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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mac McClung's Likely Decision on NBA Future With Magic Revealed
Mac McClung's Likely Decision on NBA Future With Magic Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Guard Mac McClung represented the Orlando Magic at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest each of the past two seasons. But that might not be enough to keep him with the organization. Advertisement Spotrac's Keith Smith argued on June 5 that the Magic will move on from McClung this offseason. "Don't expect Mac McClung or Trevelin Queen to return," Smith wrote. "They've run their course on two-way deals with Orlando and will look for more opportunity elsewhere, or could cash in on good deals to play bigger roles overseas." McClung played just two games with the Magic this season. He didn't score and posted 1.5 assists with .5 rebound. Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images McClung is best known for his participation in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. During his first season with the Magic organization in 2023-24, McClung became just the fifth player to win the contest in back-to-back seasons. Advertisement The guard, though, didn't play a game for the Magic in the 2023-24 season. He spent the entire season with the Osceola Magic in the G-League. McClung was the first G-League player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The guard also made history with his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest victory in 2025. No other player has won the contest in three consecutive years. McClung joined Nate Robinson as the only two players to win the contest three times. In addition to the Magic, McClung has made appearances for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in over four years with the league. With all four teams, he's played a combined six games. Advertisement McClung saw his most average playing time in two games with the 76ers during the 2022-23 season. In six NBA contests overall, he's averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Related: Magic Dealt Unfortunate News on $197 Million NBA Trade Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Blake Griffin thinks Lakers can win NBA title with LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Blake Griffin thinks Lakers can win NBA title with LeBron James and Luka Doncic In LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers have an outstanding core that most other teams would do almost anything to have. But outside of their top four or five players, the Lakers are very thin and suspect, and that was the biggest reason they lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They will undoubtedly look to improve their roster this summer. But there now seem to be some people who doubt they can become legitimate championship contenders next season. However, former Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin is a believer in the Lakers. He said in an interview that he feels if the team brings in more complementary players, it can get the job done. 'I definitely think so,' says Griffin in a one-on-one interview with Bookmaker Ratings when asked if he believes the Lakers can be contenders with the current core. 'I think you have to get creative. They're going to have to build that roster for the playoffs. I don't think that roster was built well for the playoffs at all. Luka and Austin Reaves on the floor at the same time, you watch the Wolves series, they're just going at one of them every single time.' Griffin knows that the Doncic trade in early February dramatically changed the trajectory of the team and that it now needs to complete its remodeling process. 'You give somebody 24 million a year, you're hoping that they can be on the floor for the majority of minutes in the playoffs,' says Griffin. 'Finding a way to build around Luka and LeBron a little bit better. I know the Luka trade sort of messed things up, right? Because they were built better defensively, much better defensively, before this (with Anthony Davis). Now this offseason, you have to get creative and figure out a way to really put the right pieces around them.' He also pointed out two roster weaknesses that need to be sorted out. 'Can't play Jaxson Hayes and (Jarred) Vanderbilt together at the same time,' says Griffin. 'Can't really play Austin and Luka together at the same time. That's why their regular season was great. They had a roster that was sort of built for that. But in the playoffs, it wasn't built for that.' The Lakers are very thin at the center position, and they could also use a 3-and-D wing who can start at one guard spot alongside Doncic. Some have suggested that they should trade Reaves, who is very productive but is also a weak defender and lacks athleticism, in order to get to the next level. Griffin played 13 seasons in the NBA, with eight of them coming with the Clippers, and he had career averages of 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. He was the Rookie of the Year and won the Slam Dunk Contest during the 2010-11 season, and he ended up making the All-Star team six times.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vince Carter joins NBC as studio analyst for the 2025-26 NBA season
Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter will join NBC as an in-studio analyst starting in October for the 2025-26 NBA season (John Jones/Imagn Images) Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst when the NBA debuts on Peacock in October for the 2025-26 season. On Tuesday, the network announced that the eight-time All-Star will be in the studio at least once a week during the playoffs and will often work alongside Carmelo Anthony. Advertisement 'I could not be more excited and appreciative to have the opportunity to be a part of the historic return of the NBA to NBC and now Peacock,' said Carter. 'I am truly looking forward to joining Melo in the studio and the rest of the broadcast team overall, as we embark on bringing NBA fans best-in-class coverage of the league they love.' NBCUniversal regained rights to the NBA under a new 11-year contract beginning next season in July 2025. Since the announcement, NBC has hired a star-studded lineup for its NBA coverage. Apart from Carter and Anthony, Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller were hired as game analysts. Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will be play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan's involvement as a special contributor was also announced on Monday. Advertisement Vinsanity played 22 seasons in the NBA, with much of his career spent with the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets. Later in his career, Carter had short stints with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks before retiring in 2020. The Raptors and Nets have since retired his No. 15 jersey. Besides his All-Star appearances, Carter had two All-NBA selections, was the NBA Rookie of the Year and memorably shined in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. His athleticism also transcended the All-Star festivities as he is widely renowned as the best dunker in NBA history. He also sits 10th in the all-time made 3-pointers list with 2,290. Advertisement 'Vince is one of the most explosive players in NBA history,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'His dynamic play on the court has translated seamlessly into his broadcasting career, where he will next be in the studio alongside Carmelo Anthony – a fellow Hall of Famer, perennial All-Star, and Olympic champion who's also played with or against the stars of yesterday and today.' Carter brings previous experience as an NBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN and Turner Sports into his new role at NBC.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vince Carter joins NBC as studio analyst for the 2025-26 NBA season after network landed 11-year rights deal
Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter will join NBC as an in-studio analyst starting in October for the 2025-26 NBA season (John Jones/Imagn Images) Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst when the NBA debuts on Peacock in October for the 2025-26 season. On Tuesday, the network announced that the eight-time All-Star will be in the studio at least once a week during the playoffs and will often work alongside Carmelo Anthony. Advertisement 'I could not be more excited and appreciative to have the opportunity to be a part of the historic return of the NBA to NBC and now Peacock,' said Carter. 'I am truly looking forward to joining Melo in the studio and the rest of the broadcast team overall, as we embark on bringing NBA fans best-in-class coverage of the league they love.' NBCUniversal regained rights to the NBA under a new 11-year contract beginning next season in July 2025. Since the announcement, NBC has hired a star-studded lineup for its NBA coverage. Apart from Carter and Anthony, Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller were hired as game analysts. Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will be play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan's involvement as a special contributor was also announced on Monday. Advertisement Vinsanity played 22 seasons in the NBA, with much of his career spent with the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets. Later in his career, Carter had short stints with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks before retiring in 2020. The Raptors and Nets have since retired his No. 15 jersey. Besides his All-Star appearances, Carter had two All-NBA selections, was the NBA Rookie of the Year and memorably shined in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. His athleticism also transcended the all-star festivities as he is widely renowned as the best dunker in NBA history. He also sits tenth in the all-time made 3-pointers list with 2,290. Advertisement 'Vince is one of the most explosive players in NBA history,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'His dynamic play on the court has translated seamlessly into his broadcasting career, where he will next be in the studio alongside Carmelo Anthony – a fellow Hall of Famer, perennial All-Star, and Olympic champion who's also played with or against the stars of yesterday and today.' Carter brings previous experience as an NBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN and Turner Sports into his new role at NBC.
Black America Web
02-05-2025
- Health
- Black America Web
Nate Robinson Opens Up About His Kidney Transplant & Meeting His 'Guardian Angel' Donor
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty After years of keeping his health issues private, former NBA player Nate Robinson has been sharing his journey of searching for a new kidney. He received a transplant in February, and now he's opening up about the process with his donor, Shane Cleveland, whom he now considers a member of his family. The Slam Dunk Contest champ first told his story on the Playmakers YouTube channel and then returned to explain the whole story, which began with Cleveland's love for sports. In the video, Cleveland's wife says he went to a Washington Huskies football game with his daughters when the Jumbotron displayed a message about Robinson needing a kidney. He scanned the QR code, and his wife—who had donated a kidney years prior—was on board as he underwent more tests to prove he was a match. While recovering, Robinson reveals his initial reaction to the surgery's approval, a call that came on Christmas Day. 'The first person I called was my dad because he went through kidney failure, and he got a kidney [transplant] last year. And I called him and I told him,' he remembers. 'They told me Christmas day. [It was] by far the best present I ever got in my life. Literally, I cried for like three days, and I was just thankful. And when I was in my room, I just dropped to my knees and thanked God.' Heartwarming moments also show Cleveland and Robinson meeting in the hospital the day after the procedure, and the NBA player thanking Cleveland's kids for his chance to live longer and become a grandfather. Now that he's on the road to recovery, Robinson is ready to get back in shape, coaching, training his daughter in the gym, and return as a sports analyst. 'I want to treat my body right, I want to look better than my kids,' he says with a laugh. 'I just want to stay youthful and stay appreciative.' Nate first went public with his kidney failure back in 2022, after doctors told him he didn't have long to live. However, he'd learned he had renal issues more than 20 years ago while still in the league, knowing he'd one day need a transplant. Nate Robinson Opens Up About His Kidney Transplant & Meeting His 'Guardian Angel' Donor was originally published on
