Latest news with #NBACup
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Dwyane Wade returns to the game in a whole new way as Amazon builds a dream team for its first NBA season
(Image Source - Getty Images) Dwyane Wade is re-entering the basketball arena—this time, not as a player but as a broadcaster. Wade has teamed up with Amazon Prime Video as an analyst for their debut season of NBA coverage, which is set to start in October. This new position represents an exciting phase for the Basketball Hall of Famer, who will infuse his on-court insights and vibrant enthusiasm into the broadcast booth alongside a talented team curated by Amazon. Dwyane Wade joins NBA on Prime to reunite with former rivals Wade is thrilled to return to the game in a fresh capacity. In an interview with he shared his excitement about joining the NBA on Prime crew: "When you retire, you're not a part of a team anymore. You're not in a locker room like that anymore. So it'd be good." He's super excited to reconnect with the team vibe, this time with other former players he battled during his stellar career. Wade also mentioned how pumped he is to call games from courtside, saying, "I like just the natural reaction, being able to be the mind of the listeners, in a sense, being able to bring them to the game with understanding what they're about to watch or what they're watching. " This isn't Wade's first time in broadcasting. Prior to this role, he worked as a studio analyst for TNT and commentated on U.S. men's basketball games at the Paris Olympics for NBC with Noah Eagle. Looking back on that experience, he mentioned, "I had a great time doing that with Noah Eagle in the Olympics, and so I want to continue that as well. So those things excite me." Amazon's 11-year deal with the NBA marks a major shift Amazon's adventurous leap into NBA broadcasting is part of a bigger trend in how fans watch sports. The company has secured an 11-year contract with the NBA, indicating a strong commitment to live sports to increase Prime Video subscriptions. This isn't merely a trial run—Amazon is fully committed, and their investment in a premier broadcast team emphasizes their desire to compete with established networks. Kicking off on October 24, the coverage will feature a doubleheader during the opening week, setting the stage for what could be a game-changer in sports streaming. Besides the regular-season games, Amazon's package also includes the NBA Cup in-season tournament and conference finals series every other season, making sure there's no shortage of basketball action. Also Read: Ayesha Curry admits she and Stephen Curry nearly lost their balance trying to do it all As Wade steps into this position, he's ready to combine his innate charisma with his solid broadcasting experience. His time at the Olympics taught him the ins and outs, and now he's prepared to enhance his skills with Amazon's elite crew. For fans, it's a moment to see a legend back in action—not holding a ball, but wielding a microphone, offering insights that only a Hall of Famer can deliver. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
New details on NBA's television plan, impact on Heat and what to expect next season
For many viewers, watching the Heat on television became significantly more expensive last season, when Comcast Xfinity — South Florida's dominant cable provider — placed FanDuel Sports Sun on a tier that charges subscribers about $20 per month. And now, as the league begins a partnership with two streaming services, watching Heat games might again become a bit more expensive this season, depending on the whims of the league and multiple rights-holders, and also depending on whether you currently subscribe to two major streaming services. According to league and network sources, a significant number of the Amazon Prime Video and Peacock games this season — the first of an 11-year deal — will be exclusive, meaning they cannot be televised by regional sports networks. Some of the Amazon and Peacock games will be permitted to be carried by RSNs. Fans of each team won't know how many games will be 'lost' to Amazon and Peacock until the schedule is announced sometime in Auguest. Also, all NBC games will be exclusive in the new deal, and all ABC games (and select ESPN games) also will remain exclusive. In the past deal, TNT — which is exiting NBA game coverage — had exclusivity for Thursday night games and playoff games beginning in the second round. Amazon Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139.99 per year. Peacock, NBC's streaming service, is priced at $5.99 per month. If you're a Heat fan who already subscribes to both, there won' t be any added costs. There would be added costs only if you don't subscribe to either, and if any Heat games are among the exclusive-only Amazon or Peacock packages. For some, the greater impact will be felt in the playoffs, when every game — including those on Amazon Prime and Peacock — will be exclusive. In past years, FanDuel Sports Sun could carry first-round Heat playoff games that aren't on ABC. That's no longer the case. Also, if the Heat is relegated to the play-in tournament for a fourth consecutive season, those games will be available only on Amazon Prime, as opposed to ESPN and TNT in past years. And some games of the early-season NBA Cup tournament — including the semifinals and finals — also will be exclusive to Amazon Prime. Here's what to know about when games will be aired or streamed: ▪ Amazon, which has a 66-game regular-season package, will carry NBA games on Friday nights until the NFL regular-season ends, and then will stream games on Thursday and Friday nights. Amazon also will have some Saturday afternoon games. ▪ Peacock will carry a doubleheader on Mondays. ▪ ESPN, which aired games mostly on Wednesdays and Fridays in the previous contract, now will carry games on Wednesdays and some Fridays. ABC will continue to televise games on Saturday nights (after football season) and Sunday afternoons and Christmas. ▪ NBC will carry a Sunday night game after NFL season ends and will air a Tuesday night game all season. NBC is trying an unprecedented approach on Tuesdays: One game will air on NBC affiliates in the Eastern and Central time zones on Tuesdays, and a different game (originating from the West) will air on NBC affiliates in the Mountain and Western time zones. Both games will be available on Peacock. That clever strategy means games will air in prime time on both coasts and keeps local stations from needing to pre-empt local news. But it also means that some appealing inter-conference games — such as the Lakers vs. the Knicks — likely cannot be scheduled on Tuesdays. But according to a source, NBC will carry two games in the entire country — on NBC — on opening night, like TNT has in past years. That essentially opens up any possible matchup for NBC on opening night. NBA talent news So why didn't NBC hire Dwyane Wade after using him alongside Noah Eagle on men's basketball Olympic broadcasts last year? According to a source, NBC offered Wade a job on its primary studio set, but Wade did not want to travel every week from his Los Angeles area home to NBC's studios in Stamford, Connecticut. Instead, NBC opted for Carmelo Anthony (who lives in the Stamford area) and Vince Carter; both will work with host Maria Taylor on Sunday night and Tuesday night games. Wade instead opted for a job with Amazon, where he can call some games and make some studio appearances in Culver City, California, which is near his home. ▪ Expect Mike Tirico, NBC's lead voice, to work a lot with Reggie Miller. Though Jamal Crawford has been identified by NBC as its co-lead analyst, the network will see how this season goes before determining whether Crawford will be paired with Tirico and Miller on a conference finals next season. Noah Eagle will be NBC's other primary NBA announcer, and Terry Gannon — a longtime NBC golf and Olympics announcer — will be the network's No. 3 play-by-play voice. To some, Gannon is best known as a sharp-shooting guard on North Carolina State's Cinderella NCAA championship team that beat Hakeem Olajuwon's Houston Cougars in 1983. Gannon was quite capable as a college basketball play-by-play man and analyst early in his career. Gannon and Grant Hill will be among those calling games on Peacock; Ahmed Fareed has been named host for Monday night Peacock games. ▪ Amazon has assembled a very deep talent lineup, in some ways better than ESPN's group. Play-by-play: Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan, Wolves TV voice Michael Grady, Hornets TV voice Eric Collins.. Analysts: Stan Van Gundy, Brent Barry, Dell Curry; D-Wade, Steve Nash, Candace Parker will split time between games and studio. (Eagle and Harlan obviously keep their CBS NFL and college basketball jobs as well.) Studio: Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem and Blake Griffin, with some appearances by Wade, Nash and Parker. News note Former South Florida radio personality Joy Taylor, sister of UM assistant coach and Dolphins legend Jason Taylor, lost her FS-1 job this week as part of major changes at the network. FS-1 canceled three shows, including Taylor's 'Speak' – which she co-hosted with Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson, as well as 'The Facility' (which featured former NFL players James Jones, Chase Daniel, Emmanuel Acho and LeSean McCoy) and 'Breakfast Ball' (which featured former NFL player Mark Schlereth).
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch Blake Griffin hilariously make NBA Cup announcement
The post Watch Blake Griffin hilariously make NBA Cup announcement appeared first on ClutchPoints. Retired forward Blake Griffin is starring in a new ad to promote the 2025 NBA Cup, featuring Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. While the ink on Holmgren's new five-year rookie max contract extension still hasn't dried, he receives a funny phone call from Griffin at the beginning of the NBA ad. It's Blake on the other end of the phone, congratulating Chet on winning the 2025 NBA Finals. Advertisement However, Griffin uses the pronoun 'we' instead of 'you,' which leads to a humorous back-and-forth between Holmgren and Blake, as per NBAonPrime's X, formerly Twitter. 'There he is. Still can't believe it. We did it. Cheers, champ. It feels good, doesn't it?' Griffin says, to which Holmgren replies, 'Did you say 'we'? 'Oh, I'm sorry. Do you not remember March 19, 1989? A young BG was born in Oklahoma City. And since I'm retired, it's 'we' now.' Holmgren jokes he tried to get Griffin on one of the parade buses after winning Game 7. 'No, I get it,' Griffin replies. 'And honestly, those security guys? They were just doing their jobs. But, hey, the really reason I'm calling? Hold on, let me channel my inner Mamba, job finished?' to which Holmgren replies, 'Yeah, Blake. We won the title.' Advertisement However, Griffin isn't satisfied and challenges Holmgren to win 'the next one,' and while Holmgren thinks he's talking about the 2026 NBA Finals, Griffin is actually talking about the Thunder winning this year's NBA Cup. 'Did I mention Vegas?' Griffin adds. 'We're going to hit the ground running. This is how dynasties are built. C'mon, man.' Blake Griffin ad drops after Chet Holmgren's Thunder extension Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Thunder forward Chet Holmgren has plenty to celebrate as a champion. After securing a five-year rookie max extension, worth $250 million, the Thunder has secured Holmgren's future, which perfectly aligns with a unique championship window. Advertisement After MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received his whopping four-year, $285 million supermax extension, the richest deal in NBA history, the Thunder wasted no time in locking in one of its pillars in the frontcourt. However, the offseason is far from over with the front office and Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams building momentum towards his rookie max contract. The Thunder are reportedly working on cementing its Big 3 in Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams, all of whom haven't reached the ceiling of their full-potential yet. After capturing the first title in franchise history, the Thunder should have its core players all signed on long-term deals ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Related: Why Kelly Olynyk trade represents next step for Spurs Related: Why Chris Paul should consider coaching an HBCU in retirement
Black America Web
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Black America Web
NBA Unveils Groups For 2025-26 Season's NBA Cup
Source: Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty The 2024-25 NBA season has been over for a few weeks, with the Oklahoma City Thunder being crowned the winners, but don't forget about the other champs. Earlier in the campaign, the Milwaukee Bucks won the second annual in-season Emirates NBA Cup, and now, the league has announced the groups for the 2025 re-up. Sticking with the defending champs, they'll be going up against the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, and Miami Heat. It'll be tough for the Bucks to run it back with some major roster changes, like the absence of Damian Lillard, picking up Myles Turner, and the uncertain future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The in-season competition tips off Oct. 31 with group play continuing through Nov. 28. Then, the quarterfinals will be Dec. 9 and 10, and the semifinals will soon follow on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. Finally, the championship game will also be held in Vegas on Dec. 16, and while it will be highly competitive, it won't count towards either team's regular season record or statistics. For a quick explainer on the workings of the, Cup each group is made up of five teams from the same conference, randomly drawn based on their standings from last season. During group play, each team will play one game against each of the other four teams in their group. The teams that finish with the best record in each group qualify for the Knockouts. Then they're joined by two wild-card teams, which are the second-best performing group-play teams from each conference. The schedule will be released later this summer, in August, alongside the regular season schedule. However, you can check out the rest of the groups below. East Group A – Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards East Group B – Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers East Group C – Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets West Group A – Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz West Group B – L.A. Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans West Group C – Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs. SEE ALSO NBA Unveils Groups For 2025-26 Season's NBA Cup was originally published on
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA fans react to Lakers, Mavericks ‘randomly' winding up in same NBA Cup group
The post NBA fans react to Lakers, Mavericks 'randomly' winding up in same NBA Cup group appeared first on ClutchPoints. On Wednesday, the NBA officially announced the groups for its 2025-26 in-season tournament, which will be the third straight year the league has put on the event. While the fan reception has been hit or miss so far, this year's tournament figures to have an extra bit of spice thanks to the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are in the same group. Advertisement Of course, the Lakers and Mavericks were at the center of the most shocking trade in basketball history several months ago, when Luka Doncic was traded for a package surrounding Anthony Davis, and fans on X, formerly Twitter, were quick to speculate that the NBA's supposed random draw to pick out the play-in tournament groups were actually orchestrated to get this matchup in particular. 'We gotta get used to seeing these Lakers/Mavs matchup now,' wrote one fan, alongside a graphic of a cow featuring Mavericks and Lakers logos being milked by the NBA. 'Lakers Mavericks yeah im sure that was just a coincidence,' added another fan. 'I see you adam silver with that lakers and mavs,' wrote another. Advertisement An intriguing matchup Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images While fans may speculate that the Lakers vs Mavericks matchup was put into place by the NBA, there's no denying that games between those two teams will be can't-miss television for years to come. It was just over five months ago that the Mavericks shocked the sports world by sending Doncic to the Lakers just as he was entering his prime and less than a year removed from leading Dallas to the NBA Finals. Fast forward to the present day, and both the Lakers and Mavericks have been looking for ways to retool this offseason–the teams won a combined one (1) playoff game a season ago. Advertisement Through two years, the in-season tournament hasn't been a great indicator of what's to come in the postseason, as neither the Lakers (2023's champions) nor the Bucks (2024's champions) won more than one game in their ensuing playoff run. Still, that probably won't stop NBA fans from turning on the television when the Lakers and Mavericks tip off. Related: 10 greatest NBA scorers to never drop 50 points, ranked Related: 10 NBA teams that won a championship with the most undrafted players
