Damian Lillard Says He's Not Breaking Down, Bucks Are Under The Radar
벅스의 Damian Lillard가 지난 시즌이 실망스러웠음을 인정 하면서도, 육체적으로 어떤 문제가 있는 상황은 아니며, 벅스 내부는 괜찮은 상태라고 말합니다.
AUG 17, 2024 1:12 PM
Damian Lillard knows that he and the Milwaukee Bucks fell short of expectations last season. But Lillard said there are reasons for that, and that he's not falling apart physically.
"I’m not a player that’s breaking down," Lillard said. "I live a clean, good, healthy life, so I can do it. I can do the same (expletive) I did two, three years ago. I can do it right now."
In addition to working through several injuries, Lillard was going through a lot off the court. That contributed to his efficiency being down.
"There was a lot of change, a lot of stress, you know?" the veteran guard said. "I think now, having an opportunity to get myself in order and kind of start pushing forward to next season."
Lillard also said that he's OK that the focus is on the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks this season.
"The fact that we’re there and we’re under the radar is perfect because they’re gonna think nothing of us and then they’re gonna be like…You gotta face the truth, eventually. That’s how that usually works," Lillard said.
Paolo Banchero: Magic Are 'Right There' With Elite Teams In East
매직의 Paolo Banchero는 매직이 동부의 강팀이 되는 바로 그 순간에 있다고 말합니다.
AUG 17, 2024 1:03 PM
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was confident about his team during a recent appearance on ESPN's First Take. Banchero said the Magic are ready to compete with the best team in the Eastern Conference.
"We feel like we’re right there,” he said. “We’re right there with all those (elite teams in the East). I remember last year, we started the year off as a top-two, top-three seed and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a play-in team and drop out the top of the East. We finished strong and got the fifth seed and had a chance to really grab the two seed at the end of the season," Banchero said. "We were right there last year. We got better this year. I got better; all of us got better. We got some new pieces that are going to help a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top-four, top-three team, and have a chance to win the East."
The young Magic star said he feels a responsibility to help Orlando win at the highest levels, since they were the team that drafted him first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
"Orlando took a chance on me when they drafted me, and I am forever grateful for that," said Banchero while appearing on ESPN’s First Take. "I give them my love and respect for that because nobody knew that I was going to go number one. I didn't know I was going to go number one. So, they put the trust in me to take that chance and take me number one. After that, I felt like it was my job to help them reach heights that haven't been reached in a long time ... We're trying to take (a huge) jump next year and keep taking it one level at a time. But we don't want to stop any time soon. We want to keep going and eventually win a championship."
JT Thor, Cavaliers Agree To Two-Way Contract
캡스가 J.T. Thor와 투-웨이 계약을 맺습니다.
AUG 17, 2024 12:29 PM
The Cleveland Cavaliers are signing J.T. Thor to a two-way contract. Thor spent the first three seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets.
Thor averaged 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game for the Hornets last season. Thor has appeared in 132 games over the last two seasons for Charlotte.
Thor has become an integral member of South Sudan's national team. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds for South Sudan.
Hawks, Clippers Have Interest In Aleksa Avramovic
혹스, LAC가 세르비아 국대로 뛴 Aleksa Avramovic에게 관심 있따고 합니다.
AUG 17, 2024 5:11 PM
Aleksa Avramovic was one of the breakout players for Serbia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That's led to NBA interest in Avramovic from the Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers.
The 6-foot-3 reportedly has an NBA out in contract with CSKA Moscow. There is a buyout, which and NBA could contribute up to $850,000 towards this season. Avramovic plans to report to Russia in the next week before beginning to ramp up for next season.
Avramovic will turn 30 around the start of the NBA season in late-October. At the Olympics, he averaged 10.5 points on 53.3% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from behind the arc.
The veteran Serbian guard has spent the last three seasons with Partizan. Last season, he averaged 10.3 points on 48.6% shooting.
Clippers Expect PJ Tucker To Remain On Roster At Start Of 24-25 Season
LAC는 PJ Tucker가 이번 시즌을 LAC에서 시작할 것이라 생각하고 있다네요. 그의 트래이드를 알아봤었지만 실패했다고 합니다.
AUG 16, 2024 2:07 PM
The LA Clippers are preparing for PJ Tucker to remain on their roster at the start of the 24-25 season, sources tell Law Murray of The Athletic. The Clippers have explored trading Tucker since last season, but have been unable to find a workable trade.
Tucker was acquired by the Clippers from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the James Harden trade. Tucker, however, fell out of Ty Lue's rotation for most of the 23-24 season.
With most roster spots taken across the NBA, a trade is unlikely to materialize for the Clippers. Tucker is represented by Andre Buck and is on an $11.5 million expiring contract.
Kenny Lofton Jr., Bulls Agree To One-Year Deal
불스가 Kenny Lofton Jr와 1년 계약에 합의했습니다.
AUG 16, 2024 1:52 PM
Kenny Lofton Jr. has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. Lofton will have a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Bulls in training camp.
Lofton is represented by Mike George, Shayaun Saee and Corey Barker.
Lofton appeared in 21 games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. Lofton went undrafted in 2022 out of Louisiana Tech.