Latest news with #MostImprovedPlayer
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Tracy McGrady Says He Never Got Title Shot Like Kobe Bryant
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the basketball court. His skill set at his size was almost unheard of at the time. There is no question about his skill, but while that's the case, he has never been to the mountaintop. Despite his skill and resume, leaving the game of basketball without a championship is among the biggest things lacking for McGrady. Winning a championship is a feat only a few star players get to accomplish, and McGrady is not one of them. However, if you ask him, he feels he was never given a legitimate opportunity to win one. During a recent appearance on ESPN's First Take, McGrady didn't hold back, offering a bold take on the topic. He suggested that if you swapped Kobe Bryant for himself during that era, the Los Angeles Lakers would have still achieved the same level of success. Tracy McGrady attends the game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks at the Kia Center on January 07, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Tracy McGrady attends the game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks at the Kia Center on January 07, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by"We have too many talented players that come through this league that are championship worthy," said McGrady. "What I mean by that is, if you take them off a team that is a championship-quality team -- replace me with Kobe with Shaq. You don't think I could carry the Lakers to a championship? I never had the opportunity. I felt like that if I was put in that position to win a championship, I damn sure would show up and do what I do in the playoffs to elevate my team to that level. I just never had the chance. So, do I get diminished because I never won a championship? I was never put in that position." McGrady finished his career without a championship, but he still made seven All-Stars, a two-time scoring champion, a seven-time All-NBA player and won Most Improved Player in 2000-01. While his resume is not one to boast about, Bryant's resume and accomplishments in the game far surpass McGrady's. As for the late great legend, he is not only a Hall of Famer himself but also an 18-time All-Star, a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a 2008 NBA MVP, a 12-time All-Defensive team member, a 15-time All-NBA selection, a two-time scoring champion, and a member of the 75th NBA Anniversary team. While Bryant always spoke highly of McGrady — once noting that McGrady could do everything he could, only with more height—it's clear the Lakers icon had more than just talent on his side. Bryant had the benefit of stronger supporting casts throughout much of his career, but more importantly, he possessed a rare mentality and competitive edge that separated him from the pack and helped push him to the next level. More NBA news: Bucks Projected to Make Major Move to Entice Giannis Antetokounmpo to Stay Mavericks Projected to Pair Star Free Agent With Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis Luka Doncic Hints at Lakers Future With Team Sale Comments For more on Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sixers draft history: Tyrese Maxey selected No. 21 overall in 2020
With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history. This edition now turns to the 2020 draft as the Sixers were looking to bounce back after being swept out of the playoffs in Round 1 by the Boston Celtics. With the No. 21 pick in the draft, the Sixers were gifted Kentucky star Tyrese Maxey who fell into their laps. Advertisement Maxey made an impact right away as he averaged 8.0 points and 2.0 assists off the bench--including scoring 39 points in a matchup with the Denver Nuggets when the Sixers were dealing with the health and safety protocols--and he used that as a springboard. He became a starter in his second season amid the Ben Simmons saga and then averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds on his way to being named an All-Star and Most Improved Player in the 2023-24 season. Maxey, just like almost every Sixer on the roster, dealt with injuries in the 2024-25 season as he was limited to just 52 games. He averaged 26.3 points and 6.1 assists, but his shooting percentages were down to just 43.7% from the floor overall and 33.7% from deep. As he prepares for the 2025-26 season, Maxey will have to make sure he is healthy and hope Joel Embiid and Paul George can join him as Philadelphia gears up for another title run. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers draft history: Tyrese Maxey selected No. 21 overall in 2020
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sixers draft history: Tyrese Maxey selected No. 21 overall in 2020
Sixers draft history: Tyrese Maxey selected No. 21 overall in 2020 With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise's history. This edition now turns to the 2020 draft as the Sixers were looking to bounce back after being swept out of the playoffs in Round 1 by the Boston Celtics. With the No. 21 pick in the draft, the Sixers were gifted Kentucky star Tyrese Maxey who fell into their laps. Maxey made an impact right away as he averaged 8.0 points and 2.0 assists off the bench--including scoring 39 points in a matchup with the Denver Nuggets when the Sixers were dealing with the health and safety protocols--and he used that as a springboard. He became a starter in his second season amid the Ben Simmons saga and then averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds on his way to being named an All-Star and Most Improved Player in the 2023-24 season. Maxey, just like almost every Sixer on the roster, dealt with injuries in the 2024-25 season as he was limited to just 52 games. He averaged 26.3 points and 6.1 assists, but his shooting percentages were down to just 43.7% from the floor overall and 33.7% from deep. As he prepares for the 2025-26 season, Maxey will have to make sure he is healthy and hope Joel Embiid and Paul George can join him as Philadelphia gears up for another title run.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Second-half nightmare costs Indiana Fever in loss to Atlanta Dream
ATLANTA – The Indiana Fever dropped to 2-1 in Commissioner's Cup play with a loss to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night, 77-58. The two teams were tied going into a halftime, but a strong third quarter from the Dream allowed them to pull away in the second half. Fever forward Natasha Howard led Indiana with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell had 11 points. Advertisement The Fever are now 4-5 and have a few days off before they play the New York Liberty on Saturday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here are three observations: Tough third quarter leads to loss against the Dream The Atlanta Dream play physical, and that's something the Fever — and teams around the league — have come to expect. But Atlanta was still able to impose its will on Indiana, especially when it came down to the third quarter. Indiana went into halftime tied with Atlanta at 33, but came into the third quarter sluggish. The Fever only scored four points through the first seven minutes of the third quarter and made multiple bad-pass turnovers, giving up possessions to the Dream. Atlanta took advantage of their edge in transition, too, turning those turnovers into easy layups. Advertisement Indiana could never really find a rhythm in the third, returning to that discombobulated offense that plagued them in the first two games that Fever point guard Caitlin Clark was out. They also struggled defensively, allowing Brionna Jones to take control of the paint for eight points for the Dream. Allisha Gray, an early Most Improved Player candidate, also had eight points in the third quarter alone. By the end of the quarter, what was a tied game turned into a 14-point lead for the Dream; Indiana scored nine points in the third, and Atlanta scored 23. And that deficit became insurmountable. Kelsey Mitchell, Stephanie White pick up technicals in second half Indiana was not happy with the referee's calls (or lack of them) in the second half on Tuesday. Advertisement Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell picked up a technical foul with about 30 seconds left in the third quarter. It came after she was called for a foul, and seemed to say something to the referees or a Dream player that prompted officials to give her the tech. Fever coach Stephanie White got the Fever's second technical of the night with about three minutes left in the game after a 3-point miss from Natasha Howard led to a scrum under the basket for the rebound. Dream forward Shatori Walker-Kimbrough came up with the ball, and White was called for the tech after saying something to officials on the sideline. In the end, those two extra points for Atlanta didn't matter much — they were up by double-digits for most of the second half. Aari McDonald impresses off bench in first half Aari McDonald's time with the Fever is becoming more and more limited, but she's impressed in what could be an audition for a permanent roster spot — whether it be on the Fever or another team around the league. Advertisement McDonald, who signed with the Fever on a hardship contract on June 1, hit the ground running and played 27 minutes for the Fever against the Mystics just two days later. She's been a spark in all three of the games she's played in, scoring at least seven points each time. On Tuesday night against the Dream, she came off the bench to score nine points in eight minutes in the first half, leading the Fever going into halftime. She's a disruptor defensively, even standing at just 5-6, and she has provided a spark off the bench that the Fever needed in this stretch with both Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham out. More: How long can Aari McDonald stay on Indiana Fever? Explaining WNBA hardship contracts McDonald played most of the fourth quarter in place of current starting point guard Sydney Colson, too, as the Fever tried to focus on defense. She finished with 12 points, two assists, and one rebound in about 23 minutes. Advertisement The Fever coaching staff have consistently referred to McDonald as a "consummate professional," but they know her time in Indiana is coming to an end. Once either Clark or Cunningham return (likely this week) and the Fever get back up to 10 available players, McDonald's contract will automatically be terminated. Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@ or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream score, recap: Second half the difference
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Satou Sabally Speaks on Playing Against Her Former WNBA Team
Satou Sabally Speaks on Playing Against Her Former WNBA Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally is ready to face her former WNBA team, the Dallas Wings, on Wednesday. It will be the first time that Sabally will play against the team that drafted her. Ahead of the contest, the two-time All-Star talked to the media about her thoughts. Advertisement During her time in Dallas, Sabally developed into one of the best forwards in the WNBA. She spent five seasons playing for the Wings and earned her first All-Star selection in 2021. In her fourth year, she was selected for another All-Star and won the Most Improved Player award. However, she was part of a four-team trade in February, which landed her with the Mercury. Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally gets called for an offensive foul on Seattle Storm guard Skylar Scuteri-Imagn Images She was asked what she thinks about playing against her former team. Sabally played it cool and said that the Mercury will face a "regular opponent." "I'm really excited to play in front of our home crowd and just kind of face a regular opponent," Sabally said, via Aya Abdeen. "I feel like I really take it game by game and it's just a regular game. But I'm excited to see the people." In her first season with the Mercury, Sabally has shown that she's one of the top talents in the league. The 6-foot-4 power forward is averaging at least 20 points for the first time in her career. The German-American is averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and three assists on 39.9% shooting from the field. Advertisement Sabally and the Mercury are coming off an 89-77 loss against the Seattle Storm. The starting forward had 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. But it wasn't enough to lead them to a win. Phoenix wants to get past Dallas (1-9) with a win and potentially improve to 7-4. Related: Paige Bueckers Finds Inspiration From Former Mercury Star's Longevity This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
