Filed under: NBA Playoffs, Thunder

It’s a new era we live in.

Instead of press conferences or even leaked reports, the first official word of major sports signings are happening on Twitter. On Wednesday, Kevin Durant announced his five-year extension with the Thunder on his Twitter account — a 140-words-or-less burst that has to send joy throughout the Sooner state.

Durant wrote:

“Exstension for 5 more years wit the #thunder….God Is Great, me and my family came a long way…I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!”

Okay, so it’s not exactly poetry, but it still reveals the class act that Durant has shown himself to be during his rise to superstardom. The move by the Thunder means they avoid the circus that a half-dozen teams have faced this season with every day another a question about when and if Durant will re-sign. He’s the franchise, and they’ve built a young, talented core around him without sacrificing an inch of flexibility to be able to improve their roster as their young guys develop and evolve.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Link:
Kevin Durant Announces Extension With Thunder on Twitter

Filed under: Bucks, NBA All-Star Game, NBA Draft, NBA Playoffs

In our second interview of the night with another stellar young point guard, Brandon Jennings tells us why he won’t be watching the NBA Draft, why he wasn’t nervous in the playoffs and why playing in small-market Milwaukee may actually be a good thing for his career.

Jordan Shultz: Take us through your draft-night experience.

Brandon Jennings: Mine was a little awkward. I had a different type of entrance; of course, I came in through the back [of the draft] which was pretty cool. You know, and I enjoyed it though. A lot of people didn’t expect me to go even top 10, so just the fact when you can prove everybody wrong that’s like the greatest feeling in the world.

JS: What type of toll did the 82-game season and the playoffs take on you?

BJ: The season is long, you know, all the traveling, it seems like it’s never gonna end, but when you’re winning, you know you try not to think about it, you know you just keep playing. The fact that I was able to get the experience of the playoffs my rookie year, I think that was the best experience I’ve [had] in a while, you know it’s gonna make me more hungry for next year, and makes you wanna get there. We won 46, now let’s see if we can go ahead and win 50, and see if we can get out of the first round, so every year you wanna [improve].

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Link:
Brandon Jennings on His Rookie Season and Why He Won’t Watch the NBA Draft

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Fans, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office has charged 10 people linked to the chaos that followed the Lakers‘ Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.

There were at least 42 arrests outside Staples Center for crimes that varied from arson to public intoxication. The 10 charged Monday included a man who set fire to a Celtics jersey and another who threw a rock that just missed hitting a police officer in the head, Senior Asst. City Attorney Chuck Goldenberg told the Times.

“These people took a very proud and happy moment for the people of the city of Los Angeles and attempted to turn it into a night of violence and mayhem,” Goldenberg said. “Fortunately, the police were on the scene to prevent it from getting too far out of hand.

Those 10 charged had been custody since their arrest Thursday, according to L.A. City Attorney’s office spokesman John Franklin. Each could face up to year in jail.

The total arrests made Thursday are more than double the 20 people cited in 2009 after the Lakers clinched the title. Franklin said the arrests — and charges — could mount as authorities pore over surveillance tapes and other information in the coming days, including those who set fire to a cab (below).

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

See the article here:
Ten Linked to Mayhem Outside Staples Center Charged

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, NBA Finals

The Lakers avenged their 2008 NBA Finals loss to the Celtics and took home their 16th NBA Championship on Thursday night, coming from behind to beat Boston 83-79. Kobe Bryant averaged over 28 points per game in the Finals and was named the Most Valuable Player.

FanHouse TV has been along for the playoff ride, and Brett Pollakoff, Sam Amick and Chris Tomasson wrap things up from Los Angeles.

Click below to watch:

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Original post:
FanHouse TV: NBA Finals Wrap

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Coaches, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES — Phil Jackson staggered off the stage following his post-game interview. The Lakers just hope he also won’t be limping off into the sunset.

After winning one for the toe with his 11th NBA championship ring, Jackson didn’t want to talk much about whether he will return next season as Lakers coach. But Jackson, who becomes a free agent, did drop one strong clue.

“That’s a wonderful thing,” Jackson said of whether beating Boston on Thursday night at the Staples Center for yet another NBA title enhanced his chances of returning. “That’s as much as I’ll talk about it. It does improve my chances.”

Coaching in the first Finals Game 7 of his illustrious career, Jackson led his Lakers over the Celtics 83-79 in what was certainly one of his most anxious Finals games. The Lakers trailed by 13 points in the third quarter before coming back to win on a night that featured dreadful shooting by both teams (40.8 percent by Boston and 32.5 percent by the Lakers).

Jackson reiterated what he had told FanHouse last week, that he will make a decision on his future within a week after the season. Jackson, who has had both of his hips replaced and is concerned he might need work done on his bad knees, will see a doctor first to make sure his health is good enough to continue coaching.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Go here to read the rest:
After Winning 11th Title, Phil Jackson Still Unsure of Future

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Videos, The Bonus, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant had completely shut down when facing the media in these Finals, often answering questions with one or two-word answers while looking completely bored by the entire process. After his championship quest was completed, Bryant was as candid as he’s been all season in his press conference following Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Bryant admitted to being “hurt” during these playoffs, and joked about reporters trying to motivate him for next year with some of their questions. But the highlight was when Bryant was asked what this title means to him individually, and his answer, “Just that I got one more than Shaq,” brought the house down.

The entirety of Kobe’s postgame comments can be seen in the video clip below.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

See the original post:
Kobe: ‘I’ve Got One More Than Shaq’

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES — OK, so he isn’t Michael, and try as he might for the rest of his career, he’ll never be Magic, either.

Still, Kobe being Kobe is great enough.

Kobe Bryant is great, by the way, even though he spent most of Thursday night inside Staples Center operating as if he were dribbling with one hand on the ball and the other around his throat.

Which brings us to a problem for Bryant, especially since his admirable yet unreachable goal is to rise higher than anybody in NBA history. This was a Game 7 — the ultimate of games in sports for the elite — and somebody not named Kobe Bryant was the most valuable player. It was Ron Artest, Bryant’s teammate on the Los Angeles Lakers, and Artest forgot that he only was supposed to be a bit player in Bryant’s show by becoming the more consistent performer for the evening.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

See the original post here:
Kobe’s the Best Right Now, but Not Ever

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Injuries, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES — To nobody’s surprise, Doc Rivers is going with the veteran.

The Boston coach confirmed before Thursday night’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals that he will start Rasheed Wallace at center against the Lakers in place of injured Kendrick Perkins. Wallace, a 15-year veteran, is the only player on either team to have played in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals, taking the floor for Detroit in a 2005 loss at San Antonio.

“He’s old,” Rivers said of Wallace, 35. “I figured I’d play the oldest guys. I just think it’s a good combination with Kevin because of the size, with (Lakers center Andrew) Bynum‘s size. I just think it’s a better fit for us.”

The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Wallace will take over for the 6-10, 265-pound Perkins, who was lost in Game 6 with torn ligaments in his right knee. The other candidate to go against the 7-foot, 285-pound Bynum was 6-9, 289-pound Glen Davis, who will come off the bench in the big game at the Staples Center.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Continued here:
Rasheed Wallace Starting Game 7 for Celtics

Filed under: Celtics, Kings, Lakers, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

There’s no greater treat for sports fans than a seven-game series pushed to the limit. It combines the win-or-go-home thrills of March Madness and the Super Bowl with the guarantee of evenly matched and equally desperate opponents. Familiarity breeds contempt, and six games between two evenly matched playoff opponents can create enough tension to forge a rivalry that lasts generations — with one game left to determine who writes the history book and who’s a forgotten footnote.

In anticipation of tonight’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, we’ve asked our writers to reflect on previous Game 7s they’ve covered throughout their careers.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

More:
Everything’s Coming Up Sevens for Fans

Filed under: Celtics, Lakers, NBA Injuries, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES — Kendrick Perkins arrived on crutches and slowly took a seat in front of a media horde. He then offered the news Wednesday everybody knew was coming.

The Boston center said he won’t play in Thursday’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers at the Staples Center after suffering a torn MCL and PCL in his right knee during Tuesday’s Game 6.

“I hurt my knee pretty badly,” Perkins said before his team practiced. “I’m out for (Game 7). There ain’t nothing I can do about it … I got to watch from the sideline. I’d be lying if I told you it didn’t hurt. Game 7 of the Finals … Can’t help your team. Can’t really do nothing but sit on the side and encourage guys to play better … Physically I’m doing better than I am mentally.”

It was expected Perkins was done for Game 7 after he came down on his right knee midway through the first quarter, after battling Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers for a rebound in Tuesday’s 89-67 loss.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

See the rest here:
Perkins to Miss Game 7 with Torn MCL and PCL