luka Page 16 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Viral photo depicting entire ‘AAU team’-turned-pro is fake news, but here’s the real story behind the squad in it
Ever heard the one about the entire AAU team that made it to the NBA? Of course you haven’t, because this isn’t the beginning of some corny joke....

From the Clippers, Kawhi still deserves whatever he wants
No one ever really knows what Kawhi Leonard is thinking, but he’s now reportedly under contract with the Los Angeles Clippers for the next few seasons. The deal is reportedly worth $176.3 million over the next four years, which includes a player-option for the final season....

Luka Dončić proves there’s few problems that $207 million can’t solve
It was just six weeks ago that the NBA world quaked a little when reports of Luka Dončić’s unhappiness first slithered out of Dallas. A report of strange dude in the front office who had somehow charmed Mark Cuban. Dissatisfaction with the roster around him. Then some longtime organizational stalwar...

Flaws and all, no one can turn it on like Team USA
If you’re here, you’ve probably been nervous even before late last night. ...

We aren’t talking about Luka Dončić and Slovenia’s Olympic run enough
Do y’all even realize how abnormal this is? ...

Team USA’s road to gold won’t be easy
It’s win or go home for the United States men’s basketball team now. ...

Deadspin fixes NBA free agency, Part V: Centers
Centers. You can’t live without these guys, even though some teams try their hardest to. They damn near all need a three-point shot if they’re not an ideal rim-runner to have on the floor. ...

Lots of great players were drafted, then immediately traded — and went on to be All-Stars
The weirdest thing about the NBA draft is the longstanding practice that once draft day comes, there’s no more trading draft picks. It makes some sense within the framework of the league rules and salary cap, but every year, it results in weird situations where a player is drafted by a team that he’...

SEE IT: Olympic skateboarder falls nuts first into rail
You probably don’t know the name Vinko Bogataj, but if you’re a sports fan of a certain age, you’ve seen him in action more times than you can count....

Deadspin fixes NBA free agency — Part 1: Point Guards
Free agency, the part many of you care about most, begins the evening of August 2....

Finally, a woman is on a cover of an NBA 2K edition, and who better than Candace Parker?
EA Sports made it a hot line; 2K’s making it a hot song...

Get to know your worldwide Olympic athletes!
There will be thousands of athletes at this year’s Olympic games. Some are international celebrities, some will go back to their main jobs by mid August. But all will get free condoms at the Olympic village....

This was better than Jason Kidd?
It’s only Game 1, so maybe Mike Budenholzer is waiting to change how he does things as this series goes along. An NBA playoff series can be moves and countermoves as it goes longer, and you don’t want to give away everything in the beginning — so we have to allow for that. But we’ve seen Budenholzer...

A report about the NBA wanting to add games, on the same day Giannis got hurt? The irony
Less is more, even if it causes you to leave money on the table....

What to know for the upcoming Olympic Men’s Basketball Qualifying
As the NBA playoffs continue, 24 national teams across the world are vying for the final four open men’s basketball Olympic berths. The tournaments will run from June 29 through July 4 in Canada, Croatia, Serbia, and Lithuania. ...

Jason Kidd's hiring in Dallas totally won’t backfire
What has Jason Kidd done to earn a third opportunity as head coach of an NBA franchise? I’m legitimately curious. All he did in his one year with the Nets and three and a half with Milwaukee was win one playoff series while consistently underperforming and failing to win a single division title. The...

Deandre Ayton showing he is worthy of his No. 1 overall slot
Three years in, and you could already safely assume that the ‘18 class will be one of the best from their decade. ...

It’s never enough for England
You would think after winning the group, having the second-tightest defense in Euro 2020 so far (1.4 x GA), and being safely into the Round of 16 would be enough for England fans. But of course, this is England, and if they’re not complaining or being miserable, much like sharks not swimming, they d...

Who have been the luckiest and unluckiest teams in the NBA draft lottery?
Whenever a team does poorly, many fans of said team will point to luck as a contributing factor....

Crazy times for Dallas Mavericks
The Donnie Nelson-Rick Carlisle era in Dallas is over... and it’s shaping up to be a real ugly divorce....