“Game of Thrones” recap via NBA moments
Red Woman to Arya Stark pic.twitter.com/RD3bjuZCcw
— Box Fan On High All Year Round (@TerrellChuggs) April 29, 2019
arya with the mj switch in mid air!!!!
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) April 29, 2019
#GameOfThrones 🤣🤣🤣 ON GOD THIS TOO FYE. ARYA STARK HIT THE DAGGER LIKE DAME LOL pic.twitter.com/aemgWeSv2O
— MAUL (@SSJmaul) April 29, 2019
Panel:
Guest:
BIG3 founder and rap legend, Ice Cube
First Half
Monologue: Did Rockets deserve more calls?
Click here to read more of the story by Zach Lowe and Rachel Nichols
“He did deserve some calls. Anytime you make contact with a guy who is still in the air, that’s automatically a call. You have to give him room to come down” – Pippen
“The rules have changed a little bit because of the way Harden launches himself forward” – MacMullan
“The Rockets were expecting that kind of game plan” – MacMullan
“It’s a shame that this series is going to be focused on this” – MacMullan
Nichols:
More impressed by Celtics or disappointed in Bucks?
Bucks: Had a 15-0 run to get back into the game
“More impressed by Celtics. They were a lousy road team all year. The thing about the Celtics is when they make shots, they make more shots” – MacMullan
“Celtics. They came in with the mindset to win Game 1. And their game plan against Giannis was great. [Al] Horford’s physically made a difference and that changed the whole game” – Pippen
April 29, 1999 – Kobe Bryant with the 360 dunk vs the Blazers!
Ice Cube’s pick for next Lakers coach?
“I want somebody they’re going to listen to. Tyronn Lue. He’s got a ring and he’s got LeBron’s ear and can motivate the youngsters. Lakers love to reward their own” – Ice Cube
Jealous of Clippers playoff appearance?
“Tell them to go hang a [championship] banner” – Ice Cube
“Clippers don’t have a chance to take out the city. I’ve been saying this since 84” – Ice Cube
Expectations for BIG3 live draft?
Will air on CBS this summer
“We’ve expanded to 12 teams because of so much competition and interest out there, we’ve got 132 ex-NBA players/ex-pros because now we’ve opened it up to international players, we’ve dropped the age limit to 27” – Ice Cube
New “Friday” movie coming?
To the 24 years that have flown since this came out, all I gotta say is… BYE, FELICIA
Do you want the next chapter?? pic.twitter.com/NqI4icZUiR— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 26, 2019
“We’re going to get into pre-production” – Ice Cube
“Just being a part of the BIG3 and getting a chance to hang out with my heroes: Dr. J, Clyde Drexler, Gary Payton, Iceman [George Gervin]. I never thought I’d make it to this level in sports. It’s fun” – Ice Cube
“It’s a great league and it’s so fun that it’s like a mini All-Star game” – Ice Cube
Joel Embiid’s quest for greatness by Jackie MacMullan
Second Half
Trolling; Like the pettiness from Steph?
Here’s a twist: The last two minute report said this actually should have been a foul on Steph because he made the contact that cause Harden to go out!
Fear; More disrespectful to Giannis?
Horford:
Brown:
Photographer:
Awareness? Why didn’t Spurs foul at end of Game 7?
Moving on…
Where do Spurs go from here?
Gregg Popovich is indeed negotiating a new deal with the Spurs
“They have players coming back next season where one or two could be fighting for all-star spots. This was a great run for them to play 7 games and give those young players some experience and now they got that hunger” – Pippen
“They have Dejounte Murray. He’s going to be an All-Star” – MacMullan
Expect a different Joel Embiid in Game 2?
Game 1 vs Raptors: 16 points on 5-18 shooting
Embiid after the game:
“I didn’t show up. I need to do a better job in Game 2”
“He’s struggling physically. Knee tendinitis doesn’t go away. He’s dealing with it the best he can. They have no chance without him” – MacMullan
Net efficiency rating when he was off the floor in Game 1: -40
“This is what the playoffs are built for: Stamina” – Pippen
“He needs to establish himself in the low-post game (without having to score) and create some kind of havoc to make the opponents make some adjustments” – Pippen
Rachel Nichols’ one-on-one convo with Rockets star, Chris Paul!
Highlights:
On facing the Warriors again and having that feeling to beat them:
“We say it all the time: It’s about us” – CP3
On the Warriors and Rockets’ run-ins with the refs:
“It’s an emotional game. Guys want to win” – CP3
On the Rockets’ loss to the Warriors in the conference finals last year:
“Through the entire thing, I was kind of drunk emotionally. After we lost, I started rehabbing and the process started over again” – CP3
On Rockets slow start this season:
“I don’t think I was ever worried. It was kind of frustrating at times” – CP3
On not being hesitant despite suffering injuries:
“I don’t work like that [at 90 percent speed]. The only thing that I can do is prepare, practice and go out there and compete” – CP3
Should Rockets change approach with refs now?
“He [CP3] has to lead more by leadership and not let your emotions get caught up. I expect Game 2 to be a lot better and the officiating to be a lot better” – Pippen
“It feels like there’s so much at stake for both of these teams because it’s championship or bust and that plays into the emotions” – MacMullan
How optimistic should Rockets feel after Game 1?
“If I’m the Rockets, I’m feeling pretty good going into Game 2 because they were in this game” – MacMullan
“They can come out and win Game 2. But Game 1 was the game to steal” – Pippen
April 29, 2002 – Ben Wallace with the massive block on Hakeem Olajuwon vs the Raptors!
Like Mike?
Buy Kerr comparing KD’s playoff run to MJ?
“Yes. I definitely see the comparison. When they catch the ball in their sweet spot, you’re at their mercy” – Pippen
Billy’s back!
Sam Presti anticipates Billy Donovan returning as head coach
“Why don’t you just say you’re bringing him back? Billy Donovan is not the problem. He’s a good coach. You just got to figure out going forward how far will Russell Westbrook and Paul George take you. It’s an interesting decision” – MacMullan
“Westbrook has had the keys for quite a while. They lost one of the best players in today’s game [Durant] because he kept the keys too long” – Pippen
Mr. Big Shot (Caller?)
Wolves interview Chauncey Billups for President of Basketball Operations job, per Woj
“Don’t do it, Chauncey. Ownership is a nervous thing. Talk to KG, talk to Kevin Love before you do it and then make up your mind. It’s going to happen for you, but not in Minnesota” – MacMullan
“I love it. He’s got a great feel for the talent and still has a hand in the game and still current in today’s game with the players” – Pippen
Sixers have any answer for Kawhi?
“They should. They have size and strength, but he’s out playing them” – Pippen
“He’s making a case for being the best player in the Eastern Conference” – Nichols
More confident in Nuggets or Blazers?
Pippen: Blazers
“I like what CJ and Damian are doing out on the floor”
MacMullan: Nuggets
“Jokic is an exceptional player and they’re over the hump”
“The chemistry. How they brought the other guys along the way” – Pippen on Dame and CJ’s performance in the first round vs the Thunder
“Got to give a little love to Terry Stotts who’s been making this thing go. I thought they were done when Nurkic went out, but that just hasn’t been the case” – MacMullan