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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"The belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor" - Tim MacMahon says the WNBA All-Star weekend loses a lot of its glow after Caitlin Clark's withdrawal
"The belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor" - Tim MacMahon says the WNBA All-Star weekend loses a lot of its glow after Caitlin Clark's withdrawal originally appeared on Basketball Network. The stage was set for the WNBA to have a memorable All-Star weekend. With the annual hoops shindig being held in Indianapolis, home of the league's most popular player, Caitlin Clark, the excitement was palpable. However, things took a turn for the worse when Clark had to withdraw from the festivities due to an injury. ESPN's Tim MacMahon commented on the situation, saying the unfortunate development is a huge buzzkill for the league, especially since Caitlin was set to compete in the Three-Point Contest and captain her team in the All-Star Game. A season riddled by injuries Many were looking forward to Clark's sophomore campaign after her sensational rookie season, wherein she won the Rookie of the Year award and established herself as one of the league's most dazzling playmakers. Unfortunately, she has been sidelined for nine of the Fever's 22 games this season due to a series of injuries, the most recent being a groin injury sustained during the Indiana Fever's recent victory over the Connecticut Sun. Due to this, she chose to step back from the All-Star events she was scheduled to participate in this weekend. However, CC confirmed she will still be present to support her team and the league. On NBA Today, MacMahon didn't mince words, saying Caitlin's absence on the court will take away a lot of excitement and entertainment from the All-Star Game. "It's a big-time bummer. Obviously, the belle of the ball can't get out on the dance floor, you know, and that — let's be honest — that puts a big-time damp on the whole party," he said. Former NBA champion Iman Shumpert believes Caitlin and the Fever are making the right decision by prioritizing her rest and recovery. By giving their star player time to heal, they're ensuring she'll be ready to contribute during the critical stretch run after the All-Star weekend. "I think it's smart," Shump noted. "I think that, you know, you want to play as much basketball as you can. You want to do it at the highest level you can, right? Going back to Indiana and not being able to put on the show that she wants to put on — I can totally understand her decision to want to sit it out."WNBA legend says groin injuries are no joke WNBA legend Lisa Leslie recently spoke on "We Need to Talk," offering insight into Caitlin's injury. She explained that the only remedy is ample rest — something the Fever star sadly can't afford with the WNBA season in full swing. "I really feel for Caitlin Clark, because I actually had that injury in 2006," Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP who's considered one of women's basketball's all-time greats, shared. "I was heavily taped around my thigh, around my glute. And the hard part is that the groin is an area that you can't just go, 'Oh, it hurts right here.' You feel it deep, you have to get a lot of deep treatment, whether it's ice and heat and rest," she continued. "Well, Caitlin Clark, she can't find a lot of rest right now because she's midseason." Leslie explained that it's a deceptive injury — one moment, a player may feel perfectly fine and ready to return to action, but with a single wrong move, the pain can resurface. She explained that this injury is probably a significant reason why Caitlin has struggled to find her rhythm from beyond the arc this season, as she's shooting a hideous 27 percent from long distance. As much of a fighter Caitlin is, she and the Fever are better off erring on the side of caution and giving her the proper time to heal, even if it comes at the cost of missing a prestigious event like the All-Star story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Buddy Hield learned absolutely devastating news while vacationing in Italy
Golden State Warriors wing Buddy Hield learned something unexpected on a recent trip overseas during the NBA offseason, and sadly, he didn't like it. Hield, who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Warriors before last season began, used some of his earned time away from basketball this summer to travel abroad. As part of his international excursion, he went to Italy. While on his trip to Italy, the 2020 NBA Three-Point Contest Champion did something that is on the bucket list for many people: He went to the The Colosseum in Rome. More: Warriors' Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield have the best comedic chemistry of any NBA teammates Unfortunately for Hield, however, he was disappointed by the experience. While supporting his teammates at NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, the Golden State sharpshooter said that he expected to see Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) from Gladiator at Flavian Amphitheatre. Unfortunately for Hield, who said he went around the historical site screaming for Maximum, that character is purely fictional. You could only imagine the disappointment the NBA player must have felt when his tour guide told him that the character was not actually real. It must have felt similarly crushing as to when Zach Galifianakis' character in The Hangover learned that Julius Caesar did not actually live at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Miami Herald
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Heat's Tyler Herro kicks off his NBA All-Star Weekend by winning Three-Point Contest
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro's second appearance in the NBA's Three-Point Contest went much better than his first appearance. How much better? After being eliminated in the first round of the two-round, timed shooting competition during the league's 2023 All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Herro won Saturday night's Three-Point Contest at Chase Center in San Francisco. With the top three first-round scores form the eight-player field advancing to the championship round, Herro recorded the third-best first-round score (19) on Saturday to keep his hopes of winning the competition alive. It then came down to Herro, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield. But it was Herro that emerged victorious, posting a score of 24 in the final round to come away with the three-point crown. Hield finished as the runner-up with a score of 23 and Garland came in third place with a score of 19 in the championship round. The difference for Herro proved to be that he made both 'Starry Range' balls worth three points each in the championship round. Hield made just one of the two 'Starry Range' balls, ending up one point short of tying Herro's score. Herro became the fifth Heat player to win the Three-Point Contest in franchise history, joining Glen Rice (1995), Jason Kapono (2007), Daequan Cook (2009) and James Jones (2011). The Heat now stands alone as the only NBA team with five Three-Point Contest trophies. The Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics have the second most three-point crowns with four. Herro was the Heat's only representative in the three events during this year's All-Star Saturday Night. Herro's All-Star Weekend is already a memorable and successful one after winning Saturday's Three-Point Contest. But Herro's All-Star Weekend isn't over yet, as he'll make his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday (8 p.m., TNT) as the Heat's lone All-Star. Herro, 25, is averaging career-highs in points (23.9 per game), rebounds (5.5) and assists (5.5) while shooting a career-best 46.5 percent from the field this season. He's also shooting an efficient 38 percent on a career-high 9.7 three-point attempts per game and has missed just two of the Heat's 53 games this season. TRADE REACTION More than a week after the Jimmy Butler trade became official on Feb. 6, Herro was asked about his former teammate and one of his new teammates during All-Star Media Day on Saturday afternoon. 'Jimmy is a great leader,' Herro said when asked what the Golden State Warriors are getting in Butler. 'He leads by example. He comes in every single day with a hard hat, puts his hat on and he gets to work. He's a winner. He wants to win. So I'm sure the fans out here in San Fran and Oakland will definitely love Jimmy and we'll miss him down in Miami.' While the Heat sent Butler to the Warriors, the Heat acquired Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick from the Warriors and Davion Mitchell from the Toronto Raptors in return. 'I love playing with Wiggs,' Herro said Saturday when asked about Wiggins. 'I know how much he was loved out here in San Fran and how much he loved being here. So just trying to make him feel comfortable in Miami. He's only played one or two games [with us] so far. So after the break, it will be fun to get up to speed with him.'
Miami Herald
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Heat's Tyler Herro sharing his All-Star moment with those closest to him: ‘He has earned it'
After the Miami Heat's pre-All-Star break schedule came to an end in Dallas on Thursday night, Heat guard Tyler Herro flew back with the team to Miami. That might seem like an unusual move for a player who needs to be in San Francisco this weekend to take part in Saturday night's Three-Point Contest and play in his first NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night. But Herro wanted to return to Miami to pick up his family and friends, so they could all take a Friday morning flight together to the West Coast for All-Star Weekend. It's part of Herro's plan to share as much of his first true NBA All-Star experience as possible with those closest to him. 'Just spending it with my family, getting a break,' Herro said when asked what he's looking forward to the most from All-Star Weekend. 'Just seeing all my people there and being able to experience it with them.' It will also be a time for Herro to reflect on his NBA journey since being drafted by the Heat in 2019, making his first All-Star Game this year in his sixth NBA season. Herro has been at the center of trade rumors for players like James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard in past years, but was never ultimately dealt. Herro has also battled some injury issues throughout his career, missing 40 of the Heat's 82 games last regular season and never playing in more than 67 regular-season games during the first five seasons of his NBA career. That led to Heat president Pat Riley calling Herro 'fragile' this past offseason. Herro has responded to it all with his best NBA season after listening to feedback from the Heat's coaching staff and applying it to his game, averaging career highs in points (23.9 per game), rebounds (5.5) and assists (5.5) while shooting a career-best 46.5 percent from the field this season. He's also shooting an efficient 38 percent on a career-high 9.7 three-point attempts per game and has missed just two of the Heat's 53 games this season. 'I feel good. I feel like I'm wanted,' Herro, 25, said before playing in his first NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at Chase Center (8 p.m., TNT). 'They want me here. But [expletive] can change if I'm not doing my job and doing what I'm capable of, and staying healthy. At the end of the day, it's good for now. But at the end of the day, it's a process for me that never stops. I feel like it's something you got to continue to do every single day — prove to the city, the organization, the front office why I deserve to be here.' Through it all, Herro's family has appreciated what the Heat has done for him. Herro's father, Chris Herro, remembers when Riley said at the start of Herro's introductory press conference in 2019 that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was 'going to make him an All-Star.' 'I didn't forget that,' Chris said. 'Those are things that as a parent, it's cool to see that we're there. But then it's cool to see that they believed in him, like this is why we got you because we think you can be an All-Star. I didn't forget that as a parent and Tyler didn't forget that.' Selected by the head coaches as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve guard, Herro was drafted onto Team Kenny Smith for the All-Star Game's new four-team tournament. Herro is just the 11th different Heat player in franchise history to be selected as an NBA All-Star (Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Anthony Mason, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Herro). Herro is also just the third Heat draft pick to make the NBA All-Star Game while with the organization, joining a short list that also includes Wade and Adebayo. 'I think the ultimate for Tyler was being an All-Star,' said Chris, who coached Herro's basketball team from first grade through the AAU circuit in high school. 'I just think for us and his family, it's the hard work and the dedication that has been put in for so many years that people don't see behind the scenes. It's just a really cool feeling for him to get what he deserves. He puts a ton of time into this. 'That's the gratitude. I told him, 'You should be proud of this moment.' Because he has earned it at the end of the day, nothing has ever been given to him.' The Heat (25-28) is in the middle of a transition period after trading Butler to the Golden State Warriors last week, entering the All-Star break on a four-game losing skid and in ninth place in the East. But Herro's strong season has been among the biggest bright spots amid a rough season for the Heat. 'I would say staying healthy and just my mindset,' Herro said when asked what has been different for him this season. 'Being free in the mind, being clear, at peace, happy. So I'm OK with the results. The results just ended up being how I wanted them.' It wasn't too long ago that some made fun of Herro for saying he believes that he should be in the same conversation with NBA stars like Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Ja Morant. 'I feel like I'm in the same conversation as those guys,' Herro said to Jeremy Tache in 2021. 'The young guys coming up in the league who can be All-Stars, superstars one day—Luka, Trae, Ja—those guys like that, I feel like my name should be in that category, too.' Herro can now say he's an All-Star. He also stands by that statement. 'I believed it then. So I'm sure y'all know how I feel about it now,' said Herro, who is in the second season of a four-year, $120 million contract that he signed with the Heat in October 2022. 'Yeah, I feel great about myself and my abilities to compete in this league with anybody in the league, literally anybody. I feel like that, for real. I think later down the road, now people kind of see what I was saying. But some people haven't really seen it. So I just got to keep going.' So, still more to prove? 'Always,' Herro said, 'Always more to prove.' But that can wait until the Heat resumes its schedule on Friday against the Raptors in Toronto. For now, Herro is focused on proving just how thankful he is for the support and love he's received from his family and friends along the way. Herro's girlfriend, two children, father and mother are among those who are with him in San Francisco for his All-Star moment. 'The family part is the most important part of everything,' Chris said. 'I texted him [Thursday] and that's what he said. He said he's going to work out at 2 p.m. for the Three-Point Contest. I said, 'I'm coming with you.' He goes, 'You're going to be by my side every day this weekend.' Things like that, he appreciates it.'
Khaleej Times
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Tatum opens up about global impact of LeBron, Steph and Durant ahead of NBA All-Star Game
Just months after LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant shared the court at the Paris 2024 Olympics, leading Team USA to gold, NBA fans around the world may have one final opportunity to witness this legendary trio on the same team. The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will bring them back together, this time in San Francisco, for what could be their last appearance as teammates. The NBA All-Star Weekend will take place from Friday, February 14, to Sunday, February 16, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The festivities will include All-Star Saturday Night, featuring the Three-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest, before culminating in the All-Star Game on Sunday. Their Olympic triumph was a defining moment, a showcase of basketball greatness, with LeBron, Steph, and Durant delivering a performance for the ages. Fans across the world watched in awe as they dominated the competition, reminding everyone why they are three of the greatest to ever play the game. Now, as the NBA turns its focus to All-Star Weekend, the stage is set for another iconic reunion—this time, in a competitive yet entertaining new format. The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will move away from the traditional East vs. West format and instead feature a four-team mini-tournament. The teams will be led by Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Candace Parker, with each squad consisting of eight players. The games will be played under a target score format, with the semifinals reaching 40 points and the final game played to 25 points. Much like NBA fans globally, basketball enthusiasts in the UAE are eager to watch Team Shaq, which will feature LeBron, Steph and Durant together once again. With LeBron at 40 and Steph and Durant at 36, this could be the last time they share the floor as teammates, making it a historic event for those who have followed their incredible careers. NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, spoke about the global impact of LeBron, Steph, and Durant, specifically referencing how their presence resonates with international fans, including those in the Middle East. "LeBron and Steph are the two most-followed NBA players in the world, with Durant not too far behind. There's no doubt that having them continue to play at this high level as All-Stars is remarkable. They resonate not only in Abu Dhabi and the UAE but globally. Their longevity and continued dominance are incredible. After so many years in the league, they are still performing at an elite level, which is why fans worldwide, including in the Middle East, continue to tune in to watch them play," Tatum said. While Team Shaq chosen by the Lakers legend, Shaquille O'neal, will bring together the three legends among others, Team Chuck, picked by Charles Barkley, will feature a dominant mix of international superstars, including Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), and Victor Wembanyama (France). Meanwhile, Team Kenny, led by Kenny Smith, will highlight the NBA's young superstars, including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Jaren Jackson Jr.. This team represents the future of the league, with exciting young talents who are poised to take over in the years to come. Beyond their on-court dominance, LeBron and Steph are the two most-followed NBA players on Instagram, with Durant also boasting a massive global following. Their influence extends to international markets like the UAE, where the NBA has built a strong presence through the Abu Dhabi Games. Last year, they visited Abu Dhabi for the USA Showcase, strengthening ties with regional fans and further growing the sport in a country that has fully embraced basketball culture. Fans in the UAE and the Middle East can watch the 2025 NBA All-Star Game live on beIN Sports, the exclusive broadcaster of the NBA in the MENA region. Whether this will truly be the last time LeBron, Steph, and Durant play together remains to be seen. But for one night, the stage is set for basketball brilliance.
