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Kobe Bryant's farewell NBA Anthony Sherman Jersey season produced another milestone Thursdaywhen the Lakers great became the third player in league history to score 33,000 points for his career."Kobe Hits Tough Turnaround Jumper to Reach 33K Just another amazing accomplishment, congrats ! BTMSports (@BTMsports) He achieved the feat during Cameron Erving Jersey what appeared to be anotherLakers blowout lo s(LA staged a big rally in the fourth quarter, only to lose 118-115), but Bryant did have 28 points through three quarters against the Kings and looked rejuvenated on both ends of the court Darwin Thompson Jersey . (UPDATE: Bryant went scorele s in the fourth and did not play in the closing minutes.)MORE: || Fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) Joe Montana Jersey and Jazz greatKarl Malone (36,928) are the only other players to reach the 33,000 mark.Bryant Larry Johnson Jersey has announced this will be his final season. He'spainting lasting memories in his fans' minds on his way out.

Kobe Bryants career may be on Marlon Humphrey Jersey the back end, but hes still a lightning rod for controversy.Bucks forwardJared Dudley says he doesnt expect to see any superstars flocking to the Lakers as long as No. 24 is still around.Most guys dont want to play with Kobe, Dudley. He gets in this thing where he doesnt pa s and then overpa ses and then tries to get triple doubles every night thats why I think it will be a while for the Lakers to get good because theyve got no stars.MORE: Robert Griffin III Jersey | There may be something to Dudleys claim. Bryant averaged 20.4 shots per game this season, slightly more than his average of 19.6 agame Mark Ingram II Jersey for his career.Bryant, 36, played in 35 games this season before being shelved with a shoulder injury.That volume of shooting is why Dudley doesnt see a guy like Kevin Love playing with Bryant on the Lakers.Id be surprised if Love wanted to go there, Dudley said.Dudley also took a shot at Carmelo Anthony, when asked who the most overrated player in the NBA is.Hes viewed as a top-five player," Dudley said."He has the talent Ben Powers Jersey to be able to facilitate. He has the talent to make guys better and the triangle should fit him hes just got to make other guys better. Defensively he Justice Hill Jersey has to take it the next level up. Hes got to get out of the first, second round. Hes got to get that the team to the playoffs. With that roster, LeBron wouldve been an eight seed. Hes not LeBron."

The Raptors have used player development and talented additions to improve each of the past five seasons and now are clawing at the Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.Toronto and general manager Masai Ujiri will not be able to rest on their laurels, however. In an offseason where most teams are loaded with salary cap space, the Raptors instead will be hoping to keep an All-Star guard in town without much other room to build.MORE: 23 best actually available free agents, including DeRozanLets take a look at their free agents, salary cap space and a sets Corey Davis Jersey for this summer before breaking down what needs to be done.Potential free agents: DeMar DeRozan ($10 million player option), Bismack Biyombo ($3 million player option), Luis Scola (unrestricted), James Johnson (unrestricted) and Jason Thompson (unrestricted)Likely cap space: NoneRealistic maximum cap space (using $92 million estimate): $18.8 million2016 NBA Draft a sets: Own first and le ser of Knicks/Nuggets firsts. No second round choices.At one time, it looked like the Raptors could be major players in free agency this summer. However, they made the choice to strike earlier by signing DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph while also extending Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ro s in 2015.Even though neither Ro s nor Valancinas will be paid substantially more in 2016-17 than the cap holds they would have had as restricted free agents, that difference Adam Humphries Jersey of a little le s than $5 million could matter if All-Star shooting guard DeRozan Logan Ryan Jersey ends up wearing a different jersey next season. DeRozan certainly will decline his cheap player option and become an unrestricted free agent, so the Raptors could lose him without compensation or the right to match any offer. That gives 26-year-old all the leverage in an offseason where he likely will command a maximum salary.MORE: Complicating matters further, most of the Raptors other free agents are worth bringing back. Biyombo certainly will turn down his player option after his best season, while role players Scola and Johnson also contributed to this succe sful season as they hit unrestricted free agency. While Toronto may let one or all three of those players go get paid elsewhere, replacing them will not be easy as the Raptors bid in a crowded marketplace.If DeRozan returns, their best avenue to add a free agent comes in the form Jonnu Smith Jersey of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which will be $5,628,000 next season. Biyombos situation compounds this because, as a non-Bird free agent, the Raptors will need to use cap space or an exception to sign him if he commands more than $3.37 million in 2016-17 salary, which seems definite at this point.MORE: | Fortunately, Toronto po se ses another quality a set at their disposal. Beyond their own first round selection, the Raptors also have the rights to the le ser of the Knicks and Nuggets picks. That should be in the No. 7 to No. 11 range, which carries a reasonable Tennessee Titans Jersey expectation of an eventual rotation player on an insanely cheap contract as the cap rises in 2016 and beyond. If they want to be even bolder, the Raptors can acquire more established players using those picks and the fascinating group of young players they have collected over the past few seasons: Lucas Nogueira, Bruno Caboclo, Delon Wright and Norman Powell.With Kyle Lowry hitting free agency in 2017, Ujiri and the Raptors have another fascinating opportunity to balance present and long-term interests. What they prioritize will have a major impact on the Eastern Conference hierarchy and the league as a whole.

Plenty of athletes have made mistakes throughout the history of sports. There's, and Now, we can add Jermaine Marshall to the list.To set this up, Germain Ifedi Jersey Aris, a basketball team in the Greek League,faced impendingdefeat toKifisia in the Greek League playoffs. AllKifisia had to do was run out the clock and end the game. But then Marshall, an Arizona State alum, was handed the ball.He knew it was his moment to shine completely ruin the happine s of his teammates.MORE: | The score at the bottom didn't update in the Seattle Seahawks Jersey video, perhaps because the operator was so shocked at what had just occurred. Not only was it an own goal, but the basket was a Richard Sherman Jersey buzzer-beater that sent the playoff game into overtime.The entire arena was absolutely stunned. Even some of theAris players were like, "Haha...wait, what?"Marshall's mind seemed to implode, rendering him completely thoughtle s afterwards. Just watch him as he waddles on the court, mouth Marshawn Lynch Jersey agape after conducting one of the most idiotic plays in sports history.The amazement from the crowd and players continued for several minutes as everyone tried to figure out what to do. It's almost as if they considerednot letting the basket Delano Hill Jersey count because there's no way that should have or could have happened.Take a look around the arena at the various responses:And if you were hoping for a happy ending to this story, I'm sorry to crush your dreams. In overtime, Aris ended up defeatingKifisia, 108-103.

The Golden State Warriors received plenty of congratulatory me sages after clinching their second NBA championship in three seasons, notably from Lionel Me si and Barcelona.Kevin Durant led the way as the Warriors dethroned defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers thanks to Riley Dixon Jersey a 129-120 game-five win on Monday.Congratulations to Champions Golden State . Well done! FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) The Thunder surrendered a 3-1 series last season to allow LeBron James Oshane Ximines Jersey and the Cavs to break through for their first NBA crown.But there was to be no repeat of that slipup as Spanish and La Liga giants Barca paid tribute to the Warriors, who ended the postseason with a 16-1 win-lo s record.Meanwhile, Bayern Munich defender Phil Simms Jersey Mats Hummels tweeted about it, saying: "Impre sing. KD. Steph. The King. Iggy. Great game Jabrill Peppers Jersey once again, unfortunately the last."Impre sing. KD. Steph. The King. Iggy. Great game once again, unfortunately the last. Mats Hummels (@matshummels) Durant who swapped the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Warriors in the off-season walked away with the Finals MVP award after scoring 39 points in game five.Warriors Michael Strahan Jersey team-mate Steph Curry put up 34 points and 10 a sists as Golden State won their fifth title.

With two and a half minutes remainingin regulation, the Oklahoma CityThunder held a 101-97 lead over the San Antonio Spurs. Given OKC's penchant forfourth-quarter meltdownsand the quality of theopponent, a four-point advantage was anything but safe.Then, Kevin Durant happens. He hits a runner along the baseline. Lead is six. He finishesa contested layup off a Ru sell Westbrook steal Chuck Bednarik Jersey . Eight. Corner 3-pointer off a screen. Ball game.MORE: | In that stretch, Durant reminded us why we should all be paying attention to him. It's not because of his impending free agency. It's not because Game 4 could have been the final time we saw him in a Thunder uniformin Oklahoma City. It's not because he got surly with the media Brian Dawkins Jersey and .We watch Kevin Durant because when he turns in an MVP-caliber game, like the one he did Sunday night, it's basketball nirvana.Theslender a sa sin refused to lose, scoring 29 of his 41 points in the second half and beating the entire Spurs team by himselfin the fourth quarter (17-16). He carried the offensive burden while pestering Kawhi Leonard on the defensiveend. Isn't that supposed to work Wilbert Montgomery Jersey the other way around?That's not to say he didn't have help. Ru sell Westbrook cut down on the bad shots and dished out 15 a sists. Dion Waiters had an efficient 17 points off the bench. Steven Adams and Enes Kantercombined for 27 points and 19 rebounds.In the end, though, this was Durant proving he is still on the short list of the best players in the league. This was about taking all the pre sure, all the speculation that he might be playing his last game in OKC if the Spurs took a 3-1 series lead, and responding with one of the finest performances of his career.At this point last year, Durant was lying in a bed watching Wes Hopkins Jersey the postseason. Sunday evening, heexited the game to a standing ovation with 43.3 seconds left on the clock and a win secured. His mom, Wanda, danced with a smile on the opposite sideline (pretty awesome as far asMother's Day gifts go). Elation. Nothing else.The questions will come eventually. Where will he sign? Is OKC really the best place for him? Can he win with Westbrook?It's fun to contemplate all the po sible scenarios, but it's also really fun to just witne s Durant's greatne s. Game 4 shut out allthe noise and distractions and told us one thing:Kevin Durant is a really damn good NFL Philadelphia Eagles Jersey basketball player. Enjoy the moment.

Old faces in new places, epic rematches and Ru sell Westbrook going scorched-Earth crazy on every team in his path. The upcoming NBA season has plenty of intrigue.The league revealed the full 2016-17 scheduleThursday night, and there are a few dates basketball fans need to have marked down on their calendars Dominik Kahun Jersey . Let's take a look:MORE: Opening Night (Oct. 25)Knicks vs. Cavs (8 p.m. on TNT): The Cavs get their rings and face off against the new-look Knicks. Yes Cleveland, those championship rings are real.Spurs vs Chris Chelios Jersey . Warriors (10:30 p.m. on TNT): Kevin Durant makes his regular-season debut with the Warriors while the Spurs play for the first time in roughly a century without Tim Duncan. This is going to look weird.Nov. 3Thunder vs. Warriors: Will Westbrookburn down Oracle Arena with a quadruple-double afterDurant's departure? We know he's definitely going to try.Nov. 4Knicks vs. Bulls: New Knicks point guard Derrick Rose gets to offer a more formal to his old team in person. The first time Jimmy Butler guards Rose should be interesting.Nov. 10Bulls vs. Heat: Bulls guard Dwyane Wade man, that doesn't look right will attempt to prove Pat Riley made the wrong decision by letting him walk. Maybe Wade will take a few days off before this game so he has a little Patrick Kane Jersey extra pep in his step.MORE: Christmas DayCeltics vs. Knicks (Noon on ESPN)Warriors vs. Cavs (2:30 p.m. on ABC)Bulls vs. Spurs (5 p.m. on ABC)Timberwolves vs. Thunder (8 p.m. on ESPN)Clippers vs. Lakers (10:30 p.m. NHL Chicago Blackhawks Jersey on ESPN)The marquee matchup on theChristmas Day schedule is clearly the NBA Finals rematch of Warriors vs. Cavs, but don't sleep on Timberwolves vs. Thunder as you enjoy a Yuletide feast. With Westbrook, VictorOladipo, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns on the floor, there should be plenty of highlights to witne s before you pa s out on the couch.Jan. 16Cavs vs. Warriors: The second battle between the NBA's biggest heavyweights and the first time the Cavs will visit the Bay Area David Kampf Jersey since Kyrie Irving dropped a dagger in Stephen Curry's eye. So yeah, could be some entertainment value here.Feb. 11Warriors vs. Thunder: Durant makes his not-so-triumphant return to OKC. Will the Thunder crowd forgive Durant and give him a standing ovation upon his name being announced? Eh, probably not.

NBA teams only have a few weeks left to secure their playoff positioning. The Raptors, Celtics, Cavs, Rockets and Warriorshave already earnedplayoff berths, but which teams will join them?has simulated every game remaining this season and provided probabilities for each team to reach the postseason. The table below shows probabilities to get into the playoffs and week-to-week changes.NBA PLAYOFFS: AccuScore's odds to make NBAplayoffsProbability vs. weekly % changeWarriors100.00Rockets100.00Raptors100.00Celtics100.00Cavs99.9076ers99.90Timberwolves99.50Pacers99.40Wizards99.00Bucks98.60Trail Blazers98.60Thunder93.90Spurs92.20Pelicans86.100Heat84.100Jazz76.100Clippers34.30Nuggets23.60Pistons16.10Hornets3.20NOTE: The Bulls, Knicks, Nets, Magic Kenta Maeda Jersey , Hawks, Mavericks, Kings, Suns and Grizzlieshave already been officially eliminated Ross Stripling Jersey from playoffs. In addition to thoseteams, the Lakers are out of the playoffs based on simulations.It is more a question of when, not if, they will officially be out of contention.Eastern Conference playoff pictureThe 76ers, Pacers, Bucks and Wizards have e sentiallysecured their tickets to the postseason. Based on simulations, these teams have 98-99 percentchances toreach the playoffs. It would require gigantic meltdowns forthese teams to mi s the playoffs this year.The only interesting discu sion involvesthe last position in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are expected to land at No. 8 in the East, as Miami is currently sevengames ahead of the Pistons. Miamis probability to reach the playoffs is 84 percent,while the Pistons have Yasmani Grandal Jersey a 16 percentchanceto pa s the Heat and get into the postseason party.Itis also worth taking a look at the division battles, which arecompletely open. Currently, the Raptors(54 percentwin probability in Atlantic)and Wizards(86 percentwin probability in Southeast) are leading their respective divisions. Expect the Cavs to take over by the end of the regular season in the Central, as their division win probability is 61 percent.Western Conference playoff pictureIn addition to the Rockets and Warriors,it looks like the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers have the best odds to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. Portland hadwon 13games in a row before a lo s to the Rockets, and that streakimproved the team's chances quite a bit. The Thunder also looksecure with almost 94 percentprobability to get into the playoffs despite the fact that Oklahoma City is only up 2.5games in the standings on the final West playoff team.The Spurs find themselves in unfamiliar territory nearthe bottom of the playoff picture, but the simulations like their chancesand predict A. J. Pollock Jersey San Antonio will make the final playoff field(over 92 percentprobability). Things don'tlook so good for the Clippers, who have only a34 percentprobability to make the playoffs behind theJazz (76 percent) and Pelicans (86 percent).The Nuggets arewithinstriking distance, but their chances for the postseason are just under 24 percent.They willneed to win at a better clip than.500 like they have done during their last 10 games.The Rockets and Warriors have already clinchedtheir respective divisions without breaking a sweat. The Northwest Division, though, will be a tight race. The Thunder have an outside shot, but their chances are below 10 percent. It will most likely come down to theTimberwolves (63 percent)and David Freese Jersey the Trail Blazers (27 percent)for the division crown,according to the simulations.NBA playoff probabilities will be updated on a weekly basis.

The 2019NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Saturdayat Spectrum Centerin Charlotte marks the continuation of an All-StarWeekend tradition that dates back to 1984.For the generation that grew up Blake Griffin Jersey with the annual event, that always evokes memories of Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, Michael Jordan and Kenny "Sky"Walker. We've always loved the Slam Dunk Contest, and we used to love re-enacting some of those dunks in the backyard.MORE: Its OK that we couldn'tpull it off on a 10-foot rim. Oran eight-foot rim then. Or a six-foot rim now.Here are five dunks we loved re-enacting then and probably shouldn't try now.Dont try this at home.Michael Jordan (1988)Best thing about it: Jordan pulled this off multiple times, but it'sa dunk from the free-throw line. That poster was on just about every Tobias Harris Jersey bedroom wall in the late 80s and early 90s. If it was not,then it should have been.Re-enactment risk: You dont where Paul George Jersey /how/if you are going to land without twisting/spraining/breaking your ankle/knee/leg.Dee Brown (1991)Best thing about it: Brown and the Reebok Pumps, of course.Re-enactment risk: It's not the hardestdunk, but there is a risk of splitting your head open if you mi s and fall into the pole. Harold Miner (1993)Best thing about it: This might be my favorite dunk. Miner nearly touches his toes with a reverse power slam. "Baby Jordan"did it all with one violent slam.Re-enactment risk: Besides the fact it'salmost impo sible to pull off, you will pull your groin and/or tweak Rodney McGruder Jersey your back.Isaiah Rider (1994)Best thing about it: It's been done enough now that were desensitized, but the ease and power with which Rider pulls this off is still amazing.Re-enactment risk: I can barely dribble between my legs without looking down. This is hard to pull off on a six-foot rim. For those who try, a shoulder injury might be the end result. Vince Carter (2000) Los Angeles Clippers Jersey Best thing about it: Michael Keaton's reaction. That's my reaction. You don't really understand what you just watched. If I could dunk on somebody on a playground, then this is how I would want to do it.Re-enactment risk: Humans shouldn'tre-enact Carter dunks. I dont want to lose an arm.

C.J. McCollum showed up to play against the Clippers on Wednesday like he was supposed to. He went into the locker room, put on his uniform and Tyler O'Neill Jersey went out to warm up as usual.But when it was time to start the game, the Trail Blazers didnt have their second-best player on the court.MORE: | Why? Because someone on the teams staff mistakenly listed him as inactive a "clerical error," . MORE: Teams are required to submit a final list of active players Tim McCarver Jersey one hour before the start of the game.The Blazers claimed their clerical error was corrected.Clippers representatives were seen protesting.Goes without saying: Blazers made a monumental and embarra sing mistake with McCollum snafu. Just can't have that happen. Jason Quick (@jwquick) NBA rules state that a technical foul can Andrew Miller Jersey be a se sed prior to the game for allowing a player who wasdeclared inactive to play.Here's the rule Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) According to the Los AngelesTimes, the NBA ruled in the Clippers' favor, . The Oregonian reported after the game that Clippers coach Doc Rivers had the final say.League source tells me the NBA gave Clippers coach Doc Rivers Albert Pujols Jersey the option before tipoff to let CJ McCollum play Wednesday. Rivers said no. Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) McCollumleft the bench for the locker room andreturned in street clothes.The former Lehigh star is second on the team in scoring to Damian Lillard with a 21-point average. He also came into the game with a hot hand, having scored 25 points or better in four of his teams last five games Mike Shannon Jersey .The Clippers beat the Blazers 109-98. McCollum's replacement, Allen Crabbe, scored 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting in 34 minutes.