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USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Today in Boston Celtics history: Larry Bird retires
Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame forward Larry Bird retired from the game as a player in 1992. Sidelined by persistent back problems, the 'Hick from French Lick' (as he was called for a nickname by his fans) quit playing the sport he loved at age 35 after three titles, three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, two NBA Finals MVPs, a dozen NBA All-Star nods, and 10 All-NBA team elections among many other honors. Bird played his NCAA basketball at Indiana State after a short time playing for Indiana University, winning National College Player of the Year at the former in 1979. He was drafted out of Indiana State with the sixth overall pick of the 1978 NBA draft by the Celtics, the only NBA team he would play for. 'The last couple of years have been very tough on me, on my back and on my body,' Bird related at a press conference to announce his retirement (via the New York Times' Clifton Brown). 'It was very hard to deal with, day in and day out. Unfortunately, it all came down to this. I would have liked to have played a little bit longer, maybe a year or two more, but there was just no way possible I was going to be able to do that. So, today, I'm retiring.' In many ways, the excitement around the career of Bird and his rivalry with Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson helped save the NBA from semi-obscurity, setting the stage for the super-stardom of Michael Jordan in the 1990s. 'There is no way to quantify the impact that Larry Bird has had on the game of basketball,' said then-NBA commissioner David Stern. 'With his intensity, dedication, competitiveness and will to win, he has been the ultimate team player in the quintessential team sport. Quite simply, Larry Bird has helped to define the way a generation of basketball fans has come to view and appreciate the NBA.' 'In the future, great players will be judged against the standards he has set, but there will never be another Larry Bird,' added Stern. Rest in Peace It is also the day of the death of former Celtics forward Don Eliason, who passed away on this date in 2003. An alum of Hamline University, Eliason joined the NFL after college as one of a small group of people who have played in that league and the NBA (or as it was known in that era, the Basketball Association of America/BAA) before serving in the US Army in World War II. Eliason returned to sports in 1946, joining Boston in its inaugural BAA season, the same year he rejoined the NFL. His stint with the Celtics was as brief as they come, playing just one game with the team and recording a single foul in that contest. Finally, it is also the date that Boston small forward Bob Bigelow passed away in 2020. Bigelow — a native of Boston — played at the NCAA level with the University of Pennsylvania before being drafted by the (then) Kansas City Kings (now, Sacramento).
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Eagles' Jalen Hurts Linked With NBA Legend Michael Jordan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Philadelphia Eagles get ready to return to action soon for the start of training camp, the team's quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is out in Greece, spending time with the NBA legend, Michael Jordan, and many others. Being a face of the Jordan brand, Hurts was invited out of the country to participate in the Jordan brand's "Board of Greatness." It was one of several opportunities Hurts got to link with Jordan this offseason. Michael Jordan with Jalen Hurts and Carmelo Anthony in Greece 🇬🇷 — Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) July 14, 2025 At this point in his career, Hurts is an established NFL Champion. The fact that he has access to a legend like Michael Jordan is a great sign for the Eagles, since the former Chicago Bulls star was arguably the best player of his generation, winning six titles, six NBA Finals MVPs, and five NBA MVP nods. Read More: Ex-NFL Vet Picks Side in Viral Jalen Hurts vs Cam Newton Debate As for Hurts, he won his second NFC Championship back in the winter. When the Eagles got back on the Super Bowl stage to go toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts and his team got their payback. The Eagles won their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ( Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (After the game, Hurts was named the Super Bowl MVP. At 26 years old, Hurts' resume includes two Pro Bowls, one All-Pro nod, Super Bowl MVP, and Super Bowl LIX champion. From an Eagles standpoint, Hurts is living up to the investment they made in him since signing him to a major extension a few years ago. Read More: Anonymous NFL Exec Drops Honest Analysis of Jalen Hurts' Past Run Despite the recent string of accomplishments, Hurts still has a lot of doubters. Throughout the 2024 NFL season, the star quarterback dealt with a lot of criticism. After he won the Super Bowl with the Eagles, the Jordan brand flashed the "Love Hurts" advertisement to fire back at the doubters. Hurts finished the 2024 NFL season by throwing for 2,903 yards while completing 69 percent of his passes. Despite the lack of yards, Hurts posted a career-high passer rating of 103.7. He tossed 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. On the ground, Hurts rushed 150 times for 630 yards and 14 touchdowns. Read More: NFL Writer Makes Early MVP Case For Eagles Star Jalen Hurts For the first time in his career, Hurts will be looking to defend the Super Bowl title. Next week, the work begins on a new year, as the Eagles report to camp. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kevin Durant's Stunned Live Reaction to Houston Rockets Trade Goes Viral - "We're Gonna See, Man.'"
On a bustling Sunday afternoon in New York City, Kevin Durant was center stage at Fanatics Fest—a convention packed with sports fans and celebrity athletes. The mood was lively, the crowd buzzing, and Durant was deep in conversation on the 'Global Changers' panel with moderator Taylor Rooks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Little did he know, his basketball world was about to be upended in front of a live audience—and the internet. Kevin Durant's reaction at the moment the trade news broke As fielded questions, a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd. Suddenly, fans began shouting—some with disbelief, others with glee—trying to get Durant's attention. The message? He had just been traded to the Houston Rockets. For a brief, almost comical moment, both Durant and Rooks looked confused, unsure if the crowd was joking or if this was just another wild internet rumor. Kevin Durant, ever the competitor but clearly caught off guard, asked the audience to repeat themselves. When it became clear the news was real—confirmed by a live social media blast from ESPN's Shams Charania—Durant's reaction was priceless. He paused, processed, and then, with a wry smile, delivered his now-viral nine-word response: 'We're gonna see, man. We're gonna see.' A Mixed Reaction—And a Quick-Witted Comeback The crowd's response was a chaotic mix of boos, cheers, and gasps. Some fans were thrilled at the prospect of Durant joining a young, up-and-coming Rockets squad; others mourned the end of his time with the . Rooks, ever the professional, tried to steer the conversation back to lighter territory, asking Durant about his favorite game-day song. His answer? A perfectly timed nod to his new city: 'Raining in Houston,' by Drake. How Kevin Durant's trade affects the NBA This wasn't just any trade—it was a blockbuster. The Suns sent Durant to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks. For Durant, now 36 and heading to his fifth NBA team (sixth if you count his Seattle SuperSonics days), it's another chapter in a storied career that has already seen him win two NBA Finals MVPs and average 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Social media reactions to Kevin Durant's trade Within minutes, clips of Durant's stunned face and his 'We're gonna see' mantra were everywhere—on X, Instagram, and sports talk shows. Fans debated whether the Rockets had just vaulted into championship contention or mortgaged their future. Meanwhile, Durant's calm, almost bemused demeanor became the meme of the day. NBA trades are often cold, calculated affairs, with players learning their fate via text, agent calls, or breaking news alerts. Rarely do fans get to witness the raw, unfiltered reaction of a superstar learning about a life-changing move in real time, on stage, in front of thousands. Durant's genuine bewilderment, followed by his composed acceptance, offered a rare glimpse into the human side of professional sports. What's Next for Durant and the Rockets? Durant heads to Houston, ready to mentor rising stars like Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün. The Rockets, who struggled with offensive firepower in the 2025 playoffs, now have one of the game's greatest scorers. Whether this move propels them into title contention or becomes another wild twist in Durant's career remains to be seen—but as the man himself said, 'We're gonna see, man. We're gonna see.' Also read: In the age of viral moments, Kevin Durant's live trade reaction will go down as one of the NBA's most entertaining and human moments—a reminder that, even for legends, the game can still surprise.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golden State Warriors Are Leaning One Way on Kevin Durant Trade Idea
Golden State Warriors Are Leaning One Way on Kevin Durant Trade Idea originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors suffered a disappointing end to their season when they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. Their hopes of advancing took a significant hit in Game 1 when Stephen Curry left with a hamstring injury. Advertisement As a result, Curry missed the next four games. There were hopes that he would've returned if the series had gone to six games, but the Timberwolves won the remaining four games to advance before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Golden State Warriors are leaning this way on Kevin Durant trade The Warriors now head into the offseason looking to make changes to give them one more chance at an NBA Finals run next season. There have been many names circulating in the rumor mill as to who the Warriors could look to add, with one suggestion being a reunion with Kevin Durant. Durant won a pair of NBA Championships and NBA Finals MVPs with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. There were rumors that the two sides could've reunited at the trade deadline, but Durant urged the Phoenix Suns not to do the trade. Advertisement However, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, there have been no discussions to date regarding a reunion. Any team that could acquire Durant's services would instantly be better, but the Warriors might have other positions as a priority this offseason. Both the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves threw lineups at the Warriors that featured two big men. That caused problems for the Warriors, as Draymond Green often serves as the team's primary big man. Rookie Quentin Post showed promise this season, but just wasn't ready for the moment. While the likelihood of Durant going back to the Warriors doesn't have any rumblings now, it's a long offseason, and things could change at the drop of a hat. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former LeBron James Teammate Reveals What Lakers Star Did Twice that Michael Jordan Couldn't Do Once
Former LeBron James Teammate Reveals What Lakers Star Did Twice that Michael Jordan Couldn't Do Once originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Michael Jordan and LeBron James are two of the greatest players in NBA history. The basketball icons have combined to win nine MVPs, 10 championships and 10 NBA Finals MVPs. Advertisement Jordan won five MVPs, six titles and six NBA Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls in the '90s, while James is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time NBA Finals MVP. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) debate between Jordan and James is one of the most discussed topics in basketball discourse. One of James' former teammates recently said he's going with The King over Jordan every time because he thinks James did something twice that Jordan couldn't do once. One of LeBron James' former teammates is going with The King (left) over Michael Jordan. © David Richard-Imagn Images Shane Battier, who won two championships with James in Miami, doesn't think Jordan could have won two rings with him as his starting power forward. Advertisement "LeBron did something twice that Jordan I don't think could have done once," Battier said on the YouTube show "Pablo Torre Finds Out." "He won two NBA titles with Shane Battier as his starting power forward. No way, no way Jordan could have done that. "As great as Jordan was, LeBron dragged me across the finish line." James and Battier helped the Heat win titles in 2012 and 2013. James won back-to-back MVPs and NBA Finals MVPs with Miami. While Battier is clearly being self-deprecating in his take, he is only half right about being the Heat's starting forward. He started every game of the 2012 NBA Finals but did not crack the starting lineup in any of the Heat's 2013 playoff games. Advertisement Jordan, who went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason. He has also scored the most points (63) in a playoff game. James, who is 4-6 in the NBA Finals, is first in NBA history in points. He's the only player ever to rank top five all-time in points and assists. The GOAT debate between Jordan and James likely will never end, but Battier is going with James because the future Hall of Famer helped him win two rings. Related: Blockbuster Four-Team NBA Trade Idea Lands Lakers Two New Key Players This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
