It’s called “The Basketball Tournament,” and the simplicity is the winner-take-all $1 million format. Basically, as long as you’re not involved with the NBA at the time, you’re good to go, with the 97-team event opening July 10, the latter stages to be televised by ESPN. From a Heat perspective, among those to surface for the event include 2006 championship point guard Jason Williams, former Heat bit players Jamario Moon and Mike James, and, yes, even Smush Parker. Williams heads a Gators alumni team that also is scheduled to feature Erik Murphy, Matt Walsh, Alex Tyus and Lee Humphrey. Former Heat guard Mike Bibby has also been added to that mostly Gators squad.
It's called "The Basketball Tournament," and the simpli…
February 26, 2021 | 1:45 pm EST Update
Lakers sign Damian Jones
Harrison Faigen: The Lakers just signed Damian Jones to a 10-day contract, per the Lakers.
Mirjam Swanson: Patrick Patterson is out tonight (personal reasons), but everyone else is good to go for the Clippers in their next-day rematch with Memphis.
Shams Charania: MRI on 76ers forward Tobias Harris’ right knee showed no structural damage, confirmed a contusion, source tells @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Mike Vorkunov: Knicks point guard Elfrid Payton (sore right hamstring) is “day-to-day” according to Tom Thibodeau
Because of the secretive nature of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, nobody can pinpoint why Chris Webber hasn’t gotten the nod yet. “Yes it has bothered me but it’s not something that’s made me bitter or something you think about all the time,” Webber told Yahoo Sports. “The validation of the best players that have ever played in the world has been enough for me. Every year around this time, you get that call, right after that call you get legends calling you. You get to reminiscing with them about disappointments in their lives.”
While Webber waits for the call, though, he’s joined with JW Asset Management to launch a $100 million private equity cannabis fund that will invest in companies led by minority entrepreneurs pursuing careers in the cannabis sector. Since federal and state laws have eased up on marijuana, business has boomed but Black people have largely been shut out. Webber hopes to change that.
“First it’s about business and access to individuals who are qualified,” Webber said. “And giving access to a community that’s so unfairly targeted by racist laws. Hopefully, there’s a freedom with that. I’ve seen families devastated by a plant that can cause so much healing and restoration. And now that others are trying to take advantage of it.”
February 26, 2021 | 1:17 pm EST Update
Obi Toppin to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest
Shams Charania: New York Knicks rookie Obi Toppin is expected to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Sunday night in Atlanta, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
