Markkanen reveals plans to leave states for mandatory service during offseason in Finland
By: OutOfSightSports
4/6/23
Markkanen reveals plans to leave states for mandatory service during offseason in Finland
Utah Jazz All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen has revealed that he plans to complete his mandatory service in the Finnish military during the NBA offseason. As a male citizen of Finland, Markkanen is required to complete military service before he reaches the age of 30.
In an interview with ESPN, Markkanen said, “It’s mandatory, we have to do it, but at the same time we take pride in it, too.” He expressed confidence that he can fulfill his military duties without affecting his preparation for the next NBA season.
Markkanen has been a key player for the Jazz this season, averaging 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds after being acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Depending on when the Jazz season ends, Markkanen will either report for his service on April 17 or in July, at a base located in the southern part of Helsinki.
Interestingly, many of the conscripts who serve at the military sports school are high-level professional or amateur athletes, according to the Finnish Federation. It remains to be seen how Markkanen’s military training will impact his performance on the court next season.
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Hawkins Puts Name in 2023 NBA Draft, Has until May 31st to Retain College Eligibility
3/29/23
By: OutOfSightSports
Hawkins Puts Name in 2023 NBA Draft, Has until May 31st to Retain College Eligibility
Coleman Hawkins has declared for the NBA draft. While he still possesses his collegiate eligibility, the Illini forward will participate in several NBA exhibitions and scrimmages with hopes of catching the attention of scouts in the association. The 21-year old Hawkins, 21, averaged 9.9 points per game as a junior, good for third place on the team in that metric.
He topped the Illini in both assists and blocks, and he additionally served as the team’s leader in rebounds. The six-foot-ten California native had a rocky Junior season, spanning from highs like a triple double against Syracuse and lows to a game in which he turned the ball over six times during the NCAA tournament.
Many media organizations and websites anticipate Hawkins will be selected in the middle to late stages of the second round. To retain his college eligibility, he will have to official make his decision by the 31st of May. Thank you for checking out the article, all support is greatly appreciated. Got a lot of content planned this year, don’t want to miss it! Anyways, what do you think the Junior PF should do?
Recently, Elway chose to step down from his consulting position, which he had held for the past year. He and CEO Greg Penner had a discussion during the offseason about his position, as his contract was only for one year. Rather than signing a new contract, Elway decided to amicably step away from his role. However, he assured Penner and GM George Paton that he will continue to be available as a resource in the future. Elway said this regarding the matter,
“I’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Broncos for a long, long time,’’ Elway told sources. “I told Greg I’d be happy to be a resource for him and help in any way that I can. I just wanted the flexibility. They’re in great hands. I still plan on being around to watch and be a resource for Greg or George if I can.’’
Elway’s participation with the organization will not in any way come to an end as a result of this development. The only difference is that he won’t have a proper work title with the Broncos.
“I’ve been with the Denver Broncos for so long that it was nice to have some sort of connection which is what I wanted,” Elway continued. “I didn’t want an obligation. I’m getting a little older, I want to be able to do some things I haven’t done. I’m ready to have a flexible schedule. If there’s something I can help them with I’d do that.”
As the NFL Draft approaches, anticipation builds for the next generation of talent that will enter the league. Many teams have made significant moves in free agency, acquiring new players and parting ways with others. Here are the top 10 out-of-system (OOS) NFL pre-draft rankings, highlighting the biggest gains and losses for each team. From elite cornerbacks to promising quarterbacks, these rankings provide insights into how these teams have positioned themselves for success in the upcoming season. With the right additions and subtractions, these teams could be poised for a competitive and exciting season ahead. So let’s dive in and see how these teams stack up before the draft takes placestarting with our 10th team on the list:
10. Miami Dolphins
Biggest gain: CB Jalen Ramsey
Biggest loss: TE Mike Gesicki
Summary:Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker David Long will immediately contribute to the Dolphins’ defense. Ramsey has the highest PFF grade, highest PFF coverage grade and highest PFF run-defense grade among all cornerbacks since 2016, and only four linebackers earned a better PFF run-defense grade than Long in 2022. With head coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami might be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC East.
9. Baltimore Ravens
Biggest gain: G John Simpson
Biggest loss: G Ben Powers
Summary:Take this with a grain of salt, considering the internal issues the team is currently facing with their franchise QB. The Ravens didn’t sign many new players in free agency, and their losses were fairly significant, as safety Chuck Clark, defensive end Calais Campbell and guard Ben Powers are top-ranked players at their positions. This ranking may change dramatically if Lamar Jackson joins another team.
8. Minnesota Vikings
Biggest gain: CB Byron Murphy Jr.
Biggest loss: CB Patrick Peterson
Summary: The Vikings brought in tight end Josh Oliver, who will help when it comes to operating more effectively out of 12 personnel. Oliver’s 74.6 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among tight ends with at least 100 run-blocking snaps on the season. They also signed an elite edge defender in Marcus Davenport, who has put up a 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 13.9% pressure percentage — both top-20 marks among edge defenders — since entering the league in 2018. He’s also earned a very respectable 82.1 run-defense grade for his career, which ranks 16th over the span. Davenport has five straight campaigns grading above 70.0, but injuries have been his biggest issue.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
Biggest gain: LB Eric Kendricks
Biggest loss: LB Drue Tranquill
Summary:The Chargers didn’t make many moves during free agency, which may have been a smart move on their part. They have the second-least dead cap in the league. The addition of linebacker Eric Kendricks will improve their struggling run defense. Schematically, Kendricks will likely take over Drue Tranquill’s role and start at inside linebacker alongside Kenneth Murray. Given that he wore the green dot in Minnesota, that could also be a factor for the Chargers here, given that Derwin James stopped calling plays midseason and gave it to Tranquill. Kendricks is also a much better run defender and could help the Chargers fix a long-standing issue on their defense.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Biggest gain: CB Stephon Gilmore
Biggest loss: TE Dalton Schultz
Summary: The Cowboys now have an elite cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs, as they signed Stephon Gilmore in free agency. Gilmore has been one of the best cornerbacks in football since moving to the New England Patriots in 2017, and he reconfirmed that with an impressive showing for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 after playing just 304 snaps with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Since 2017, his 92.8 PFF coverage grade is the highest among all cornerbacks to play at least 1,000 snaps. Despite losing running back Ezekiel Elliot and tight end Dalton Schultz, they don’t have a lot of dead cap.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Biggest gain: T Orlando Brown Jr.
Biggest loss: S Jessie Bates III
Summary:The Bengals made a notable move to protect their quarterback, Joe Burrow, by signing Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year contract. Although Brown is not considered an elite left tackle, he is a very good player with a history of solid performance, having achieved a pass-block grade of 73.5 or higher in five consecutive seasons and playing over 1,000 snaps in four straight years. However, the team also suffered losses in their safety position with the departures of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, leaving them with relatively inexperienced players at the top of the depth chart.
4. Buffalo Bills
Biggest gain: RB Damien Harris
Biggest loss: LB Tremaine Edmunds
Summary: The loss of Tremaine Edmunds is a significant blow to the defense, but the Bills were able to retain safety Jordan Poyer and linebacker Matt Milano to provide stability. Poyer has been durable and reliable, logging around 1,000 snaps in five consecutive seasons. Additionally, the team bolstered their offensive line by signing tackle Connor McGovern, who performed well as a pass-blocker for the Cowboys in 2022 with a 76.6 PFF pass-blocking grade and only allowing 23 pressures.
3. San Fransisco 49ers
Biggest gain/Most significant addition: QB Sam Darnold
Biggest loss: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Summary: The 49ers’ biggest question mark is their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. While they lost several players on defense, including CB Emmanuel Moseley and DI Hassan Ridgeway, the signing of star DI Javon Hargrave will help offset the impact of those losses. Hargrave has consistently earned high pass-rush grades and had a double-digit sack season in 2022, making him a valuable addition to the team.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest gain: HB Rashaad Penny
Biggest loss: LB T.J. Edwards
Summary: The Eagles’ free-agency moves resulted in a lot of dead cap space—tthe second-most in the league, to be exact. While replacing running back Miles Sanders with Rashaad Penny is not exactly a like-for-like swap, Penny is a good fit for Philadelphia and appears set to feast on early downhills as a strong downhill runner. Among running backs with at least 100 carries from 2021 to 2022, Penny’s 6.2 yards per carry and 4.4 yards after contact per attempt both lead the NFL, and his 0.23 missed tackles forced per carry ranks 11th. The loss of safety Marcus Epps absence will be felt in terms of run defense, but they have a solid safety group to make up for it.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Biggest gain: DE Charles Omenihu
Biggest losses: S Juan Thornhill, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Summary: The first team on this list is the only team listed with multiples significant losses. Ironic, right? The Chiefs released Frank Clark and lost both starting offensive tackles in Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie. However, their signings of tackle Jawaan Taylor and ED Charles Omenihu mitigate those losses. Taylor has become one of the better pass protectors on the right side across the NFL, ranking in the top 15 in pass-blocking grade (76.7) and pressure rate allowed (5.2%) among tackles on true pass sets in 2022.
Stay tuned for more “OutOfSight” NFL offseason updates and analysis as teams prepare for the draft and make strategic roster moves. It’s an exciting time in the NFL!Thank You for reading and make sure to follow us on Twitter (@OOSSports), IG (@outofsightsports), YouTube: Team OOS, and Substack! (OutOfSightSports)
Dominique Wilkins, also known as the “Human Highlight Film,” is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and is also viewed as one physically imposing dunkers theleague has seen. Anyways, here’s a brief rundown of his background and his phenomenal NBA career.
Early Years:
Wilkins was born on January 12, 1960, in Paris, France. He grew up in Washington, North Carolina, and played high school basketball at Washington High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs for three seasons.
NBA Career:
Wilkins was selected by the Utah Jazz with the third overall pick in the 1982 NBA draft, but was immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks. He spent the majority of his career with the Hawks, playing for them from 1982 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 1997. He also had stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, and the San Antonio Spurs.
During his time with the Hawks, Wilkins established himself as one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the league. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star, and won two NBA scoring titles in 1986 and 1987. He also led the Hawks to the playoffs eight times, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1988.
One of the most memorable moments of Wilkins’ career came during the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he and Michael Jordan engaged in an epic battle for the title. Although Jordan ultimately won the contest, Wilkins’ performance was legendary, and cemented his status as one of the greatest dunkers of all time.
When Wilkins tore his Achilles tendon in 1992, he was left with a career-threatening injury. Wilkins experienced an amazing turnaround and proceeded to play at a high level for many more seasons after the injury, considering the fact that many people believed that the injury would put an end to his career in 1992. He was good, but his best days were without a doubt in the A.
Wilkins left the NBA in 1999, having finished his career with lifetime averages of 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game played. In 2006, he was honored by being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Post-NBA Career:
Wilkins is presently working as a television pundit and analyst for the Atlanta Hawks after retiring from the National Basketball Association. In addition to this, he has been active in a variety of charitable activities, including the establishment of the Dominique Wilkins Foundation, which is dedicated to the funding of research on diabetes.
In the end, Dominique Wilkins had a career in the NBA that can only be characterized as legendary. The influence that he had on the sport of basketball will never be forgotten considering he was such a powerful scorer and captivating entertainer. They didn’t call him “The Human Highlight Film” because he wanted the name, they called him that because that is exactly what “Nique the Freak” was.
NBA Roundup: Highlights and Analysis from Tonight’s Games: 4/2/23
Raptors vs Hornets:
Game Summary: Last night, the Toronto Raptors defeated the undermanned Charlotte Hornets 128-108, securing a place in the NBA play-in tournament. Pascal Siakam scored 36 points, Fred VanVleet added 20 points and a career-high 20 assists, and O.G. Anunoby added 23 points for the Raptors. The team clinched the spot after the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Utah Jazz later in the day. With four games remaining, the Raptors are now focused on seeding. They entered the day tied with the Atlanta Hawks for eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are looking to move up in the standings to secure a better chance of advancing out of the play-in tournament. The Raptors dominated the game, outscoring the Hornets 90-44 in the paint. VanVleet played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 20 points and setting a franchise single-game record for assists. The Hornets, who played without all five of their anticipated starters this season, were led by Svi Mykhailiuk’s career-high 26 points and Mark Williams’ 15 points and 12 rebounds. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night in Charlotte.
Nets vs Jazz
Game Summary: On Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Utah Jazz 111-110, with Mikal Bridges contributing 30 points and seven rebounds to bring the Nets closer tosecuring a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Nets managed to hold off the Jazz and win their third consecutive game. Spencer Dinwiddie had 17 points and 12 assists, while Cam Johnson scored 18 points. The Nets are now two games ahead of Miami for the No. 6 seed and need just two more wins to clinch the last guaranteed playoff spot in the East. Talen Horton-Tucker scored 32 points for the Jazz, who lost for the fifth time in six games and are currently 12th in the West. Lauri Markkanen had 23 points and nine rebounds, but struggled to find his rhythm early in the game. Despite their strong fourth-quarter performance, the Jazz were unable to close the gap, and the Nets held on for the win.
Grizzlies vs Bulls
Game Summary: The Memphis Grizzlies appeared to be cruising towards another victory, but the Chicago Bulls had different plans. Led by Zach LaVine’s 36 points and DeMar DeRozan’s 31, the Bulls rallied in the second half to defeat the Grizzlies 128-107, overcoming Ja Morant’s triple-double performance. After being down by 23 points at halftime, the Bulls outscored the Grizzlies 75-39 in the final two quarters and dominated the third quarter, ending it on a 17-0 run to take the lead. The Bulls responded with another big push in the fourth quarter after Memphis pulled within three. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points for the Grizzlies, but the team committed 18 turnovers, resulting in 31 points for the Bulls. The win was crucial for the Bulls, who are aiming to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Trailblazers vs Timberwolves
Game Summary: The short-handed Portland Trail Blazers managed to beat the playoff-hopeful Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday, despite missing four regular starters. Shaedon Sharpe led the team with 27 points, while Kevin Knox II contributed 19. Trendon Watford and Skylar Mays also made solid contributions with 15 and 13 points respectively. Anthony Edwards was the top scorer for the Timberwolves with 37 points, but it was not enough to secure the victory. Despite the win, the Trail Blazers have had a tough time recently, losing 11 of their last 12 games, and missing several key players due to injury or trades. The Timberwolves have lost three in a row and are currently in the running for the playoffs, but have struggled against teams with the worst records in the NBA this season.
Hawks vs Mavericks
Game summary: In a game with significant playoff implications for both teams, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-130 in a hard-fought battle that required regulation and overtime to settle. While the matchup between Trae Young and Luka Doncic is always significant, this game was mainly centered around Kyrie Irving versus the rest of the Hawks. Irving put up an impressive 41 points for Dallas, but he made a costly defensive mistake with one second remaining in overtime by committing a reach-in foul on Young, who then hit the game-winning free throws. Although the Hawks blew a 15-point lead in the second half and had some errors of their own, all seven players who scored in double digits contributed to the victory. In contrast, Dallas’s chances of reaching the Play-In Tournament are dwindling. Atlanta’s record improves to 39-39, while Dallas drops to 37-42 for the season. The Hawks will have a practice session tomorrow before traveling to Chicago for a road game against the Bulls on Tuesday.
Knicks vs Wizards
The New York Knicks secured their spot in the playoffs with a 118-109 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes scored 27 points each, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 22 points and Obi Toppin had 21. Corey Kispert led the Wizards with 29 points, and Johnny Davis had 16 points, and Taj Gibson added 14. The Knicks had missed the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons before making it twice in the last three years. The team has won its last four games, including this one, despite the absence of All-Star forward Julius Randle due to a sprained left ankle. The Wizards were missing their top three scorers, Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kyle Kuzma.
Magic vs Pistons:
Game Recap: In a 128-102 victory, the Magic triumphed over the Pistons with Jalen Suggs leading the team with 18 points and Paolo Banchero contributing 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Despite Jaden Ivey’s 14 points and six assists, the Pistons were unable to secure a win. The Magic’s record now stands at 34-44 for the season, while the Pistons drop to 16-62.
Spurs vs Kings
The San Antonio Spurs stopped the Sacramento Kings from clinching the Pacific Division with a 142-134 victory on Sunday, despite Doug McDermott’s 30-point performance in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Kings were hoping to win their first division title in 20 years in front of their home fans but failed to do so against the struggling Spurs. The win ended San Antonio’s six-game losing streak, with Julian Champagnie contributing a career-high 26 points and Tre Jones adding 17 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Kings remain two games behind Memphis in the race for second place in the Western Conference. The victory was particularly significant for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was recently announced as part of the Hall of Fame class alongside former point guard Tony Parker and former assistant Becky Hammon.
Lakers vs Rockets
Game Recap: On Sunday night, Anthony Davis scored 40 points and LeBron James recorded his 107th triple-double to tie Jason Kidd for fourth place, with 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 134-109. The Lakers moved into a tie for seventh in the Western Conference with the New Orleans Pelicans with four games to go. James stated that the team wants to compete for a championship and these last four games are important to build chemistry. Davis has been in a great rhythm, scoring 38 points or more in three straight games and at least 37 in four of the last five. Lakers starter D’Angelo Russell did not return to play in the second half due to left foot soreness, and will be reevaluated on Monday. Alperen Sengun notched his third straight double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, while Jalen Green scored 24 points and Kevin Porter Jr. chipped in 20 points. The Lakers extended their lead to 117-90 with 7:56 to go in the game.
Suns vs Thunder
The Phoenix Suns won their fifth consecutive victory on Sunday night, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-118. Kevin Durant, who led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012 and is now playing for the Suns, scored 35 points, including 13 points in the fourth quarter and a crucial block at the rim. Devin Booker added 22 points and 10 assists, while Chris Paul had 16 points and eight assists. Despite 39 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder lost for the third time in their last four games. Phoenix remains fourth in the Western Conference standings. Before the game, Phoenix coach Monty Williams expressed his admiration for Durant’s scoring abilities. Williams also thanked members of the Thunder organization for their support after his wife died in a traffic accident in Oklahoma City in 2016.
Cavaliers vs Pacers
Game Recap: On Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Indiana Pacers with a score of 122-103, thanks in part to Darius Garland’s 24 points and Isaac Okoro’s 20 points. The Cavaliers had an excellent shooting percentage of 52.3% from the field, including 15 of 37 (40.5%) from long range, and their top-ranked defense held the Pacers to just 43.5% shooting. All five of the Cavs’ starters scored in double digits, with Jarrett Allen contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds, Evan Mobley with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell with 19 points and six assists. Despite averaging 22 points and 8.2 assists, Garland was not named an All-Star and commented on this after the game. The Pacers were led by Myles Turner with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton with 15 points and 11 assists, but they were unable to keep up with the Cavaliers after the first quarter. Cleveland’s victory marked their 23rd double-figure victory of the season.
Bucks vs 76ers
The 76ers defeat the Bucks 133-130, ending the Bucks’ 16 game win streak. James Harden had an impressive performance, contributing 38 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists for the 76ers. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey combined for 57 points, with Embiid scoring 31 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists, while Maxey added 26 points. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Bucks, they were unable to secure a win. With this victory, the 76ers improve their record to 41-22, while the Bucks’ record falls to 45-18.
Nuggets vs Warriors
Game Recap: The Denver Nuggets secured a 112-110 win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Jamal Murray contributed 26 points and made a crucial block on Klay Thompson’s 3-point attempt in the final seconds. Michael Porter Jr. added 29 points and 11 rebounds while Aaron Gordon scored 13 points and secured 10 rebounds, despite Denver playing with a shortened team. The victory means Denver is now within one game of securing home-court advantage in the Western Conference. With four games remaining, or one loss by Memphis, the Nuggets will clinch the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. Warriors’ Thompson led with 25 points, followed by Stephen Curry with 21, but Curry struggled with his shots, missing his first five from behind the arc and finishing 2 of 14. Golden State is now tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the fifth seed, with New Orleans and the Lakers, who have won three straight games, half a game behind.
LeBron James put on a legendary performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons. The Cleveland Cavaliers were heavy underdogs in the series and needed a win to stay alive.
LeBron rose to the challenge and carried his team on his back. He scored 29 of Cleveland’s final 30 points, including the team’s last 25 points in the fourth quarter and both overtimes. LeBron hit jump shots, three-pointers, and drove to the basket for layups, showing off his incredible scoring ability from all areas of the court.
LeBron’s iconic G5 layup in 200
The game was tied at 107-107 with just seconds remaining in the second overtime. LeBron took the ball and drove to the basket, finishing with a layup over two defenders to give the Cavaliers a 109-107 lead with 2.2 seconds left. Detroit had one last chance to tie or win the game, but missed a desperation shot as time expired, giving Cleveland the win.
LeBron finished with a career-high 48 points at the time, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in the game. His scoring outburst was one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, and it was clear that he was destined for greatness in the league.
In Game 6, James scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers to a 98-82 victory, securing their spot in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs proved to be too much for the Cavaliers in the Finals, sweeping them in four games, but James’ performance in the Eastern Conference Finals remains one of the greatest in NBA history.
Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and for good reason. His skill, athleticism, and talent have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. Among these accolades, Durant’s ability to score stands out as truly exceptional. In fact, many fans and experts believe that Durant is the greatest scorer in the history of basketball.
Durant’s scoring prowess is immediately apparent when looking at his statistics. Throughout his career, Durant has averaged an impressive 27 points per game. He has also won four NBA scoring titles, including three in a row from 2010 to 2012. These titles are a testament to Durant’s ability to consistently put up points against the toughest competition in the world.
One of the reasons that Durant is such a great scorer is his versatility. He can score from anywhere on the court, whether it’s from behind the three-point line, mid-range, or near the basket. Durant is also incredibly efficient, shooting over 50% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range throughout his career. His ability to score from anywhere and at such a high rate makes him nearly unstoppable.
Another reason Durant is such a great scorer is his ability to score in clutch moments. He has hit numerous game-winning shots throughout his career, including a memorable three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals. Durant’s ability to rise to the occasion and make big shots when it matters most sets him apart from other great scorers in NBA history. Finally, Durant’s longevity is another factor that makes him the greatest scorer ever. Despite missing significant time due to injuries, he has still managed to score nearly 27K points in his NBA career. If he continues to play at a high level, he could potentially finish his career as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. This longevity and consistency over such a long period of time is truly remarkable and cements his legacy as the greatest scorer ever.
In conclusion, Kevin Durant’s ability to score at a high rate from anywhere on the court, his efficiency, his clutch performance, and his longevity all contribute to his status as the greatest scorer in basketball history. He has earned numerous accolades throughout his career, but his scoring ability stands out as truly exceptional. As long as he continues to play at a high level, Durant’s legacy as the greatest scorer ever is sure to continue.
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Is Gonzaga’s Championship Window Closed for the Foreseeable Future?
Gonzaga has been the best program in college hoops over the previous seven seasons, with its record being a remarkable 223–24 since the start of the 2016–17 season. Yet once again, the Bulldogs have lost out on the ultimate reward in the NCAA tournament, as they were stomped Saturday by 28 points against UConn to finish the career of standout big man Drew Timme and leave the program still without a national championship. The Huskies, victorious by double digits in their prior three NCAA tournament games, dominated Gonzaga Saturday, leading by as many as 33 and only trailing for less than a minute of the 40-minute encounter.
The Bulldogs were competitive early on, but they were unable to survive the early second-half blitz that has been UConn’s identity throughout this tournament. In the first five minutes of the second half of their last four games, the Huskies have outscored their opponents by 37 points. On Saturday, they increased a seven-point halftime lead to a 19-point halftime lead. Timme’s fourth foul, a controversial whistle on a rebound with 17:39 remaining and the Huskies trying to pull away, was the key moment of that run. With Timme sidelined, the game soon faded away, along with another opportunity for the Zags to finally capture their first NCAA Men’s Basketball Title in program history.
Timme’s illustrious career ended with little over two minutes on the clock, as Few substituted him out for the last time. The relationship between the coach and his star frequently resembled a complex, yet special one that led to A LOT of winning. Several teammates have jokingly called Timme the team’s “Union Rep” for the past two years, making fun of Timme’s attempts to reduce practice or loosen up on exercises, but this is an improvement over his rookie nickname, which was simply just, “Dumbass”. Timme embraced each player and staff member as he made his way down the bench. Once the buzzer sounded, Timme gathered his fellow teammates for some final goodbyes, before dispatching them down the tunnel. What did Timme say?
“[I] just told them we had a hell of a year. I was proud of them. I loved them. Wouldn’t want to do this journey with anyone else,”
Timme’s absence of a national championship should not diminish his status as one of March’s greatest players. His 10 NCAA tournament games with 20 or more points represent the most ever, including Thursday’s heroic 36-point explosion against UCLA. He accomplished this despite the absence of the NCAA tournament during his first year due to Covid. Timme shattered the record books in Spokane and nationally in the standard four years and is not utilizing his fifth. In an era where records are broken due to players using their additional year of eligibility, Timme rewrote the record books in Spokane and nationally in the traditional four years.
“I think he’s one of the greatest college players in this modern era,” Few said. “It was a hell of a good time walking out on the practice floor with him every time or hopping on a jet. And I’m sure going to have a lot of good times moving forward… It was a hell of a good time walking out on the practice floor with him every time or hopping on a jet. And I’m sure going to have a lot of good times moving forward.”
Timme also leaves behind a reputation as one of the greatest personalities college hoops has seen in a long time, as seen by his much-publicized mustache and consistently hilarious quips. College basketball needs players like Timme: identifiable figures that remain for four years, have a measurable influence on their program, and have a personality that fans may either love or despise. Even without a title, Gonzaga, famed for letting its players be stars, and Timme were a perfect match.
“The place took me for who I was. They didn’t ask me to be anybody but myself,” Timme told the media. “I’m forever in debt for Gonzaga, just the love I have for just everyone that helped me and made this journey so special and so fun. I just don’t think I could ever repay that.”
The conclusion of Timme’s career raises the question: Has Gonzaga’s chance at winning the national championship shut for the foreseeable future?The talent disparity was clear in this game, as it has been in other contests against top teams this season as well. While the Zags will probably make a transfer portal splash or two, its roster next year doesn’t appear exceptional on paper. With former top recruiter Tommy Lloyd now the head coach at Arizona and NIL’s influence on recruiting only growing, it is unlikely the Bulldogs will produce another Chet Holmgren or Jalen Suggs. It also may never have another Timme, the program’s all-time leading scorer and a clutch NCAA tournament player.
This is not to argue that Gonzaga will not produce consistently strong teams; as long as Few coaches in Spokane, the Bulldogs will continue to be a consistent force. He ranks among the sport’s top coaches as Gonzaga has been one of the nation’s best at player development, and the brand is strong enough at this time to continue luring in more talent. Even so, the highly prized national championship? If it didn’t happen after reaching the championship game in 2017 or ’21, in ’22 with Holmgren, Timme, and an excellent point guard in Andrew Nembhard, and with a senior Timme in a blown-out bracket, will it ever happen?
This era should not be viewed as a failure. Certainly, Gonzaga fell short of its ultimate objective of bringing a championship to Spokane’s small school. This is the cruelty of this one-and-done competition: According to KenPom’s criteria, Gonzaga had the best or second-best team in the country for five of the last seven years and ended in the top 10 in each of those seven seasons, yet the Zags did not win a national championship during that span. Occasionally, they were the victims of bad luck, like in the 2017 championship game versus North Carolina. Sometimes they were just outclassed, like as against Baylor in ’21 and UConn on Saturday.
Gonzaga has achieved all but winning the championship. sFollowing several years as serious contenders with no breakout, it is hard to imagine that the championship will ever won any time soon. On Saturday, the door may have shut not just on Timme’s career, but also on a phenomenal run of success that will long be tied with failure by many.
Dillion Brooks Automatically Suspended for Latest Tech
Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks faces another one-game penalty after picking up his 18th technical foul of the season during the team’s 112-108 comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Brooks ended the game with nine points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Brooks drove to the hoop in the midst of the third quarter and threw down a tough lefty jam over Maxi Kleber. He was understandably proud of himself for the play, but he celebrated a little too enthusiastically in front of the Mavericks’ bench, earning him a fast technical.
As expected, this wasn’t Brooks’ first venture into extracurricular activity this evening. He had a heated exchange with Kyrie Irving, who was not thrilled, early on in the game, telling Brooks, “Keep playing that dumb— defense,” Irving responded with 28 points but shot just 10-of-24 from the field as the Mavericks lost a 16-point second-half advantage, and the Grizz had the last laugh.
Brooks collected his 16th technical foul of the season earlier this month, which is the regular season maximum for players and coaches. When someone reaches that threshold, they are automatically suspended for one game; for every two further technicals they receive throughout the season, they are then punished for another game. Brooks was the first to accomplish that milestone, but he was eventually followed by his primary nemesis, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Ironic he says this, as he actually said he wanted to be Green in college,
Brooks’ technical foul drama is just the latest in a string of on-court events this season that have entrenched his contentious character. He was banned for a game in February after landing a low punch on Cleveland Cavaliers standout Donovan Mitchell. He was just fined $35,000 for throwing a camera operator to the ground during the team’s loss to the Miami Heat earlier this month as well. Brooks does not seem to be doing his team, or his pockets, any favors.
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