Not so long ago, a basketball bet was a simple thing. You picked a winner, maybe took a points spread, and waited for the final buzzer. Everything that happened in between (the runs, the timeouts, the foul trouble) was just noise on the way to one number.

That is no longer how many fans watch the game. Today the final score is only one of dozens of outcomes on offer, and a lot of the action happens while the ball is still in the air.

A sport built for live markets

Basketball was always going to suit in-play betting. Few sports produce as many scoring events, as many swings in momentum, or as many natural pauses. A single EuroLeague game can have 150 possessions or more, and any one of them can change the price on the next quarter, the next basket or the next player to reach double figures.

European fans know this rhythm well. Anyone who followed CSKA Moscow’s run to a seventh EuroLeague title saw how quickly a game can turn on a couple of possessions. Momentum in the European game often arrives in bursts, and the live markets have been built to follow those bursts almost second by second.

From the final score to the next possession

Pre-match betting still exists, but the live menu has grown well past it. During a typical game, a fan can now find markets on:

• The winner of each quarter or half
• The next team to score, or the next team to reach 10, 15 or 20 points
• Individual player totals for points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers
• Whether a specific free throw will go in
• Winning margin bands, updated as the lead changes

Some of these markets last a few minutes. Others settle in seconds. What they share is that they reward attention to the game itself rather than a prediction made hours earlier.

A bettor who notices that a team’s starting centre has picked up his third foul before half-time is working with information that simply did not exist when the pre-match odds were set.

Why fans went along with it

Part of the answer is technology. Faster data feeds, official league statistics delivered in real time and mobile apps that refresh odds constantly made the product possible.

The other part is cultural. Fantasy formats taught a generation of fans to think in individual stats rather than just results. Games such as the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge encourage people to track a guard’s assists or a forward’s rebounds across a whole season. Player prop markets turn that same habit into something that can be settled within a single night.

There is also the second screen. Most fans now watch with a phone in hand, following live stats, social feeds and highlights at the same time. Adding a live market to that mix feels, to many of them, like a small step rather than a new activity.

That shift has changed how betting is covered in mainstream media too. Canadian readers comparing operators, for example, now find editorial guides to the best gambling sites in Canada that look at how deep a basketball live menu goes, not just which leagues are listed.

The European angle

The NBA gets the headlines, but European basketball has been an important testing ground for these markets. The EuroLeague, EuroCup and domestic leagues in Spain, Turkey, Greece and Serbia fill the calendar almost every night of the week. Many of those games tip off at hours that suit bettors across different time zones, which keeps demand for live markets steady.

European games also play differently. A 40-minute game, a shorter shot clock culture and tighter defensive systems produce lower totals and closer finishes than the NBA. That affects how live prices move, and experienced bettors pay attention to it.

As we noted in our older piece on how to outsmart your bookie, knowing the league better than the market does is still the only real edge, and that applies even more when prices change every few seconds.

More choice, more responsibility

A wider menu is not only a positive story. Markets that settle in seconds make it easy to place many small bets without noticing how quickly they add up.

Regulators have taken note. In Ontario, the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming set out requirements for how operators present live betting, player limits and responsible gambling tools.

For fans, the practical lesson is simple. Live markets can make a game more engaging, but they work best when they sit alongside the enjoyment of basketball rather than replacing it.

The final buzzer still matters. It just isn’t the only moment people are watching any more.

In the 2010s, European sportsbooks changed quickly. First came the mainstream spread of in-play wagering, then the rise of cashout tools that let bettors settle positions before the final whistle. What had once been a relatively static pre-match market became something faster, more reactive, and more aligned with how modern fans actually followed sport. Basketball, with its swings of momentum and dense game calendars, fit that shift especially well, as seen in broader betting discussion around tournament formats, live markets, and fantasy-linked engagement such as the 2022 EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge and its rules.

From live betting speed to payment speed

For a while, operators competed mostly on odds menus, interface quality, and how quickly they could update live lines. The expectation was simple: if the match was moving in real time, the sportsbook had to move with it. That same logic has gradually extended beyond the bet itself and into the cashier. Today, many players judge an operator not only by what happens before and during a wager, but by what happens after a win.

That is where withdrawal speed entered the picture.

In earlier online betting eras, especially in fragmented or lightly regulated markets, delayed payouts were often treated as an inconvenience rather than a central issue. A player might wait several business days for a bank transfer and accept it as part of the process. But as the industry matured, that tolerance faded. Instant digital habits changed expectations. If deposits could be processed in seconds, users began asking why withdrawals still required prolonged review cycles.

A modern marker of trust

Fast withdrawals now function as a practical trust signal. They do not replace licensing, compliance, or account verification, but they often shape how players interpret those things. A sportsbook or casino that pays efficiently is usually seen as more reliable, more operationally confident, and less dependent on procedural friction.

This is particularly visible in regulated North American markets, where the competition is no longer just about acquiring customers, but retaining them. In states and provinces where multiple licensed brands operate side by side, product differences can appear narrow. Odds are broadly comparable. Bonuses are often temporary. App design converges. But payout experience remains memorable.

A bettor may forget a modest promotional edge. They are less likely to forget whether a withdrawal arrived in hours or in days.

Why this matters more in sportsbooks and online casinos now

There is also a broader structural reason withdrawal speed matters more today than it did a decade ago. Online gambling products have become more continuous. Live betting creates shorter betting cycles. Casino verticals, especially slots and live dealer tables, generate frequent deposit-and-withdrawal behavior. The old model of occasional betting and delayed settlement does not fit the modern usage pattern.

This has been especially true in basketball-linked wagering environments, where packed schedules and constant in-game fluctuations encourage regular account activity. As betting ecosystems became more interactive, users began expecting the same speed not just in odds movement and cashout functionality, but in the return of their funds as well.

Operators have responded by streamlining KYC procedures, automating parts of fraud review, and prioritizing payment rails that support near-immediate e-wallet or card processing. In some cases, withdrawal speed has become part of the brand pitch, even if it is framed more cautiously in regulated jurisdictions. That alone tells the story: what used to be back-office administration is now front-facing competition.

The Canadian comparison

Canada offers an especially useful lens because it sits between long-established European online betting habits and the more recently regulated North American model. The market has developed with a strong awareness of consumer protection, but also with clear pressure to meet the convenience standards already familiar to players from overseas platforms.

Ontario’s regulated framework, in particular, has sharpened that comparison. Canadian users increasingly expect transparent withdrawal timelines, visible payment-method terms, and fewer unnecessary delays once verification is complete. Industry coverage has reflected the change. The Toronto Star’s recent guide to fast-payout online casinos in Canada looks at this issue as a current consumer concern, showing that payment speed is no longer a niche technical detail but part of mainstream evaluation. Canadian operators, in that sense, have moved toward the same standards seen for years in mature European sports-betting markets; readers can explore that shift in more detail here.

That trend does not mean every “fast payout” claim should be accepted at face value. Processing times still vary by method, internal review rules, and the quality of customer verification. But the key change is that withdrawal speed is now discussed openly and comparatively, much as odds quality or market depth once were.

Competitive pressure, but also consumer responsibility

There is a final point worth making. Faster withdrawals are good for consumer confidence, but they should exist alongside clear safeguards. Reputable operators still need identity checks, anti-money-laundering controls, and responsible gambling protocols. The healthiest version of the fast-payout race is one where technology removes unnecessary delay without removing necessary oversight.

That is why outside support information remains important in any discussion of modern online gambling. For Ontario users seeking gambling-health resources, ConnexOntario remains a relevant independent reference.

From a historical perspective, the pattern is familiar. Sportsbooks first competed by making betting more immediate through live markets and cashout. Now they compete by making the financial side of the experience more immediate as well. In a crowded field of similar interfaces and similar offers, the speed of getting paid has become one of the clearest ways an operator distinguishes itself. For today’s sportsbooks and online casinos, that may be the most consequential race of all.

Basketball is among the most popular sports in the world, and the Euroleague has proven to be one of the biggest basketball leagues in the world. It brings together the best basketball teams in Europe, with the most renowned champions being Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow. While the league is meant for European basketball teams, Israel also participates with the Maccabi Tel Aviv team.

At the moment, Maccabi Tel Aviv is ranked third in the league, having won a total of six titles to date. For sponsorship reasons, the league is referred to as the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and is governed by FIBA Europe, and you can compete with your friends in the Fantasy Challenge. In this guide, we will look at the 2022 Euroleague Fantasy Challenge in detail.

What is the 2022 EuroLeague Fantasy League?

The 2022 Euroleague Fantasy League allows you to challenge your friends in a fantasy version of the tournament. The game is available in two different modes, and these are Classic and Draft. With the Classic mode of the game, you have to follow these rules:

• You will get 100 credits and can create up to three fantasy teams. Each of them can have ten players and one head coach.
• You can also choose players who have already been purchased by other users (non-exclusive rosters).
• Your teams will compete in the main tournament, but you can also develop private leagues with your friends. The private leagues can be in a head-to-head mode or general ranking system.
• Active players and those on the bench will get points based on the performance of the actual players in the 2022 Euroleague. Active players will get 100% credits while those on the bench will get 50%. The coach will also get 100% credits.
• Among the starting five, you should select a captain, and his scores will be counted twice.
• The Matchday is split into Turns, and you can change the captain and formation between these Turns. You can also make substitutions.
• You can also buy and sell players to raise your rank.

The Draft mode of the Euroleague Fantasy League differs significantly from the Classic one. With the Draft league, a Commissioner will create the league and manually enter the players in each roster. Since this is an exclusive roster, each Euroleague player can only participate in one team at a time. The players will be decided by the participants via an auction around a table or even on a Zoom call. In the Draft mode, participants cannot select a head coach, and the values of the players will not change depending on their performance. You should note that Draft mode teams cannot participate in the Classic mode of the Euroleague Fantasy Challenge, so participants will not be able to win prizes.

How Are Scores Determined in the 2022 Euroleague Fantasy Challenge?

At the end of each Matchday, your scores will be calculated based on the performance of the players in the Euroleague. The following actions will earn one point:

• Points scored
• Rebounds
• Assists
• Steal
• Blocked shots
• Foul drawn<

These actions will result in the loss of one point:

• Missed free throw
• Missed shots
• Fouls committed
• Blocked shots suffered
• Turnover<

A team win will result in a bonus of ten points.

Prizes for Winners in the 2022 Euroleague Fantasy Challenge

In the Classic Mode of the 2022 Euroleague Fantasy Challenge, you will stand to win a number of prizes. In the 1st place of the regular season, you can win the following prizes:

• The winner will be a VIP guest at the 2022 Final Four, and they can come with one friend. This package includes flights, accommodation for 4 nights, and VIP tickets to the match.
• A €1000 voucher that you can redeem for flights on Turkish Airlines.
• Three player jerseys from the Euroleague.
• A Euroleague subscription for the 2022-23 season of the tournament

If you finish in second place, you will get the following prizes:

• A subscription to the 2022-23 Euroleague tournament
• Two jerseys from the Euroleague
• An official Euroleague basketball
• An €800 voucher to purchase air tickets for Turkish Airlines

Players in third, fourth, and fifth place will also earn some great prizes, including TV subscriptions and vouchers for Turkish Airlines. Matchday winners will win a TV subscription for the 2022-23 Euroleague season. Players in first place in the Special Mid-Season League will qualify for a TV subscription, as well as a Euroleague jersey of their choice. The grand prize of the season is a trip of a lifetime to the final Euroleague match of the season in Berlin, Germany.

You Can Play on Your Mobile Phone

You can also play the challenge on dedicated EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge mobile app. This application is available on both Android and iOS devices. The game is accessible in ten different languages, including English, French, German, Russian, and Italian.

Conclusion

The 2022 Euroleague has some useful features, including excellent prizes. You can either participate in the Classic mode or Draft mode, but only Classic mode grants points based on the performance of the players in the Euroleague. Since the Euroleague Fantasy Challenge now has mobile apps, players can create their teams and track their performances on their smartphones.

Hopes are over. The EuroLiga was cancelled thus ending the basketball season in Europe. In addition to the EuroLeague, the EuroCup, a competition organised by the same entity, is also cancelled. The cancellation of the main basketball competition in Europe and one of the most important in the world was hinted by several journalists linked to the competition and was later confirmed in a statement published on the competition’s official website.

The Euroleague Executive Committee, made up of the eleven shareholder clubs, has decided to cancel the current 2020 season of the Euroleague and the Eurocup, the two main European basketball club competitions due to the difficulty of resuming them. The next Euroleague season will start on October 1 and the Eurocup on September 30, as confirmed after a meeting with the eleven shareholder clubs.

“Having explored each of the possible options, the Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2019-20 Euroleague and Eurocup season” as well as the ‘Adidas Next Generation’ and ‘EuroLeague Academy’ training tournaments, the organisation announced in a statement. Among the reasons provided by the shareholders is the protection of the health of players, fans and coaches, the “evolution of COVID-19 in the different territories of the Euroleague and the Eurocup” which “does not guarantee that all teams they can do their training and prepare under the same conditions. “

Likewise, the Euroleague recognises that the different restrictions on travel in European countries “does not guarantee that all teams can travel to the designated destinations for the matches” and that if they have resumed, a training period of fewer than three weeks could cause “an increased risk of injury” to players.

The championship managers thank the “many cities and regions” in Europe that have offered to host the final stages of the Euroleague and Eurocup. “Without a doubt, it has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in our 20-year history. For reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut the most successful and exciting season in the history of European basketball” CEO of the Euroleague, Jordi Bertomeu said. In the last 2.5 months after the suspension of the competition due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, all the agents involved “maintained their determination” to end the season, but have had to cancel it due to “forces above of everyone’s control.”

An exceptional situation

“Obviously we had many motivations to continue the 2019-20 season, but in an exceptional situation, we had to put people’s health ahead of any other interest,” added Bertomeu. The CEO of the Euroleague declared himself “especially proud” of the clubs and their owners “for the courage in their decisions and their generous contribution to their communities in such difficult times.”

This decision is taken after several entities have opposed a return of competition due to health risks.

20/21 Season

The 2020-21 season of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will feature 18 teams: ALBA Berlín, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, AX Armani Exchange Milano, Crvena Zvezda, CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Khimki, KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos OPAP Atenas, Real Madrid, Valencia Basket, Zalgiris Kaunas and Zenit St Petersburg

The 2020-21 season of 7DAYS EuroCup will reserve spaces for the teams that qualify for the 2019-20 quarter-finals: AS Monaco, Partizan NIS Belgrade, Promitheas Patras, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, Tofas Bursa, Umana Reyer Venezia, Unicaja Malaga, and UNICS Kazan. The remaining 16 slots will be granted to teams best positioned in their national league’s final ranking. Much as the previous seasons, a team list will be submitted to the EuroCup Council for approval by the ECA Board.

By contrast to previous seasons, Euroleague training camps 2020/21 are going to take longer times so players can regain their physical and mental shape. To ensure optimum conditions for all participants during the season, the League and clubs continue to track the progress of COVID-19, maintaining strong ties with government and public health officials. EuroLeague Basketball will do everything possible to support the rehabilitation efforts of the community and to initiate individual activities in the League. EuroLeague Basketball will discuss ways of organising a successful opening season event to mark EuroLeague’s return.

A great success in Europe

This season, fans have once again set records on their support, and this enthusiasm will continue to provide the players, trainers, referees, league managers and clubs with the best competitive basketball. Some of the data of the EuroLeague 2019-20 season*:

15% growth in fan interest in EuroLeague markets, with a positive trend in each one. France, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and Germany registered the highest growth rates.

15% growth in the television audience, with impressive increases in France, Italy, Israel and Germany

2-digit growth on digital platforms, including followers, reach, video views and participation, as well as unique users, page views and sessions on euroleague.net

12% growth in assistance and 75% occupancy in the arena

*Data coming from the Nielsen Sports, Blinkfire Analytics and EuroLeague clubs,

The US national basketball team is on fire a month before the start of the Olympic games in Rio. The Americans beat China with a margin of 50 points! The victory was so easy that it looked like a humiliation for the Chinese basketball players. The final score was 107:57, as this is the second victory for the USA in a row against China in just 3 days. The previous meeting between these two teams finished with another huge margin in the final score (106:57).

The head coach Mike Krzyzewski can be pleased of his most valuable player in the game – DeMarcus Cousins. The power forward scored 21 points and made 11 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points, while Klay Thompson finished with the record of 15 points and 5 assists. Kevin Durant managed to score 13 points.

To continue with, the Americans are about to play two more friendly matches before the start of the Olympic games in August. A match against Venezuela is scheduled for 29th July. The game will be held in Chicago. The other match will be against another participant in the Olympic games in Rio – Nigeria (1st August) and will be held in Houston.

Ironically, the first match for the US team of the Olympics is exactly against China on 6th August. So, after these two consecutive smashing victories against the Chinese basketball players, the Chinese team looks like doomed against the Americans. The last victory over China was the 66th consecutive victory for the US team in friendlies and official matches. The last time USA lost a match was 10 years ago – in 2006! That was the defeat to Greece (101-95) in a semi-final game of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

In conclusion, we have to say the US team is the most successful team in the history of basketball. The Americans have won the Olympic games on 14 occasions. Of course, they are again the biggest favourites for winning the gold medals. In addition, they have the chance to win the title for the 3rd consecutive time. And even, without a lot of their big stars, the Americans seem too classy to be beaten by the other teams.

The most valuable player in the National Basketball Association in the last two seasons, Stephen Curry, feels sorry that he was forced to miss the Olympics due to injuries, received during the playoffs in the league.

“I was very unhappy, because of the situation… Now I have to miss the Olympic games. I wanted to participate. I was looking forward to the Olympics, but the injury won’t let me play. Now I have to rest,” Stephen Curry said in an interview.

The star of the Golden State stretched knee ligament in the first round of eliminations. Then, he missed a few games, and Curry was not completely fit in the final series, lost in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“When I got the injury in the playoffs, I knew that I would need a lot of time to recover and summer will be very important for my next season. In the current situation, I should relax and prepare my body for the new campaign,” Curry added.

We have to say that a lot of the best American players in the NBA will miss the Olympics due to different reasons. For example, LeBron James wants some more resting time, and that’s why he denied to take part in the competition. He has won this tournament on two occasions (in 2008 and 2012), but now he feels tired after the long season in the NBA. The shooting guard James Harden and Russell Westbrook are also going to miss the Olympic games.

At both ends, money talks… A professional sportsman must be proud of representing his country and mustn’t refuse to help his nation. However, the situation with Stephen Curry is quite different, because he had an injury, but the other players, who just refused to take part mustn’t be selected again in the squad, just for edification!

When you have a lot of money and a lot of free time, sometimes you can indulge to a vice. The most common vice among the professional athletes are, of course, alcohol and drugs! Here is a small ranking of players, who have ruined their professional career because of their vices.

Len Bias

The small forward was one of the most talented players of his generation. Bias’ story is an example of how drugs and alcohol can ruin everything in your life. Shortly after signing a contract for more than $3 m. with Boston Celtics, the forward has returned to the campus in the university and several hours later has been found by the police and has been reported that he was not breathing. The reason for his death was cocaine.

Michael Ray Richardson

Richardson had a long career as a player, but the most of his playing time he spent in Europe. Even though he started very well in 1978 as a Knicks’ player, Michael Ray spent only several years in the best league in the world, after failing 3 drug tests in 1986. He was banned from playing in the NBA for life. However, Richardson had the chance to return 2 years later, but failed another 2 tests and moved to Italy.

Chris Washburn

He is another example of how drugs and alcohol can ruin your career. Chris Washburn admitted to the staff members of his team that he had a cocaine problem. So, he recorded only 2 seasons in the NBA. Considered as a very gifted player, before being selected for the Golden State Warriors, the drugs had eventually cost Washburn a successful NBA career.
In conclusion, there are many sad stories of good basketball players, who can’t develop because of different addictions. The 1986 NBA draft is considered as the ‘cursed’ one, because many of the young talents were using cocaine. However, now it looks like the drugs aren’t very modern among the professional basketball players. Instead of this, we can see lots of doping scandals. For sure, the professional sports will never be the same, as there are lot of spent money and the owners of the clubs want immediate results!

The Olympic vice champion from Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Spain began their preparations for the Olympic games Rio 2016. La Furia Roja started with a glorious victory against Angola. The final result was smashing – 85:61 and that was the first friendly match for Spain before the most important international basketball tournament. The match was played at Coliseum in Burgos.

La Furia Roja played against the African team without four of their best players – the brothers Pau and Marc Gasol, Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez. In their absence, Nikola Mirotic and Alex Abrines took the responsibility. They were the most effective players on the pitch, finishing with 19 and 16 points. The veteran baller Felipe Reyes also played well and scored 13 points in just over 14 minutes of playing time.

Joaquim Valdelicio and Santos Hermenegildo bagged 11 points for Angola, while the team leader Carlos Mora could score only 3 points. He was awful, scoring only one of his 9 attempts.

Angola failed to qualify for the Olympic basketball tournament as they were knocked out of the group stage qualification in Belgrade.

On the other hand, Spain managed to qualify for the Olympic games in Rio, after finishing in second position of Group B, in which were also the teams of Argentina, Brazil, Lithuania, Croatia and Nigeria.

It will be very interesting whether Spain will finally reach the golden medals. As you know, the Spaniards have lost the final on 3 occasions (in 1984, 2008 and 2012). La Furia Roja lost all these finals to the USA. But the US team, which is the biggest favourite for retaining the title, is without a very big number of superstars.

In conclusion, we have to say that it won’t be something extraordinary if we see Spain against the USA in the final. But this time Spain seem to have stronger team and it won’t be a surprise if La Furia Roja finally lift the trophy!

Welcome to the world of the basketball giants! You will find out who are the tallest basketball players in the history of the NBA.

When we talk about basketball, we know that one of the main aspects to be among the greatest players is to be very tall! But, these men are so tall, that their opponents can hardly see the basket…

4. In the fourth place there are three NBA players – Pavel Podkolzin, Chuck Nevitt and Sim Bhullar. They all are 2.26 m. tall! So, I am sure they will have difficulties in entering your home via the door!

3. Yao Ming and Shawn Bradley. They are just 3 cm. taller than the previous three players. Who is the tallest Chinese you have ever seen? Yes, this is Yao Ming! He has been the best ever Chinese basketball player. Ming was a part of the Houston Rockets’ team since 2002 until 2011.

2. Slavko Vranes plays as a center. He was picked as №39 from the draft in 2003. The 2.30 m. high basketball player played for Portland Trail Blazers in 2004. Vranes is currently a player of Ayandez Sazan Tehran (Iran).

1. Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan. Here are the tallest players in the history of the NBA! Both are sharing the record (2.31 m. tall).

Bol was a Sudanese. He has played basketball professionally for 12 years (between 1985 and 1996). Manute also played as a center. The Sudanese has played for the teams of Rhode Island, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia, Miami Heat and so on.

Gheorghe Muresan is as tall as Bol, but he is heavier. The Romanian was 145 kg. during his professional career, while Bol has been just 91 kg. which is nothing for his height! However, can you guess what was Muresan’s position? Of course, he was a center!

In conclusion, do you know how tall was the tallest man ever? Robert Wadlow (2.72 m.) was an American born in 1918 and died in 1940. Now, imagine if he was a basketball player!

The Fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder have reacted really badly to the move of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors. They feel Durant is a traitor and obviously hate him now! After the baller announced his decision to leave the Thunder for the Warriors, the fans have started to compete who will burn a shirt with Durant’s name on it. Then, the fans upload their videos in the social media sites.

The star player has announced from a while that he had the intention to become a free agent. That’s why all the clubs in the NBA were interested in signing him. Durant spent 8 very successful seasons at his current team, but he thinks it’s time to move on. He was offered a new contract by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the small forward has rejected it. All the negotiations were held in New York and after the meeting with the representatives of the Golden State Warriors on 1st July 2016, Kevin Durant decided to join one of the strongest teams in the NBA.

“These were the most challenging few weeks in my professional career. I totally understand that I was at a crossroads in my evolution as a player and as a person and that choices are extremely difficult. I didn’t only understand the different emotions that I felt during this process. The main point of my decision is my development as a basketball player and I think I have chosen the right direction. But I also am in a stage of my life, in which it is equally important to develop as a person. I had to leave my “comfort zone” and move to a new city and a new community, which offers the greatest opportunity of my personality growth and development. That made me choose the Golden State Warriors,” Kevin Durant explained his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The small forward added that he feels very bad, because he has disappointed so many people, but the reactions towards Durant’s decision mustn’t be that cruel.
In conclusion, we have to say that with Durant in their squad, the Golden State Warriors are going to become the super favourites for winning the NBA again. However, the fans can do nothing, but burn their jerseys with Durant’s name on it, and of course upload the clips on Twitter.

Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union

Dwyane is one the most famous basketball players. He is currently a free agent, after spending 13 years at Miami Heat. Wade has been an NBA champion on 3 occasions. He is a real basketball star and is dating the actress Gabrielle Union since 2009. However, they split together, because the actress wanted to indulge to her career.

Carmelo & La La Anthony

The 32-year-old basketball player of the New York Knicks is a nine-time participant of the NBA All-Star. He is married to Alani Nicole “La La” Anthony, who is an American radio and television personality. They have a son, named Kiyan, who was born in 2007. They are an example of a successful star couple!

Tiger Woods & Lindsey Vonn

The most famous golf player in the world – Tiger Woods hasn’t hidden his relationship with the skier Lindsey Vonn. However, the controversies with Woods’ personal life are countless. He may think he had found his soul mate in 2013, but two years later the stars split up!

Serge Ibaka & Keri Hilson

Again basketball player is in our rank list. The Congoan Serge Ibaka dates the singer Keri Hilson. He teaches her a new language – the language of love. However, the baller can speak 4 languages and is one of the best in the NBA. So, this couple is deservedly in our rank list!

Wladimir Klitschko & Hayden Panettiere

The Ukrainian professional boxer is one of the strongest men in the world. But, he has also a “weak spot” and her name is Hayden Panettiere. Their love story is very long, as they began dating in 2009, but split up 2 years later. But, they renew their relationship in April 2013. Now, Wladimir and Hayden have a child, named Kaya.

Gerard Pique & Shakira

The Spanish football player Gerard Pique met Shakira in 2010, when he decided to take part in the clip of the song “Waka Waka”, which was the soundtrack of the World Cup 2010. No matter Shakira is 10 years older than her man, love is not interested in age! It’s interesting that the couple is sharing the same birthday! They are very happy together and have two children – Milan and Sasha.

David & Victoria Beckham

One of the most famous football players in the world David Beckham and his beloved wife Victoria, who is a fashion designer, model and singer, have now been married for 17 years. The couple has 4 children and are the brightest example for a happy and successful family.

Nick Young & Iggy Azalea

The romance between the baller Nick Young and the singer Iggy Azalea started in 2013. They were even engaged in 2015, but Azalea broke it up just a year later. Young’s teammate was the reason for the separation of the star couple. The teammate was crazy about her and took a clip, in which Young was talking about other women.

Grigor Dimitrov and Nicole Scherzinger

They have recently started dating. The best Bulgarian tennis player has broken lots of hearts, including Maria Sharapova’s! It looks like the 25-year-old man is not worried about the age difference between him and his new girlfriend – the singer Nicole Scherzinger (38). Will the American singer be the next love victim of the Bulgarian playboy?

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ana Ivanovic

The wedding is very close! However, it was delayed because of Schweini’s participation in the Euro 2016. The relationship between the German international football player and the Serbian tennis player began in 2014. We will see how long they will be together.

Mike Krzyzewski, the head coach of the US team, hasn’t still officially announced the names of the 12 players, who will be part of the American team at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. However, the list is going to be announced very soon, but we already know who will be picked in the squad for the biggest international basketball tournament.

To continue with, you all know that there are lots of big names, who are going to be absent for the competition. Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard are all injured and can’t be included in the squad. Some other key players have decided to take a break after the long season in the NBA. So, Stephen Curry has decided to refuse the invitation for the national team. The other players, who are going to miss the Olympics are LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Kawhi Leonard.

So, we can say that maybe the best US players are going to watch the games from their couches. But, there are lots of very good basketball players, who can replace them. They should be glad with the opportunity to play for the most successful nation at the Summer Olympics.

Taking a look back in the history, we can see that the US team has won the basketball tournament on 14 occasions (of 18). They have also recorded a silver medal and two bronze medals. So, the pressure is on for the American players.

Here is the squad: Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors).

We can see that the called players are also good enough, but the question is: “Can they win the title again?”. After Kobe Bryant retired from professional basketball, the American head coach tried to bring him back in the national team for one last tournament, but the star refused to take part in the Olympics. However, we are looking forward to seeing what is going to happen in Rio!

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The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA title for the first time in their history! The team from Ohio triumphed after a very dramatic win in the decisive seventh game of the final series against the last year’s champions Golden State Warriors. The final score of the match was 93-89. LeBron James fulfilled his longtime dream, becoming a champion with the Cavaliers. He made a triple-double with 27 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, and deservedly was chosen for the MVP of the finals.

Cleveland became the first team, which managed to turn the final series after being down with 3 victories to one. Tyrone Lue’s team showed an incredible performance and took a deserved revenge against Golden State for the loss in the last year’s edition of the final.

Stephen Curry scored only 17 points and Klay Thompson added 14, but it wasn’t enough for their team to lift the trophy. The match was superb for Draymond Green, who recorded 32 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists.

Both teams made a lot of mistakes, because of the big pressure, but the game was unpredictable and interesting until the very last seconds, when Kyrie Irving scored a three-pointer for Cleveland. The Warriors failed to respond accurately and the trophy went to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Golden State Warriors set several records during the season and proved they are a really good team, but LeBron James & co. showed a great spirit and deservedly won the trophy. LeBron was the key player for Cleveland and he was the reason for Cavs’ participation in the seventh game of the final series, because he scored 40 points in the previous 2 games between these two teams.

It’s interesting that The Cavs missed their first eight attempts for 3 points, while Draymond Green of Golden State scored 5 consecutive three-pointers. The score at the half time was 49-42 in favour of The Warriors, but they failed to retain the initiative after the break and the difference was “melted” very quickly.

Maybe the best player of Cleveland in the final game was Kyrie Irving, who scored several vital points after the break and secured his team a lead of 6 points, which was crucial in the game.

In conclusion, after The Golden State Warriors led by 3 victories to 1 no one has expected that The Cleveland Cavaliers can turn things around. But, LeBron James, the MVP of the playoffs, led his team to the 7^th final match with his magnificent performance and eventually deservedly lifted the trophy. For sure, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and co. will be very disappointed, but they had a great season and should be even more motivated for the next campaign.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still in the title race in the NBA. It happened after the team won the 5th game of the final series against the Golden State Warriors in the Oracle Arena. The final score was 112 – 97 (29:32, 32:29, 32:23, 19:13) in Cleveland’s favour and now the aggregate score after 5 matches is 2 – 3 victories for the Golden State Warriors. Major contribution to the success of the guests had the two stars of the team – LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They were the most effective players on the field, and finished with 41 points. LeBron James also made 16 rebounds.

“We had just the intention to come here and just extend our period and have another opportunity to fight for another day. That was our main concern, and we were able to do that,” LeBron James said after the game.

At the beginning of the match, none of the teams could take the lead with more than 3 points. The Golden State Warriors won the first quarter with the score of 32 – 29, then the Cleveland Cavaliers took the second part, which finished with the same score. So, after the first two quarters the score was 61 – 61.

After the break, however, The Cleveland Cavaliers were the better team and methodically increasing their lead. They eventually deservedly reached the victory in the game, winning the third and the fourth quarters by a big difference (32 – 23 in the third quarter and 19 – 13 in the fourth).

Klay Thompson was the best player for the defending champions. He finished the game with 37 points. The star of the Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry, this time, failed to lead his team to the success and scored 25 points, which is far below his best performances. Draymond Green didn’t take part in the game, but he will be among the starting 5 for the next match of the final series.

Now, The Cavaliers have the chance to equalize the aggregate result if they win the sixth match of the final series, which will be held in Cleveland. Can they take advantage of their own arena? But, if the Golden State Warriors win the next game, it will be all over and they will retain their title. For sure, it is going to be a great match, so don’t miss it!

The Golden State Warriors have shown their total superiority in the NBA, lubricating with the categorical score of 110-77 the team of the Cleveland Cavaliers at home in the second match of the final series in the league. The champions from the last season, led by 2-0 victories in the playoffs (the first to record 4 wins takes the title).

Draymond Green showed an incredible performance. He scored 28 points for the hosts, while his teammate and Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry finished with 18. Klay Thompson showed he is also in good shape, scoring 17 points for the Golden State Warriors. Even though, the Cavaliers took the lead early in the game, the Warriors made a fast turnaround and took the initiative. The champions simply outplayed their opponents. They won the match after having an advantage in every single aspect of the game. Moreover, they have now boosted their confidence and will hardly miss the opportunity to retain their NBA title.

At the end of the second period the Warriors led by eight points and after the break they easily maintained their advance in the score against the Cavaliers. In the third part of the game, the visitors lost Kevin Love, who was hit and now is doubtful for the next match of the series. Of course, the top scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers was their star – LeBron James, who managed to score 19 points.

The difference of 33 points in favour of the Golden State Warriors after the final siren is the most expressive victory during the final series in the league.

The Warriors had a total of 87 victories in the championship, 73 of which they achieved during the regular season. So, they equalled the Chicago Bulls’ record from 1995/ 1996 season.

The third meeting between these two teams is scheduled for 9th June and will be held in Cleveland. In 28 of the last 31 times a team had recorded a 2-0 lead after the first two matches in the final series, the winner of the first two matches takes the title. So, if the Cleveland Cavaliers are about to win the NBA title, they will have to show a really impressive performance.

However, if LeBron James shows his best in the last games of the series, the Cavaliers have the possibility to level the score at home and then no one knows what’s going to happen…

The result of the second match of the final series in the National Basketball Association (NBA): Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers 110: 77

* Golden State lead by 2-0 victories in the series to four wins.

The NBA champions – Golden State Warriors are still in the finals after a great victory (120-111) in the fifth match against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now Thunder are leading by 3 wins to 2, after Golden State managed to narrow the gap in the finals of the Western Conference.

Stephen Curry scored 31 points in the match at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, while Klay Thompson finished with 27. Three other Golden State Warriors’ players recorded a double-digit point performance to keep the dream for a new qualification to the finals alive for at least one other game, which will be played in the hall of Thunder.

The excitement for the hosts was outstanding, as indicative of this was that Stephen Curry screamed after the match: “We are not going home, not going home!”

“I just did my job. We won at home, and that was what we should do. We knew we would either win or be eliminated. What other motivation you need,” added Curry after the final siren.

“I thought Steph Curry looked like 91 percent. He came out and played a really good game. That’s all I can tell you. He’s going to compete every night. He had an excellent night and helped us get it done. I liked our will, I liked our fight!” the head coach Steve Kerr said.

Andrew Bogut scored 15 points and recorded 14 rebounds, but Marreese Speights was the best opted reserve for the Golden State Warriors. He finished with 14 points, while Draymond Green showed a good performance, scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. But, Green got his fifth technical foul in the match. If he makes 2 more fouls and if the Warriors continue forward, he will be suspended for one game.

Kevin Durant was the best player for Oklahoma City Thunder. He scored 40 points for the guests. Durant knows that the task will be very difficult. “We know we’re going home. We can’t relax,” Kevin Durant said after the game. Russell Westbrook was the second-best scorer with 31 points, but both shot under 50 percent from the field. Serge Ibaka had also a good record – 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Anthony Morrow scored 10 points in just about seven minutes of play.

The 6th decisive match will be held in Oklahoma City on Saturday. If Golden State Warriors win the match, there will be another match between these two teams.

Golden State and Cleveland will compete for the trophy in a repeat of last year’s NBA Finals. The Warriors will attempt to defend their title, while the Cavaliers will try to stop them and get the first trophy in the club history. Is there anyone who takes advantage in the whole situation? Yes! Anderson Varejao is the happiest person.

The Brazilian centre was in Cleveland’s squad in the beginning of the season, just as in the previous eleven seasons, before he left for Portland in February, where, however, quickly dropping left to sign with the Golden State Warriors.

The 33-year-old basketball player is already in the NBA’s history, because so far no other player has not been a part of the two finalists in just one season. The veteran has recorded a total of 53 games during the regular season 2015/2016 – 31 for the Cavaliers and 22 for Golden State.

Logically, the Brazilian player should acquire a championship ring no matter who will be the winner in the finals. If the Warriors win, he will be guaranteed that there will be a prize, and if the victory is for Cleveland, the decision whether Varejao will receive the ring will be in the hands of his former team, because the clubs are taking the decisions who to be honoured with a championship ring. So, the decision will be taken by Dan Gilbert, who personally sold Varejao…

However, Varejao, as a real professional, hopes his ring will come with The Warriors. He is a very experienced player and knows how to win trophies. “Right now my focus is on this series. We’re trying to win this. Everything is part of the business, as far as what happened to me and now I’m here. I’m a Warrior. That’s what I want to focus on now,” the Brazilian player said in an interview for cleveland.com.

At both ends, Anderson Varejao was a key part of the last two Cavaliers’ real challenges for the title – in 2007 and 2015 and he has remained loyal to the team for more than a decade, so from this point of view he is very likely to be awarded with the championship ring no matter who wins the trophy. But we will see what Dan Gilbert will decide (in case of Cleveland’s victory in the finals). Just remember that this man was the reason Anderson Varejao left the club and believe me the Brazilian didn’t want to do it.

CSKA (Moscow) won their seventh title in the Euroleague. The Reds recorded a victory against Fenerbahce (Istanbul) 101-96 after a drama in the final match, which was played in “Mercedes-Benz Arena” in Berlin.

Nando de Coló was the top scorer for the new champions. He scored 22 points, while Milos Teodosic and Kyle Hines added respectively 19 and 15 points. Cory Higgins finished with 12 points.

Bobby Dixon was the best for the Turkish team. He scored 17 points for “Fener”. Pero Antic and Luigi Datome added 16 points and Ekpe Udoh recorded a double-double – 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams came into hard battle for every centimetre of the pitch from the first whistle, as the strengths were very equal. In the middle of the first part of CSKA Moscow took the lead – 15-11 after three-pointer, scored by Teodosic. After near 3 minutes Datome equalized. 22 seconds before the end Victor Khryapa scored for 22-20 in Reds’ favour.

At the beginning of the second half Fenerbahce pressed their opponent in an attempt to get closer to their opponent, but their efforts did not bring the desired result and then CSKA still leaded with a solid advance – 53:36.

Just 6:37 minutes before the end, the match was interrupted after nerves spread to the stands. A supporter of the Russian grand sitting in the first row in “Mercedes-Benz Arena”, tried to hit a basketball player of Fenerbahce, which almost led to riots in the hall.

The emotions in the stands were under control for the next few minutes, and after the resumption of play CSKA Moscow managed to hold their opponents before the start of the decisive ten minutes. The Reds were ahead by 16 points – 69-53.

Zeljko Obradovic’s players definitely went better in the decisive final quarter, with 5:40 minutes to go, the difference in the result was melted to eight points – 66-74. Besides all this, the problems of Russians continued to pile up – Andrey Vorontsevich left the game for five fouls, while Teodosic and de Colo were with four fouls. Fenerbahce continued to press their opponent and it seemed possible they could turn things around, after Udah, Datome and Dixon almost equalized to 76-79, with 3:25 minutes remaining.

Then, Fenerbahce lead for the first time after two points, scored by Sloukas – 83:81, but in the last second Khryapa put CSKA level again – 83-83.

The Turkish team led again by three points at the start of the extra five minutes after Sloukas’ three-pointer, but de Colo and Higgins scored on several occasions and made the result 95-90 for the Russian grand. Then the Russians demonstrated an excellent game in defence.

In the remaining time the symbolic guests from Russia demonstrated extremely strong nerves and despite the incredible shooting of Datome and Dixon from the trio of Fenerbahce, Euroleague title in season 2015/16 was lifted by CSKA Moscow’s players – 101-96.

Oklahoma City Thunder defeated San Antonio Spurs in the semi-finals of the Western Conference, sending Spurs into an early vacation. Thunder have reached the finals of the conference for the fourth time in the last six years. The big dilemma on Thursday night, however, was other. It was all about Tim Duncan. Was that the end of a brilliant career? Is one of the best wings in the NBA history, leaving the professional basketball?

40-year-old Tim Duncan played on his usual level. He showed great performance, but couldn’t help his team reach the victory. However, that was Duncan’s best performance this season, but this time he could not save Spurs, although he had done it hundreds of times in the past two decades.

34 minutes, 19 points, 5 rebounds and shooting of 7/14 for 2 points and 5/6 from the free-throw line. That was the stats for the legend with shirt №21 in №6 game of the playoff series against Oklahoma City. Whether it was the last page of the great story of the boy who turned to basketball because of a hurricane destroyed his dreams of Olympic medals in swimming? Tim, himself, refused to speak on this topic. He told the assembled media crowd that he will speak later about his further career. The only thing he said was: “I would get to that after I get out of here and figure out life…”

His contract with Spurs is about to expire, but it includes a clause for extension for another year. Tim Duncan is now 40, but Gregg Popovich guaranteed would have accepted with open arms if Duncan says “yes” and postpone his retirement from the professional basketball for another season.

“I really don’t know what he (Tim Duncan) is going to do. But when he decides to move on, sometime between now and the next five years – that’s a little bit of a joke – it will feel a little differently walking into the gym,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said on Friday, just a day after San Antonio’s defeat in the playoffs to Oklahoma City.

What remains for all who love basketball? Wait and meanwhile enjoy the last, at least at this stage, Duncan’s match for San Antonio Spurs.

However, the winners – Oklahoma City Thunder will have the difficult task to play against the Golden State Warriors in The Western Conference finals. Can Thunder surprise everyone and win against the champions?

Oklahoma City Thunder recorded a valuable away victory (98 – 97) against the San Antonio Spurs in the second game of the semi-final playoff series between these two teams in the Western Conference of the NBA. So, Thunder now equalized the number of victories (1 – 1) and they will have the advantage of their home field in the next two matches.

The two big stars of Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant showed a world class performance. Westbrook scored 29 points, while Durant finished with 28 points. Westbrook added 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. Steven Adams, who plays as a centre, was also at his usual level. He finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge was again above all, for Spurs, scoring 41 points, just 3 more than he scored in the first match between the two teams. Kawhi Leonard added 14 points and 7 rebounds. So after two matches in San Antonio, the next two matches will be held in Oklahoma.

In the other match, which was played earlier this morning, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the hosts Atlanta Hawks 104 – 93. So The Cavaliers are now 2-0 wins ahead in the aggregate score. LeBron James was the best for the winners. He recorded 25 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added 21 points and 8 assists. The reserve player Dennis Schroder was the top scorer for the visitors, finishing with 27 points while Paul Millsap only scored 17 points.

The last year’s champions Golden State Warriors won 110 – 99 against the visiting team of Portland and led 2 – 0 victories on aggregate in the semifinal series of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association.

The champions struggled very seriously, being behind by 28 – 45 after 16 minutes. They were also 11 points down (76 – 87) just before the last quarter. But the Golden State Warriors equalized 6:44 minutes before the final siren, then they scored 10 points in a row and proved they are better.

Despite the absence of Stephen Curry, who is injured, Klay Thompson showed he is in great shape and scored 27 points for The Warriors. Draymond Green finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Damian Lillard finished with 25 points for the visiting team, while CJ McCollum added 22.

In the last match Miami won dramatically by 102 – 96 against Toronto in the first game of the semifinal series in the East Conference. The regular time ended with a draw (90 – 90), after the visitors squandered an advance of 79 – 69 in the last 6:31 minutes of the game and let Kyle Lowry equalize for Canadians.

At the extra time, however, Miami made a great start, scoring eight straight points and that decided the match. Goran Dragic finished with 26 points and 6 rebounds for the visitors, while Dwyane Wade added 24 points and 6 rebounds. Jonas Valaciunas was Toronto’s leader and managed to score 24 points. DeMar DeRozan was also effective, scoring 22 points.

Golden State qualified for the second round of the playoffs in the Western Conference of the National Basketball League of Canada and the USA (NBA), after the champions won 114 – 81 against the Houston Rockets (despite the absence of their biggest star Steph Curry). The Warriors won the series, after winning the fifth game. Their next opponent will be the winner of the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland.

Klay Thompson finished with 27 points, scoring a three-pointer on 7 occasions, while Draymond Green added 15 points and recorded nine rebounds and eight assists. James Harden scored 35 points for the team of Houston, 25 of which came in the first half, in which the result was 59-37 in Warriors’ favour.

Without Curry among the starting 5, The Warriors relied mostly on the second best member of the squad – Thompson. He showed a great performance and set a new NBA record for long-distant shooting. He is now the only player to score 7 threes in two consecutive NBA matches.

Surprisingly, Portland became the favourites for reaching a match against Golden State. The Blazers defeated 108 – 98 Los Angeles Clippers and led by a victory before the decisive sixth game in the series. Christian McCollum scored 27 points. Damian Lillard finished with 22, 16 of which he scored in the last quarter of the game. Exactly, his brilliant performance gave this big chance to his team.

The fans in Miami also saw a surprising result. Charlotte beat 90 – 88 the hosts in the 5th game between these two teams. So, The Hornets have now a big chance to qualify for the next stage. Courtney Lee scored three points just 25.2 seconds before the siren, which was enough for his team to record the third consecutive victory in the series against the favourites from Miami.

National Basketball League of Canada and the USA (NBA) playoffs:

Miami Heat – Charlotte Hornets 88 – 90
• Charlotte lead by 3 – 2 victories in the series after 3 consecutive wins over their opponents.

Golden State – Houston 114 – 81
• Golden State are through after they won the series with 4 victories to 1. Steph Curry is out for two weeks.

Los Angeles Clippers – Portland Trail Blazers 98 – 108
• Portland lead by 3 – 2 wins in the series.

Kobe Bryant played his last professional basketball game. The guard showed a great performance and helped his team – Los Angeles Lakers win against Utah 101-96. The 37-year-old legend scored 60 points! The veteran stayed on the court for 42 minutes in “Staples Center”. He looked as motivated as in his debut in The NBA.

The instructions of the head coach Byron Scott were very simple – ‘Pass the ball to Kobe!’ However, this season was the worst in LA’s history (17 victories and 65 defeats), but the fans could be glad with the performance in the very last match of the season.

So, Kobe Bryant can remember his last match in The NBA with the impressive number of 60 points for just 42 minutes. On the floor were depicted the two numbers that Kobe was wearing for the Lakers (№8 and №24). He scored 16/29 shootings for 2 points, 6/21 for three points and 10/12 from the line. Kobe also made 4 assists and 4 rebounds.

Another club legend in the face of Magic Johnson gave a speech devoted to Bryant before the game, calling him the biggest and greatest celebrity of LA in the last 20 years, and then added that Kobe was the greatest player, to wear the Lakers’ shirt. For 20 seasons at the City of the Angels, the guard from Philadelphia won five NBA titles, and in two cases was the MVP of the finals. He was once voted for the MVP of the regular season, 18 times was selected to participate in the All-Star Game. Kobe Bryant became the top scorer of the league twice, and he is also the leader in a number of statistical charts of the team.

That match was the first with 50 or more points for the legend since February 2009 onwards, and the Lakers were able to win the match, after being down by 15 points. Kobe Bryant scored 23 out of his 60 points in the fourth quarter of the game, but the beginning was not the best for him, after the first 12 minutes he failed to score any of the five shoots.

№24 scored a three-pointer 59 seconds before the final siren, and then repeated the exercise 31 seconds before the end, giving his favourite team a lead of 97-96. The end finally came with an assist, and 4.1 seconds before the final siren Kobe went out of the game, this time forever.

Stephen Curry scored 27 points and made 9 assists in the Golden State Warriors’ victory against San Antonio Spurs 112-101 to become only the second team in history to achieve 70 wins in a single season. So far only Michael Jordan and the legendary team of Chicago Bulls had recorded a similar achievement – 72 wins in season 1995/1996.

The best Warriors’ player Curry was even more motivated after the match. “We wanted to take care of tonight and clinch home court for the playoffs, was a goal of ours. With three games left and 73 still there, it’s obviously a lot to play for,” the guard said.

The champions continued to put on display great performance and they will try to equalize the Bulls’ balance of 72 victories and 10 defeats. The Warriors must win their last three games of the season – the trips to Memphis and San Antonio and the home match against Memphis, in order set a new record. The other teams, which were a step away from the record of “70” were the Los Angeles Lakers (1971/1972 – 69-13), and again the Chicago Bulls (1996/1997 – 69-13).

This success provided the Golden State an advantage in the playoffs, while the Spurs recorded their thirteenth loss of the season and now have a total of 65-13 against 70-9 for the Warriors.

The hosts recorded an easy victory. They had an advance of 20 points on several occasions during the match several times during the meeting exceeded their lead to 20 points. The Warriors made 33 assists for their 45 baskets of the game, scoring 12 threes from 25 attempts.

Harrison Barnes finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the Golden State Warriors, while Draymond Green scored 18 points and made 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal, although making three fouls during the first half. Klay Thompson finished with 14 points (5 of 13 shooting).

Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points for the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge and David West added 11 points as West impressed with 7 assists. Tony Parker and Kevin Martin scored 10 points each.

“We’ve been putting it off for as long as we were able to, which was until we got the 1-seed. Now that we have that, I’m inclined to give some guys some rest if they need it, but I’ve sort of made a pact with the guys that if they are not banged up and they are not tired and if they want to go for this record or whatever then — so we got to talk,” the Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr said in an interview.

At both ends, Golden State Warriors have never been so close to make such record. They must achieve 3 victories in their last 3 games of the regular season.

Worthing Thunder showed a great performance and beat Leicester Warriors 85-75 at the Worthing Leisure Center. The 10-point-difference victory was the perfect way for The Thunders finish the season in the National Basketball League.

Even though Worthing beat Leicester, Thunder finished one place below the Warriors, in tenth place both with a record of 10-16. The only thing separating these two teams in the standings was the Warriors victory over Worthing Thunder in January (100-81) and thank to the larger margin Leicester left in a higher position.

The victory was third in a row for Worthing Thunder, and despite missing out on the ninth, the coach Daniel Hildreth should be happy that his team finished the season in style, with the best possible performance.

“Winning three games in a row and winning four of our last five matches with that loss to Lancashire only being by two points is a testament to the guys, who despite not qualifying for the Playoffs, never gave up and wanted to make an impression until the very last game until the end of the season and not fade away. Tonight was fantastic showing and a great way to end the season. Credit to Leicester Warriors who were really short-handed but we really wanted to finish the season on a high and we did that,” Daniel Hildreth said after the match, with a smile on his face.

James Cambronne of Thunder was the best on the court and finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds, supported by 15 points, scored by Josh Brown and 12 by Tom Ward.
Leon Henry showed a great performance for Leicester, finishing with 22 points, off the bench.

Thunder were so motivated, that with just under six minutes of the quarter played, a slam by Ward handed Worthing their first solid lead of the game at 20-10.
Leicester Warriors then held the hosts to just three points in the last four minutes of the first period, but a three-pointer from James Cambronne ensured a comfortable lead for Worthing of 23-14.

Exactly because of Leon Henry and Theo Rothstein, Leicester Warriors managed to narrow the gap to single digits on several occasions in the second period, but they were unable to hold the enthusiastic Thunder’s players. However, Worthing controlled the game and the crucial moment was when Louis Allen scored a three-pointer, making the difference of 34-20. At the half time, the host maintained their lead to 43-30.

After the break, Worthing Thunder had a lead of 68-48, which grew to 70-48 in the very first minutes of the 4th quarter, thanks to a Tomas Sedukis’ slam.

At both ends, Leicester didn’t give up until the final siren and made the match more interesting, but the time until the end wasn’t enough for something more than melting hosts’ lead to 10 points.

The new star of Los Angeles Lakers D’Angelo Russell wrath the anger of the entire team after it became clear that he has recorded a conversation with his teammate Nick Young without his knowledge. 20-year-old guard held a conversation with Young in which he was asked questions about Young’s personal life, such as whether he has been with other women since he’s engaged to the music star Iggy Azalea.

Young, himself still can’t understand why the youngster has recorded everything on a video. After this action, Russell is not anymore among the favourites in the locker room of the LA Lakers. The media claim that most of the other players are isolating and deliberately avoiding to communicate with him.

The members of the club management are aware of the situation, but at that time they haven’t taken any measures and have left the players alone to deal with the situation.

One of the players, who wanted to remain anonymous, commented to ESPN that the situation is far from perfect, since before this incident Lakers had problems of backstage character, but the performance of the Russell banged everything. Now, it’s almost impossible Lakers’ players to trust each other.

But one thing is still not clear. What is the reason for Russell’s action? Maybe he wants Nick Young’s girlfriend to hear something that she mustn’t know? Maybe he has been offended of his teammate and now wants a revenge? Or maybe D’Angelo wants Azalea for himself? Who knows? The important thing is that Russell has shown he is far away from maturity.

“I haven’t talked to him, won’t talk to him. That’s an internal matter that our guys will deal with. The only thing that I’m disappointed about is that it got out. We’re a family, and we try to keep everything in house,” the coach Byron Scott said in an interview. “He’s such a kid. I told him the other day, ‘You are 20, but sometimes I think you are 14.’”

The youngster is maybe ashamed of his behaviour, as he refused to give an interview, walking out of the court with only saying: “Nope, nothing to talk about.” For sure, if he wants to have a good career, he will have to grow up.

D’Angelo Russell was selected under №2 in last year’s draft and is considered as a key part of the future of the Lakers and the new vision of the club after Kobe Bryant retire. The former star of Ohio State has been having not a bad debut season in the pros with an average of 13.1 points, 3.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

Darko Milicic was considered to be one of the most perspective future NBA stars in 2003. The Serbian giant was selected under №2 in The NBA draft, just after LeBron James. He was before players like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. But, Darko never showed his real potential in The NBA.

However, 213-cm-tall centre played nearly ten seasons in the best basketball league. He had a minimal involvement in the Pistons’ matches, but eventually won the title in his debut season.

In 2014 he finally put an end to his basketball career. Darko Milicic, then became a kickboxing player, but this obviously also bored him and he quickly finished with this adventure. Can you imagine what is he doing now? Well, he is a farmer.

“I don’t miss basketball. I went to the United States when I was 18 years ago, so I was not prepared and. I do not hate the game, but I can say that now I am indifferent. When I watch an NBA match I don’t feel anything special, although I played there,” said Milicic in an interview.

“The system in America is very harsh. I did not like it and still does not like it. The clubs give some young players a chance, while they are neglecting other talented players. LeBron James is a ‘killer’, but he received enough playing time in his very first season. They trusted him, while I had to stay on the bench.”

“I couldn’t understand American basketball players, really. They used to speak only for slams and tricks. To me it was strange because I did not think this way,” the Serbian giant said.

“Kobe Bryant is the dirtiest player in the NBA. You cannot imagine what things he has done on the field. But he is incredible, of course. He is the best basketball player!”

Now, Darko Milicic is far away from the spotlight. After 468 games in the NBA, which have brought with him more than $52 m., Milicic lives a quiet family life on his farm. He is married and has three children. His wife deals with fashion. The latest occupation of the former basketball player is precisely agriculture.

“My son Lazar is seven years old and talks only about basketball. He wants to train. He says he wants to play for Red Star Belgrade and then in the NBA. I am sure he will be better than me if he makes the right choice!”

Milicic maybe was not the best basketball player. He also didn’t succeed in martial art. But despite all illogical moves and weird for some people decisions, he’s a good man. A Man with capital “M”. He does not want to fuss about his charitable actions, but it is clear that he has sold his championship ring and has donated money to the local church. In 2010 he paid the treatment for five Serbian children suffering from an extremely rare disease “Baton”. Maybe the Agriculture would be his best choice.

Chris Kaman, who is 33 years old ex German international basketball player, currently plays for The Portland Trail Blazers as a center. He has been playing in The NBA since 2003, when he started his career at Los Angeles Clippers. The German basketball player played also for The New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, but his most successful period in his career was when he played for The Los Angeles Clippers (2003 – 2011). He has taken part in a really big number of matches, but can you imagine – he has never scored a three-pointer in his NBA career.
So, after 13 years and 729 games, Chris Kaman managed to score his first three-pointer. Wow, what an impressive record! It’s interesting that he has already missed 23 attempts, but Kaman finally did it! He scored from the line for three points against The Detroit Pistons in the last match of his team – The Portland Trail Blazers.
Chris Kaman is famous for his nickname – the Caveman, maybe because of his outlook… Kaman also took part in The NBA All-Star Game in 2010. His other major successes are the MAC Player of the Year (2003), First-team All-MAC (2003) and MAC tournament MVP (2003). Now, he can be proud his dream came true, scoring a three-pointer in a match.
The first time Kaman played for the German national team was in the qualifying tournament leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He recorded a double-double on his debut against Cape Verde, scoring 10 points and making 10 rebounds. Then, he was chosen for the most valuable player by the journalists. Germany with Kaman in its squad finished in 10th position in The 2008 Olympics tournament. Chris Kaman was also selected in the German squad for the EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania, where he helped his team reach the 9th place.
However, now the German basketball player is not as important for his team as he was at Los Angeles Clippers in the beginning of his career, but is still valuable and can help the Portland Trail Blazers win matches. He has averaged 11,4 points per game in his career so far, which is not so bad, but he has probably not trained a lot shooting from the three points line.
It will be interesting whether Chris Kaman can score more three-pointer until the end of his career. However, he is 33 years old and still have enough time to do it. But if he keeps trying the same way, he will need another 23 shots and another 13 years…

Basketball tip №1

I am sure you have sometimes wondered what will your next bet be. And I want to tell you that sometimes it’s not necessary to make complicated accumulator bets, in order to make a good profit. The strategy I am going to tell you requires you to be very quick. You don’t need to have a great knowledge in basketball. Then you will ask me: Why exactly basketball? You will understand in the next few rows.

Be patient!

Don’t waste your money and wait until the right match. Firstly, you will have to watch the game you are going to place your bets on. After ensuring that there is a delay between the live streaming and the closure of the bets – then you will start betting.

When you read this for the first time I am sure you will tell yourself: ‘This man has lost his mind!’. I want to ensure you that I have tried this strategy and it’s worth!

Don’t be in a hurry – calculate how many seconds is the delay. Then, you will see the option a victory by 3 or more points difference. When a team scores, the odd falls down! And the strategy is based on playing with the numbers and being fast. You have to be prepared, and the bet should be a one click away from placing! When you see a team scoring, place it and when the game opens, immediately close it. You win from the difference between the odds!

The strategy is also useful for football (betting on corners and throw-ins), but there are more basketball matches with a delay between the picture and the changing of the odds. So, this is the perfect way for you to stop working and just enjoy your hobby – betting on sports.

But, be careful, because if the bookies understand what you are actually doing, they can ban your account! That’s why you shouldn’t be greedy and you must be patient!

Before starting to place bets, watch several matches. See where the delay is: in which leagues and tournaments. Don’t be in a rush, because if you are not prepared to do this – you will surely lose your money.

So, take your time and see that basketball can be profitable for you. Of course, if you understand a lot of basketball you can always place your bets, but keep a part of your money for this strategy, in order to increase your winning chances.

You can expect more betting advices from me later. But firstly, try this – you won’t feel sorry!

Anthony Davis didn’t give up until the end of the game and helped the New Orleans Pelicans turn things around after being behind by 17 points. The team eventually beat The Sacramento Kings 115-112. That was one of the most amazing turnarounds in The NBA this season.
‘No matter what the score is or what the situation is – playoffs or no playoffs, we’re going to keep playing,’ Anthony Davis said with a smile on his face after the end of the game.
Davis and Cousins were the stars of the evening. Both showed excellent performance, but in the end the victory was for The Pelicans. The star of The Kings recorded impressive individual statistics, but as he said after the game it does not matter what he has done when his team loses.
Despite Ryan Anderson scored 19 for The Pelicans, he wasn’t at his usual level. His shooting was just 50% (13 of 26).
Davis finished with the amazing stats of 31 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist in 38 minutes on the pitch. He scored 12 of 18 shootings for 2 points, 1 of 3 for 3 points and 4 of 9 from the penalty line.
Norris Cole and Jrue Holiday also made big impression and impact, helping The Pelicans reach the victory. They finished with 23 and 20 points. Jrue Holiday also made 10 assists and ‘stole’ the ball on four occasions.
The defeat was the most disappointing thing for DeMarcus Cousins, who was the best on the pitch for The Sacramento Kings. He scored 40 points and made 16 rebounds. That’s the fourth time this season he shows such a great performance. He also made 4 assists and 4 steals. Cousins scored 16 of his 26 attempts for 2 points and 8 of 9 from the penalty line.
‘Playing defence, taking smart shots, good shots, sharing the ball — that’s what got us into the lead and that’s what we got way from,’ DeMarcus Cousins said after the match.
Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay scored 18 points for the visiting team from the capital of California. Rondo made 10 assists, while Rudy Gay finished with 10 rebounds.
So, The New Orleans Pelicans have recorded 24 victories and 38 defeats so far, while The Sacramento Kings have won 25 matches and have lost 37 games.

Shareef O’Neil, the son of the legend Shaq, is showing a great potential. 16-year-old youngster is followed now by the scouts of several colleges. He is one of the most talented high school players in the United States at the moment and he is not scared of being in the shadow of his dad. He thinks that he could become even better than him. But, there are not many similarities in the playing styles of Shaquille and Shareef. While Shaq was known for his physical dominance, Shareef prefers the position of point guard.

The teenager is playing his second season for Windward High school. In his very first season he averaged just 4 points per game, but now he is scoring at least 20 points per match. Shareef also plays well in defence and has a good vision for the game.

Despite he is just 16 years old, Shareef is already 203 cm. tall. He makes a great impression with his great athleticism and fast pace. Shareef O’Neil admits that he has to improve his play under the basket and he is training hard to do it. That’s why several colleges are interested in him, not because of his last name! And he is going to make the decision where to continue his career by himself:

“My father has never forced me to play basketball. He has always told me that I have to choose what to do. Well, there is a basketball tradition in our family and I chose to continue it,” two-meter teenager said.

Shareef is on the top of the lists of the UCLA, the USC and the LSU University (the place where his father started his career). Of course, Shaquille prefers his son to choose the LSU, but he will let Shareef make the decision.

“I spend much of the summer with my father every year. This might seem like a surprise, but he is familiar with the movements of the guards and taught me what to do in every single moment. He is a good teacher,” the young O’Neill said.

The talented teenager said also that when Shaq appears to watch him play, the attention is immediately attracted to the legend. Shareef wants people to talk about him, not because Shaquille is his father, but because of his skills on the pitch.

16-year-old teenager won’t make the crucial decision for his career until his senior year in the high school. However, whatever college he picks, Shareef is going to be a good basketball player. But the question is: Can he be the next big NBA star? The only thing he needs to do is not staying in the shadow of his father.

At the age of 27 Stephen Curry is currently the best basketball player in the world. He is playing at the position point guard and he is the main reason for the Golden State Warriors’ title last season. He is 1.91 m. tall and his weight is 86 kg. Curry is very athletic and that helps him a lot in the games. Sometimes he finds it hard when playing against physically stronger defenders, but he always scores a big number of points.

Stephen Curry started his professional NBA career in 2009. The point guard signed a contract, which was worth $12,7 m. over 4 years. And he showed his great potential in his very first professional match, scoring 14 points and making 7 assists. At the end of the season Curry was voted for The NBA Rookie of the year.

Immediately after making such a great impression, Stephen Curry was selected in the US national team and in 2010 helped the USA win The FIBA World Cup. Despite his time on the pitch was limited, the point guard made a great contribution to his team.

The point guard was so unlucky in 2011. He had surgery on his right ankle in May. Then a few months later Curry strained a tendon in his right foot and had another surgery. That’s why he averaged just 14,7 points per game during the season 2011/12.

Before the start of the 2012/13 season Curry agreed on a new 4-year contract deal with Golden State for about $44 m.

He was a part of the United States’ squad for The FIBA World Cup 2014. This time Curry had more playing time and he deservedly won his second gold world cup medal.

Then, in 2015 came his biggest success in the professional basketball – winning The NBA championship. The new head coach, Steve Kerr, changed the tactics and gave Stephen Curry more freedom, which was a crucial decision for Warriors’ season. On 7th January 2015 the point guard became the fastest player to score 1,000 career three-pointer. Just a month later he scored 51 points in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, which was a record for him. He eventually won the regular season and the NBA playoffs with Golden State Warriors and the team is favourite to do it again this season.

In conclusion, the point guard is a Christian and a good person. He is married to his child’s love, Ayesha Alexander and the couple has two daughters. Stephen Curry has recently become to represent one of the leading companies for sports stocks “Under Armour”. Even though, he didn’t graduate while being at Davidson College, he is still planning to earn his degree.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan is known as the best ever basketball player. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on 17th February 1963. Michael is the fourth of five children.
Jordan studied in Emsley A. Lane High School in Wilmington. There he found his sportsman skills. He was good at baseball, football and, of course, basketball. In his sophomore year, Michael Jordan wasn’t selected in the basketball squad of his school, because he was too short (1.80 m.). However, Jordan was so motivated to prove his skills, that he became a part of Laney’s junior varsity squad, scoring more than 40 points in several games. A year later he grew 10 cm. and started to train even harder. As a result, when he was a senior was included in McDonald’s All-American Team.
His great performance won him a basketball scholarship to North California. Jordan proved his qualities in his very first year at the university. He became the ACC Freshman of the Year. Jordan scored 13.4 points per game on average and everyone could see the bright future in front of young Michael.
Just a month after he started his professional career in the NBA, Michael Jordan appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with an article, called “A star is born”. Shortly after his sensational start in the NBA, he was included in the United States’ national team and won a golden medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Michael Jordan became one of the most successful basketball players. During his career at Chicago Bulls, he managed to win the NBA championship on 6 occasions and the same number of NBA Finals MVP. He was named for the Most Valuable Player of the season 5 times. He won the Olympics with the USA on one another occasion (1992 in Barcelona). Jordan has also achieved a lot of records, such as Chicago Bulls’ all-time leading scorer and so on.
His impressive stats made him a legend. Jordan scored a total of 32,292 points which is 30,1 per game on average. He also made 6,672 rebounds and 5,633 assists. He is, of course, a member of Basketball Hall of Fame.
Despite he was one of the best basketball players, Jordan lost his interest in the game in 1993 and decided to play baseball professionally. His decision was maybe made because of the murder of his father. He spent almost two years playing baseball for the Birmingham Barons and the Scottsdale Scorpions. And eventually returned to his vocation in March 1995.
In 2003 Jordan became the first 40-aged player to score 43 points in an NBA game. He averaged 20 points per game that season for the Washington Wizards. That was his last season in his brilliant career.
In 2010 Michael Jordan was ranked by the Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful celebrities in the world. He is not only one of the best basketball players, but also an example for all the young people!

Kobe Bryant was at the centre of the attention of the Western Conference’s 196: 173 win in the NBA All-Star game. The match was historical, because there has been the biggest number of points scored in such a game. The Hall “Air Canada Centre” in Toronto was filled to capacity, and the fans enjoyed the best NBA players making many attractive jams and showing their best skills. The defence, of course, remained in the background.
The West realized at least 40 points in each of the parts, as icing on the cake were the third and fourth quarters when the Greg Popovich’s side scored 53 and 51 points.
Russell Westbrook became the “Most Valuable Player” of the event for the second consecutive year. This time the explosive guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder stayed on the pitch for 22 minutes and managed to score 31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.
Stephen Curry scored 26 points, while Anthony Davis finished with 24. Kevin Durant and James Harden finished with 23 points each. Kawhi Leonard made his debut in such a game and eventually scored 17 points. Chris Paul achieved a “double-double” with 14 points and 16 assists in less than 20 minutes.
The Kobe’s balance of his last All-Star Game is 10 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 1 steals for about 26 minutes on the pitch. That was the 18th participation for Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star Game. He has won the prize for the “Most Important Player” of the star’s match on three occasions.
Paul George was the best player for the losing team. The leader of the Indiana Pacers finished with 41 points for the Eastern Conference’s team, scoring 9 three-pointers from 19 attempts. John Wall scored 22 points, and the stars of the hosts Toronto, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry ended with 18 and respectively 14 points. Lowry made 10 assists.
The match was so interesting that generated the record 3.1 b. impressions and more than 453 million video views of NBA All-Star content across social platforms from Feb. 12-15.
Here are the squads of the best two teams in The NBA:
WEST: Russell Westbrook 31, Stephen Curry 26, Kobe Bryant 10, Kawhi Leonard 17, Kevin Durant 23, (Klay Thompson 9, James Harden 23, Anthony Davis 24, Chris Paul 14, LaMarcus Aldridge 4, Draymond Green 4, DeMarcus Cousins 11).
EAST: Kyle Lowry 14, Dwyane Wade 8, LeBron James 13, Paul George 41, Carmelo Anthony 13, (DeMar DeRozan 18, John Wall 22, Paul Millsap 3, Pau Gasol 9, Andre Drummond 16, Isiah Thomas 9, Al Horford 7).

Kobe Bryant, 37 and going to retire after the end of the season, scored 27 points for the victory of the Los Angeles Lakers with 99-96 in their visit to New Orleans in a match of the regular season in the National Basketball Association. The Lakers’ star scored the decisive 3 three-pointers in just six minutes of the game.
“When you know you’ve left no stone unturned, you can be comfortable in that defeat. With that being said, I wasn’t ready to be defeated because the season wasn’t over. So I wasn’t going to quit. At the end of the season, if these games never came around, I could look myself in the mirror and be comfortable with the fact that I tried everything,” Kobe Bryant said in an interview after the game. He spoke about his injury, which has tortured him for five years.
Bryant helped Los Angeles to take the lead of 99-96 a minute before the end of the game, but six seconds before the final siren, he missed from the penalty line and allowed the hosts to organize the final attack in the game. Jrue Holiday missed his shot from a long distance six seconds to go, which could send the game into overtime.
Clarkson was the second best player for The LA Lakers. He finished with 18 points. Clarkson scored 8 of his 14 shots in the game. D’Angelo Russel ended with 13 points, while Julius Randle scored 11 points and recorded 8 rebounds.
“Busy. No time off! It’s cool. I get to go out there and have some fun,” Jordan Clarkson said jokingly in a post-match interview.
Anthony Davis scored 39 points for The Pelicans, but his weak performance in the fourth period was decisive for the outcome of the meeting. Davis made some really terrible shooting efforts in the final part of the game. If he had scored some of them, The Pelicans would have won the game. The defeat was the third in a row for New Orleans.
“The league is going to miss him. But not the coaches,” the New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said about the legend Kobe Bryant after the game.
It is so sad that this was one of the last Kobe Bryant’s matches. He is still playing at top level and his performance against New Orleans Pelicans is the proof. Bryant is still fast and strong enough, but every sportsman feels when it’s time to go to an end.

Golden State Warriors recorded their 42nd victory of the season after winning 127-107 points against the visiting team of Dallas Mavericks. So, the champions have already recorded a balance of 42 victories and just 4 defeats. This achievement is better than the Chicago Bulls’ record of the 1995/95 season, when Michael Jordan’s team eventually finished with a record of 72 wins and 10 losses.
The champions were leading comfortably 32-22 at the end of the first quarter and this gave them the needed confidence to keep on going. Even though Dallas played well in the second quarter (26-24), they couldn’t turn things around. Everything was decided in the third quarter (39-29), when the advantage of Golden State became 18 points and despite of Dallas Mavericks’ efforts, The Warriors recorded another great victory. That was the 22nd success for Golden State of 22 matches at “Oracle Arena” this season (40 consecutive wins in total). That was the Warriors’ sixth consecutive home victory over Dallas Mavericks.
The best player for the victory of Golden State Warriors was Klay Thompson, who scored 45 points, 26 of which were scored in the first half, and finished with 5 rebounds, which is a record for him this season. And he did it in just 31 minutes. Thompson’s shooting was really impressive (14 of 20 – 7 of 12 for three points and 10 of 10 free throws). That was his second 40-points game of the season. Stephen Curry added 14 points and made 9 assists, while Harrison Barnes finished with 13 for the champions. Golden State were leading in the score from the very first minute until the end of the match.
“It was nice to see the ball go in a lot. I felt like I was due for a game like that the last couple weeks,” the hero, Klay Thompson, said after the game. “That’s ridiculous. I can’t believe that, that’s a lot of wins. We love to protect this home court. The fans deserve it,” added the top scorer of the match.
Chandler Parsons scored 23 points for Dallas Mavericks, while his teammate J. J. Barea finished with 14. Dirk Nowitzki didn’t take part in the match, because he took a night off. The German player secured the victory against LA Lakers in the previous Dallas’ match and deserved his resting time.
Dallas Mavericks will host Brooklyn in their next match, while Golden State Warriors will have to visit Philadelphia in the next round.

2006 FIBA World Basketball Championship will be remembered with Spain’s first title at this stage. But people like the romantic fairytales about the underdogs who go all the way against stronger opponents. This case is the same, but Greece couldn’t win the title, becoming runners-up.
The competition was hosted in Japan. 24 teams qualified for the FIBA World Championship, separated in 4 groups. The Greek team was in Group “C” and had to play against Turkey, Lithuania, Australia, Brazil and Qatar. It was obvious that Greece will qualify for the knock-out stage, because 4 of the 6 teams in the group had to go through. In addition, Greece had very good basketball players, who won the EuroBasket 2005.
Firstly, Greece beat 84-64 Qatar, which was predicted to be their easiest game in the tournament. And then the real tests for the 2005 European champions started. The Greek team won after overtime (81-76) against Lithuania, which meant that they will surely go through to the 1/8 finals. They gained the needed confidence and were lucky to beat Australia by only 3 points difference (72-69). Then, Greece had no problems, winning against Brazil (91-80) and Turkey (76-69), finishing at the top of their group with 5 victories of 5 matches.
At the 1/8 finals Greece met China, in which squad was the NBA star Yao Ming. But the only feeling he had after the game was frustration. Greece won by 31 points difference (95-64)! Well, that’s now self-confidence! Papaloukas was the top scorer of the game, finishing with 19 points. Yao Ming ended with just 10 points, which showed how strong really is the Greece defence.
Greece didn’t struggle against France at the quarter finals. The Hellenes won 73-56, giving no chance to the French team to go through the semi-finals. Greece made their impact on the game in the last quarter (20-13) when they decided the match in their favour.
Guess who was waiting at the semi-finals. That’s right! The United States were unbeaten so far (7 victories till the match against Greece) and they were, of course, the title favourites. But the impossible happened that day. Greece won 101-95 against the United States. Greeks’ tough play in defence and infallible shooting led to the greatest victory in the history of the team. Vassillis Spanoulis and Dimitris Diamantidis were simply brilliant in that game. Carmello Anthony was the best for the United States, scoring 25 points, but that was quite not enough. I haven’t seen the American players missing so many chances to score…
That’s how Greece reached the final game. They had to play against Spain and maybe they were too tired after the most difficult match against the USA. Greece didn’t play at the same level against the Spaniards and were smashed 47-70. Sometimes the end of the fairytale isn’t happy.

DeMarcus Cousins ​​scored 56 points for Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena against Charlotte Hornets, but his team couldn’t record the victory. That is a record in his career, a record in the history of Sacramento and a record for the NBA this season. But, eventually the final score was 129-128 for Charlotte Kings after double overtime. Troy Daniels scored a 3-pointer with 9 seconds to go and secured the victory for The Hornets. Darren Collins could even turn thing around, but he missed a jumper a few seconds later.
Cousins ​​was just unstoppable for the defence of Charlotte. He scored in 21 of his 30 shooting attempts in the match. Moreover, the centre of Sacramento took 12 rebounds, made 4 assists. DeMarcus also blocked two shots, but left the pitch for his six fouls in the second period. With 56 points, scored in the match, Cousins ​recorded a total of 104 only in the last two games of Sacramento after he scored 48 on Saturday against Indiana.
“It was a tough loss. I was just sitting here (in the locker room) thinking how a lot of the plays early on could have changed the game. But I think through all of the mistakes, we all left it on the floor. You hate to lose games like this,” the hero of the night, Cousins, said.
Sacramento Kings’ coach, George Karl was impressed by DeMarcus Cousins’ performance, but he was also disappointed with the defeat. “He’s having big nights, but we just aren’t shooting the ball very well,” Karl said in the post-match interview.
Rudy Gay managed to score 20 points for The Kings. Darren Colllison, who started from the bench, added 15 and Omri Casspi finished with 13 points for Sacramento.
The guard Rajon Rondo made the impressive 20 assists and 10 rebounds for the hosts, but the unbeaten run of The Kings went to an end. They had six consecutive victories until the defeat of The Hornets.
For Charlotte, Troy Daniels finished with 28 points, which is a record in his career. The guard scored the winning three points for his team 9 seconds before the end of the match. Kemba Walker added 24 points for the 22nd victory for the visitors. Marvin Williams finished with 21 points, and Jeremy Lin added 20.
“He’s so gifted and talented. Cousins is one of the best big men I’ve ever played against. He’s pretty unstoppable,” Kemba Walker said of Cousins after the match.

Dirk Nowitzki showed a great performance against Los Angeles Lakers. The German basketball player scored the winning basket in 2.1 seconds remaining of the game between Dallas Mavericks and The Lakers. The final score was 92-90 in favour of Nowitzki’s team. The Legendary German scored the most important two points for his team right in front of the home side’s bench and received a dab of Kobe Bryant.

The best Lakers’ player, Bryant was not on the team’s list for the game and sat on the bench, because of pain in his right shoulder. So, he could not compete with Nowitzki for fiftieth and last time in his professional career.

Dirk scored eight of his 13 points in the last part. The victory for Dallas Mavericks was the tenth consecutive win against this opponent. Jose Juan Barea was the top scorer for Dallas with 18 points, while Chandler Parsons scored 17 points.

“I heard Kobe talk some noise during the game, so that was fun. It was just fun competition down the stretch. … I’m not really a big trash-talker, but once I’m talked to, I’ll have some fun. Kobe Bryant is Michael Jordan for our generation. He is one of the greatest who has stepped on the field in the history. It was an honor and a pleasure to play against him in nearly my entire career,” Dirk Nowitzki said after the game.

Jordan Clarkson finished with 18 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds for LA Lakers. Julius Randle added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Lou Williams remained with 14 points.

Even though Nance played 23 minutes for The Lakers, he went scoreless and couldn’t help his teammates’ effort to achieve the victory. Nance returned from a four-game absence, but he still doesn’t look in his best condition to play at top level. Despite of Bass’ injury, the player took part in the game and scored 5 points for Los Angeles Lakers.

“Some of my shots happened to fall in, but I’d trade every one of those for that last open shot. I’m extremely upset. It’s tough. We just worked so hard all through that game and tried so hard. I really wish we could have gotten that one,” upset Randle said after the match.

Los Angeles Lakers have recorded nine wins and 38 losses, while Dallas Mavericks have won 26 games and have lost 21 matches.

Milwaukee Bucks maintained their good recent form and recorded a third consecutive victory, beating the Miami Heat as a guest 91-79. The Bucks have recorded four wins in five games in the last week, and their balance this season is 19-25, while Miami are on a run of two consecutive defeats (total record 23-19).

Khris Middleton was the best for the visitors from Wisconsin. He scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and made 7 assists and 2 steals. Greg Monroe achieved “double-double” with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while the Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 blocked shot.

The best on the pitch, Middleton was happy with the success. “Our rotations were right,” he said with a smile on his face.

Miami Heath were without their injured playmakers – the Slovenian Goran Dragic and Beno Udrih. Their performance in the shooting was the lowest of the whole season so far – only 36.5%, maybe because of the lack of their 4 key players. Moreover, Miami failed to score at least 80 points for the second straight match. The Heat were also without Josh McRoberts and Chris Andersen, both are suffering from knee injuries and there is no date of their returning to the pitch.

Greivis Vasquez (right ankle) and O.J. Mayo (left hamstring) were sidelined for Milwaukee. Their coach Jason Kidd was also missing (hip surgery).

Dwyane Wade played terribly in the game and scored just two points in 21 minutes. His shooting was awful too – 1/6. The other key player Although Tyler Johnson was on the pitch 34 minutes, nut couldn’t score any of his attempts in the game. Wade made kind of record. That was the third time in his career (973 matches played) when he plays for at least 20 minutes and failures to record more than two points. However, that’s maybe because of his shoulder injury.

“When don’t have your whole team out there, it’s tough on everyone, game to game, night to night. We’ve got to figure it out and got to weather the storm,” Wade said after the match.

The top scorers of the game were Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh, both recorded 23 points. Whiteside showed one of his most impressive performances – he finished with 18 rebounds. The third player on the home team with double-digit performance was Luol Deng, who scored 11 points.

Milwaukee will visit Houston, while the next Miami’s match is a trip to Washington, DC.

The Russian giants CSKA (Moscow) recorded a crucial and very important victory in the Euroleague Top 16, beating at home the current champion – Real (Madrid). The final score of the meeting in group “F” (that is the second group phase of the tournament) was 95-81.

Nando de Colo was the best player of the game. The Frenchman was simply brilliant and finished with 28 points and seven assists, while his teammate Milos Teodosic scored 23 points and made 7 assists.

Kelvin Rivers scored 23 points for the “Royal Club”. His teammate Gustavo Ayon added 14 points and 10 assists, but that was not enough for Real Madrid to achieve the victory.

The first quarter of the match went equally as ten minutes after the start of the match the Russian team was down by two points – 20-22. In the second quarter The Reds didn’t drop their lead and at the end of the first half even increased their advantage to nine points – 50:41 after the excellent performances of Teodosic and de Colo.

CSKA Moscow dominated early in the third period and they got a double-digit advance, but in the last two minutes the players of Real (Madrid) activated and scored on several occasions, getting closer to their opponents – 64-71.

Everything was decided in the last quarter, when The Russian led by 15 points (85-70). Again de Colo and Teodosic were the best on the pitch, scoring from a long range strung new shooting from long range. The big advance demotivated Real Madrid players and they couldn’t do something significant till the end of the match. They were just waiting for the final whistle, which sounded at 95-81 in favour of CSKA Moscow.

‘The most important thing today is that we played excellent in defence and that’s why we won the game. I am glad that today I managed to perform at top level. I train hard every day and give everything in every game in the name of victory,’ Nando de Colo said after the game.

‘Every ball and every fight are important at this stage of the tournament and therefore you mustn’t lose your concentration until the final whistle. It’s too early to talk about the standings, because the Top 16 has just begun, but we will give everything to be at a top level in each match, in order to continue forward’, Dimitrios Itoudis said.

The NBA champion Golden State became the first team in the history to win 33 of their first 35 games in the regular season. They set the record after their last victory over The Lakers. The final score of the game was 109-88 for Golden State.
Golden State were simply the better team. They took a comfortable lead (37-25) in the first quarter of the game. The Warriors kept their good performance and at the half time they were 15 points in front (62-47). The third quarter was the sublime moment of the game, when Klay Thompson kept scoring points and made the result 92-60. Then The Warriors didn’t have any problems to win the game 109-88 and set a new record in the regular NBA season (33 wins in the first 35 matches).
Klay Thompson was the best on the field for the winners. He is in a great shape, as he scores at least 20 points in 8 of the last 10 Golden State matches. ‘It kind of demoralizes the other team when you just keep getting open look after open look, and I just got hot tonight,’ the man in form said after his brilliant performance. The guard scored 36 points, 22 of which came in the first quarter. Stephen Curry added 17 points for the success. The reserve Marreese Speights finished with 12.
Bad news for the visitors from Oakland was the injury, which Stephen Curry received at the end of the third part. The winner of the award ” The Most Valuable Player” got kicked in his left leg and sat on the bench in the last 12 minutes of the game. Because of injury in the same place Curry missed two of the previous four games of the Golden State Warriors.
‘It’s just frustrating and annoying and any other adjective you want to throw in there. Long term, it’s not something that I have to worry about. It’s just playing through an injury that’s there. It doesn’t get worse if I play on it unless I get kicked, and that’s happened three times since I did it. Hopefully, it won’t keep happening again,’ said the most important player Curry after the match.
The most useful Lakers’ player was Jordan Clarkson who finished with 23 points. Kobe Bryant did not take part in the meeting because of a shoulder injury. D’Angelo Russel was also unavailable for the game and that’s the other reason for Lakers’ poor result.

Led by the evergreen Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Miami Heat basketball team achieved a fantastic turnaround in the derby of the Eastern Conference against the Indiana Pacers at American Airline Arena and won a great 103-100 overtime victory. Miami Heat caught up 18 points before reaching the victory after the end of the regular time.
There was a 26-minute delay of the game because of a lightning problem. Indiana were 29-19 ahead after the end of the first quarter. Then Bosh reduced the gap to 3 points just 10 seconds before the half time (47-44). In the third and fourth quarter of the game Bosh and Wade showed one of their best performances and sent the game into overtime.
Wade and Bosh finished with a total of 58 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists, as helped their teammates to record the 21th victory since the start of the regular season. Wade scored 27 points and collected eight rebounds, while Bosh finished with a ‘double-double’ of 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Wade’s two-pointer basket sent the meeting into the extra time and Miami Heat deservedly reached the final success after showing great motivation in the very last minutes of the game. 3.9 seconds before the final siren Paul George of Indiana could have levelled the score, but he missed from the 3-points zone.
After the game, Wade said he was feeling like in a playoff game, and Paul George said that his shooting was not good enough and he was required to score and equalise.
‘At that time, it’s me, or Goran Dragic, whoever is running the pick-and-roll. Chris is a great target to have. I told everybody that I was going to the basket. If (Pacers defenders) were going to collapse, I would have kicked it for a 3-pointer. But I had a lane, and I didn’t want to settle for a jump shot,’ added Wade.
Namely Paul George was the best for the visitors from Indianapolis with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Monta Ellis scored 17 points and recorded 9 assists. Ian Mahinmi added 13 points and nine rebounds. Pacers were without their main guard George Hill, who missed the game due to food poisoning.
‘You have to honour Bosh,’ Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. ‘They got a good screen, and we gave Wade too much of an angle to turn the corner.’

Los Angeles Lakers defeated 113-95 Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA match. The Lakers’ star basketball player, Kobe Bryant, proved he is in top form and showed very good performance even at his age of 37. Bryant finished as the top scorer for the fourth victory of his team.

The veteran scored 22 points, made 6 assists and 3 rebounds in just 27 minutes of playing time, but also made only two errors while he was on the field. 37-year-old Bryant scored 7 of 15 shooting from the game, also scored 3 of his 7 attempts from the three points zone and added 5 points after well-taken fouls (he didn’t miss any of these attempts).

Seven basketball players of LA Lakers finished with double-digit point performance. The second best scorer of the team was D’Angelo Russell – 19 points plus 7 assists. Lou Williams added 16 points and Julius Randle recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds.

After the game, in an interview, Kobe Bryant praised his teammate Russel. “I think he’s reading the flow of the game much better. I think that just comes from time and experience. It seems like he’s more comfortable with the tempo of the game, where now he can, instead of reacting to plays, he can really read in advance what is going to happen, which then puts him more in control,” said the veteran.

“It’s really special for me, because I want to appreciate the moment properly. To get every chance to play here. I enjoy it as much as possible, because I know that in a few blinks of an eye all this will now be history, “added Kobe Bryant, who was sent by the shouts of the crowd “MVP, MVP!”.

Michael Carter-Williams was the best for the visitors with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Khris Middleton scored 16 points, Giannis Adetokunbo added 15 and Jabari Parker scored 12 points. “Kobe is one of the best who have played this game. If you give him a chance, he will not hesitate to take advantage of it. That’s what happened today,” were the words of the coach of Milwaukee Bucks, Jason Kidd, after the loss of his team.

At both ends, we should not miss a single game that Kobe is playing in. There is still time till the end of the season and we should enjoy watching him as much as possible, because he is one of the best basketball players ever. And after 20 years playing at the top level, he showed he is still the best on the field. It’s really sad that he will retire after the end of the season.

The basketball players of the San Antonio Spurs just can’t stop winning games. They have performed really impressive and have recorded the best home start in their history. The success 114-95 over the visiting team of the Washington Wizards was the fourteenth consecutive home victory for Spurs. This result helped them to set a new record. San Antonio Spurs haven’t already lost in 23 consecutive matches at home, which is also a new achievement in the history of Spurs.

Gregg Popovich gave Tim Duncan some more resting time, but that was not a problem for the five-time champions of the NBA. Five players of the team scored 10 or more points. Kawhi Leonard was the best player on the field. He scored 27 points, made 4 assists and 4 steals. LaMarcus Aldridge left with 14 points and Tony Parker recorded a “double-double” with 10 points and 10 assists.

“We feel wonderful, but at the same time we know we have to improve many things. We need to work hard, in order to continue winning games,” said one of the most experienced players of San Antonio Spurs – Manu Ginobili.

The Serbian player Boban Marjanovic also played well in the game and finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds in 15 minutes. 221-centimetre giant said that everything goes well for him since he has arrived in the NBA. “Everything is wonderful, I want to help my teammates. I am trying to play good in defence and do not interfere with players who can score. I think this is my work,”said Boban Marjanovic.

“I like his height. I guess that sounds funny, but he uses it well. It helps him on the offensive boards. He’s a great target on the pick-and-rolls. Besides that, he’s trying to change shots and play defensively, so he’s doing a good job,” said the coach Popovich for Marjanovic.

Washington’s coach – Randy Wittman was very disappointed after the game, but eventually gave an interview. “We can’t use that as an excuse. We just haven’t been consistent in terms of night in and night out. Night in and night out, your shooting can change. You take shots and miss shots, but defensively, and effort-wise, putting the commitment into it has to be every night,” said the head coach.

Spurs have now recorded 22 wins and 5 defeats since the start of the regular season, while the Wizards do not perform so well and have lost 14 matches so far. They have won on only 10 occasions.

Heiko Schaffartzik is a German national basketball player, who currently plays for Limoges in France (the team is the current champion). In the last match of The French league Limoges lost to Antibes 71:83. Why I am telling you this? Well, maybe because of the sadness after the defeat, Schaffartzik has decided to drown sorrows in alcohol.

Imagine a morning idyll – it’s your resting day and you are with your family. You have just opened your eyes and go to have breakfast, when you suddenly see a basketball star on your couch. What will be your reaction? Especially, if you don’t like him… For Schaffartzik’s luck, the consequences weren’t serious.

Quite a simple family from Limoges came across an interesting find on their couch on a Sunday morning. After awakening, the couple found out that there is a local basketball star in their living room. Then, of course, followed immediately call to the police.

After arriving at the place, the police officers recognized Schaffartzik, who is a national player of Germany, and at one point was even the captain of the Bundes team. 31-year-old basketball player must have drunk a lot after the loss of Limoges against Antibes, then after his nocturnal adventures have managed to enter a building, which was strikingly similar to his home, then somehow have ended up on a foreign sofa.

Eventually Heiko Schaffartzik apologized to the club, his teammates and the owners of the house. Limoges will fine him, but he won’t be suspended.

But let’s say something positive about the German basketball player. He has become a champion of The Basketball Bundesliga on 3 occasions (twice with Alba Berlin and once with Bayern Munich). He has also won The BBL-Pokal twice with Alba Berlin. He is one of the best guards in The French basketball league and is currently playing for the French champion – Limoges. Schaffartzik is in Germany’s national basketball team and has even been a captain. The 31-year-old basketball player has become professional in 2002 and has played for 10 teams, most of which are German.

In conclusion, we will allow ourselves to give a piece of advice to Heiko Schaffartzik. Man, you shouldn’t drink! Or if you want to drink, just do it when you are at home. Because the good reputation can be built over many years, but it can be ruined just for seconds. We wish Heiko won’t have such situations in the future and show his best on the pitch!

Cleveland’s star basketball player LeBron James has climbed to 18th place in the all time scorers charts in The National Basketball Association after scoring 24 points in the his team’s defeat to Toronto 99: 103. 30-year-old LeBron has now 25,298 points in his career, which is 19 more than Indiana’s legend Reggie Miller, who until now held the 18th position. However, this is hardly a great consolation to James, whose team gave in the third consecutive visit.

In fact, LeBron will hardly reach the leaders in the scorers chart. The first place is held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has scored 38,387 in his career. We can also mention the scorers in the top 10. Karl Malone is placed second with 36,928. At third position is Kobe Bryant with 32,649. Then we can see players like Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes and Hakeem Olajuwon.

LeBron James has recently joined the elite company of Oscar Robertson as the only two basketball players in The NBA history, found a place in the top 25 in points scored and assists.

As we mentioned Cleveland lost 99 :103 to Toronto. Toronto’s most effective players were Kyle Lowry and Demar Derouzan who scored respectively 27 and 20 points. The Argentinian veteran Luis Scola added 15 and DeMar Carroll finished with 12 points for the hosts. For Cleveland, Kevin Love finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds. JR Smith and Mo Williams scored more for the guests who, despite the defeat, retained first place in the Eastern Conference with a total of 11 wins and 4 losses.

Other LeBron’s records

This is not the first record for LeBron James. In his NBA match ever for Cleveland (2003/2004 season), the star basketball player broke the record for the biggest number of points, scored by a player who makes a debut (25). Then, he scored 41 points against New Jersey, which was the highest score for the season. Despite his great efforts and wonderful scoring abilities, LeBron couldn’t help his team to qualify for the play-offs.

James has been a part of the USA’s national basketball team since 2004. His first major trophy at international level was in 2007 when his team won The FIBA Americas tournament and qualified for the 2008 Olympics in China. At the Olympics USA went unbeaten and LeBron earned a gold medal again. During the 2012 Olympics in London, James recorded the first triple-double in the USA’s Olympics basketball history in a match against Australia (11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists). USA again won the golden medals for the second consecutive time.

In his professional career, LeBron won 4 times the award for the NBA Most Valuable player. He is also Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-time leading scorer.

One of the brightest stars in the history of basketball will end his unbelievable career. The legend of Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant made a special address by stating that he will ‘hang up the sneakers’ after the end of the 2015/2016 season and will retire from the professional basketball. 37-year-old veteran is haunted by injuries in recent years, and since the beginning of the new campaign in the NBA his performance has become quite unconvincing.

The shooting guard wrote an emotional letter, addressed to all his fans, which was published in ‘The Players’ Tribune’. “This season is all I have left and I can give. My heart can take the blows. My mind can cope with the heavy work. But my body knows it is time to say goodbye,” Kobe Bryant said.

Facts and Stats

Kobe Bryant was born on 23rd August 1978 in Philadelphia. He is the son of the former NBA player Joe Bryant. When he was six years old, his family moved to Italy, where his father played professional basketball. In 1991 his family returned to the USA and Kobe began to play basketball in the team of high school Lower Merion, in his native Philadelphia. In his last year of high school, Bryant led the team to the state title for the first time in 53 years with 30.8 points per game on average. Although earning excellent grades, guaranteeing his admission in any elite college, Bryant decided to join directly the NBA in 1996.

He holds the record for the youngest player in the NBA (17 years old). In the very beginning of his professional career, Bryant had a hard time and played rarely in the first three years for the LA Lakers’ team. With the arrival of Phil Jackson as a coach in 1999, Kobe became a major figure in the team along with Shaquille O’Neal. Then he won three consecutive championships, and after the departure of Shaq, Kobe became the Lakers’ leader. In 2006, in a match against the Toronto Raptors, Bryant scored 81 points, which is the second best achievement in the NBA history. In 2009 he led Los Angeles Lakers to 15th title. He won the award for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the regular season in 2008.

Bryant is a five-time NBA champion, two of these five cases has been voted for the Most Valuable Player of the finals. He has 15 participations in the teams of the season, including 11 in the first team. Kobe Bryant has won the Olympics twice with the USA’s national basketball team.

All the world is now crying for the legend of the basketball. The game will never be the same without the shooting guard of the Los Angeles Lakers!

Have you wondered how the Basketball game ‘was born’? In the article you can find all the interesting facts about the very first attempts to creating the game.

In December 1891, Canadian – James Naismith, a physical education teacher at Springfield College, Massachusetts, was trying to create activities for his students in a rainy day. He was looking for active play indoors, which to engage them and maintain their physical form during long winters in New England. The teacher described the basic rules and nailed a peach basket to a height of 10 feet. Unlike today’s basketball baskets, the first basket was not with pierced bottom, and the ball must be removed from it after each point.

At the very beginning, basketball has been played with a soccer ball. The first balls specially designed for basketball were brown. The usual orange ball was introduced in the late 50s by Tony Hinkle, who wanted to make the ball better visible to the players and the audience. Dribbling has become an essential part of the game in the 50s when the produced balls were with proper form. Peach baskets were used until 1906 when they were replaced by metal hoops with panel behind them, and a little later it has become possible to pass the ball through the basket.

The Naismith’s diaries were discovered by his granddaughter in 2006 and showed that he was worried about the game created by him, because he had borrowed some rules of the old children’s game. Naismith had given the name of the game – “Basket Ball”. The first official game was played in the gym of the Springfield College on 20th January 1892 with nine players. It ended with the final score 1:0 with a point, scored by 7,6 m., the field was two times less than today. Five-member teams had become standard in 1897-1898.

The first national championship in the United States was organized in 1937 by the National Association of College basketball. In the next year has been created a national invitational tournament in New York, and in 1939 it has been organized another national championship, called NCAA. Between 1948 and 1951, the University basketball is rocked by scandals, involving betting, in which dozens of players of the top teams were implicated in fixing and adjusting points. Then the national invitational tournament is terminated and only the NCAA championship continued to be held. That was an interesting true story, which now sounds like a fairy tale. Can you imagine a game with just 1 point in it?

The new season in the National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada began in the best way to the best player in 2015 – Stephen Curry and his team Golden State. The champions won 111-95 over New Orleans and Curry scored 40 points for success.

Before the game in the Hall of the Warriors ‘Oracle Arena’ the championship banner of the team for season 2014/15 was raised and the players received their championship rings.

The good mood among the fans spilled over the field as Stephen Curry started the match on fire and scored 24 in the first quarter. His good performance allowed Golden State to lead at the break with an advance of 10 points (59:49) and eventually the difference reached 23 points.

With his 40 points in the game, Curry set several records. He became the first player in the last 20 years who scored 24 points in the first quarter of the first game of the season. Furthermore, Stephen Curry became current MVP who scored the most points in the first game of the season after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored 41 for the Milwaukee Bucks in the first game of the 1963/64 season.

Besides Curry, a valuable contribution to the success of Golden State had the centres Festus Ezeli and Andrew Bogut. Ezeli scored 13 points, while Bogut scored 12 and didn’t miss any of his shots to the basket, but then he left the game in the third part due to the arcade above the right eyebrow after a head-on collision with Dante Cunningham of New Orleans.

In the most controversial match of the opening day, Chicago achieved minimal victory – 97:95 over the finalist in the last season, Cleveland. The meeting was attended by the President Barack Obama, who is known as a fan of the Bulls.

During the entire match, the game went equal, as the hosts had kept minimal advance from the first quarter. And then in the final moments of the match, three seconds before the final siren LeBron James had an attempt to score for 97:97, but was parried by the Spanish centre of the Bulls Pau Gasol. The top scorer for Chicago was Nikola Mirotic with 19 points. Derrick Rose added 18 and Jimmy Butler scored 17 points.

In the last match of the night, Detroit surprisingly achieved an away win against the champions of the regular season – Atlanta (106: 94). The guests improved their performance shortly before the halftime, and they even lead by 19 points at the beginning of the third part. In the little time remaining to the end of the game, Atlanta started to play better, but failed to melt the big difference. Top scorer for Detroit was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who scored 21 points and Andre Drummond, who finished with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Dennis Schroeder scored 20 points for Atlanta and Paul Milsap added 19.

All the results from the opening day:
Atlanta 94:106 Detroit
Chicago 97:95 Cleveland
Golden State 111:95 New Orleans

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Euro Basket 2011 was the 37th continental championship, organized by FIBA Europe. The host nation was Lithuania and this was the second European championship, hosted by the country. Euro Basket is considered to be the largest sporting event in the history of the Baltic states.

The number of the teams, which took part in the tournament, was 24 (8 more than the previous European Basketball Championship). The played games in Euro Basket were 90, which is again the highest number. The organization was at a top level; there were six host cities in Lithuania: Kaunas, Vilnius, Siauliai, Panevezys, Alytus and Klaipeda.

The teams have been drawn into four groups (six teams per group). Then the first three from each group passed through into another two groups. After this, there were quarter finals and so on. The pleasant surprise of the tournament was Macedonia, which country went to the semi-finals, but eventually finished in the fourth position. However, that was a great success for the Macedonian basketball.

Great performance, shown by the UK team, but not enough for qualifying for the second group stage. Great Britain won against Portugal and Poland, but the defeats of Turkey, Lithuania and the champions Spain left us in the fourth place of Group A.

The host nation – Lithuania finished at the fifth place in the final standings of the tournament. ‘The Second Religion’ recorded 8 victories and 3 defeats, but their loss 65-67 to Macedonia at the quarter finals costed their elimination from the battle for the first place.

But let’s talk about the winners – Spain. The European Champions were in a difficult group with teams like Turkey, Great Britain, Poland, Portugal and the host nation – Lithuania. The Spaniards showed a great performance and didn’t have problems with qualifying for the next round. Their only loss was surprisingly against Turkey (57-65).

In the next round Spain proved they’re pure class, beating Germany (77-68), Serbia (84-59) and France (96-69). After these three matches the question was if there is any team to stop them in their run to the title. In the quarter finals, Spain easily beat Slovenia 86-64, then won against Macedonia in the semi-finals. The final match was Spain against France. In the second group stage the Spaniards weren’t troubled by the Frenchmen, recording an easy victory. But now, the things were different. Eventually, Spain won 98-85 and got their second European Basketball Championship title.

In conclusion, we can say that it was a great tournament with a high number of points scored and tough battle between the teams. Every single team wanted the title, but there was only one winner – Spain. That was their second continental title. For The Most Valuable Player of the tournament was picked Barcelona’s player Juan Carlos Navarro. The most productive player was Frenchmen Tony Parker (22.1 points per game on average). Another prize for the Spaniards was ‘the most productive’ team – 85.2 points per game. So, what can I say – the best team won the tournament, just like it happens in the fairy tales.

The European basketball is much more different by the most famous basketball league in America – NBA. The matches between national teams are filled with more emotions and the players are performing at the limit of their capabilities, showing their motivation to defend the honour of their country.

I guess that you have heard about The European Basketball Championship. If you consider yourself as a basketball fan you must see again and again these fascinating games of one of the most competitive tournaments in the world. If you wonder what makes Euro Basket 2011 so unique, in the next few articles I will help you find out. The new format of the tournament made it even more attractive to the basketball fans. The number of the teams was 24 instead of 16. Also, the matches were much more (90).

Let me feed your appetite in the very beginning. The history of the Euro Basket tournaments is very interesting. Did you know that the African country, Egypt has participated 7 times in the competition? The most interesting fact is that the Egyptians even won the Euro Basket in 1949 when they hosted it in Cairo. The team with the highest number of titles is the Soviet Union (14). The last sentence comes to show you why Lithuania has ‘inherited’ these qualities and traditions in the basketball (as a former Soviet republic). So, if you want to find news, stats and any information you need about the Euro Basket 2011 – you are at the right place.

If you need more information about the competition – I will be here for you. I will write all the interesting stats and fact about the tournament and the most important thing I can provide you with – my analysis. So, just be my guests and read the articles about Euro Basket 2011.

My name is Adam and I am a big basketball fan. I hope you will enjoy my analysis of the most interesting European basketball competition – Euro Basket 2011. I will also provide you with the most recent basketball news.

I like checking the basketball stats and after watching and analysing all the games of the Euro Basket 2011, it became my favourite tournament. First, because there were more teams (24) and then because all the teams’ strengths were so equal. The matches were so entertaining that I felt it was my obligation to write about them in my blog, so here we are.

You can also find in the blog different news about the NBA and the American college league. But the most interesting to me are the competitions where national teams take part. I feel these matches are more competitive and the players are trying to represent their country by the best possible way.

So, if you are a basketball fan, this is the right place for you. You can read the latest news and share your opinion with the others. Also, you can find many historical facts and players’ stats. Be my guests and share the joy of this fascinating game, called basketball.