INSIDER
Erik Spoelstra's path from the Miami Heat video room to a contract like none other
Read full article: Erik Spoelstra's path from the Miami Heat video room to a contract like none otherErik Spoelstra was hosting a clinic in the Philippines this past summer while the Miami Heat coach was there as an assistant with USA Basketball for the World Cup.
Kentucky is the all-time No. 1 team through 75 storied years of AP Top 25 college basketball polls
Read full article: Kentucky is the all-time No. 1 team through 75 storied years of AP Top 25 college basketball pollsKentucky has been crowned the all-time No. 1 team after a review of 75 years of AP Top 25 polls for men's college basketball.
LeBron James, back in Miami with the Lakers, reflects on his 4 Heat seasons
Read full article: LeBron James, back in Miami with the Lakers, reflects on his 4 Heat seasonsLeBron James couldn’t help but notice the new floor in Miami on Monday, the one with the word “Culture” splashed across midcourt and with team president Pat Riley’s long mantra painted in each of the lanes.
Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finals
Read full article: Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finalsBoston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport.
Adebayo, Butler lead Heat past 76ers 119-103 in Game 2
Read full article: Adebayo, Butler lead Heat past 76ers 119-103 in Game 2Bam Adebayo scored 23 points, Jimmy Butler had 22 points and 12 assists, and the Miami Heat beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-103 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Butler loses last game in the bubble after memorable run
Read full article: Butler loses last game in the bubble after memorable runThere will be no more coffee customers with the bubble closing down, though he kept it open far longer than expected with some of the most inspired NBA Finals play seen in years. Butler carried the Miami Heat all the way to Game 6 against the favored Los Angeles Lakers but the weight of his efforts seemed to leave him with little energy Sunday. “I didn’t win so none of the stats matter,” Butler said. But Butler made no excuses, not only saying the Heat could win, but that they should win. Denying Butler the salesman was easier for Vogel than clamping down on Butler the basketball player.
Del Harris receives 2020's Chuck Daly achievement award
Read full article: Del Harris receives 2020's Chuck Daly achievement awardHarris was revealed Friday as this year’s winner of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, as presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Harris coached in the NBA for 32 seasons, 14 of them as a head coach with Houston, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers. “I get introduced as Kobe’s first coach, Magic’s last coach and in the movie Space Jam,” Harris said. ON OLYMPICSSilver, in the same NBA TV interview, also addressed how the planned Tokyo Olympics next summer could affect next season's NBA calendar. GAME 2 REFSThe NBA selected James Capers as crew chief for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday night.
The Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, Heat
Read full article: The Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, HeatGet ready for the NBA Finals — a title series like none other, to end a season like none other. The Heat won the Eastern Conference title Sunday night, finishing off Boston a day after the Lakers won the Western Conference crown. So, for the first time — well, excluding the league’s inaugural season — two franchises that missed the playoffs the previous season will meet in the NBA Finals. “We know why I came here,” said Lakers All-Star forward Anthony Davis, whose first finals trip comes in his first L.A. season. The last Lakers’ championship was in 2010, when Bryant got his fifth and last title.
Butler scores 40, Heat top Bucks 115-104 for 1-0 series lead
Read full article: Butler scores 40, Heat top Bucks 115-104 for 1-0 series leadI felt like I took it up a level in the fourth quarter," Butler said. Bam Adebayo had 12 points, 17 rebounds and six assists for the fifth-seeded Heat, who are 3-1 overall against the top-seeded Bucks this season. Khris Middleton scored 28 points for Milwaukee, which also dropped Game 1 of its first-round series against Orlando. Kyle Korver added 11 for the Bucks, who scored 40 points on the way to an 11-point lead after the first quarter then managed 64 the rest of the way. Bucks: Milwaukee is now 20-32 in Game 1s.
It's over: For first time in 23 seasons, Spurs miss playoffs
Read full article: It's over: For first time in 23 seasons, Spurs miss playoffsThose games went final shortly before San Antonio was playing its final game of the season, against Utah. The 76ers, starting as the Syracuse Nationals before moving to Philadelphia, went to the playoffs every year from 1950 through 1971. This is how long the streak, all of it with Gregg Popovich as head coach of the Spurs, went: David Stern wasnt even halfway through his 30-year run as commissioner when the Spurs streak started. And the Spurs won 170 playoff games in that span; only seven franchises have more playoff wins in their entire history. There were 102 players who got into at least one Spurs playoff game during the streak, including current NBA head coaches Jacque Vaughn, Steve Kerr and Monty Williams.
Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never before
Read full article: Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never beforeWeve never posted about Juneteenth, but it is always the right time to do better than before," read a tweet posted by the New England Patriots. The Miami Heat celebrated the day with a pledge to make financial contributions and other commitments to organizations trying to eliminate racial inequality. Hockey's San Jose Sharks told fans that it was fine to not know where to start when it comes to understanding the significance of Juneteenth. In recognition of Juneteenth, our front office is starting a new tradition," read a statement on the Sharks' site. As an organization, we will be dedicating time on this day each year to actively participate in Juneteenth.
Wade expresses his gratitude at jersey retirement cremony
Read full article: Wade expresses his gratitude at jersey retirement cremonyFormer Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade reacts during a ceremony for his jersey retirement at halftime as the Heat host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Miami. “I could have gone on for an hour,” Wade said following the ceremony at halftime of the Heat's 124-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. “At that moment I felt your love,” Wade told the crowd. “Kobe said the most important thing is to try to inspire others so they can be great in whatever they choose to do,” Wade told the crowd. “I hope I've inspired all of you.”Wade played 14 1/2 of his 16 NBA seasons with the Heat.