Connect with us

Basketball

Jamal Murray averaged 32.5 PPG in the Conference Finals

Published

11 months ago

on


After missing the entire 2021-22 season due to injury, Jamal Murray is finally back to his dominant postseason form. He’s been incredible in the 2023 postseason for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic and himself have arguably been the best duo in the NBA in the playoffs. Murray is the first player to ever average 30 points on 50-40-90 shooting in a Conference Finals. 

In Denver’s 4 game sweep of the Lakers in the Conference Finals, Murray was playing at a championship level. In his last four games, he had 31, 37, 37, and 25. His ability to take over on offense is huge for Denver’s overall game. It allows Nikola Jokic to still control the offense with his elite court vision. Murray takes care of the scoring duties.

No team has looked more well-rounded than the Denver Nuggets this postseason. A win in Game 4 last night punched their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever NBA Finals appearance.

Jamal Murray could not be stopped in the Western Conference Finals

Jamal Murray’s 4 games in the Western Conference Finals:  

  • Game 1: 31/5/5, 3 steals, 1 block on 12-20 shooting from the field, and 4-8 from deep 
  • Game 2: 37/10/5, 4 steals on 11-24 shooting from the field, and 6-14 from deep
  • Game 3: 37/7/6, 2 steals on 15-29 shooting from the field, and 5-11 from deep 
  • Game 4: 25/3/5, 2 steals, 1 block on 10-18 shooting from the field, and 0-4 from deep 

Denver made quick work of the LA Lakers and they crossed off a lot of boxes in the process. The Nuggets are making the franchise’s first-ever NBA Finals appearance. Their 94 playoff wins are the most in NBA history prior to a team’s first Finals appearance.

Additionally, this was their first-ever playoff series sweep. It must have felt sweet to do that in the Conference Finals vs LeBron James and the LA Lakers. This was revenge for the Lakers beating the Nuggets 4-1 in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. The Lakers went on to win the Finals that season and the Nuggets are hoping to have a similar outcome.





Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Basketball

Caitlin Clark is selected by Indiana Fever as the No.1 WNBA Draft pick

Published

38 mins ago

on

April 16, 2024

By


After going through a whirlwind of emotions, ever since she competed for the NCAA Tournament title run for Iowa during this past month, Caitlin Clark finally made it to the WNBA Draft. As she became the No. 1 pick selected by the Indiana Fever, the rising star confessed she was feeling a little nervous despite there was no real surprise. 

“I dreamed of this moment since I was in second grade, and it’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of ups and downs, but more than anything, just trying to soak it in,” she revealed during the ceremony.

The former Hawkeyes guard became one of the greatest ever athletes in women’s college basketball and a household name among fans from all over. Following her record-breaking career, she hopes to give life back to the Indiana franchise alongside last year’s No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, who once played with Clark on a USA Basketball Under-19 squad.

“Obviously going to an organization that has, in my eyes, one of the best post players in the entire world,” Clark told the press. “My point guard eyes just light up at that. And obviously, Aliyah has been one of my teammates before. I’m excited. I can’t wait.”

The 22-year-old hasn’t just been resting after losing to South Carolina at the end of March Madness, as she first made her way to California to be honoured with the John R. Wooden Award and then flew to New York for a short appearance on Saturday Night Live.

“I think obviously the course of the last few weeks has been pretty insane in my life, the last two months playing basketball as long as I possibly could in my college career,” Caitlin expressed. “I think the biggest thing is I’m just very lucky to be in this moment, and all these opportunities and these things, they’re once in a lifetime.”

Clark became the first ever NBA or WNBA star to ever wear Prada to the ceremony, as he dressed in a white jacket and shirt. As soon as she was drafted, she proceeded to hug her family and then share a moment with Iowa coach Lisa Blunder. The WNBA Draft took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in front of at least 1,000 fans.

Cameron Brink was drafted at No. 2 by Los Angeles as she just became the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year

Los Angeles finally drafted Cameron Brink as the No. 2 pick, and will be given the Stanford star a two-way player contract. “When they called my name, a huge wave of emotions hit me,” said the new Sparks athlete. “I saw my mom tearing up and my dad and it hit home.”

Brink was given this season’s Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, but she is also a prolific scorer. After the L.A. team saw Nneka Ogwumike leave for Seattle in free agency, they open their arms to Brink so she can hopefully became a future franchise player.

Brink’s godmother is none other than Sonya Curry, the mother of Warriors star Stephen Curry. “I FaceTimed Steph five minutes before the show started and he said have fun with it,” Cameron shared. “He can share so much great advice since he’s been through this. Make stuff like this fun as it can be stressed.”

While Dallas took guard Jay Sheldon with the fifth pick, Washington selected Aaliyah Edward of UConn as No. 6, following Chicago’s pick of Angel Reese at seventh. “She’s a great player and I’m a great player. Nobody’s going to get no rebounds on us,” said Camila Cardoso, her new teammate in Illinois.





Source link

Continue Reading

Basketball

Thunder’s Mark Diagneault awarded the NBCA Coach of the Year

Published

2 hours ago

on

April 16, 2024

By


Thunder head coach Mark Diagneault has led their franchise to one of their best ever regular seasons with a 57-25 record at the top of the Western Conference’s standings, even above the reigning champs in Denver. This is why he’s more than worthy to be the 2024 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.

The National Basketball Coaches Association announced this news on Monday, as the accolade that anually recognizes tactician’s dedication was given out to the Oklahoma City leader. 

There were other five coaches who received votes, including J.B. Bickerstaff of the Cavaliers, Minnesota’ Chris Finch, Jamahl Mosley from Orlando and of course, current NBA-best Joe Mazzulla of the Celtics. 

“Congratulations to Mark Daigneault on leading a young group of talented players to such a successful season,” said Rick Carlisle, who besides coaching the Pacers he is the NBCA President. “He led the youngest team in NBA history to clinch a top playoff seed and has established himself as one of the top coaches in the game.”

Diagneault is currently coaching the Thunder through his fourth campaign, and has produced their first 55+ win campaign since the 2015/16 season, which is a 17-match improvement in comparison to last year. 

“It is humbling to be chosen for this honor by my peers, for whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration,” said the Oklahoma City coach. “Our team’s success this season has been driven by a group of talented players, whose commitment and competitiveness has been uncommon. Coaching them is a privilege.”

The 39-year-old admitted he couldn’t achieve what he’s done without his staff. “I’m also grateful for our assistant coaches and support staff, whose invisible work glues our operation together. Representing the Thunder organization and Oklahoma City, alongside competent and high character coworkers brings me tremendous fulfillment. A special thank you to Clay Bennett and Sam Presti for the opportunity to live that out every day,” he shared.

Coach Daigneault has helped transform a young roster into one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA

The Thunder started off this season as the second-youngest roster in the league, at an average of 24 years of age. They also became the youngest locker room in NBA history to reach the 55-win mark and earn the top seed of the Western Conference.

“Mark Daigneault is extremely deserving of this award and the recognition from his coaching peers,” said David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel. The team also led the NBA in three-point efficiency at 38.9%, proving their good work around the perimeter.

The Oklahoma City coach guided his squad to hit the league’s top five in field goal percentage, three point percentage and free throw percentage. Now the roster prepares to start their NBA Playoff run at the end of this week.

“Coach Daigneault’s hard work, commitment, and dedication to his players led a young Thunder team to the top seed in the West and one of the best two-year improvements in NBA history. Congratulations to Coach Daigneault, the Thunder Assistant Coaches, and the entire franchise on winning the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award,” Fogel insisted.





Source link

Continue Reading

Basketball

Golden State become best team to rank 10th place in NBA history

Published

18 hours ago

on

April 15, 2024

By


Golden State ended the 2023/24 season on a roll, but weren’t able to clinch a direct Playoff berth in a very contested Western Conference. However, with a 56.1 winning percentage, the Warriors became the best 10th-ranked team in NBA history.

Yep, you read correctly, nobody has ever produced a 46-36 record and ended 10th in this league, a mark they secured after beating the Jazz 123-116 on Sunday at Chase Center. Now, they are set to face the Kings for a spot in the Play-in tournament, which is a clash that has proved to be a classic Californian rivalry.

Just last season, as Sacramento made the Playoffs for the first time in 17 years, both squads faced each other in the first round but Golden State emerged victorious in a tight series. Now Mike Brown’s squad hopes to take revenge despite producing a much weaker campaign than they did last year.

“Well really, I’m happy with the way [the season] unfolded over the last couple of months,” Steve Kerr said after defeating Utah. “We were a little bit in disarray for a while early in the season, trying to find ourselves, and a lot of guys really stepped up not only on the court but off the court, in the locker room.”

The coach is convinced that the squad is currently playing at their best. “We have a really good connection on this team, good chemistry, guys pulling for each other, putting in the work. So I’ve got a good, good feeling about what’s ahead. I think we still have a chance to do something special,” he assured.

The Warriors know very well how it feels to be counted out and then surprise everyone with a championship run, just like they did in the 2022 NBA Finals. The Bay Area team hope to prove doubters wrong, and show why seeding is just a number.

Kerr compared Tuesday’s Play-in clash like one from the NCAA Tournament. “Obviously, it’s the NCAA tournament, you have to get out of the first weekend here and win the first two to get to the first round, but we have a shot, so we’re excited about that,” he said.

The Warriors expect CP3 to become a leader with experience during their upcoming Play-in action

Coach Kerr is well aware that his team possesses a lot of players with postseason experience, and he expects this will make the difference against a less mature Sacramento squad. Also, he doesn’t fear the Kings’ homecourt advantage as Golden State have a very strong road record this campaign.

“We should be a good road team,” he said after dispatching the Jazz on Sunday and closing regular season on a strong note. “We’ve got a lot of guys who have won championships – and veteran players like Chris, who are unfazed by the road.”

As Chris Paul just ended his 19th NBA season, he’s participated in 149 playoff contests throughout his career, wearing five different jerseys, although he’s never earned the league title.

Teammate Draymond Green understands this will be a tight contest against Sacramento. “Us knowing them helps, but on the flip side they know us as well and that hurts,” he said. “Coaches are going to put a game plan together. Their coaches will put a great game plan together. Our coaches will put a great game plan together. But then you’ve got to go out there and play.”





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending