Latest news with #NBADunkContest
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matas Buzelis glides for windmill slam at NBA Summer League
The post Matas Buzelis glides for windmill slam at NBA Summer League appeared first on ClutchPoints. Over the past couple of seasons, the Chicago Bulls have been a team that can't quite seem to pick a direction in terms of whether they want to tank or make the playoffs. They've been a team stuck in the play-in. But the Bulls have some intriguing young players on the team such as Matas Buzelis whose windmill dunk on Friday was one of the early highlights of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The highlight came in the second quarter of the Bulls' summer league game against the Toronto Raptors as they came up with a turnover, Matas Buzelis grabbed control of the ball and shot out on the break for the dunk. Buzelis' high-flying exploits were well-documented during his rookie season, and he was selected as a participant in the NBA Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Bulls, Buzelis was among the final group of the G League Ignite before the NBA dissolved the team. A native of Chicago, the hometown hero put up a solid rookie season and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Buzelis appeared in 80 games as a rookie, including 31 starts, at a little over 18 minutes per game. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists with splits of 45.4 percent shooting from the field, 36.1 percent shooting from the three-point line and 81.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Buzelis is among five players on the Bulls' summer league roster that figure to be on the roster when the regular season begins. The other four players are the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Noa Essengue, and two-way contract players Jahmir Young, Lachlan Olbrich and Emanuel Miller. Young and Miller were on two-way contracts last season while Olbrich was the No. 55 overall pick in this past draft. Whatever direction the Bulls end up choosing, they have a potential franchise building block in Buzelis. Related: NBA news: Charles Barkley recalls NBA Finals moment Michael Jordan humbled him Related: Michael Jordan's championship teammate fires back at Kevin Durant
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'It's one Steph Curry' — DeMar DeRozan says copying Golden State Warriors star is misleading for Hoopers
(Image Source - Getty Images) Stephen Curry's groundbreaking influence on basketball has transformed the sport for an entire generation. His unique talent for hitting three-pointers has encouraged numerous young players to mimic his approach. Nevertheless, DeMar DeRozan, a long-time NBA star and six-time All-Star, has a word of caution for aspiring players: pursuing the 'Steph Curry model' might lead them in the wrong direction. DeMar DeRozan tells young players not everyone can be Stephen Curry In the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, DeRozan had a chat with young players and their parents, encouraging them not to feel the need to copy Curry. 'I never want young guys that's coming up to feel discouraged, like they've got to go out there and be Steph Curry,' DeRozan said. 'Everybody's just not going to be Steph Curry. It's one Steph Curry.' His remarks underscore the fact that Curry's skill set stands out, even among NBA legends. DeRozan made this comment while addressing how young players tend to neglect various facets of the game in their quest for Curry-like shooting ability. DeMar DeRozan on Issues with Today's NBA Players, Lost Art of Midrange, Lessons from Master P & More DeRozan went further, emphasizing the uniqueness of Curry's abilities: 'What he's able to do is incredible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo I think we would never see nobody else like that.' This announcement points out how rare Curry's combination of shooting accuracy, basketball IQ, and stamina is. Being a four-time NBA champion and an 11-time All-Star, Curry's game encompasses more than just three-point shooting. His ongoing movement, ability to interpret defenses, and talent for making space distinguish him as a truly unique athlete. Stephen Curry's Stamina helps sustain him shooting all game long DeRozan being wary is seen in the challenges that the young players encounter whenever they attempt to copy the style of Curry. Most people only focus on his shooting of three pointers, yet most of the time they overlook those details that make him unique. The off-ball movement by Curry is one of the best in NBA history and this has assisted him in making open shots even in the tight defense. His fitness enables him to maintain a strong standard of play in the whole game and it is not something that everybody can achieve. Moreover, shooting mechanics that Curry has practiced throughout the years of his life are hard to replicate. Numerous young athletes who look up to Curry often find it hard to thrive in the NBA. DeRozan notes that players such as Trae Young, the star of the Atlanta Hawks and a great three-point shooter, have their own unique way of playing, even if they share a few traits with Curry. Also Read: Ja Morant's viral dunk in China reignites debate over his NBA Dunk Contest absence despite fan pressure 'It's one Steph Curry,' he remarked, a straightforward but deep recognition of Curry's unique talent. As young athletes embark on their basketball paths, DeRozan's message inspires them to carve out their own niche, allowing them to excel in their own style without pursuing the impossible. FAQs What makes Stephen Curry's game unique according to DeRozan? His shooting accuracy, stamina, and off-ball movement are unmatched. What NBA team does Stephen Curry play for? Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors. What playing style does DeRozan promote for young athletes? He promotes mastering the mid-range and staying true to one's game. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry spotted marveling at Mac McClung's Dunk dominance
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry spotted marveling at Mac McClung's Dunk dominance (Image Credit: Getty Images) Mac McClung came, slammed, and slayed completely like a pro! His performance at NBA Dunk week became one of the most indelible memories for a bona fide NBA lover. While the dunk genius was scoring basket after basket, dunking over Evan Mobley and other props, Stephen and Ayesha Curry were spotted courtside, marveling over McClung's dunk dominance. Stephen became a bit dramatic, pretending to faint seeing the dunk genius perform unbeatable 50 dunks, adding more fun to the moment. On the other hand, Ayesha watched McClung's incredible talent display with her mouth agape in amazement. NBA recapped McClung's magnificent Three-Peat show on Instagram. As a tip-off to the Dunk week, the NBA also revisited the Top Dunks from the NBA 2024-2025 regular season and playoffs. Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry could not get over Mac McClung's dunk genius Almost everyone on the court found it hard to believe what Mac McClung did with his dunking talent. With about 50 baskets scored, Mac McClung proved why he was unbeaten in the dunk contest. NBA revisited the best dunk moments from the event where Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry were seen genuinely enthralled by the dunk show put together by three-time slam dunk contest winner McClung. NBA captioned the post as: 'MAC: Jumps over @evanmobley4, grabs the ball, taps the rim, slams it STEPH: 🛌 🛌 🛌 An indelible moment from @macmcclung37's THREE-PEAT for NBA Dunk Week!' The three-time NBA Slam Dunk contest winner dunked over a variety of props, including a car. Evan Mobley volunteered to be McClung's muse as he braved every dunk made by the slam dunk genius. NBA recapped best dunk moments from 2024-2025 to tip off NBA Dunk Week, drawing fans' reactions The NBA Dunk week tip-off announcement was made by the NBA on Instagram. The league recapped the best dunk moments from the regular season and playoffs of the 2024-2025 season to give an apt start to the awaited event week. LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, Ja Morant, etc., were some of the players whose dunks appeared in the clip shared by the NBA. NBA labeled the video as '10 Impressive Dunks from 2024-25'. Such compilations are every NBA lover's dream collection. Fans picked their favorite dunks in the comments. @playsleeper commented, 'That Siakam dunk should be looked at as an all time Finals moment' @tlxnate wrote, 'Mitchell being the first slide made my day' @king_kairo517's comment was, 'Lebron and sharpe definitely those two are it' Fans commented on best dunk moments of 2024-2025 season picked by NBA (Source: @nba/Instagram) McClung's show delighted one and all. Everyone saw the dunk genius making impossible shots with bated breath. With every basket scored, the respect for McClung grew among the audience. NBA Dunk Contest FAQs Who won the NBA Dunk Contest three times in a row? Mac McClung won the NBA Dunk Contest three times in a row. Do Dunk contest winners win money? Yes. The dunk contest winner wins prize money. Mac McClung was awarded a cash prize of $310,000 in dunk winnings. Who was most likely to win the Dunk Contest in February 2025? Mac McClung was the most likely to win the dunk contest in February 2025. Also Read: Mac McClung wins back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk contest titles Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA All-Star Game 'a miss,' commissioner Adam Silver says
NBA All-Star Game 'a miss,' commissioner Adam Silver says Show Caption Hide Caption NBA fans share their best NBA Dunk Contest of all time We asked fans at 2025 NBA All-Star weekend what's the best NBA Dunk Contest of all time Now that the NBA All-Star Game, with its revised mini-tournament format, is more than a month in the past, commissioner Adam Silver has had a chance to reflect on the experience. The overall takeaway: the product was 'a miss.' Speaking Thursday at the conclusion of the NBA's Board of Governor's meetings, Silver fielded several questions about the state of the league, television ratings, expansion and recent sales of franchises. And the All-Star Game, which has drawn criticism recently for a lack of competitive and compelling play, remains an issue. 'I thought we made almost an immeasurable amount of progress — sitting there, I thought this was a little better — but it was a miss,' Silver told reporters Thursday. 'We're not there in terms of creating an All-Star experience that we can be proud of and that our players can be proud of.' Silver continued by acknowledging the switch in broadcast partner for next year's All-Star Game, with NBC taking the reins from TNT, which had aired the event for 23 consecutive years. The 2026 All-Star Game, though, will be unique in that NBC will be airing the event while also juggling its coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Despite the busy schedule, Silver said NBC is 'very enthusiastic about the All-Star Game as a marquee property.' Next year's All-Star Game will be hosted by the Los Angeles Clippers at the newly opened Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Silver said that the NBA, based on feedback to this most recent version of the event, is starting fresh in considering ways to improve the All-Star Game experience. Silver did say that, with the environment of the Olympics and the NHL's success with its 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held in February, the NBA could consider introducing some form of international competition to the All-Star weekend. 'People floated USA (versus) World, I'm not sure that makes sense with the level of development, if that's fair to lump all the other countries together these days,' Silver said. 'Maybe we can single out if there are some international teams that can compete.' The NBA introduced a new format with a mini-tournament with four teams competing in three games. The NBA divided the 24 selected All-Stars into three teams of eight players. TNT analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith each drafted their teams. The fourth team was the winning squad from the Rising Stars event Friday night. 'I think at the height of this, we sell competition,' Silver said. 'I think our players recognize they're not putting their best foot forward when there's a sense that they're not all-in playing an All-Star Game. And I take responsibility, too, because we're both a sport and an entertainment brand and we recalibrated for this year's All-Star Game in San Francisco around more of an entertainment product and don't think it worked.' Silver added that the recalibration was 'well-intentioned' but that 'the breaks were too long' and that the NBA is 'a bit back to the drawing board.' The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
We'll believe Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine will do the NBA Dunk Contest again when we see it
Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine were in very different places in their careers the last time we saw them in their epic NBA Dunk Contest in 2016. At the time, Gordon was still trying to establish himself as a young franchise-player talisman for the Orlando Magic. Now, he's a dynamic two-way player for the perennial title contender Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, LaVine was still years away from transforming into the dynamic, All-Star caliber scoring guard he is today for the Sacramento Kings. On Tuesday, after seeing Ja Morant's invite to do the next Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles in February 2026, Gordon suggested he might have one more run in him. This sentiment came after seeing that LaVine hinted he was also into the idea of competing against Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Listen, at face value, this is an extremely exciting and tantalizing prospect for hoops fans. Antetokounmpo, Morant, Gordon, and LaVine are all some of the greatest dunkers in basketball history. Together, I have no doubt they might put on one of the best shows the Dunk Contest has ever seen. The creativity and sheer electric dunking talent on hand here would be almost too much to fathom. It would be SO cool. That said, each of these gentlemen teasing a Dunk Contest appearance feels like bog-standard social media posturing we've seen before. Until they follow through and are at the Dunk Contest again, ready to roll, there's no reason to believe Morant, Antetokounmpo, Gordon, and LaVine will participate. The easiest thing to do for NBA stars is to offer little crumbs online about how they're maybe, potentially, perhaps ready to participate in the league's midseason celebration of basketball. Everyone can do that. The hard part is being there and ready to compete. We'll believe it when we see it.
