Brian Windhorst works with an ESPN Insiders team to sort through the news and life in the NBA.
One of the most recognizable hands in televised poker history was played in 2007, on “High Stakes Poker,” a show that featured high-end cash games.
In the heat of playJamie Gold, 2006 World Series of Poker Champion, called a bet and dropped $100,000 in $100 bills into the table. Sam Farha, an old school pro, openly stated that he was holding pocket Aces and was therefore way ahead.
“Why?” “Why?” asked Farha, an incredulous man who used to smoke unlit cigarettes in his mouth.
Gold replied, “I have to, and I’m sorry.”
Gold was “pot dedicated.” He was so invested that he could not let go despite poor odds. Farha won the $400,000 pot, beating out kings with aces.
The LA Clippers Steve Ballmer, a poker player, owns them. He and Bill Gates used late-night cards in their Harvard dorm. They were not only obtaining what would become Microsoft startup money from trust funds kids but also because they loved the strategy and how they could acquire and apply information.
Ballmer’s franchise has a pot commitment. It is something the Clippers believe every day, and every time they submit an injury report to their team. Kawhi Leonard Paul George It.
On Sunday, LA played a 114-100 win For the Indiana PacersLeonard was inactive for 106th straight Clippers game. No. 107 will be Tuesday night. George was not able to play Sunday. He will also miss the next two games.
This is a frustrating situation for many fans. This is great fodder for media who wish to re-litigate 2019 trade that sent what now looks like a potential superstar In Shai Gilgeous-Alexander The Oklahoma City Thunder A treasure trove of draft picks, pick swaps, and more.
It seems to push Ty Lue sometimes to the edge.
Lue declared last week that it was too bad. He had just reflected on his questionable, but Leonard-preferred strategy to sit until the middle of the second quarter when he returned from 16 month’s absence.
“I didn’t enjoy it,” he stated. “It’s not fun, even if you have the best player. Sometimes the game can drag on for so long that you forget. [assistant coach] B[rian] Shaw comes and taps you on the shoulder. It’s six, seven minutes before the end of the second quarter. Oh, I’m sorry — the game’s on.
The third consecutive season with star injuries has once again led to doubts about whether this core will be able to reach their potential. They are in the middle of the pack at 12-9, three games away from the first and three from the 12th.
Leonard is once more being questioned about his ability to manage injuries and stay healthy. As he has done in LA, George has been criticised for not being more aggressive. Lue had to call George for a pep-talk and motivate him with the words “You can’t afford to take a backseat” at the beginning of the season. he openly admitted Leonard was to be his first to receive one upon his return.
All indications point towards the Clippers holding their chips in the middle and adding to the pot, despite all of that.
It could be that you agree to Leonard’s finicky wishes. This means that George will be protected. It means protecting George.
Ballmer has been a winner of many high-stakes situations in his business career. He likes to be in the pot, no matter where he is. with Google, the Justice Department In a playoffs series against them Dallas Mavericks.
Leonard scored 45 points against the Mavericks to save the season in Game 6.
George had a 37-point, 16 rebound game against the Utah Jazz It was also the culmination of one of the most remarkable four-game runs of Leonard’s career. This got the Clippers to the conference finals for only the second time in over 50 years, even though Leonard had sustained an ACL tear in the right knee.
These are the aces Ballmer has chosen to keep playing, and his team will be back in the game. As the game demands, there’s no other choice.
Here’s the NBA reporter Jamal Collier This report is from the Giannis Antetokounmpo No cost to throw:
Antetokounmpo tries to “work even harder” on his free throws
The ladder was safely lifted off the ground and the arena staff waited until 10 minutes later. Milwaukee Bucks The Mavericks were defeated on Sunday. Antetokounmpo arrived in time to take part in his postgame free throw practice. The Fiserv Forum workers cheered when they saw him.
Antetokounmpo has the worst free throw shooting performance he’s seen in 10 years of professional basketball. Antetokounmpo is working diligently to address it and hasn’t let up. the “Laddergate” incident The Philadelphia 76ers His practice should be stopped.
Perhaps it is starting to work. Sunday’s performance was his best since weeks. He made 8 of 10 shots, both missing the mark by a hair. This resulted in his fourth consecutive 30-point game. His record for Bucks games is now 14-5. He still managed to score 60%, a sharp decline from his 72% last year.
Antetokounmpo stated after Sunday’s win that “I cannot be content when you have one successful night at the free throwline, I cannot be happy.” “I have to keep improving my game. Keep improving. This is something that I know I can do better. But I am doing better. I don’t care if you make it or not, I put in the effort.”
Antetokounmpo shot on the court for approximately 15 minutes, moving around the court from one end to the other. On Sunday, he estimated that he had made 200 free throws. It continued a tradition that began before the incident in Philadelphia involving Montrezl harrell. This started when Antetokounmpo returned earlier this month after a brief absence due to a knee injury.
Antetokounmpo made some adjustments to his free throw technique since then. An effort was made to get Antetokounmpo to stop bending his knee at the line before he releases a shot. The Bucks have also got him to stand taller and use a slight bend to his knee to lower his legs. This will transform an often robotic motion to a fluid release. The Bucks want Antetokounmpo’s ball to be released faster by the Bucks, reducing the time it took to do so. fodder to count the seconds before his free throw shot While helping him to avoid overanalyzing every part of his car.
Antetokounmpo stated that he will continue to work hard even when things go wrong. “I only have control over my technique, mindset, and belief. … There is no fear [I’ll miss] I will still drive the ball, whether it’s four free throws or six, eight, or ten free throws. I’ll still drive the ball in the lane. The free throw line is not scary to me.
“I’m fine with going 0-for-15. I’m OK failing. Because I tried.
Check in starting Ja MorantNBA reporter,’s annual trip to Madison Square Garden Tim Bontemps:
Knicks fans are dreaming about what could have been when Morant was with them
After achieving a triple-double in the Memphis Grizzlies Morant was asked by MSG Sunday if he thought about becoming one of the draft picks after playing at The World’s Most Famous Arena, New York City.
Morant instantly said “No.” “Obviously, I feel like it is everybody’s dream to play in The Garden, basketball players.
“So I’ll have my one-time per year.”
The Knicks were the worst team in the NBA during the 2018-19 season. Everyone in the city was hoping for the best. Zion Williamson There he would trade his services. It quickly became a consolation prize to be able to get Morant, who burst onto the scene at Murray State in his sophomore season.
The draft lottery was a success. New Orleans Pelicans Grizzlies leaping into the top two places. The Knicks settled on third place and won. RJ Barrett.
Barrett has become a solid but not spectacular player over the years. Barrett, who is an NBA wing with 2-way ability, was the first Knicks first-round pick in a generation. to be signed to a contract extension.
He is, however, a star. Even with his sidekick Desmond Bane Morant was the difference between the Knicks’ and Grizzlies. It was simply a matter of whether Morant would beat the Knicks.
Since the glory days of 1971, when the Knicks captured their only two NBA titles, two Hall of Famers have lived the bulk of their lives in New York: Patrick Ewing (left) and Carmelo Anthony (right). This millennium, the franchise has won one playoff series.
MSG is packed with fans waiting for Morant to don a Knicks jersey. Instead they sit and watch the stars of the opposing teams play — while fans wearing the jerseys scatter MSG — before saying something similar to Morant on Sunday: “It’s fun to play here but I’m happy to do it with my team.”.”
The Knicks’ 2019 draft lottery pick was their highest since Ewing was drafted at No. It was drafted No. 1 overall in 1985. Yet, it wasn’t high enough for them to be the type of player they wanted.
Morant stated that it was just the bright lights that made his performance special. It’s crazy to have a triple-double at The Garden. The Garden is a favorite place for everyone. Everyone is watching.
“So to me, to be able go out and play as I did tonight, was huge.”
Morant was victorious and left town, a stark reminder of what could’ve been for the Knicks.
NBA staff writer Kirk Goldsberry The league has some bad news:
Are Warriors going back to their winning ways?
The Golden State Warriors The elite 3-point shooting and defense brought dynasty to life. After a poor start, Golden State (11-10) suddenly looks scary for familiar reasons.
The Splash Brothers have returned to splashing
Klay Thompson The canary in this offensive’s coal mine is Thompson. Early on, the bird wasn’t looking so good. The Warriors struggled to a 4-7 start. Thompson was hitting 32.6% for his 3s in the 11 first games. Critics didn’t need to look very far to question whether Thompson is past his prime.
Thompson has been a great player in the last 10 games. He made 48.1% his 79 3-point attempts, while Stephen Curry His 99 3-point attempts have been successful at 45.5%. Golden State won seven of the last 10 games. Thompson’s hot streak in downtown has seen his 3-point percentage return to 40 percent for the season. Curry is the league’s leader in made 3s at the beginning of the week and Thompson is sixth.
Sunday’s victory against a hot Minnesota Timberwolves Golden State scored a record 137 points with the help of nine made 3s by the Splash Brothers. This offense is downright frightening when Curry and Thompson are shooting the lights.
Defense is being stopped again
Last season, the Warriors had the second best defense in the NBA. However, the Warriors lost seven of their first 11 games because their defense was 27th.
They won their 10 last games Draymond Green The Dubs hold the seventh-best defensive rating. Tuesday night in Dallas they will face a struggling Mavericks side and have a chance to extend their hot streak.