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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mark Daigneault's hometown always believed in Thunder coach, long before NBA Finals run
Steve Dubzinski is often asked a variation of the same question: Did you ever see Mark Daigneault becoming this? The 'this' part of that prompt has only gotten more unbelievable with time. Did Dubzinski, Daigneault's high school basketball coach in Leominster, Massachusetts, ever see Daigneault becoming an NBA head coach? Coaching in the All-Star Game?? In the NBA Finals??? Advertisement 'I knew he was gonna be successful, and he wanted to coach,' Dubzinski told The Oklahoman. 'Where that journey was going to end? I don't know. Could you have predicted an NBA Finals? Probably not.' Dubzinski was asked The Question by a Boston-area TV station recently. And before he knew it, the wise-cracking former coach, now a Massachusetts high school sports administrator, had talked himself into an analogy that put Daigneault in rather lofty company. 'I don't think people had Leo in English class as a sophomore and said, 'Oh, that young man's gonna be the pope.' Or Barack Obama in sixth grade art class and say, 'He's gonna be the president.'' Dubzinski had to stop himself. Advertisement 'It's good that I just threw Coach Daigneault in the same category as the president and the pope,' Dubzinski said with a laugh. Daigneault hasn't quite reached world leader status, but he and the Thunder are four wins away from becoming world champs. And back in Daigneault's hometown of Leominster — 1,700 miles from Oklahoma City — that's a pretty big deal. The Daigneault family is beloved in the town of 44,000 just west of Boston. It's Celtics country, but given the Thunder's ties to the area with Daigneault, Sam Presti and assistant GM Rob Hennigan, there's a proud pocket of Thunder orange and blue in the Bay State. MUSSATTO: How original Paul George trade between Thunder, Pacers created unlikely NBA Finals Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault talks with players during Game 2 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Oklahoma City won 149-106. Mark Daigneault's Leominster, Massachusetts, roots Mark Daigneault is an old soul. Anybody who's known him will confirm. It's as true of Daigneault at age 40 as it was when he was 14. Advertisement 'Perfect way to put it,' said Billy McEvoy, who met Daigneault in fourth grade. 'He would take a ribbing from his group of friends for that.' 'Let loose,' they would tell Daigneault. But Daigneault, even as a kid, was always the adult in the room. 'He was the captain of our high school basketball team for the qualities you look for in a captain — he was a leader, he led by example,' McEvoy said. 'Not even just in sports. I have kids now, and you want your kids to be friends with someone like Mark Daigneault.' Dubzinski described Daigneault as a 'cerebral' player who 'got the most out of his athletic ability.' Advertisement In other words, a good high school basketball player who maybe could've played small-college ball, but who was destined to coach. Daigneault was a shooter, 'make no mistake about it,' Dubzinski said. And a charge-taker that would make Jaylin Williams proud. 'I'm not surprised they're as good as they are defensively because Mark defended,' Dubzinski said. 'He was the master at taking the charge. It was before the flop, so maybe that played a little bit into it, frankly. But he could sell it.' More: What impresses OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault most about Pacers, NBA Finals foe? Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talks with head coach Mark Daigneault during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Monday, May, 5, 2025. Daigneault leads the No. 1 defense in the NBA — a juggernaut of a unit that's hard-wired for freneticism. The Thunder's offense is buoyed by the league's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose coolness is contrasted by Daigneault's everymaness. Advertisement 'He hasn't changed who he is as a person despite the enormous success that he's had,' McEvoy said. 'I love that about him.' After five years as head coach of the G League Oklahoma City Blue and one season as a Thunder assistant under Billy Donovan — one of Daigneault's many mentors — Daigneault was elevated to Thunder head coach prior to the 2020-21 season. Having navigated the Thunder through its rebuild with a development-first approach, the implementer of Presti's plan, Daigneault is now leading the most dominant squad in basketball. The Thunder set an NBA record for average margin of victory en route to a 68-win season. Now Daigneault, in Year 5, is opposite Rick Carlisle, dean of the college of coaches, in the NBA Finals. Advertisement 'He's been very good to me as I've come up here,' Daigneault said. 'Couldn't have more respect for him.' No one is questioning the coaching chops on either sideline, but Daigneault's team is stocked with more talent. OKC is an overwhelming favorite to win the title and raise the franchise's first title banner since relocating to the plains in 2008. 'It's obviously a great opportunity for all of us,' Daigneault said. 'Everybody that gets to participate in the NBA Finals, it's something to be grateful for. And one of the cool things is you get to share it with the people you care about and the people that care about you.' Like the people who knew Mark Daigneault back in his Leominster days, when they knew what he wanted to be, but not how far it would take him. Advertisement 'He was born,' McEvoy said, 'to be a coach.' Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@ . Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at . More: NBA Finals 2025: From Loud City to Pacers Nation, get to know OKC and Indianapolis NBA Finals Game 1: Thunder vs. Pacers TIPOFF: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Paycom Center in OKC (ABC) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has support of Massachusetts hometown
3 days ago
- Entertainment
Shaq and Iverson team up to revive Reebok from obscurity in the Netflix docuseries 'Power Moves'
LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson once clashed on the court in the 2001 NBA Finals, but now the basketball legends are joining forces to revive the Reebok brand they helped make iconic. In the Netflix docuseries, 'Power Moves,' which premiered this week, the Hall of Famers swap jerseys for executive titles, with O'Neal stepping in as president of Reebok Basketball while Iverson takes on the role as vice president. The six-episode series offers a behind-the-scenes look at their mission to spark a cultural resurgence for the classic sneaker company. O'Neal, standing 7-foot-1, sees himself as a voice for today's big men. But when it comes to reaching the quick, gritty guards of this generation, he knows there's no better ambassador than the 6-foot Iverson, whose '90s signature shoes are still a staple in sneakerhead circles. 'I didn't build Reebok all by myself,' said O'Neal, who won three straight NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat. He signed with Reebok in 1992 and made the brand popular with his first signature shoe, called the Shaq Attaq. Iverson's signature shoes, The Question and The Answer, were some of the top sellers in the industry. He signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok in 2001. 'I needed A.I. to be vice president because if you're a guard, you want to see a legendary guard,' he said. "I wanted to do a show that's not scripted. Not polished. I wanted it to be real work.' Iverson called documenting his role in helping revitalize Reebok a 'full circle moment" while working alongside O'Neal, who he calls 'big bro.' 'I get the honor of doing this with (Shaq), having a relationship with him,' said Iverson, the former Philadelphia 76ers guard, who was an 11-time All-Star and won the league's MVP in 2001 — the same year O'Neal and Iverson faced off in the NBA Finals. Iverson was known for being an undersized guard who played with a supersized heart. 'The type of things I learn from him — on and off the court. He's just a beautiful guy," Iverson said about O'Neal. "He stands up to his faults. The things that he felt he did wrong in life. The way he treats his mom. All that resembles who I am. That makes this special.' Reebok, founded in 1895, became a household name in the early 1990s, thanks to Boston Celtics guard Dee Brown and his iconic Pump sneakers. The brand took off from there inking major deals with O'Neal and Iverson, partnering with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, and even stepping into hip-hop with signature lines for Jay-Z and 50 Cent's G-Unit. But Reebok's cultural momentum began to fade after Nike doubled down on star power with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Adidas bought the company for $3.8 billion in 2006, aiming to better compete with Nike on a global scale. Instead, Reebok struggled to find its footing, gradually losing its identity in both sports and style. 'Now it's time for us to get Reebok back to prominence," said O'Neal, who played a key role in Reebok's acquisition in 2021 by Authentic Brands Group, where he is a shareholder. 'There's all these competitive brands, which is fine. It makes the job harder. But for me, it's all about motivation and trying to build." 'Power Moves' dives into Reebok's strategy for staying relevant, including signing rising stars like WNBA phenom Angel Reese to the brand's first name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The series also shows how O'Neal leans on a surprising source for insight into today's athletes through his son, Shareef. Shaq was initially set on creating high-top sneakers, until a visit to a massive Amateur Athletic Union tournament — with nearly 70 courts — sparked a shift. Shareef pulled his dad aside and explained that low tops are the go-to for this generation. It was a lightbulb moment that helped Shaq better understand and connect with modern players. 'I had to realize that my way is not always the right way,' Shaq said. 'Sometimes, the best way to be an effective leader is listening to the ones who are really in the trenches.' Iverson believes he and Shaq can help Reebok bounce back by paying forward the same support and opportunity the brand once gave them. 'We're going to show our love to the brand that showed us love,' he said. 'We're putting our efforts into what they did in my life. Reebok took care of my family, my friends, me. It was a power move. We're here to bring it back.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shaq and Iverson team up to revive Reebok from obscurity in the Netflix docuseries 'Power Moves'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson once clashed on the court in the 2001 NBA Finals, but now the basketball legends are joining forces to revive the Reebok brand they helped make iconic. In the Netflix docuseries, 'Power Moves,' which premiered this week, the Hall of Famers swap jerseys for executive titles, with O'Neal stepping in as president of Reebok Basketball while Iverson takes on the role as vice president. The six-episode series offers a behind-the-scenes look at their mission to spark a cultural resurgence for the classic sneaker company. O'Neal, standing 7-foot-1, sees himself as a voice for today's big men. But when it comes to reaching the quick, gritty guards of this generation, he knows there's no better ambassador than the 6-foot Iverson, whose '90s signature shoes are still a staple in sneakerhead circles. 'I didn't build Reebok all by myself,' said O'Neal, who won three straight NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat. He signed with Reebok in 1992 and made the brand popular with his first signature shoe, called the Shaq Attaq. Iverson's signature shoes, The Question and The Answer, were some of the top sellers in the industry. He signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok in 2001. 'I needed A.I. to be vice president because if you're a guard, you want to see a legendary guard,' he said. "I wanted to do a show that's not scripted. Not polished. I wanted it to be real work.' Iverson called documenting his role in helping revitalize Reebok a 'full circle moment" while working alongside O'Neal, who he calls 'big bro.' 'I get the honor of doing this with (Shaq), having a relationship with him,' said Iverson, the former Philadelphia 76ers guard, who was an 11-time All-Star and won the league's MVP in 2001 — the same year O'Neal and Iverson faced off in the NBA Finals. Iverson was known for being an undersized guard who played with a supersized heart. 'The type of things I learn from him — on and off the court. He's just a beautiful guy," Iverson said about O'Neal. "He stands up to his faults. The things that he felt he did wrong in life. The way he treats his mom. All that resembles who I am. That makes this special.' Reebok, founded in 1895, became a household name in the early 1990s, thanks to Boston Celtics guard Dee Brown and his iconic Pump sneakers. The brand took off from there inking major deals with O'Neal and Iverson, partnering with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, and even stepping into hip-hop with signature lines for Jay-Z and 50 Cent's G-Unit. But Reebok's cultural momentum began to fade after Nike doubled down on star power with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Adidas bought the company for $3.8 billion in 2006, aiming to better compete with Nike on a global scale. Instead, Reebok struggled to find its footing, gradually losing its identity in both sports and style. 'Now it's time for us to get Reebok back to prominence," said O'Neal, who played a key role in Reebok's acquisition in 2021 by Authentic Brands Group, where he is a shareholder. 'There's all these competitive brands, which is fine. It makes the job harder. But for me, it's all about motivation and trying to build." 'Power Moves' dives into Reebok's strategy for staying relevant, including signing rising stars like WNBA phenom Angel Reese to the brand's first name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The series also shows how O'Neal leans on a surprising source for insight into today's athletes through his son, Shareef. Shaq was initially set on creating high-top sneakers, until a visit to a massive Amateur Athletic Union tournament — with nearly 70 courts — sparked a shift. Shareef pulled his dad aside and explained that low tops are the go-to for this generation. It was a lightbulb moment that helped Shaq better understand and connect with modern players. 'I had to realize that my way is not always the right way,' Shaq said. 'Sometimes, the best way to be an effective leader is listening to the ones who are really in the trenches.' Iverson believes he and Shaq can help Reebok bounce back by paying forward the same support and opportunity the brand once gave them. 'We're going to show our love to the brand that showed us love,' he said. 'We're putting our efforts into what they did in my life. Reebok took care of my family, my friends, me. It was a power move. We're here to bring it back.'
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Shaq and Iverson team up to revive Reebok from obscurity in the Netflix docuseries ‘Power Moves'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson once clashed on the court in the 2001 NBA Finals, but now the basketball legends are joining forces to revive the Reebok brand they helped make iconic. In the Netflix docuseries, 'Power Moves,' which premiered this week, the Hall of Famers swap jerseys for executive titles, with O'Neal stepping in as president of Reebok Basketball while Iverson takes on the role as vice president. The six-episode series offers a behind-the-scenes look at their mission to spark a cultural resurgence for the classic sneaker company. O'Neal, standing 7-foot-1, sees himself as a voice for today's big men. But when it comes to reaching the quick, gritty guards of this generation, he knows there's no better ambassador than the 6-foot Iverson, whose '90s signature shoes are still a staple in sneakerhead circles. 'I didn't build Reebok all by myself,' said O'Neal, who won three straight NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat. He signed with Reebok in 1992 and made the brand popular with his first signature shoe, called the Shaq Attaq. Iverson's signature shoes, The Question and The Answer, were some of the top sellers in the industry. He signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok in 2001. 'I needed A.I. to be vice president because if you're a guard, you want to see a legendary guard,' he said. 'I wanted to do a show that's not scripted. Not polished. I wanted it to be real work.' Iverson called documenting his role in helping revitalize Reebok a 'full circle moment' while working alongside O'Neal, who he calls 'big bro.' 'I get the honor of doing this with (Shaq), having a relationship with him,' said Iverson, the former Philadelphia 76ers guard, who was an 11-time All-Star and won the league's MVP in 2001 — the same year O'Neal and Iverson faced off in the NBA Finals. Iverson was known for being an undersized guard who played with a supersized heart. 'The type of things I learn from him — on and off the court. He's just a beautiful guy,' Iverson said about O'Neal. 'He stands up to his faults. The things that he felt he did wrong in life. The way he treats his mom. All that resembles who I am. That makes this special.' Reebok, founded in 1895, became a household name in the early 1990s, thanks to Boston Celtics guard Dee Brown and his iconic Pump sneakers. The brand took off from there inking major deals with O'Neal and Iverson, partnering with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, and even stepping into hip-hop with signature lines for Jay-Z and 50 Cent's G-Unit. But Reebok's cultural momentum began to fade after Nike doubled down on star power with Michael Jordan , Kobe Bryant and LeBron James . Adidas bought the company for $3.8 billion in 2006, aiming to better compete with Nike on a global scale. Instead, Reebok struggled to find its footing, gradually losing its identity in both sports and style. 'Now it's time for us to get Reebok back to prominence,' said O'Neal, who played a key role in Reebok's acquisition in 2021 by Authentic Brands Group, where he is a shareholder. 'There's all these competitive brands, which is fine. It makes the job harder. But for me, it's all about motivation and trying to build.' 'Power Moves' dives into Reebok's strategy for staying relevant, including signing rising stars like WNBA phenom Angel Reese to the brand's first name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The series also shows how O'Neal leans on a surprising source for insight into today's athletes through his son, Shareef. Shaq was initially set on creating high-top sneakers, until a visit to a massive Amateur Athletic Union tournament — with nearly 70 courts — sparked a shift. Shareef pulled his dad aside and explained that low tops are the go-to for this generation. It was a lightbulb moment that helped Shaq better understand and connect with modern players. 'I had to realize that my way is not always the right way,' Shaq said. 'Sometimes, the best way to be an effective leader is listening to the ones who are really in the trenches.' Iverson believes he and Shaq can help Reebok bounce back by paying forward the same support and opportunity the brand once gave them. 'We're going to show our love to the brand that showed us love,' he said. 'We're putting our efforts into what they did in my life. Reebok took care of my family, my friends, me. It was a power move. We're here to bring it back.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Shaq and Iverson team up to revive Reebok from obscurity in the Netflix docuseries 'Power Moves'
Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson once clashed on the court in the 2001 NBA Finals, but now the basketball legends are joining forces to revive the Reebok brand they helped make iconic. In the Netflix docuseries, 'Power Moves,' which premiered this week, the Hall of Famers swap jerseys for executive titles, with O'Neal stepping in as president of Reebok Basketball while Iverson takes on the role as vice president. The six-episode series offers a behind-the-scenes look at their mission to spark a cultural resurgence for the classic sneaker company. O'Neal, standing 7-foot-1, sees himself as a voice for today's big men. But when it comes to reaching the quick, gritty guards of this generation, he knows there's no better ambassador than the 6-foot Iverson, whose '90s signature shoes are still a staple in sneakerhead circles. 'I didn't build Reebok all by myself,' said O'Neal, who won three straight NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and another with the Miami Heat. He signed with Reebok in 1992 and made the brand popular with his first signature shoe, called the Shaq Attaq. Iverson's signature shoes, The Question and The Answer, were some of the top sellers in the industry. He signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok in 2001. 'I needed A.I. to be vice president because if you're a guard, you want to see a legendary guard,' he said. "I wanted to do a show that's not scripted. Not polished. I wanted it to be real work.' Iverson called documenting his role in helping revitalize Reebok a 'full circle moment" while working alongside O'Neal, who he calls 'big bro.' 'I get the honor of doing this with (Shaq), having a relationship with him,' said Iverson, the former Philadelphia 76ers guard, who was an 11-time All-Star and won the league's MVP in 2001 — the same year O'Neal and Iverson faced off in the NBA Finals. Iverson was known for being an undersized guard who played with a supersized heart. 'The type of things I learn from him — on and off the court. He's just a beautiful guy," Iverson said about O'Neal. "He stands up to his faults. The things that he felt he did wrong in life. The way he treats his mom. All that resembles who I am. That makes this special.' Reebok, founded in 1895, became a household name in the early 1990s, thanks to Boston Celtics guard Dee Brown and his iconic Pump sneakers. The brand took off from there inking major deals with O'Neal and Iverson, partnering with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, and even stepping into hip-hop with signature lines for Jay-Z and 50 Cent's G-Unit. But Reebok's cultural momentum began to fade after Nike doubled down on star power with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Adidas bought the company for $3.8 billion in 2006, aiming to better compete with Nike on a global scale. Instead, Reebok struggled to find its footing, gradually losing its identity in both sports and style. 'Now it's time for us to get Reebok back to prominence," said O'Neal, who played a key role in Reebok's acquisition in 2021 by Authentic Brands Group, where he is a shareholder. 'There's all these competitive brands, which is fine. It makes the job harder. But for me, it's all about motivation and trying to build." 'Power Moves' dives into Reebok's strategy for staying relevant, including signing rising stars like WNBA phenom Angel Reese to the brand's first name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The series also shows how O'Neal leans on a surprising source for insight into today's athletes through his son, Shareef. Shaq was initially set on creating high-top sneakers, until a visit to a massive Amateur Athletic Union tournament — with nearly 70 courts — sparked a shift. Shareef pulled his dad aside and explained that low tops are the go-to for this generation. It was a lightbulb moment that helped Shaq better understand and connect with modern players. 'I had to realize that my way is not always the right way,' Shaq said. 'Sometimes, the best way to be an effective leader is listening to the ones who are really in the trenches.' Iverson believes he and Shaq can help Reebok bounce back by paying forward the same support and opportunity the brand once gave them. 'We're going to show our love to the brand that showed us love,' he said. 'We're putting our efforts into what they did in my life. Reebok took care of my family, my friends, me. It was a power move. We're here to bring it back.' recommended
