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Payton II Wins NBA/Lanier Award

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SAN FRANCISCO – The NBA will rename its NBA Cares Community Assist Award in honor of late Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Global Ambassador, Bob Lanier.  After his playing career concluded, Lanier made its his life’s work and dedication to teach sports and NBA values to make a positive impact on communities across the globe.

The first winner of the new Bob Lanier Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente for the 2022 season is Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. Payton was selected by fans during a 12-day public voting period and by an NBA executive panel for his sustained community outreach in support of youth in the Bay Area over the course of the season.

Payton II has prioritized engaging with and giving back to his community, particularly through initiatives related to youth with learning disabilities and those dealing with hardship. This season, he founded the GPII Foundation, a nonprofit that acts as a conduit for Dyslexia-awareness, an educational disability he has dealt with throughout his life. The foundation provides funding for educators to become certified in early intervention services and support for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, including early screening, detection and certified assessment for youth and young adults.

Payton’s own personal struggle with dyslexia, and his passion and efforts to uplift young people impacted, led to the Warriors expanding their Read to Achieve program to specifically include students with learning disabilities. He also led attended a rally at San Francisco City Hall in support of universal screening for risk of dyslexia via Senate Bill 237 and hosted his first-ever Reading Rally with Decoding Dyslexia for students affected by learning disabilities. Additionally, Payton participated in the Warriors’ Black History Month celebrations and 75th Anniversary Live, Learn or Play Center dedication, among other events. He was awarded the January monthly NBA Cares Community Assist Award.

Lanier, an NBA league office executive and Global Ambassador for more than 30 years, had an enormous influence on the NBA family, his co-workers and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. An author and humanitarian, Lanier was the recipient of many distinguished awards throughout his lifetime, including the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award for his significant contributions to civil and human rights and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award as a player. The legacy he built will continue to live on through the season long Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season.

The Warriors and the NBA will recognize Payton during the NBA Finals 2022 presented by YouTube TV. The GPII Foundation will receive a $75,000 contribution from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente in honor of the league’s 75th anniversary season.

Celtics’ Tatum Earns All-NBA

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum have been selected to the 2021-22 Kia All-NBA First Team.

Antetokounmpo was the only player to receive All-NBA First Team votes on all 100 ballots (500 total points), earning his fourth consecutive selection to the First Team and sixth All-NBA Team honor overall (First Team, Second Team and Third Team).  This is the third All-NBA First Team selection each for Dončić (476 points) and Jokić (476 points), the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player.  Booker (460 points) is making his debut on the All-NBA Team.  Tatum (390 points) joins Booker as a first-time selection to the All-NBA First Team.

With the selection of Antetokounmpo (27 years old), Dončić (23), Jokić (27), Booker (25) and Tatum (24), the Kia All-NBA First Team is made up entirely of players age 27 or younger for the first time in 67 years (1954-55 season).  Dončić is the fourth player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA First Team three or more times before turning 24, joining Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant and Max Zaslofsky.

The 2021-22 Kia All-NBA Second Team consists of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (414 points), Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (301 points), Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (276 points), Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (274 points) and Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (184 points).

Embiid, the 2021-22 NBA scoring champion, has been named to the All-NBA Second Team for the fourth time in the last five seasons.  Morant, the 2021-22 Kia NBA Most Improved Player, is an All-NBA Team honoree for the first time.  This is the 10th All-NBA Team selection for Durant, the eighth for Curry and the third for DeRozan.

The 2021-22 Kia All-NBA Third Team is composed of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (174 points), Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (169 points), Suns guard Chris Paul (114 points), Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (110 points) and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (63 points).

This is the second All-NBA Team honor for both Towns and Siakam and the first for Young.  James has extended his NBA record for most All-NBA Team selections to 18.  Paul has been voted to the All-NBA Team for the 11th time, the second-most selections among active players behind James.

The 2021-22 Kia All-NBA Team was selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.  Players were awarded five points for each vote to the All-NBA First Team, three points for each vote to the Second Team and one point for each vote to the Third Team.  Voters selected two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly.  Players who received votes at multiple positions were slotted at the position at which they received the most voting points.

The voting results for the 2021-22 Kia All-NBA Team are below.  The “Total Points” category represents voting points that players received at any position, not just the position at which they are listed.  The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.

2021-22 KIA ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Position Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points		 Career
All-NBA Selections
Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) 100 0 0 500 6 (four 1st, two 2nd)
Guard Luka Dončić (Dallas) 88 12 0 476 3 (three 1st)
Center Nikola Jokić (Denver) 88 12 0 476 4 (three 1st, one 2nd)
Guard Devin Booker (Phoenix) 82 16 2 460 1 (one 1st)
Forward Jayson Tatum (Boston) 49 47 4 390 2 (one 1st, one 3rd)
2021-22 KIA ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
 
Position Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points		 Career
All-NBA Selections
Center Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) 57 43 0 414 4 (four 2nd)
Guard Ja Morant (Memphis) 13 76 8 301 1 (one 2nd)
Forward Kevin Durant (Brooklyn) 10 68 22 276 10 (6 1st, four 2nd)
Guard Stephen Curry (Golden State) 9 69 22 274 8 (four 1st, three 2nd, one 3rd)
Forward DeMar DeRozan (Chicago) 2 39 57 184 3 (two 2nd, one 3rd)
2021-22 KIA ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Position Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points		 Career
All-NBA Selections
Center Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) 0 38 60 174 2 (two 3rd)
Forward LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) 2 35 54 169 18 (13 1st, three 2nd, two 3rd)
Guard Chris Paul (Phoenix) 0 16 66 114 11 (four 1st, five 2nd, two 3rd)
Guard Trae Young (Atlanta) 0 11 77 110 1 (one 3rd)
Forward Pascal Siakam (Toronto) 0 7 42 63 2 (one 2nd, one 3rd)

 

Below are the other players who received votes for the 2021-22 Kia All-NBA Team, listed at the position at which they received the most voting points.  The “Total Points” category represents voting points that players received at any position, not just the position at which they are listed.

OTHER PLAYERS RECEIVING VOTES: CENTERS
 
Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points
Rudy Gobert (Utah) 0 5 30 45
Bam Adebayo (Miami) 0 4 16 28

 

 

OTHER PLAYERS RECEIVING VOTES: FORWARDS
 
Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points
Jimmy Butler (Miami) 0 2 26 32
Jaylen Brown (Boston) 0 0 3 3
Desmond Bane (Memphis) 0 0 1 1
Khris Middleton (Milwaukee) 0 0 1 1

 

 

OTHER PLAYERS RECEIVING VOTES: GUARDS
 
Player (Team) 1st Team Votes
(5 Points)		 2nd Team Votes (3 Points) 3rd Team Votes
(1 Point)		 Total
Points
Donovan Mitchell (Utah) 0 0 4 4
Mikal Bridges (Phoenix) 0 0 1 1
Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee) 0 0 1 1
Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn) 0 0 1 1
Dejounte Murray (San Antonio) 0 0 1 1
Fred VanVleet (Toronto) 0 0 1 1

NBA in Paris: C’est Bon!

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PARIS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The National Basketball Association will stage “The NBA Paris Game 2023,” featuring the six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls and the three-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons playing a regular-season game at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023.

The NBA Paris Game 2023 will mark the Bulls’ third game in Paris, having played two preseason games in the French capital in 1997.  Chicago currently features five-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan, two-time NBA All-Star and Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine, and two-time NBA All-Star Nikola Vučević (Montenegro).  The Bulls won six NBA championships spanning eight years, becoming only the third franchise in league history to win three consecutive titles twice (1991-93 and 1996-98).

The Pistons will be playing their first game in France, having previously played regular-season games in London (2013) and Mexico City (2019).  Detroit currently features 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick Cade Cunningham, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Jerami Grant, 2020 No. 7 overall draft pick Killian Hayes (France), and 2021 NBA All-Rookie Team members Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart.  The Pistons won NBA titles in 1989, 1990 and 2004 and made six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 2003 to 2008.

The NBA Paris Game 2023 will mark the first NBA game in Europe since 2020 and the league’s 12th game in France since 1991.  The NBA Paris Game 2020 – the first regular-season NBA game in Paris – took place Jan. 24, 2020, and featured the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Tickets for The NBA Paris Game 2023 will go on sale at a later date.  Fans can register their interest in tickets and gain access to presale information and more by visiting NBAEvents.com/ParisGame.

Orlando Works Its Lottery Magic

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CHICAGO – The Orlando Magic tonight won NBA Draft Lottery 2022 presented by State Farm, which was conducted at the McCormick Place Convention Center.  The Magic will have the first overall pick in NBA Draft, which will be staged on Thursday, June 23.

The results from 2022 NBA Draft Lottery:

  1. Orlando
  2. Oklahoma City
  3. Houston
  4. Sacramento
  5. Detroit
  6. Indiana
  7. Portland
  8. New Orleans (from Los Angeles Lakers)
  9. San Antonio
  10. Washington
  11. New York
  12. Oklahoma City (from LA Clippers)
  13. Charlotte
  14. Cleveland

The order for the remainder of the first round of NBA Draft:

  1. Charlotte (from New Orleans)
  2. Atlanta
  3. Houston (from Brooklyn)
  4. Chicago
  5. Minnesota
  6. San Antonio (from Toronto)
  7. Denver
  8. Memphis (from Utah)
  9. Philadelphia[1]
  10. Milwaukee
  11. San Antonio (from Boston)
  12. Dallas
  13. Miami
  14. Golden State
  15. Memphis
  16. Oklahoma City (from Phoenix)

[1] This pick may be conveyed to Brooklyn

The order for the second round of NBA Draft 2022:

  1. Indiana (from Houston via Cleveland)
  2. Orlando
  3. Toronto (from Detroit via San Antonio, Washington, and Chicago)
  4. Oklahoma City
  5. Orlando (from Indiana via Milwaukee)
  6. Portland
  7. Sacramento
  8. San Antonio (from Los Angeles Lakers via Chicago and Washington)
  9. Cleveland (from San Antonio via Utah)
  10. Minnesota (from Washington via Cleveland)
  11. New Orleans
  12. New York
  13. LA Clippers
  14. Atlanta
  15. Charlotte
  16. Detroit (from Brooklyn)
  17. Memphis (from Cleveland via New Orleans and Atlanta)
  18. Minnesota
  19. Sacramento (from Chicago via Memphis and Detroit)
  20. Minnesota (from Denver via Philadelphia)
  21. Golden State (from Toronto via Philadelphia)
  22. New Orleans (from Utah)
  23. Boston

—        Milwaukee (forfeited)

—        Miami (from Philadelphia via Denver; forfeited by Miami)

  1. Washington (from Dallas)
  2. Golden State
  3. Cleveland (from Miami via Indiana)
  4. Portland (from Memphis via Utah)
  5. Indiana (from Phoenix)

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | May 15

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – If the great Jerry West is “The Logo,” and Julius Erving is “The Doctor,” the late, great Bob Lanier was “The Ambassador,” possibly the loftiest of all titles in the National Basketball Association.

Lanier passed away this week at the age of 73. The NBA noted his death came after a brief illness, but Lanier had battled bladder cancer, according to reports in The Athletic.

The 6-11 center was born in Buffalo, New York on September 10, 1948 and he became famous playing for St. Bonaventure University and leading the Bonnies to the 1970 NCAA Final Four when an injury sidelined him for a match-up against Jacksonville and 7-footer Artis Gilmore in an age of the great centers.

Once “Big Bob” made it to the NBA as the No. 1 pick in the talent-heavy 1970 NBA Draft, he faced a bevy of big men who would all become Basketball Hall of Famers. From Philadelphia/Los Angeles Lakers’ center Wilt Chamberlain to Portland’s Bill Walton and Milwaukee/Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lanier held his own or better while playing for the lowly Detroit Pistons. An “easier” night found Lanier battling shorter but stronger centers like Willis Reed of the New York Knicks or Wes Unseld of the Washington (then Bullets). A day or two later, he was facing Elvin Hayes of the Houston Rockets/Washington Bullets or Alvin Adams of the Phoenix Suns. After Cowens, the Celtics brought along Robert Parish and the Sixers re-loaded and acquired Moses Malone. Lanier fought against them all. And so on, and so on until he retired in 1984 as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, completing a 14-year NBA career as a “20 & 10” man, an eight-time NBA All-Star with one All-Star Game MVP. After his career, he was an assistant coach and brief interim head coach for the Golden State Warriors. He was enshrined as a player at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and his uniform number “16” was retired by both the Bucks and the Pistons.

That chronicles Bob Lanier – The Player.

I’m here to tell you about Bob Lanier – The PERSON, the colleague, the office-mate, the rally leader, the Stay-in-School headmaster, the Don’t Foul Out advisor, the NBA Cares Ambassador extraordinaire.

The outpouring of love and admiration by his NBA League Office and NBA team peers this week was as extraordinary as Lanier, and those words and tears flowed like fine wine in Bordeaux.

“R.I.P. Big Bob,” wrote Andre Aldridge, a lifelong fan and admirer of Lanier. “There has never been a basketball player born in Buffalo who was greater. The same can be said after his time at St. Bonaventure University, before becoming the #1 overall pick of the 1970 NBA Draft by Detroit. … “Big Bob was so much more. He was a former President of the NBA Players Association. He was active in civil rights and charitible endeavors while putting up Hall of Fame numbers as a player.

“I’ve been blessed to have many of the heroes I admired growing up watching on TV, become friends,” added Aldridge, once a commentator for NBA TV and now a broadcaster for the Atlanta Hawks. “His friendship will be missed, and he was a friend to tons of people all over the world. There are many great stories and highlights from on the court, however my best memories will be of the times I worked with him through “NBA Cares” events. For that he was an (NBA) Ambassador and he attacked that role as he did everything else, with excellence.”

The NBA’s Commissioner, Adam Silver, wrote in a league statement: “Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and one of the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court. For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to [former commissioner] David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values, and make a positive impact on young people everywhere.

“It was a labor of love for Bob, who was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around. His enormous influence on the NBA was also seen in his time as President of the National Basketball Players Association, where he played a key role in the negotiation of a game-changing collective bargaining agreement.

“I learned so much from Bob by simply watching how he connected with people. He was a close friend who I will miss dearly, as will so many of his colleagues across the NBA who were inspired by his generosity. We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and friends,” said Silver.

Somehow, someway, Lanier connected with every single person on the NBA staff, not just “the basketball people” or those in his department, but everyone. He knew every name, every detail of every life. It made me think about the power within his 6-11 tower of a body.

There is a real, concrete “Force” that wraps around the NBA like the double helix of the very DNA that binds the League and game. It stirs when something goes wrong. It sends shivers up your spine when you sense the disturbance. That happened as we learned of the death of Bob Lanier. From St Bonnies to Detroit to Milwaukee to NBA Legend to Hall of Famer to NBA Ambassador to Don’t Foul Out to NBA Stay in School and Basketball w/o Borders. Lanier was always available to give advice and provide deep and accurate perspective for his NBA colleagues and to the players.

He was ALWAYS UPBEAT.

He will be missed.

Buffalo’s and St. Bonnie’s Best.

Forever.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: It’s a bit tough to follow a tribute to Bob Lanier with some general sports notes. Let’s try.

First, a quick personal note. At the NBA’s offices at 645 Fifth Avenue in New York, I was fortunate enough to share an adjacent and common wall with Boston Celtics legend Tom “Satch” Sanders and Lanier was just a few doors down. Not a day went by when we didn’t see each other or say a quick hello.

Most days, there was a need to “bounce something off” either “Satch” or “Big Bob,” and great resources like Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik, head of basketball Rod Thorn and his chief lieutenants Matt Winick and Stu Jackson were equally available to those of us in the league’s Communications Department who needed some advice. I found their influences an important tent pole of keeping the sport of basketball as the center and ultimate factor in every decision we made throughout the years.

Lanier went the furthest in his influencing hundreds of thousands of youngsters during rallies held by NBA Cares, rallies he led with a call for “TWO CLAPS,” as he brought the large groups at the rally to pay attention to his messages forthcoming.

👏🏼 👏🏼

DIAMOND DUST-UPs: The Boston Red Sox began their Saturday night game against the Texas Rangers in the basement of the competitive American League East Division. The Sox own a (12-20) record (.375) and find themselves 12 games back of their rivals, the division leading New York Yankees (24-8).

The knee-jerk decision is to blame the Boston starting rotation, but Sox starters rank fourth in the AL and seventh in the Majors in ERA (3.35). They also rank among the Top 5 in the AL in opponent avg (3rd, .222), opponent SLG (3rd, .356), opponent OPS (3rd, .647), and WHIP – (walks, hits vs Innings Pitched) (5th, 1.15). Sox starters have allowed two runs or fewer in 15 of their last 20 games (2.44 ERA, 27 ER/99.2 IP) and in that span, they’ve held opponents to a .198 avg (71-for-358).

Those stats put the focus on the Red Sox bullpen and its league-leading nine blown saves.

AMERICAN SKIN: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson was forced to declare a state of emergency and issue a curfew for downtown Milwaukee after he said at least 21 people were shot and injured after the Milwaukee Bucks playoff game Friday night.

The shootings were not connected to the game, the crowd in attendance nor did they take place within the Bucks famed “Deer District,” an area where some 11,000 fans held a watch party.

In a prepared statement, the Milwaukee Bucks organization said, “The shootings that happened in downtown Milwaukee (Friday) night were horrific and we condemn this devastating violence. We are grateful to local law enforcement for its valiant efforts to try to contain what was a dangerous and fluid situation. While these incidents took place outside of Deer District property, it clearly resonated with fans coming out of the arena and leaving the plaza. Security, health and welfare are always our top priorities for our guests and employees and we appreciate the hard work of our security team to keep our fans safe.

“In order to allow law enforcement to devote needed resources to the continued investigation of (Friday) night’s events, we have decided to cancel (Sunday – May 15th’s) planned watch party on the plaza.

Milwaukee police reported three separate incidents, one when three victims were shot and a 20-year old male was taken into custody, a second when one person was shot and then a third incident when 17 people were shot and injured just after 11:00pm, just blocks away from Fiserv Forum and Milwaukee’s Deer District, according to a media release. No victims suffered life-threatening injuries, according to reports and 10 people with nine fire-arms were taken into custody after the 11pm shootings. Milwaukee police reported a total of 11 arrests.

Johnson’s curfew for the downtown area requires everyone age 20 or younger to be off the street by 11pm for both Saturday and Sunday. Extra police patrols will be on the job.

TID-BITS: The NFL dribbled-out its 2022 schedule in a way that would’ve made both the late Curly Neal and Marques Haynes proud. In doing so over multiple days, the league announced they’ll be going head-to-head against the NBA on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022. … The New England Patriots were dealt a tough hand, certainly for their first four games. The Patriots start the season on the road with a Sept. 11th game at Miami, then head to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers on Sept. 18. New England’s first home game comes in Week 3 when the always tough Baltimore Ravens travel to Gillette Stadium on September 25. Those three tough assignments are followed with a Week 4 road game to Green Bay for an Oct. 2 afternoon game starting at 4:25pm (ET). The schedule eases up a bit with the Detroit Lions visiting Foxboro for Week 5, an October 9, 1pm (ET) kick-off. … It is not a reach to think the Patriots could find themselves 1-4 after the first five weeks of the season. … PGA Tour pro Brice Garnett could say: “I shot a 68-68-69 through 54-holes.” … “Brice, you’re only 10 strokes back.”

LARRY’S GOT STYLE: The NBA unveiled a set of six re-imagined trophies, modernizing and providing a sense of uniformity for the postseason hardware. The centerpiece remains the Larry O’Brien Trophy, awarded to the NBA champion.

In addition to the Conference Finals trophies for each team qualifying for the NBA Finals, there will now be Conference Final MVP trophies, which are named after Magic Johnson (Western Conference) and Larry Bird (Eastern Conference), both credited with boosting the league in the early 1980s and raising the profile of the NBA at a time when the league’s popularity was wavering and TV coverage was tape-delayed. Those trophies raise a sterling silver ball, similar to the conference champion trophies.

The Conference Finals trophies have been named “The Bob Cousy Trophy” for the Eastern Conference champion and “The Oscar Robertson Trophy” for the Western Conference champ.

“We wanted to explore and start a new 75 years and bring some aesthetic consistency to that and have some meaning behind all the trophies we had,” said the NBA’s Christopher Arena, who heads up the league’s on-court brand and partnerships.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | May 8

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BOSTON – The NBA Playoffs are well into the Conference Semi-Finals stage and the intensity of play has risen with each game, just as it normally does come playoff time. In the most physical of series, the Milwaukee Bucks took a 2-games-to-1 lead over the Boston Celtics Saturday with an exciting 103-101 last second victory.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo bounced back from a Game 2 subpar performance by scoring 42 points and making the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left in regulation as the Bucks defended their home court. Boston’s star forward Jason Tatum shot only 4-for-19 and 0-for-6 from three-point range in scoring 10 points for the Celtics in the losing effort. Center Al Horford had 22 points and 16 rebounds for the C’s

Milwaukee has put up a defensive wall at the rim, anchored by 7-footer Brook Lopez and Antetokounmpo, forcing the Celtics to shoot 37% from the floor. The Celtics were down 14 points in the 4th quarter and managed to claw back but a final minute frenzy saw the Bucks prevail as a Celtics basket came after the final buzzer

In the other Eastern Semi, the Miami Heat took care of business in Florida but lost Game 3 in Philly to set the series at 2-games-to-1 going into Sunday’s Game 4. The 76ers were fined $50,000 for violating league injury reporting rules as the club failed to disclose center Joel Embiid’s playing status for Game 3.

Similarly in the West semi, league-leader Phoenix took care of home court but lost Game 3 in Dallas while the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies split the first two games in Tennessee.

The NBA could be looking at a schedule with, at least, three series going the full seven games with the exception being a Miami edge over Philadelphia.

In-series coaching, scouting and adjustments will become the dividing factors, along with staying healthy. Milwaukee’s loss of 6-7 forward Khris Middleton looms large, but the Bucks are getting the “next man up” from 6-10 Bobby Portis who scored 15 points with 11 rebounds in helping the Bucks steal home court advantage in Game 1.

Predictions here believe Milwaukee will defeat Boston in six games but Miami will outlast the defending champion Bucks and the Heat will head to the NBA Finals.

Out West, the Phoenix Suns will prevail over the Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies will knock-off the strong and mighty Golden State Warriors. The Suns go the Finals vs The Heat in a very hotly contested seven-game series. Edge: Suns.

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HERE NOW, THE NOTES – If you’re $10 million in the hole, you’re in big trouble and might think of settling up and calling it a day. For a professional golfer, like Phil Mickelson, your career winnings are covering most of it, right? … Ole “Lefty” would surely make it back with an appearance or 10 at golf tournaments around the world. Hell, he might even do some speaking engagements for his loyal sponsors or PGA Tour connections. … At $20 million, it was time to get some serious help. At a reported $40 million, you’ve made a deal with the Devil and it’s getting hotter and hotter.

Mickelson’s vice is noted in a new, unauthorized biography completed by author Alan Shipnuck. It’s the same book that plopped Mickelson into very hot water with his comments on the Greg Norman-led LIV golf venture, backed by Saudi money. … Shipnuck dropped some more scuttlebutt on May 5 when he posted excerpts of his book on the Fire Pit Collective site he participates in regularly. … You must wonder if, aside from its concerns about Mickelson applying to play in the LIV Tour (undoubtedly to raise some cash to help cover his 2010-14 parlays and shortcomings, the PGA Tour might come down on “Lefty” to discipline the rampant gambling problem?

Tell-all books seem to be the common denominator for old gambling stories of long, long ago. It was 1992-93 when “Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction … My Cry for Help,” was published by associates of a publisher and investor from San Diego, California – the site of the USA Basketball Dream Team mini-camp of the Summer of ‘92. The over-reaction was predictable and terrible.

Considering the hullabaloo created by Michael Jordan’s reported $1m (settled for $300,000) short falling to Richard Esquinas in 1993, where speculation had the NBA suspending Jordan or the most ridiculous and unfounded/unfair claims that MJ’s golf losses had something to do with his late father’s murder, the PGA Tour might get further involved to secure the integrity of the sport, a sport where gambling is very much a part of the culture.

SPEAKING OF USA BASKETBALL – Back in late September of 2021, USA Basketball’s Chief Communications Officer Craig Miller announced he was stepping down from his post after 31 years of service to the USA’s governing body for basketball. Miller’s USA career spanned from 1990 through 2021 and included service on every level of the USA program, both men’s and women’s. of course that time period included eight Olympic Games for USAB, including the 1992 Dream Team and the amazing 1996 USA Women’s national team – I called them “The Supreme Team,” but no one else liked that moniker.

In the past month, Miller’s cohort in hoops, Caroline Williams, decided to step-down as well, ending her incredible 27 years working for USA Basketball and helping the likes of Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Theresa Edwards, Sheryl Swoopes and dozens of others win gold medals and – in many cases – reach the pinnacle of induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame. … All the while, whenever she had a second to spare, she was right in the thick of it, assisting the Men’s team and Miller to take USA Basketball all over the world, building relationships and goodwill.

From the “Ups” of ‘92 to the “Downs” of 2002 and everything in between, USA Basketball counted on an incredibly dedicated and professional PR team. They were second to none and both While We’re Young (Ideas) and TLwish Craig and Caroline much personal happiness and professional success in whatever they choose to do in the near future.

“A month ago, after 27 years of working for USA Basketball, I made the difficult decision to resign and begin to look ahead to new challenges in life,” wrote Williams. “I have enjoyed my long tenure here (at the Colorado Springs HQ of USA Basketball) and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with the best of the best in the basketball world for nearly three decades.”

DI💎MOND DUST-UPs – During a two-game stretch against the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins infielder Carlos Correa was hit by a pitch on the hand and it was feared he’d broken a bone in his right middle finger. X-Rays showed no broken bones and Correa and the Twins dodged what could have been a six-to-eight week setback. Correa was hitting stride with his new club, with a .412 batting average (14-for-34) and eight RBIs in his past eight games.

Smart Named Defensive Player of Year

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NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was named the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. It marks the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for Smart, who becomes the first guard to earn the honor since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. Smart is also the second player to win the award with the Celtics, joining Kevin Garnett (2007-08).

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Smart received 257 points (37 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges finished in second place with 202 points (22 first-place votes). Utah Jazz center and three-time Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert finished in third place with 136 points (12 first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

A starter in all 71 of his games played in the 2021-22 regular season, the 6-4 Smart ranked seventh in the NBA in steals per game (1.68) and tied for sixth in total steals (119). He had 19 games with three or more steals, including two games with a season-high five steals.

Smart, 28, ranked among the league leaders in several “hustle” categories, finishing tied for fourth in the NBA in loose balls recovered (75) and tied for 10th in both deflections (206) and charges drawn (16). He also set a career high in defensive rebounds per game (3.2).

Behind Smart, the Celtics led the NBA in defensive rating (106.2) and points allowed per game (104.5) and held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage (43.4) and three-point field goal percentage (33.9). The strong defense helped propel the Celtics to a 51-31 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2022 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Smart has been selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice (2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons). He also won the NBA Hustle Award for the 2018-19 season. This season, Smart averaged 12.1 points, a career-high 5.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game.

The voting results for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award are below. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.

Class of ’22 Honored at Final Four

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SPRINGFIELD – (Staff report from Official News Release) – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled its induction Class of 2022 to be honored September 9-10 during this year’s hall enshrinement festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts. The announcement was made in New Orleans, the site of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four and was televised live on ESPN2.

This year’s class includes two-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili, five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway, two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year Bob Huggins, the NBA’s sixth-winningest coach of all-time George Karl and NBA finals-level and longtime outstanding NBA referee Hugh Evans. On the women’s side, the Hall of Fame is proud to welcome five-time WNBA All-Star, three-time WNBA Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Whalen, four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Swin Cash and NCAA national champion and WNBA Coach of the Year Marianne Stanley.

Distinguished committees focused on preserving all areas from the game also selected five directly elected enshrines. They include Lou Hudson from the Veterans Committee, Larry Costello and Del Harris from the Contributor Committee, Theresa Shank-Grentz from the Women’s Veterans Committee and Radivoj Korac from the International Committee.

“Year after year, we are constantly reminded of the extraordinary and transcendent efforts of the remarkable men and women who have impacted the game of basketball from a global perspective,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Class of 2022 is ripe with individuals who have had a significant historical impact on the game we love. We congratulate and thank them for everything they’ve done to better the sport and look forward to honoring them during Enshrinement this fall.”

To be elected, North American and Women’s Committee finalists must receive 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Direct elect committees are incorporated into the election process to maintain a strong focus on keeping history on the forefront of the voting procedures and to preserve a balance between two eras of basketball.

The Class of 2022 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass., the Birthplace of Basketball, on September 9-10, 2022

North American Committee 

HUGH EVANS [Referee] – Evans served as an NBA Official for 28 consecutive years (1973-2001), tallying over 1,900 regular season games, 170 playoff games, 35 NBA Finals games and four NBA All-Star Games. Following his on-court officiating career, Evans worked as the NBA Assistant Supervisor of Officials (2001-03). He is a recipient of the Each One Teach One Community Service Award and is enshrined in the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame as well as the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame.

MANU GINOBILI [Player] – Ginobili is a two-time NBA All-Star (2005, 2011) and four-time NBA Champion with the San Antonio Spurs (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). Over his 16-year NBA career, all with the Spurs, the Argentine guard amassed 14,043 points, 4,001 assists, 3,697 rebounds and 1,392 steals and was honored with the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2008, as well as twice being named to the All-NBA Third Team (2008, 2011). On the international stage, Ginobili helped deliver the first and only Gold Medal in the country’s basketball history at the 2004 Olympics, as well as the bronze at the 2008 games. He joins Bill Bradley as the only two players to have won a EuroLeague title (2001), an NBA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.

TIM HARDAWAY [Player] – A 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist, Hardaway played 13 NBA seasons scoring a total of 15,373 points while averaging more than 20 points per game for four consecutive seasons. He is the 1990 recipient of the Jack McMahon Award for most inspirational player and a 1997 All-NBA First Team selection. He currently ranks 18th in NBA history with 7,095 career assists. The Chicago native was a member of the men’s basketball team at the University of Texas at El Paso (1985-1989) and is known for making his signature move – the “UTEP Two-step” – famous in 1989, the same year he was named WAC Player of the Year.

BOB HUGGINS [Coach] – Huggins has been coaching in the collegiate ranks for 45 years, including the last 15 as the head coach at West Virginia University. Over the course of his career, Huggins has led his teams to 25 NCAA Tournament berths, including nine appearances in the Sweet Sixteen (1992, 1993, 1996, 200, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018), four trips to the Elite Eight (1992, 1993, 1996, 2010), and two appearances in the NCAA Final Four (1992, 2010). In 16 years as the head coach at the University of Cincinnati (1989-2005), Huggins led the Bearcats to eight Conference USA regular season championships (1996-2002, 2004), four Conference USA Tournament championships (1996, 1998, 2002, 2004), was a three-time Conference USA Coach of the Year (1998-2000) and was honored as the Conference USA Coach of the Decade in 2005. On the national level, he a was tabbed as the Sporting News National Coach of the Year in 2000 and the ESPN.com National Coach of the Year in 2002.

GEORGE KARL [Coach] – Karl spent 27 seasons as a head coach in the NBA, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers (1984-1986), Golden State Warriors (1986-88), Seattle Supersonics (1992-1998), Milwaukee Bucks (1998-2003), Denver Nuggets (2005-2013) and Sacramento Kings (2015-2016). During his career, he guided five different franchises to a total of 22 playoff appearances, led the Supersonics to the NBA Finals (1996), was named the NBA Coach of the Year (2013), and was called upon to be an All-Star Game head coach four times (1994, 1996, 1998, 2010). Karl owns a lifetime coaching record of 1,175-824 (.588), ranking sixth all-time in NBA career wins and posted 12 seasons of 50+ victories and three seasons of 60-plus.

Women’s Committee

SWIN CASH [Player] – Cash is a four-time WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011) and two-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2012). A true champion, she was a member of three WNBA championship teams during her 15-year career with the Detroit Shock (2003, 2006) and Seattle Storm (2010) as well as two NCAA National Championships at the University of Connecticut (2000, 2002) and a Gold Medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships. Cash was recognized as one of the 20 best WNBA players of all time in 2016 as she twice named WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2009, 2011) and twice received All-WNBA Second Team (2003-2004) honors. During college, she was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and received Kodak First Team All-America honors in 2002 after UConn won their third national title in program history after finishing the season a perfect 39-0. In 2021, Cash was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

MARIANNE STANLEY [Coach] – Coaching in the collegiate and professional ranks for a combined 45 years, Stanley currently serves as the head coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. In 22 years as a college coach with Old Dominion (1977-1987), Penn (1987-1989), USC (1989-1993), Stanford (1995-1996) and Cal (1995-1996), Stanley compiled a 416-222 (.652) record, including a NCAA National Championship in 1985, three Final Four appearances (1983, 1985, 1996) and back-to-back AIAW National Titles (1979-1980). She has accumulated numerous Coach of the Year honors, including AIAW National Coach of the Year (1979), Virginia Coach of the Year (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985), Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year (1984, 1985), Pac-10 Conference Coach of the Year (1993) and WNBA Coach of the Year (2002). On the national team level, she helped lead the United States to a Goodwill Games Gold Medal (1983) and FIBA World Championship Gold Medal (1986). Stanley has been enshrined in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2002) and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2010).

LINDSAY WHALEN [Player] – Whalen is a five-time WNBA All-Star (2006, 2011, 2013-2015), four-time WNBA Champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2012, 2016). After averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 assists over 15 seasons in the WNBA, she was named to the WNBA First Team three times (2008, 2011, 2013) and was recognized as one of the 20 best WNBA players of all time in 2016. Whalen ranks third all-time in assists (2,345) and led the league in total assists five times (2007, 2011-2015) and assists per game on three occasions (2008, 2011, 2012). During her collegiate career at University of Minnesota, Whalen led the Golden Gophers to the NCAA Final Four in 2004 and was twice named a finalist for the Naismith Award (2003, 2004) and Wade Trophy (2003, 2004). She also received numerous accolades for her on-court performance, including being named to the Kodak/WBCA All-America Team (2003-2004), USBWA All-America Team (2002-2004), AP Second Team All-America Team (2003-2004) and the All-Big Ten First Team (2002-2004).Whalen currently serves as the head coach of the women’s basketball program at her alma mater.

Veterans Direct Elect Committee

LOU HUDSON [Player] – Recognized posthumously, Hudson was a six-time NBA All-Star (1969-1974) and averaged 20.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 13 NBA seasons. The athletic shooting guard played 11 seasons with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks (1966-1977) and has his jersey No. 23 retired by the franchise. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Hudson attended the University of Minnesota where he was part of the first African American recruiting class in school history and went on to receive All-American honors and had his jersey No. 14 retired. He is also a member of the Minnesota Hall of Fame as well as the North Carolina Hall of Fame.

Direct Elect Contributor Committee

LARRY COSTELLO [Contributor] – Recognized posthumously, Costello was a six-time NBA All-Star (1958-1962, 1965), a member of the 1967 World Champion Philadelphia 76ers and coached the Milwaukee Bucks to the 1971 NBA title, as well as a Finals appearance in 1974. As a player, he averaged 12.2 points and 4.9 assists per game over 12 NBA seasons, earning All-NBA Second Team in 1961. Known as the last two-handed set shooter, the point guard led the NBA in free throw percentage twice (.881 in 1963; .877 in 1965). As a coach, he was one of the first people to employ a working, accountable assistant coach and employ videotape to analyze the game. He also traveled extensively for the U.S. State Department, lecturing in Germany, Africa, Asia and Europe. Costello is also a member of the Niagara University Hall of Fame, Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame, Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame and the New York State Hall of Fame.

DEL HARRIS [Contributor] –Harris has dedicated his life to basketball, serving as a coach, mentor and tireless advocate for the game. In his more than 50-year coaching career, he coached every level of the sport, ranging from junior high hoops to the NBA. Harris is deeply respected by players, coaches and executives alike, having earned the Jerry Colangelo Award for Leadership and Character in 2010, the Coach John Wooden “Keys to Excellence” Award in 2014 and the Basketball Hall of Fame’s John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. For over 35 years, he served as both a treasured assistant coach and head coach of several franchises including the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, and New Jersey Nets. Harris led the Houston Rockers to the NBA Finals in 1981 and was recognized as the NBA Coach of the Year in 1995 while at the helm of the Los Angeles Lakers. Harris currently serves as Vice President of the Mavericks G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, while providing game analysis for the Mavericks on Fox Sports Southwest. He is also a member of the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Women’s Veterans Direct Elect Committee

THERESA SHANK-GRENTZ [Player] – Shank-Grentz was a member of three consecutive AIAW National Championship teams and was a three-time All-American at Immaculata University from 1972-74. The 1974 title game was the first ever live coverage of a women’s basketball game in the United States. She scored over 1,000 career points at Immaculata, including a record 104 points and 76 rebounds in the 1973 AIAW Tournament. Shank-Grentz was named the AMF Collegiate Player of the Year in 1974 and has her jersey No. 12 retired by the university. She also scored over 1,200 points as a prep player at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, PA, and was a three-time All-Conference Philadelphia Catholic League.

International Direct Elect Committee

RADIVOJ KORAC  [Player] – Recognized posthumously, Korac is known as Yugoslavia’s first basketball superstar, helping lead the country to the silver medal at the 1968 Olympics after leading all players in averaging 23.6 points per game during the Games. He also led Yugoslavia to silver medals in FIBA World Cup play in 1963 and 1967. He still holds the EuroLeague’s all-time single-game scoring record with 99 points in a game vs. Alviks during the 1964-65 season. Korac passed away in a car accident in 1969 at the age of 30 and has been remembered as the namesake of FIBA’s Korac Cup in 1971 and Serbia’s Korac Cup in 2002. He was named one of FIBA’s Greatest Players in 1991, was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors in 2008.

Celtics: Williams Injury Update

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Celtics center Robert Williams III this morning underwent a successful partial left knee meniscectomy. The surgery was performed at New England Baptist Hospital by Celtics Team Physician Dr. Tony Schena, assisted by Dr. Glen Ross.

Williams III is expected to be able to return to play in approximately 4-6 weeks.

 

Celtics Tatum Named NBA Player of Week

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official NBA News Release) – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played March 14-20. It’s the second time this month and third time in the 2021-22 season that he has received the conference’s weekly award.

Tatum produced 29.3 points on 59.2% shooting (57.1% 3-PT, 93.3% FT), to go along with 7.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in three road games – all Celtics wins – at Golden State (March 16), Sacramento (March 18), and Denver (March 20). He was one of four Eastern Conference players to average 29.0 points and 7.0 rebounds, and the only one of that group to shoot at least 52.0% from the field. The fifth-year pro and three-time all star reached the 30-point mark in each of the last two games of the week, shooting 69.7% from the field and 13-of-20 from beyond the arc during that stretch.

In 68 games this season (all starts), Tatum is averaging career highs in points (26.9), rebounds (8.2), and assists (4.3). He is one of seven NBA players producing at least 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds this season.