Posts by Ed Odeven
Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid are NBA MVP finalists
The three finalists for the NBA MVP award this season are Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid. The MVP candidates were announced on Thursday. Jokic had a banner season for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He also shot 56.6 percent from the field this season. Jokic tied his…
Read MoreMarv Albert retiring after Eastern Conference finals
Marv Albert, a legendary NBA announcer whose broadcasting career began in 1963, said this week that he’s retiring after the Eastern Conference finals. For decades, Albert was the voice of the New York Knicks, stepping into the top spot in 1967. He also served as the NBA’s lead play-by-play announcer on American network TV (NBC).…
Read MoreFC Bayern Munich wins German Cup
FC Bayern Munich rebounded from a slow start en route to an 85-79 victory over ALBA Berlin in the German Cup final on Sunday. The tournament champions trailed 29-17 after the opening quarter, but flipped the script in the second period. As a result, FC Bayern Munich took a 41-39 edge into the halftime break.…
Read MoreBasketball Africa League holds first game
The 12-team Basketball Africa League opened its inaugural season on Sunday, and the first-ever game produced a clear-cut winner. Patriots Basketball Club of Rwanda routed Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club 83-60 at Kigali Arena. The key turning point for the Patriots occurred in the second quarter. The Rwandan hosts trailed 18-17 after the opening stanza,…
Read MoreVanessa Bryant gives emotional speech at Hall of Fame ceremony
Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late husband Kobe during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Saturday in Springfield, Massachusetts. Speaking at the 2020 Hall of Fame class enshrinement ceremony, which was postponed due to the global pandemic, Kobe’s widow said this was the right occasion for her to heap praise…
Read MoreJaKeenan Gant joins Saskatchewan Rattlers
JaKeenan Gant (201 cm, PF) has finalized a deal to play for the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Saskatchewan Rattlers. Gant competed at the University of Missouri (2014-16) and University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2017-19) before launching his pro career. He was a two-time Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 2-plus blocks…
Read MoreBurgos captures FIBA Champions League title
Hereda San Pablos Burgos prevailed 64-59 over Pinar Karsiyaka in the FIBA Basketball Championship League final on Sunday. Burgos reached the final by defeating SIG Strasbourg 81-70 in an impressive performance in Friday’s semifinal clash. In the title match, Brazilian guard Vitor Benite sparked Burgos with 15 points. He received the Final 8 MVP award. Teammate…
Read MorePanathinaikos wins Greek Cup
Panathinaikos captured its 20th Greek Cup title on Sunday, beating Promitheas Patras 91-79 at the Olympic Sports Hall in Athens. Final MVP Ioannis Papapetrou, the team’s 27-year-old captain, had 25 points to lead the champions. The powerhouse team has won the Greek Cup eight times in the past 10 years, including in 2019 for the…
Read MoreDavid Griffin fined $50,000 for criticizing NBA officials
David Griffin, the New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, received a $50,000 fine from the NBA on Sunday for criticizing league officials. Griffin’s biting commentary came in the aftermath of Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson’s recent hand injury (fractured left finger). “We told the NBA through every means available to us, through sending…
Read MoreLuca Vildoza finalizes deal with Knicks
Luca Vildoza and the New York Knicks have reach an agreement on a four-year deal, and the Argentine guard is on the verge of joining the NBA club. Vildoza could make his NBA debut this weekend, according to the New York Post. The 6-foot-3 guard leaves the Spanish Liga Endessa to embark on his new…
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