entire career in the Bay. Recently, NBA insider Marc J. Spears gave an example of just how much Curry has been embraced by the community over his career. 'Steph united the Bay, he got old ladies loving basketball that didn't even watch basketball wearing 30 jerseys,' reported Spears, via The OGs podcast, per HoopsHype. 'And you couldn't go into a restaurant in the Bay and expect somebody to eat food there on a Warriors night unless you had a TV on,' he added. 'So there was a restaurant I like and they had Curry effect on the wall. They did not want a TV, but nobody came to watch have dinner there unless on Warriors game nights unless you had a TV. And so they put a TV in there. So like Steph's influence on the Bay that's crazy is incredible. He got cred in the hood of Oakland.' While the Curry family has drawn criticism for their opposition to low-income housing being built near their home in Atherton, it appears Steph has no problem stepping out into less guarded areas away from his own property. Can the Warriors compete? It's worth wondering what the Warriors would have been able to do had Curry stayed healthy in the team's loss to the Timberwolves last year in the second round. However, even if they had gotten past that series, it's hard to envision this iteration of the Warriors having enough talent or depth to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went on to win the NBA championship last season. At this point, it looks like the Warriors will be banking heavily on Curry and Jimmy Butler to carry them once again next season. Related: NBA rumors: Insider predicts how a Warriors-Kings Jonathan Kuminga trade could get done Related: 2 final moves Golden State Warriors must make to complete 2025 NBA offseason
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trae Young Reportedly Frustrated With Hawks Over Lack Of Extension Offer
Trae Young Reportedly Frustrated With Hawks Over Lack Of Extension Offer originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Trae Young may be headed into a pivotal year with the Atlanta Hawks, but not for the reasons fans were expecting. According to NBA insider Marc J. Spears, the 4x All-Star is frustrated with the team's front office after not receiving an extension offer this summer, despite being eligible for a four-year, $229 million max deal. 'There's a new front office in Atlanta that's trying to make decisions,' Spears said on NBA Today. 'But what I'm hearing now at this point, and you could tell by Trae's tweet, I think he's disappointed it hasn't been offered. So don't be surprised at this point if he plays it out and sees what happens next summer.' With a year left before he can opt out, Young is now entering the 2025-26 season with a growing sense of uncertainty, and it could spell trouble for a Hawks team still trying to define its identity in the Eastern Conference. Young currently has just two years left on his contract, worth $94 million. With the 2026-27 campaign being a player option, he can opt out and become a free agent as soon as next summer. In Trae's mind, of course, he's worth a lifetime commitment from the Hawks and believes that he should have been offered a new, max-level contract weeks ago. With averages of 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 11.6 assists per game last season, Young is the face of the Hawks and their most important player by far. Even as the team has gotten younger with guys like Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson, Trae Young has been carrying the Hawks and setting the pace offensively since he was drafted in 2018. Unfortunately, besides a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, the Hawks have been mostly unsuccessful during Young's tenure. Last season, they finished 8th in the East at 40-42. In the 2023-24 campaign? They were even worse at 10th in the standings (a measly 36-46 record). The good news for the Hawks is that their new, revamped roster should help them return to contention next season. The most important addition was big man sharpshooter and NBA champion, Kristaps Porzingis. His size, experience, and ability to stretch the floor will be huge for Atlanta, and Young will only make things easier for him with his elite playmaking ability. That's not even accounting for the growth and development of the young players, who should take a major leap next season. With their recent failures, it's possible that the Hawks want to see how this next season plays out before committing any more time and money to Trae. Unlike past seasons, the Hawks may finally have the depth to move forward without Young if needed. If they don't feel like they can succeed with Young, they may not be interested in extending his contract. Of course, they may not have a choice now, regardless. Young reportedly views the lack of an offer as a sign of disrespect, and he may decide to become a free agent (or force a trade) now that the Hawks have shown some doubts about his leadership abilities. Now, with no extension on the table, all eyes are on how Trae Young responds. Whether it's a prove-it year that elevates the Hawks back into playoff relevance or a final run before testing free agency, the stakes have never been higher. If Atlanta doesn't move quickly, they could be facing the very real possibility of losing their franchise player, and once he walks, there's no guarantee he comes story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dylan Harper makes Manu Ginobili admission as he starts NBA, Spurs journey
The post Dylan Harper makes Manu Ginobili admission as he starts NBA, Spurs journey appeared first on ClutchPoints. The San Antonio Spurs added Dylan Harper to lead the new movement near the River Walk. The franchise will hope this move flows into recapturing their glory years. The ones that recently saw Manu Ginobili near the forefront. Advertisement Harper signed his contract already. But Harper himself made a Ginobili admission. Right before he starts his journey with the franchise and NBA. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft namedropped the Spurs legend as part of his league development. Harper is already picking the franchise legend's brain as he prepares to join the Spurs. 'I talk to him the most,' Harper said to NBA insider Marc J. Spears of Andscape/ESPN Wednesday. 'More about just the game and the speed and just how he adapted to it from a FIBA standpoint to coming over here.' He's asked Ginobili some major questions. Ranging from: 'What was his biggest changes being a player and being professional outside of basketball? What kept you locked in? Just all little things I think that every NBA player goes through.' Advertisement Dylan Harper awestruck by 2 more Spurs legends Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Ginobili moved into a special advisor role following his stellar Spurs career. The Argentinian shooting guard went to two NBA All-Star games while leading four NBA titles in the 2000s for San Antonio. Ginobili wasn't the only revered Spur Harper ran into. He crossed paths with Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan. 'I met Pop the first day I was there and Tim. Pop was there getting treatment and doing exercises. That is not regular in any NBA gym. You see a Hall of Fame coach, a Hall of Fame player walking around the gym. And they are there like every day. I can pick their brain and ask questions,' Harper said. Advertisement He told Spears that suiting up for the Spurs is 'a dream come true.' Harper already boldly dropped a playoff prediction following his selection. The franchise will hope he's the new piece who lifts them back to the postseason. Which will end a six-season postseason drought. Related: Spurs make roster move on 41.3% 3-point shooter amid busy offseason Related: Why Kelly Olynyk trade represents next step for Spurs
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves rumors: Is Anthony Edwards trying to change Kevin Duant's mind on trade?
The post Timberwolves rumors: Is Anthony Edwards trying to change Kevin Duant's mind on trade? appeared first on ClutchPoints. Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards' interest in a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant has been revealed. The current Phoenix Suns forward is likely on the move, and the 36-year-old has plenty of potential suitors. While Durant is at the tail end of his career, he still can undoubtedly be the second-best player on a championship-contending squad. One of the franchises rumored to be a possible fit for the 15-time All-Star was the Timberwolves. Advertisement Minnesota is coming off its second-straight appearance in the Western Conference Finals and has its best player in Ant, who hasn't even hit his prime yet. The 23-year-old still has plenty of room for improvement, but has consistently elevated his game when his team needed it most. A dream pairing of Edwards and Durant has intrigued many, but recent reports indicate that the aging superstar is not interested in playing for the Timberwolves. Edwards's apparent viewpoint on this transaction is another significant factor working against a blockbuster deal. Senior NBA reporter Marc J. Spears confirmed on NBA Today what the three-time All-Star has been up to lately and how it impacts the next steps the Timberwolves might take this offseason. 'Talked to some people close to Anthony Edwards. This is a non-story. He's in Atlanta working out. He loves his former teammate. He loves his current teammates. Some people close to me said he's focused on what's next with this team. And he's not flying to L.A. to try to convince K.D. anything different.' ESPN's Brian Windhorst's reaction to this news is ultimately telling of the improbability of a KD-Ant pairing. Advertisement 'That's legitimately an important piece of information (Spears' report). Ant Edwards is not recruiting Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant says he doesn't want to be in Minnesota. The deal is not done. This is not heading towards Minnesota. Obviously things can change. This is not heading like Durant is going to Minnesota. Spears is making it very clear the way Ant is feeling.' Overall, the Timberwolves have some very consequential decisions to make this offseason. Several key contributors, such as Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, are set to become free agents (should Randle deny his player-option), and Minnesota likely will not be able to afford both of them. This franchise is trying to make that next jump from very good to great, and it's not going to be easy with the Oklahoma City Thunder presumably getting better. But Minnesota has a player with face of the league like potential, and it's time to build a championship-level roster around him as he improves. Related: NBA rumors: Timberwolves playing hardball in Kevin Durant trade talks Related: Ranking Suns' 4 best realistic Kevin Durant trade packages
