Alex Schiffer: Tyler Johnson is on the court with the N…
March 7, 2021 | 1:40 pm EST Update
Kawhi Leonard wants to play in Tokyo Olympics
Mark Medina: Kawhi Leonard on his plans for 2021 Olympics: “Right now, my plan is to go. It doesn’t really matter about the success that we have [in the playoffs].”
Sarah Todd: Donovan Mitchell on LeBron James’ Utah comments during All-Star draft – “I don’t want to be rude but I really don’t care….people have been talking s*** about me for a while…we’re not doing this to seek the approval of him.”
Though he has more 50-point, perfect score dunks (eight) than any player in NBA history – more than Michael Jordan, more than Zach LaVine – Gordon stands alone as the league’s best dunker without a crown. “Growing up as a little kid, that’s something I dreamed of – winning the NBA dunk contest trophy,” Gordon says in the opening to the documentary short “Mr. 50” that follows him through the 2020 event during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
Gordon could be bitter about the results. “I don’t harbor any bad or negative feelings,” he said. He remains a fan of the event and is worried his experience – perfect scores, no trophy – may prevent others from participating. “I have some fears that I ruined the dunk contest, that people aren’t going to want to do it anymore,” Gordon said. “I hope that people see ‘Mr. 50’ and are inspired and continue to elevate that dunk contest because there are still dunks that haven’t been done. I’m not going to do them, but I hope somebody comes in and does them. It’s a great event. It’s beautiful for the game.”
The genesis of the documentary began with the idea to give viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his weekend. “But it turned into something more,” Gordon said. “My friend and filmmaker Aaron Chapman chopped it up in a way that I had never seen before. It was much more artistic, much more poetic and raw. “The message I wanted to get across is to conquer your fears and be satisfied in your actions more than the outcome.”
Ohm Youngmisuk: Kawhi Leonard said unlike last year’s All-Star at Chicago pre-pandemic, Atlanta’s ASG is completely different: “There’s no energy, no excitement…Off the floor it is pretty dead. The city of Atlanta is pretty turnt up but it’s pretty dead [for what NBA staff and players can do]”
March 7, 2021 | 1:04 pm EST Update
Zion Williams to replace Joel Embiid as starter
Adrian Wojnarowski: Zion Williamson will replace Joel Embiid as a starter on Team Durant, sources tell ESPN.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Paul George reiterates that he didn’t think All-Star should be held: “You have situations like we are dealing with today, it is just in an unfortunate time in the world where our health and safety should be at the front of the helm. I personally didn’t agree with the game.”
