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Pelicans Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown from Boston are named Week 23’s best players in the league – Basketball Insiders

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6 months ago

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Congratulations are in order for both Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown, as they’ve been awarded as the best players in their own conferences for the NBA games played from March 20 to 26. 

The Pelicans player is probably the most deserving, considering he’s fought injuries throughout the season and now that he’s healthy, his performanaces are more than worthy of this recognition. The athlete did not only lead New Orleans to three-straight wins in this time frame, but while at it he also recorded his first triple-double of his young career.

The small foward’s stat line of 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Charlotte Hornets was remarkable considering as it came without a single turnover. The 25-year-old averaged 31.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 10.0 assists in his team’s 3-0 record.

Ingram is now only the eight player in league history to register a 30+ point triple-double without commiting a turnover, as he joins an elite group that includes Dejounte Murray, Nikola Vucevic, Grant Hill, Charles Barkley, James Harden, Antoine Walker and Nikola Jokic, the only player to do it twice.

With only seven more games remaining to regular season, the New Orleans squad has a tough schedule ahead, including tonight’s match against the Trail Blazers.

With more than half of Portland’s starters reported injured (only Matissee Thybulle is available), it shouldn’t be such a hard matchup for Ingram and the Pelicans.

Brown also led an undefeated Boston team on Week 23

Jaylen Brown has been the talk of the week in the Boston camp, not just because of his great performances, but also because he mentioned his future wearing a green jersey is uncertain.

The shooting guard guided his squad to three-straight victories last week, averaging 31.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. His strongest performance was this past Sunday when Brown dropped 41 points after a season-high 18 made field goals in Celtic’s triumph over San Antonio.

Check out the highlights of his game this weekend against the Spurs:

The athlete, who will become a free agent in 2024, recently mentioned he felt no commitment to renewing his contract with the Celtics for next season.

“I don’t know. As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me,” Brown said. “We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct.”

Nevertheless, Jaylen can’t hide how happy he feels with his performanes at the moment. “I feel great, on a 50-win team right now, which [you] can’t take for granted. [Tuesday] was the 50th win,” he said. “Right now, I’m focused on helping lead my team for another playoff run. In terms of speculation et cetera, I can’t speculate on anything above what I’m doing right now.

“I think sometimes when people write articles, they get taken out of context at times, especially when writers have their own agendas or whatever. For me personally, thinking about clarifying things that have been recently said. But other than that, I’m focused on my team. I’m focused on playing basketball and focused on winning games.”





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Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards receives wall mural in Atlanta

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9 hours ago

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September 24, 2023

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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards received a special mural on Saturday in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. The artwork was also made to honor his family. Edwards, 22, is switching from No. 1 to No. 5 next season to honor his late mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley.

Edwards lost his mom and grandma to cancer during an eight-month span in 2015, when he was just 14 years old. Both died on the fifth of the month. “A1 From Day 1 was given to me,” Edwards told The Athletic’s Shams Charania in August. “That wasn’t something I created. … I’ve always been No. 5.”

Furthermore, Edwards was raised by his sister, Antoinette, and brother, Antoine, who shared legal custody over him. The Timberwolves guard spent his early life in Atlanta. As a consensus five-star recruit, he attended Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School and then transferred to Holy Spirit Preparatory School in January 2017.

Of course, Edwards wore No. 5 in high school and at the University of Georgia prior to the NBA. His birthday is Aug. 5 as well. Above all else, this date is now officially known as “Anthony Edwards Day” in his hometown.

Justin Holland, his trainer and former college basketball player for Liberty University, reaffirmed Ant’s comments. “He’s playing for his family,” Holland said. “It’s a family number.”

Moreover, Timberwolves president and general manager Tim Connelly praised Edwards.

“He’s just a great guy. … He loves the city, he loves the organization,” Connelly said. “He and [coach Chris Finch] have a special bond. He’s a positive teammate, which in this day and age is not always the rule.

“Sometimes it’s the exception. He’s an uplifter of this entire team, and we couldn’t be more lucky to have him. And I think he’s going to he’s primed to have a monster year.”

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards honored with mural in hometown of Atlanta on Saturday, unveiled new Adidas AE1 sneakers

In other news, Edwards also unveiled his new Adidas AE1 sneakers, his first signature shoes, in Atlanta. His signature sneakers are expected to release this December for $120. Equally important, the shoes feature a split tongue design and a boost cushioning system to improve comfort for hoopers.

The former Bulldog received his first All-Star selection in the 2022-23 NBA season. In 79 starts, the guard averaged career highs of 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 36 minutes per game. Also, he shot career bests of 45.9% from the floor and 36.9% beyond the arc.

In the Timberwolves’ 113-104 win over the Houston Rockets on Jan. 21, the Georgia native scored a season-high 44 points in 41 minutes as a starter. Along with notching six boards, four assists, three steals, and three blocks, Edwards shot 17-of-29 (58.6%) from the field and 8-of-16 (50%) from 3-point range.

Additionally, Edwards finished sixth in points (1,946) this past season, third in steals (125), fourth in field goals (707), second in minutes played (2,842), 12th in defensive win shares (3.6), and second in turnovers (259). However, he led the league in missed field goals (834).

During Game 2 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 122-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Edwards recorded a playoff career-high 41 points. As a matter of fact, his 41 points set a Timberwolves franchise record for the most points scored in a postseason game, surpassing Sam Cassell’s record of 40.

In July, Edwards and the Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $205.9 million designated rookie max extension that could be worth as much as $260 million. Though, incentives must be met. His current contract ends after 2023-24. Not to mention, his $13.53 million team option for 2023-24 was exercised last October.

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Celtics sign forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal

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15 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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The Boston Celtics have signed forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal, per sources. Stevens, 26, is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp.

The 6-foot-6 forward went undrafted out of Penn State in 2020. Stevens spent his first three NBA seasons (2020-23) with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way contract and a regular deal.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Boston Celtics are tied with the Denver Nuggets as favorites to win next season’s championship in 2024. Sportsbooks are still showing great odds for the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.

The Pennsylvania native made 13 starts in 63 appearances with the Cavaliers in the 2021-22 season. During his sophomore season, Lamar Stevens averaged a career-high 6.1 points, along with 2.6 rebounds, and 16.1 minutes per game.

In addition to shooting a career-best 48.9% from the floor in 2021-22, the forward scored a career-high 23 points in Cleveland’s 111-91 win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12, 2022. He finished 10-of-15 (66.7%) shooting from the field.

Boston Celtics sign former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal; Stevens was waived after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs

The undrafted forward then made 25 starts in 62 appearances with Cleveland in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 5.3 points and career highs of 3.3 rebounds and 18.1 minutes per game.

Stevens also shot 44.8% from the floor, a career-best 31.6% beyond the arc, and 70.2% at the foul line. In the Cavaliers’ 105-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 14, 2022, the wing recorded season highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes as a starter.

As part of a three-team trade this past July, the Cavaliers traded Stevens, Cedi Osman, and a 2030 second-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs and sent their 2026 second-rounder to the Heat.

In exchange, Cleveland received Max Strus from the Heat. The Spurs waived Stevens on July 17. Stevens would have entered the final season of the four-year, $5.88 million contract he signed with the Cavs in April 2021.

At the moment, the Boston Celtics have 11 players signed to fully guaranteed contracts. Svi Myhailiuk, Dalano Banton, and Luke Kornet inked non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed minimum-salary deals.

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Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract

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16 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract, according to reports. Gates, 26, went undrafted out of Xavier University in 2018.

In September 2018, the 6-foot-7 wing signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Bulls. However, he was waived a month later without appearing in an NBA game.

With the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s NBA G League affiliate, Gates averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest in 50 appearances. Plus, he shot 41% from the field.

Per a few NBA betting sites, the New Orleans Pelicans hold 15th-ranked odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings.

As a matter of fact, the Georgia native finished fourth in the G League in 3-pointers (137), fifth in 3-point attempts (365), and eighth in defensive rebounds (270). Gates then signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics on Sept. 30, 2019.

Nonetheless, he was waived a month later in October without making his first NBA appearance.

In the 2019 G League Draft, Gates’ returning rights were traded to the Maine Red Claws (now Celtics) for the No. 4 overall pick. In 36 starts with the Red Claws in the 2019-20 season, Gates averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

New Orleans Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract; the Xavier product is set to join two-way guard Dereon Seabron

Additionally, in 12 games played with the Long Island Nets during the 2020-21 season, the forward averaged 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

On Dec. 17, 2020, he was waived a day after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

Moreover, Gates signed with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Premier League for the 2021-22 season.

Last November, the forward was named to the opening night roster for the Long Island Nets. The Xavier product made 13 starts in 24 appearances, averaging a career-high 14 points per game.

Along with logging 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 23.4 minutes per contest, he shot career bests of 53.4% from the floor and 55.4% beyond the arc. Not to mention, he averaged 70.4% shooting at the foul line.

Furthermore, Kaiser Gates is now set to join guard Dereon Seabron as the Pelicans two-way players. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each NBA team can sign a maximum of three two-way players.

An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted into a two-way deal before the regular season begins.

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