The first day of the second phase of the 2023 FIBA World Cup delivered maximum chaos thanks to Latvia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Simone Fontecchio, and Luka Doncic.
Worse than any old injury, Kristaps Porzingis and "foot injury" had to rank as especially unappetizing for the Boston Celtics this summer. But here we are maybe.
San Antonio vs. Houston, Final Score: Spurs exact revenge on Rockets 103-91
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Mason Jones and Ben McLemore shot out of the gate and staked themselves into an early advantage, and the Rockets held off the Spurs for most of the first three quarters. But DeMar DeRozan stabilized San Antonio, and the team showed some defensive intensity in the fourth quarter which, along with some timely scoring by Dejounte Murray, made the difference despite a forgettable offensive shooting effort.
Christian Wood continued his All-Star level production against the Spurs frontline by netting 24 points and 18 rebounds with solid contributions from Jones (24 points and 5 assists) and McLemore (21 points). Most of San Antonio’s production came from DeMar DeRozan (24 points and 7 rebounds) and Dejounte Murray (18 points and 10 rebounds) who ignited the late comeback for the Spurs who moved to 7-6.
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James Harden is no longer employed by the Houston Rockets. In a blockbuster four-team trade, The Beard has been moved to the Nets for Victor Oladipo, Rodion Kurucs, Dante Exum, four first round picks and four pick swaps, according to reports.
It’s the end of a successful, if often turbulent, era in Houston. It’s unclear if a full rebuilding effort is next for the Rockets, but what’s certain is that there will be challenges ahead after dealing the disgruntled former MVP.
A move of this magnitude will inevitably affect other teams, including the Spurs. So let’s take a look at what this means for San Antonio and what lessons can be learned from what happened in Houston in the past few seasons.
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Analysis: Harden deal shows Nets are all in, both for a title and as a personality experiment
Ben Golliver, The Washington Post
Jan. 13, 2021
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The fledgling NBA season, beset by positive coronavirus tests and postponed games, received a jolt Wednesday when the Brooklyn Nets boldly acquired James Harden from the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster four-team trade that promises to shake the title landscape.
In Brooklyn, Harden will team with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to form the league s top Big 3 and a potentially volatile mix of on-court styles and off-court personalities. Harden and Kevin Durant, both former MVPs and scoring champs, are reuniting after spending three years together on the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2009 to 2012.