Latest news with #WesternConference
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Warriors' Stephen Curry speak out over \
There's no denying that the Golden State Warriors' core is in the final stages of its NBA lifecycle. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler have more basketball behind them than they do left to play. However, that doesn't mean the Warriors aren't capable of contending for, and potentially winning, another championship. In a recent discussion with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, Curry explained why he's ignoring all the noise surrounding the Warriors' aging roster, and that being a reason why they can't contend at the top of a loaded Western Conference. 'We've heard it for even before the '22 championship,' Curry said while in South Lake Tahoe. "We heard it, so to the point like it's all it all comes down to health. I mean, if you look at every team . . . [Oklahoma City] had a relatively healthy run. And that's what you need. Like, vets get through a regular season. Try to be in a position where we're not chasing anything down the stretch.' While it's true that Golden State has one of the older cores in the NBA, they also have a wealth of young talent. Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and potentially Jonathan Kuminga will all be part of the rotation next season. Steve Kerr will know he must lean on that youth to ensure his aging stars are ready once the postseason begins. Curry isn't claiming that Golden State will dominate the NBA the way it did during his prime. He is, however, remaining confident that with a splash of luck, his team can remind the world why they're one of the greatest dynasties in history. Because when the Warriors are rolling, they're incredibly difficult to slow down. This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Receive Strong Criticism Amid LeBron James Rumors
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. The Los Angeles Lakers have been heavily in the NBA rumor mill over the last week. Most of those rumors have been connected to the future of superstar forward LeBron James. James decided to opt into the final year of his contract with the Lakers, which will pay him just over $52.6 million during the 2025-26 campaign. However, it seems that the two sides could part ways sooner rather than later. While there is still a chance that James plays out the final year of his deal, trade rumors have been swirling around the longtime superstar aggressively. He has been connected as a possible trade target for multiple times and the team seems heavily motivated to cut ties with him. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Arena on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo byRob Pelinka pulling off the blockbuster trade to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks was a clear pivot. The team instantly went from being led by James to being led by Doncic. Read more: NBA Fans Buzzing About Luka Doncic's Physical Appearance Right after the move was made, the front office started making it clear that Doncic was the player they were going to build around. Los Angeles seems to want to move on from James as soon as it can. If that is the case, he might not even play out the upcoming season with the Lakers. That being said, one NBA analyst has spoken out with strong criticism for how Los Angeles is handling the situation. During a segment on "First Things First," Nick Wright spoke out strongly about the direction the Lakers seem to be heading. "I don't know why the Lakers seem to be in a rush to get out of the LeBron James business," Wright said. "I don't expect the Lakers to find a player better than LeBron James to replace LeBron James this year or next year." He makes a very valid point. On the outside looking in, keeping James would seem to be the better move if the franchise wants to win now. Los Angeles could win with Doncic and James leading the way if it makes the right moves. Read more: Shaquille O'Neal Doesn't Hold Back on Kobe Bryant Disrespect in New Ranking Parting ways with James would take away a player who averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and a steal per game last season. Even at 40 years old, James is still one of the most dominant players in the NBA. It will be interesting to see what happens between James and the Lakers throughout the rest of the offseason. Moving on from him seems to be the path that Los Angeles wants to take, but he still could finish out the final year of his contract and then head elsewhere or retire. Only time will tell, but the entire situation has been quite strange. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
CBS News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Timberwolves make Naz Reid's re-signing official
Fan favorite and former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid is officially returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves announced a deal with the 25-year-old big man on Monday, though the terms were not disclosed. ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported it's a five-year, $125 million contract. This is the second deal Reid has signed with the Wolves since they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2019. Though he's behind Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle on the depth chart, he's one of the most valuable bench players in the league, and the new contract reflects that. Reid, whose name itself has become a battle cry of sorts for Wolves fans, set career highs in minutes, points, assists and rebounds per game last season. Though his shooting percentages dropped from his Sixth Man of the Year season in 2023-2024, he still shot 46.2% from the field and 37.9% from three. He played in all but two regular season games and was a spot starter in 17. Reid had an uncharacteristically quiet playoff performance, but the Wolves are betting on the aberrance of that downturn. So beloved is Reid — aka Big Jelly — among the Wolves fandom that fans got tattoos of his name during the team's last two playoff runs. With the re-signings of Reid and Randle, the Wolves will largely be running it back next season after consecutive Western Conference finals appearances. The only major loss this offseason has been role player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who signed with the Atlanta Hawks. The Wolves added two more big men in the draft: 6-foot-11 Frenchman Joan Beringer and 7-foot-2 Australian Rocco Zikarsky.
Fox Sports
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Thornton and the Valkyries take on conference foe Seattle
Associated Press Golden State Valkyries (10-11, 5-7 Western Conference) at Seattle Storm (13-9, 8-5 Western Conference) Seattle; Wednesday, 3 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Nneka Ogwumike and the Seattle Storm host Kayla Thornton and the Golden State Valkyries. The Storm are 8-5 against conference opponents. Seattle is fourth in the WNBA with 37.1 points in the paint led by Ogwumike averaging 8.5. The Valkyries are 5-7 against Western Conference teams. Golden State averages 80.1 points while outscoring opponents by 1.5 points per game. Seattle scores 81.5 points per game, 2.9 more points than the 78.6 Golden State gives up. Golden State's 40.6% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.1 percentage points lower than Seattle has given up to its opponents (43.7%). The teams play for the third time this season. The Valkyries won the last matchup 84-57 on June 30. Tiffany Hayes scored 21 points to help lead the Valkyries to the win. TOP PERFORMERS: Skylar Diggins is averaging 17.9 points and 5.8 assists for the Storm. Ogwumike is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 rebounds over the past 10 games. Veronica Burton is averaging 11.1 points and 5.4 assists for the Valkyries. Hayes is averaging 14.9 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Storm: 6-4, averaging 80.9 points, 30.9 rebounds, 19.7 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.2 points per game. Valkyries: 5-5, averaging 83.1 points, 37.7 rebounds, 19.4 assists, 5.8 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 41.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.1 points. INJURIES: Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). Valkyries: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended Item 1 of 1
Fox Sports
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Wilson leads Las Vegas against Dallas after 34-point game
Associated Press Las Vegas Aces (10-11, 5-6 Western Conference) at Dallas Wings (6-16, 2-9 Western Conference) Arlington, Texas; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas Aces visits the Dallas Wings after A'ja Wilson scored 34 points in the Aces' 104-102 win against the Golden State Valkyries. The Wings have gone 2-9 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is fifth in the Western Conference with 24.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Myisha Hines-Allen averaging 4.1. The Aces are 5-6 in conference matchups. Las Vegas is 3-1 in games decided by less than 4 points. Dallas' average of 6.5 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 7.2 per game Las Vegas gives up. Las Vegas averages 8.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 fewer makes per game than Dallas gives up. The teams square off for the second time this season. In the last meeting on June 14 the Aces won 88-84 led by 28 points from Jackie Young, while Arike Ogunbowale scored 26 points for the Wings. TOP PERFORMERS: Paige Bueckers is shooting 45.6% and averaging 18.3 points for the Wings. Aziaha James is averaging 13.3 points over the last 10 games. Young is averaging 17.5 points and 3.9 assists for the Aces. Wilson is averaging 19.8 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Wings: 5-5, averaging 81.6 points, 37.3 rebounds, 19.3 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 41.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.5 points per game. Aces: 5-5, averaging 81.4 points, 32.3 rebounds, 17.7 assists, 5.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 81.3 points. INJURIES: Wings: Maddy Siegrist: day to day (knee), DiJonai Carrington: day to day (ribs), Tyasha Harris: out for season (knee). Aces: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: out (personal). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended Item 1 of 1
