Stephen Curry is the kind of player who can make all the difference when you need a hero during the game. He’s the kind of guy who can score like clockwork and has won championships with the Golden State Warriors.
Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
So, it’s only normal that fans want to know more about his life, including his race and ethnic background.
People falsely assume lots of things about Curry’s race. Usually, the media and social media portray him as a mixed-race person who is half white and half African American. But the truth is more complex.
So, if you’re wondering what race is Stephen Curry?
The answer is that he is African American and not mixed-race like people generally assume.
Family
Stephen and his brother Seth both have a light skin tone and hazel eyes which would lead some to assume that they have strong Caucasian ancestry. He was born in Akron, Ohio, USA, and is an American with an African American racial identity. But, Stephen is not white.
Stephen’s father Dell Curry, a former NBA player too, is African American.
His mother, Sonya Curry is also African American. Her parents have a Haitian Creole ethnic background.
Haitian Creole people often have an ethnically mixed racial background that dates back to the colonial era when different African populations mixed with others from other colonized regions. These include white people from France, Spain, Aboriginal populations, and Haitian people. Thus, Creole peoples may or may not have an ethnically diverse racial background.
But, many may still identify as black.
In fact, all four of Stephen Curry’s grandparents are African Americans, which makes Steph fully African American. His ethnic background is strongly tied to the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
Why do people keep asking if Stephen Curry is white?
The reason why people are so curious about his race is that he has a light skin tone and people automatically think that it means he is half white. But that’s not accurate because he doesn’t identify as white.
Curry’s sister Sydel is one of the few people who shed some light on the family’s ethnic background and race.
When someone tweeted suggesting that Stephen was mixed-race, she corrected the person and said that he is not white.
Sydel also discussed that people mistakenly comment about their mixed-race when they clearly have an African American background but it just happens that the members of their family have lighter skin.
His defense performance dipped a bit in 2017 but he came back strong in time for his 3rd NBA title win.
Green’s career kicked off with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although he didn’t win the finals with them, he went on to win three different NBA titles with three different teams, the LA Lakers being the last one in 2020.
Since he’s amazing at getting hot from the 3-point line, there might be more NBA championship rings for him in the future.
He joins LeBron James, John Salley, and Robert Horry as the only players to win three different championships with three teams.
First ring: 2013-2014 with the San Antonio Spurs
In the NBA finals, the Spurs defeated Miami Heat 4 games to 1.
Danny Green had a .531 shooting percentage and averaged 9.2 points. He also had a 2.0 rebound and 2.0 steal average in 5 games.
He almost won MVP but lost to Kevin Durant.
Green became of the few players to win both an NBA finals championship ring and an NCAA title.
Second ring: 2018-2019 with the Toronto Raptors
In the 2019 finals, Danny Green helped the Toronto Raptors defeat the Golden State Warriors 4 games to 2.
During the finals, Green averaged 7.3 points, he had 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
In the 3rd game of the finals, Green impressed fans by making 6 shots from beyond the 3rd point line.
Third ring: 2019-2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers
The 2020 NBA finals were won by the LA Lakers after they defeated Miami Heat 4-2.
During the championship finals, the former tar heel guard Danny Green averaged 7.5 points. He also averaged 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in the six games.
Green’s perimeter defense and his three-point shooting skills helped his team defeat Miami.
Danny is only the sixth ever Tar Heel to win a minimum of three NBA titles.
True basketball fans probably have their favorite movies, but what about anime? You’ll be surprised how interesting and action-packed these Japanese cartoons are.
With lovable protagonists and many heartfelt plots, these series inspire basketball fans to come together and feel a host of emotions.
Basketball anime is less popular than many other types, but there are so many amazing basketball-related animes, you have to give these a watch.
These shows pay tribute to this popular American sport in a truly unique way. Asian basketball anime focuses on triumph, perseverance, hard work, and the power of collective effort to win the game.
There are many fun sci-fi series too all about bigfoot and alien basketball too, so if you want to watch something entertaining, make sure not to skip any of the recommendations on this list.
I’m sharing the top 10 basketball animes of all time so you can discover some of the classic gems and some of the recent inspiring and fun tales of perseverance and love of the game. There’s enough variety to interest even the most knowledgeable basketball fan.
Best basketball anime
The reason why people love basketball anime is that the Japanese animation style is full of cool, colorful artwork. The illustration style is unique compared to 3D animation and Western types of cartoons.
Older anime has a rougher depiction of the game but modern anime shows a more fluid playing style, so you feel like you’re watching a game or movie.
Also, let’s not forget that some anime is a bit ridiculous, especially when it comes to the plot but that’s what makes it special.
Are you familiar with all of the best animes about basketball?
Let’s look at the top 10.
1. Ahiru no Sora (2020) (Diomedea Studio)
Synopsis:
Protagonist Sora Kurumatani loves basketball, but he faces one major obstacle – his short height. He has an unwavering desire to become a basketball player on his high school team. Sora promised his mother that he will win a tournament and he doesn’t want to disappoint.
But his team members are not motivated for the sport. Sora doesn’t really fit in with the so-called “punks” and misfits, but he wants to put the team back together. He meets two brothers he challenges them to a match to shows off his skills. His unstoppable drive inspires the misfit brothers to start playing well again. Then, he aims to drive his team to extraordinary performance.
Will he succeed?
The story is an inspiring tale about players who overcome obstacles and play basketball tournaments.
Check out this clip of Sora showing his mad basketball skills to his uninterested teammates:
2. Basquash! (2009) (Satelight Studio)
Synopsis:
This is an out-of-this-world story about a planet called Earthdash which is a futuristic and strange version of Earth. The inhabitants of this world can see a faraway city on the moon called Mooneyes, which is much more technologically advanced. Bigfoot Basketball is the most popular sport there and earthlings want in on it.
On Earthdash, in the city of Rollingtown, a young boy named Dan JD has an interest in basketball. But it’s not just any type of basketball – it’s called Bigfoot Basketball and the players face off against huge Bigfoot Robots to play fun, fast-paced matches. This new game is called Basquash and players will face off to become champions.
This is a great anime for those of you interested in out-of-this-world plots. After all, young players facing off against robots makes for an exciting story.
Want to see some action clips from this anime? Check out this fan video for some of the action:
3. Mitsu x Mitsu Drops (2004) (Sho-comi)
Synopsis:
Mitsu x Mitsu Drops (Honey & Honey Drops in English) is shoujo sports anime, with a story that revolves around basketball. The story unfolds at Houjou academy which is a really strange place that runs on a master and slave system. Basically, it’s a rich vs poor system where the poor assist the rich.
The academy’s star player Kai Renge ends up being master to a poor female student Hagino Yuzuru who can’t afford to attend the expensive academy and has to act as his assistant. The catch is that the two grow fond of each other but if Kai loses games, he will lose Hagino too. Can they have a happy ending?
This story combines an interesting basketball narrative with a romantic storyline between the master and slave. Kai has to play his best to be able to keep his honey Yuzuru by his side.
Check out a fan video featuring the main protagonists:
4. Slam Dunk (1993) (Toei Animation)
Synopsis:
This is one of the most beloved basketball animes of all time and a pioneer of the sports anime genre. It follows a hot-tempered schoolboy, Hanamichi Sakuragi, who wants to find love after getting rejected about fifty times. He initially has no interest in basketball, but he meets a girl Haruko who likes the sport. In order to impress her, he takes up basketball and puts his heart and soul into becoming good enough to make her fall for him.
The anime is full of basketball action which is portrayed realistically. It also focuses on the intensity of human emotions in both love and sports. The protagonist and his misfit teammates must navigate the sport and become winners to impress the school. If you like stories about growth and personal development, you’ll like this classic a lot.
The romantic storyline serves as a nice addition to this realistic portrayal of the high school basketball scene. Since Hanamichi isn’t your classic lovable hero, he’s going to have to work hard to gain the love of his girlfriend and the audience watching the show.
Watch the opening minutes of this classic:
5. Barangay 143 (2014) (ASI Animation Studios)
Synopsis:
Barangay is one of the most underrated basketball anime series that aired on a Filipino channel. It focuses on the perspectives of Bren Park, a Korean in the Philippines with an interest in street basketball player who joins a popular street basketball team.
As he learns more about the Filipino culture, he realizes the power of sport in bringing people together. The team members all live pretty ordinary lives but when they start playing streetball, they realize how passionate they are about the sport. But Bren must also find out who his real father is along the way and the anime explores deeper themes about family, and how a team can become a new family.
This kind of family drama story is heartwarming to watch and what makes it different is that it follows a Filipino style of anime and offers new perspectives.
Check out the first episode:
6. Breakers (2020) (Albacrow Studios)
Synopsis:
The show focuses on disabled and physically challenged players of different sports, including wheelchair basketball, track and field, high jump, swimming, and goalball. These para-athletes are inspiring to others, and they never give up on their love of sport, even when facing challenges.
Protagonist Ren Narita is a sport-scientist but also an outcast. But what the world doesn’t know is that disability is not a setback for motivated athletes.
The opening episode of the series is all about a team of wheelchair basketball players and showcases the triumphs and struggles of this unique team. But the story will unfold to reveal the true power of determination and there is a story about villains weaved in there too.
Check out this fan video with some of the scenes from the series:
7. I’ll/CKBC (2002-2003) (M.S.C)
This is a basketball anime about a lifelong sports rivalry. Tachibana and Hiiragi are elite basketball players on their respective teams. These two players are always pitted against each other as rivals on opposing teams.
Under unusual circumstances, the two rivals end up on the same team but they both want to be the star player. So, they always try to outplay each other which causes lots of tension and drama in the team. Without letting go of their egos, they can’t perform at their best or play collaboratively. The drama unfolds as they both want to play better and impress.
The series explores relationships on the court and the continued animosity off the court. It includes fans, family, and stressful coaches which perfectly describes the reality of pro basketball.
Watch the trailer first and then dive into this exciting basketball series:
8. Dear Boys (2003) (A.C.G.T Studios)
Synopsis:
This story is about Aikawa Kazuhiko, who is the captain of a prestigious high school basketball team. He’s used to excellent results with his team and then he is forced to move to a new town where he joins the Mizuho high school team. Unfortunately, the team is pretty weak, with no prestigious players or results, and this leaves Aikawa very disappointed.
Aikawa must gather all of the uninspired players and teammates and inspire them to start playing again in official tournaments. The story is focused on five protagonists and their journey in the high school basketball scene.
There are some interesting conflicts with rival teams and the show explores the classic high school sports rivalries.
Watch some of the anime’s best moments in this short clip:
9. Buzzer Beater (2005) (TMS Entertainment)
Synopsis:
The story is about a homeless young man named Hideyoshi who lives in New York sometime in the future. He plays basketball on the streets, but humans no longer dominate this sport. The world has been taken over by aliens who are far superior physically and they rarely accept humans to join their teams in the Space-League.
Hideyoshi’s team is great, and they manage to become the only human team to compete in this exclusive Space League. The story follows the human team as they struggle to overcome challenges, beat out the aliens, and bring the championship title home to Earth. With the space theme and emotion-packed scenes, this is a fun anime to watch.
This series combines comedy, with fun sci-fi elements and loveable protagonists who want to win at all costs.
Watch a brief intro of the Japanese series and see what it’s like:
10. Ro-Kyu-Bu! (2011)
Synopsis:
In this light and playful comedy series, the producers combined basketball anime and loli. After a strange scandal and a ban on playing, ex-basketball player Hasegawa Subaru now has to coach a girls’ team. Subaru feels like he only has bad luck on his side but he has an opportunity to turn things around.
He has to teach these young sixth-grader girls all the fundamentals of basketball and help them win matches against better school teams.
The series is cutesy and combines Kawaii elements, but it still manages to capture the enjoyment of learning to play basketball. As the young girls progress with their skills and become more competitive, Subaru re-discovers his passion for the game.
See a clip of the girls playing basketball:
Conclusion
If you like anime and basketball, then these shows are the perfect way to spend time. They combine the action of basketball with many heartwarming stories about love, friendship, comradery, and well, even aliens.
Now that you’ve got a list of must-watch basketball anime series, you can start binging until the late hours of the night.
Using any random socks just doesn’t cut it, and you need well-fitting and sweat-proof ones.
Performance basketball socks are worth the investment.
So, are you wondering what are the top socks available?
Check out this guide for the top 3 basketball socks recommendations.
Buyer’s guide: what to look for in basketball socks
Material
Most performance socks are made from a mix of cotton, nylon, nylon, and elastane. It’s a kind of stretchy spandex. Performance socks are rarely made from pure cotton because it absorbs sweat quickly and doesn’t dry quickly.
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are able to drain moisture quickly while retaining their shape for longer periods. Elastane adds incredible flexibility and makes socks much more comfortable.
Thickness
The ideal basketball socks are thicker than your casual socks. It makes your foot fit into the shoe much better, and your feet don’t wiggle around in the sports shoes. This helps prevent blisters from forming, and you’ll feel comfortable while wearing the socks.
Thinner basketball socks are available, too, and if you have wider feet, they may be a more comfortable option.
Sock length
In the past, basketball players used to wear very long socks that came up to their knees, but these socks are completely out of fashion. They are unnecessary because they’ve been replaced by compression pants.
There are 3 types of sock lengths to choose from:
Crew-cut socks which reach the middle of your shins.
Mid-cut socks that reach just above the ankle.
Low-cut socks that are nearly invisible when worn with shoes. These are also called no-show socks.
Arch support and cushioning
The more expensive performance socks like the Nike onesoffer additional cushioning around your heels and in the forefoot.
These socks are extremely comfortable and prevent blisters. The extra cushioning is a great feature that helps you keep your feet in the shoe without sliding.
Performance socks can have compression bands at the midfoot that offer additional arch support. If you have arch pain or plantar fasciitis, this can be helpful.
The compression bands and the cushioning inside modern basketball socks are worth the extra price because you can’t compare them with regular socks.
Adidas’ high-performance basketball socks, the Creator 365s, are made specifically for basketball players. If you ask a bunch of NBA players which brand of socks they recommend, many would surely pick these.
These socks are a step up from Nike Elite socks. The surface of most socks is smooth and uniform. However, Adidas Creator socks have ribbed ankle cushioning that provides additional comfort. They call this their special “Traxion” footbed.
The three thick, stretchy compression bands that are woven into the middle foot provide arch support and improve traction when making quick stops and cuts.
These socks can be felt in your midfoot, and you don’t forget that they are performance socks.
Overall, the Adidas Creator 360 is a good option. They’re very comfortable, and players with flat feet can appreciate the extra arch support and elevation.
In 2008, Nike introduced the Elite socks, which gained tons of popularity and became bestsellers.
These socks are extremely popular to this day, and they come in several colors so they’re suitable for men and women. The Nike Elite logo socks have been the most sought-after basketball socks ever, and some of the rarer models are still collectibles and being sold online.
There is a good reason because these Nike Elite socks are a far superior product to the average 6-pack of white sport socks.
When you slip on Elites, the first thing you’ll notice is that they are tailored to fit either your left or right foot. You’ll notice the compression in the arch, midfoot, and shins which is very useful to have considering basketball games are long.
The socks prevent bunching around your toes. These socks are extremely comfortable and provide cushioning in high-impact areas of the foot. It is extremely durable and can withstand years of high-intensity play. These aren’t the kind of socks you need to replace constantly.
Although the Nike Elites can be expensive, they are well worth it. These were the first basketball socks with high-performance technology, and you can’t go wrong with them.
The Under Armour Heatgear basketball socks are easily the best Under Armour socks on the market.
These socks are made from a mixture of synthetic and cotton materials. They are flexible and durable thanks to the combination of those materials. The best feature is that these socks dry quickly, so you don’t have sweaty feet for long.
As well, these socks have HeatGear technology, which is designed to keep your feet cool.
The dynamic arch support reduces foot fatigue. The socks also come with sweat-wicking materials to keep them dry quickly and anti-odor technology if your feet are particularly prone to sweat.
Mesh panels provide additional breathability, which is a great bonus, especially during the hot summer months.
The compression material around your ankles and calves is very tight and can make it hard to pull the socks up, but once they’re on, they feel like they’re not there.
Kobe Bryant was one of the best NBA players of all time. His legacy lives on, but let’s look back at his championship rings.
Kobe won 5 NBA championship rings from 2000 to 2010.
Lakers at Wizards 12/2/15
In his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was the best shooting guard and one of the top shooters in the team’s history.
Let’s look at his five championship rings and how he got them.
First ring: 1999-2000 when the L.A Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers
In the finals, the Lakers beat the Pacers 4 to 2.
Kobe was still a young budding player and he was overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal that season but he still averaged 22.5 PPG.
Second ring: 2000-2001 when the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers
The Lakers won the NBA title after beating the 76ers 4-1.
Kobe Bryant averaged 28 points, which tied him with Shaq. It was during this NBA playoff series that Bryant became the up-and-coming player to watch. He scored his second consecutive ring.
Third ring: 2001-2002 when the Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets
The Lakers had an easy playoffs season when they beat the Nets 4-0.
It was a tough season in the lead-up to the final games but Kobe led the Lakers to the win. Kobe and Shaq scored a combined 62 points and sent the team into the final.
Fourth ring: 2008-2009 when the Lakers beat out Orlando Magic
The Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 4-1 for the NBA title.
Kobe had to take over as top scorer after Shaq was no longer on the team. He managed a series average of 32 points and 5 rebounds.
Fifth ring: 2009-2010 when the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics
It was a close call but the Lakers managed to defeat the Celtics 4-3.
Kobe Bryant was in his 14th season with the Lakers. He managed to score 23 points in the final game and assisted Ron Artest with the winning points.
Throughout his long career, Kobe stayed loyal to the Lakers and won all his championship rings with the team.
If you’re a huge basketball fan, you’re surely going to post a whole lot of basketball content, whether it’s courtside photos or news about your favorite teams.
But how can you make sure your target audience (basketball fans) can see your posts?
When it comes to posting your photos and videos from basketball games on Instagram and TikTok, or posting NBA and NCAA-related news to Twitter or Facebook, the only way to get others to see your content is to use the best basketball hashtags.
In this article, I’m sharing the best basketball hashtags for the NBA, NCAA, March Madness, and even some general basketball tags for those days when you just want to post about your love of the game.
NBA Hashtags
The NBA-specific hashtags are all about NBA teams and players. You can use these to talk about your favorite players, funny NBA memes, NBA news, scores, teams, drafts, and more.
Usually, these tags are a bit more general and related to the NBA playoffs or the best teams. Most fans use these hashtags to talk about scores, wins, losses, and the interesting bits of the game.
Fans know that each season NBA teams come out with their own hashtags for fans. Usually, teams use the same hashtags for several seasons, but some rookies have come out with new tags this year.
Whether you want to share your game pics and videos or talk about transfers, players, coaches, and teams, you can use these specific hashtags to connect with your favorite team and fellow fans.
Atlanta Hawks – #TrueToAtlanta
Boston Celtics – #Celtics & #BleedGreen
Brooklyn Nets – #BrooklynTogether
Charlotte Hornets – #AllFly
Chicago Bulls – #BullsNation
Cleveland Cavaliers – #BeTheFight
Dallas Mavericks – #MFFL
Denver Nuggets – #MileHighBasketball
Detroit Pistons – #DetroitUp
Golden State Warriors – #DubNation
Houston Rockets – #Rockets
Indiana Pacers – #AlwaysGame
Los Angeles Clippers – #ClipperNation
Los Angeles Lakers – #LakeShow
Memphis Grizzlies – #GrindCity
Miami Heat – #HEATTwitter
Milwaukee Bucks – #FearTheDeer
Minnesota Timberwolves – #RaisedByWolves
New Orleans Pelicans – #WontBowDown
New York Knicks – #NewYorkForever
Oklahoma City Thunder – #ThunderUp
Orlando Magic – #MagicTogether
Philadelphia 76ers – #HereTheyCome
Phoenix Suns – #WeAreTheValley
Portland Trail Blazers – #RipCity
Sacramento Kings – #SacramentoProud
San Antonio Spurs – #GoSpursGo
Toronto Raptors – #WeTheNorth
Utah Jazz – #TakeNote
Washington Wizards – #DCAboveAll
NCAA Basketball Hashtags
College basketball is a big deal, and if you’ve been following the NCAA for some time, you know how nerve-wracking watching the games can be. The player you’re following and cheering for might just become the next NBA all-star player.
Whether you’re a fellow college basketball player, a fan, a parent, or a coach, you want to use NCAA-related hashtags to discuss and share info about your favorite teams and players.
Use NCAA college basketball hashtags to discuss your favorite players, teams, colleges, drafts, MVPs, news, and more.
College basketball is known for its most famous NCAA Tournament, known as March Madness. For all news related to march madness, scores, games, players, teams, fans, and more use the following hashtags.
Social media goes crazy for college basketball during March Madness. So, if you want your posts, photos, videos, and news to reach all the fans, make sure to use the most relevant hashtags in this niche.
There are so many NCAA teams, but I’ve rounded up some of the best ones across America and their relevant hashtags so you can post about your favorite team on all social media platforms.
Use these hashtags to gain popularity, connect with fellow fans, share content and participate in all the college basketball fun.
Akron,#Florida,#FloridaGC,#Hoyas (Georgetown),#KUbball (Kansas),#Michigan,#Minnesota,#Northwestern,#Oklahoma,#SDakotaSt (South Dakota State),#SanDiegoSt,#UCLA,#UNC (North Carolina),#VCU (Virginia Commonwealth),#Villanova,#WKU (Western Kentucky)
General Basketball Hashtags
Ok, suppose you’re not explicitly posting about NBA or NCAA basketball. In that case, you’ll appreciate this lengthy list of general basketball-related hashtags you can use on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & more.
You’ll find some NBA and NCAA hashtags, too, as well as hashtags for women’s basketball, high school basketball, and keywords related to this sport.
Basketball is a huge sport all around the world so you can find all kinds of hashtags for Olympic basketball and international basketball tournaments too!
People on TikTok are using different popular basketball hashtags than on other platforms because they’re using fewer tags but more generalized ones.
Video platforms like TikTok aren’t prioritizing quantity, and using lots of hashtags doesn’t work as well as it does on Instagram. Instead, one or two target hashtags can make the post go viral.
Don’t forget about the TikTok basketball challenge and other viral challenges, and make sure to include the challenge hashtags in your video description too.
Don’t let your social media posts go unseen. Use relevant basketball hashtags to make sure fans can see what you’re sharing.
Once you upload your post, it’s time to add in the hashtags. To make sure you’re using the best ones, keep them specific. You can always type your hashtag into the search bar and see how many posts there are with that tag already.
Use a combination of larger and smaller hashtags.
So, if you post about NBA-related things, use about 5-10 tags from the NBA section, including the team-specific ones.
Then, for college basketball content, only use the NCAA, March Madness, and team-specific tags.
Finally, if you just love to play basketball in your free time and want to discuss the sport, use general hashtags.
Most commonly, hashtags go at the end of your post so as not to over clutter your post. You still want the text to be legible and easy to read and then at the end, you want to squeeze in those hashtags.
It’s best to add the hashtags near the end of your text if you want to provide context for your post. But, if you want to emphasize a specific team, start off the text with the most relevant tag first.
Make sure to bookmark this page so you can refer back to the most important basketball-related hashtags every time you need to.
Shaquille O’Neal has 4 championship rings from his 19-season NBA career after winning 4 different NBA titles and dominating the game.
He had amazing stats and hit 52.7% of shots from the free-throw line.
Let’s look at a quick overview of his rings.
Shaq’s championship rings
First championship ring: 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers
During the finals, the Lakers beat the Pacers 4-2. O’Neal was in great shape and had a 61% shooting percentage during the finals.
The season was shortened so there were only 50 regular games. But, the Lakers had Shaq and Kobe Bryant on the team and with O’Neal averaging 30 points per game, they were hard to beat.
Second championship ring: 2000-2001 Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers
The 2001 season was a historic one for the Lakers. They ended up defeating the 76ers 4-1.
Again, like the previous season, Shaq was the top player, averaging 33 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. In game 2 alone, he tallied 28 points!
He averaged 4.8 assists in 5 games.
Allen Iverson beat him out by one vote for MVP though, but still, Shaq outplayed his competition, proving he deserved the second championship ring.
Third championship ring: 2001-2002 Lakers beat the New Jersey Nets
It was the easiest NBA playoffs as the Lakers beat out the Nets 4-0. The Jets just weren’t a match for Shaq and Kobe Bryant.
Once more, Shaq averaged an amazing 36 points and 12 rebounds during the finals.
Also, he averaged 3.8 assists during the finals.
Fourth championship ring: 2005-2006 Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks
The final championship ring came after Shaq was traded to Miami and the Heat beat out Dallas 4-2.
O’Neal averaged 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds.
Although O’Neal was scoring, his performance wasn’t quite the same as with the Lakers but he still managed a 14 point average during the finals and helped his team win.
The world of digital investing takes its shot with the new NBA craze. NBA digital collectibles like the NBA Top Shot introduce a fresh take on virtual sports cards, highlighting intense scenes through a video feature. Fans of the most famous NBA players such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry are drawn to 3-pointers, dunks, and other court stunts displayed in a life-like experience.
As of February 24, 2021, the official Top Shot site has garnered over 100,000 purchasing users and 350,000 active users. The mind-blowing news, however, doesn’t stop there. All in all, NBA digital cards under the NBA Top Shot bagged more than $37 million in sales within a 24-hour time frame.
Relieve your itch for more details through this comprehensive discussion as we dive inside the realm of this newly introduced NBA digital collectible.
What Exactly is NBA Top Shot and Why is it So Popular?
Launched by a Vancouver-based blockchain company, Dapper Labs, Top Shot is the hottest talk-of-the-town online company supported by NBA. It has just entered the game of digital investing, yet it has already brought thousands of users at the peak of their interest. This is because NBA Top Shot lets users purchase a collection of digital basketball highlights and showcase or contest such collectibles to others.
NBA Moments is the distinctive term used for the highlights mentioned. To get a hold of such a collection, users need to spend actual money and purchase them through a marketplace or digital packs composed of random digital assortments. The moments are classified according to how artificially scarce they are based on and their designated rarity.
As a side note – MLB has had digital trading cards via Topps for a few years now but no one seemed to care, ie their cards didn’t have much value. That’s because they were not on the blockchain, the way NBA digital cards are. The blockchain and NFT aspect was the game changer for the NBA over the MLB digital cards.
Is NBA Top Shot Legit? Is it a Scam?
Users can guarantee legitimate deals with Top Shot because all of their digital collectibles are licensed by the National Basketball Association. To develop a digital investment on an NBA Top Shot, the partnership is solidified through the reputations that the two companies carry. Dapper Labs is an expert in blockchains, while the National Basketball Association is considered the greatest men’s professional basketball league in the world.
NFT (non-fungible tokens) and blockchain concepts can be confusing for some newbies, but with the right research and scope reading, you can easily steer away from scams imitating or replicating the system of NBA Top Shot. Any investments made for intangible highlights or moments are licensed and run by the NBA group.
Who Exactly Owns NBA Top Shot?
Dapper Labs is the company behind NBA digital collectibles, NBA digital cards, NFT (non-fungible tokens), and NBA Moments that can all be acquired from NBA Top Shot. The company immortalizes the exciting blocks of the NBA by transforming the whole experience into a digital collectible.
You can purchase a glimpse of your favorite star player and their best moves just by transacting on the official site of Top Shot. This simple gesture to reach fans online is indeed a smart and win-win situation for both users and Dapper Labs.
For as low as $9, you’ll already have the NBA Moments you’d want to keep or display in your own space. Hence, NBA Top Shot opens the door to a whole new digital frontier.
How Does NBA Top Shot Work?
NBA Top Shot simply makes the deal by cutting highlights from the NBA. Dapper Labs then will decide which videos and how many of them are to be put in the online market using an official NBA Top Shot site. Just like regular trading cards, the highlights will be placed in digital packs.
When the packs are ready to be sold, the users can check out the listings with prices that range from $9 to $230. Prices can change frequently as each pack is priced according to these factors:
The quality of the highlight
The exclusiveness of the digital card
The stardom level and fame of the player
After purchasing a pack, users can get the highlights encrypted and resell it in the NBA Top Shot marketplace or secure it in a highlight wallet to showcase to other fans and friends.
When Do NBA Top Shot Packs Drop?
NBA Top Shot opens registrations for all users once a new drop is ready for purchase. The Premium Pack drop is one of the latest drops that is usually scheduled at 9:00 AM PST (10:30 PM IST). But recently, the site adopted a new schedule and changed the pack drop time to noon, PST.
They encourage every user to register and purchase as early as they can to get the rarest Moments. This pack is mostly the first of its type to sell out online. Trae Young, Ja Morant, and Anthony Davis are the star players that will likely be included in the rare moments section.
NBA Top Shot Marketplace
NBA Top Shot indicated an official proprietary marketplace where users can buy and resell moments. The company prefers and encourages users to proceed with selling and purchasing transactions to oversee the proper practices. These packs are carrying the name of two companies — Dapper Labs and NBA. And whatever anomalies or fraud could happen between resellers and buyers still bounces back to the head groups.
Aside from safe and secure purchases, NBA Top Shots would like to make your buying experience more fun and easy as they present updates about the cards you just sold or bought. You don’t have to browse a long list just to check out a pack.
Understanding All 5 Types of NBA Top Shot Moments
Here are the various tiers to help you get started with your Top Shot experience:
Rare (150-999 digital copies)
With a starting price of $22, users can already purchase moments coming from Rare packs. Top Shot provides customers with one rare moment and seven common moments. This kind of pack is the most purchased as it targets newbies and mid-level buyers.
Common (up to 1,000 digital copies)
Common packs contain 1,000 digital copies for only $9 per nine moments. These packs involve a lot of highlights that may not be that exclusive, yet are worth space in your NBA moments collection.
Platinum Ultimate (3 digital copies)
For users who want to purchase more exclusive finds, Top Shot offers Platinum Ultimate, containing 3 digital copies. However, this pack is only available through auction arrangements.
Genesis Ultimate (1 digital copy)
After getting those Platinum Ultimate copies, you may also watch out for an upcoming auction as Genesis Ultimate would be a great addition to your collection with its 1 digital copy.
Legendary (25-99 digital copies)
The price of a Legendary moment starts at $230. NBA Top Shot packs open legendary moments, three rare moments, and six common moments.
Buying NBA digital collectibles like moments is just similar to purchasing items in a physical store. There is a reserved slot in a digital line for each user so one could click on the link and proceed with the purchase.
If you are new to the Top Shot community, it would be better to familiarize yourself with the purchase process and figure out the moments you’d likely buy to get more connected as you enter the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency technology. You’ll get there soon enough if you take these learnings slowly.
What is the Future of NBA Top Shot?
Being a user platform that offers a new way of collecting valuables from the NBA scene, the NBA Top shot is foreseen as the new digital frontier with a high focus on the sports card industry.
Any NBA fan can make use of and enjoy the benefits of the platform — whether as a buyer or a reseller. The digital investment scheme through NBA Top Shots is just getting started and sooner or later, competitors will rise to the surface. As for now, Dapper Labs and NBA are working hand in hand to come to play with the ongoing demand.
For more NBA fun, check out our awesome NBA quiz and see if you are a real NBA expert!
NBA cheeleaders are a big part of NBA game entertainment – surely this means that NBA cheerleaders earn a big salary, right? Well, not so fast. The fame of cheerleading for an NBA team may not actually match the expected salary that an NBA cheerleader would expect to earn. Read below to find out more about how much NBA dancers make:
A lot of people watch basketball. Very few understand how vital the cheerleaders are to the overall process. They're always there on the sidelines cheering on their respective teams. At the same time, they’re responsible for keeping fans entertained during, between, and after the competition has concluded. How much do you really know about NBA cheerleaders? Do you know how much they generally get paid for their efforts?
First and foremost, you should take the time to learn about the basic job description of NBA cheerleaders. These individuals are highly skilled dancers. During NBA games, they’re going to strut their stuff with highly technical dance routines. Cheerleaders are capable of pumping up the fans and increasing the intensity in the arena. They spend hours and hours rehearsing and practicing every single day. At the same time, NBA cheerleaders are helpful off of the court.
They often attend charity events and help nonprofit organizations raise money for their causes. Some may work on the side as models. Or, they may speak to the public.
Education Qualifications
What education is required to become a professional NBA cheerleader? The truth of the matter is that there is really only one requirement. The individual in question needs to be highly skilled in the art of dance. Therefore, they should have some type of background in dance. Before they’re going to be allowed to cheer in NBA games, they’ll need to perform in an audition. This will test their abilities as a dancer. If the recruit likes what they see, they’re going to hire the cheerleader and add them to the team.
It should also be noted that NBA teams are consistently on the hunt for good cheerleaders. Therefore, they may offer classes to amateurs. This will allow the cheerleader to get a better understanding of the team’s dancing style. It will also allow them to improve their skills by dancing with professionals. Finally, the cheerleader needs to be physically fit. After all, they need peak physical fitness to remain energetic for the entire duration of the game and to avoid injuries.
How Much Do NBA Cheerleaders Make?
How much are NBA cheerleaders going to make on average? The truth of the matter is that there are many variables at play. The NBA is a national league. Therefore, it is true that cheerleaders in one state may be getting paid more than cheerleaders in another state.
Nevertheless, it is estimated that the average wage for modern cheerleaders is right around $14.58. These numbers were accurate in May of 2017. It should also be noted that cheerleaders may be paid a stipend for each game. Special events and championship competitions will net the cheerleader a lot more.
Sadly, the pay for NBA cheerleaders is pretty low. This is definitely the case when the unpaid practices and rehearsals are added to the equation. At the end of the season, it is common for some to earn a little as a few thousand dollars. The NBA has received some criticism from the public and this could change its wage policy in the future.
A Diverse Industry
The industry is pretty diverse. After all, there are numerous leagues out there and each team needs its own cheerleaders. The NBA, NHL, NFL, and other teams depend on cheerleaders to keep fans entertained and hyped up throughout the course of the game. Therefore, it is common for cheerleaders to get moved around frequently. They may work for minor league team before they finally make it to the NBA.
Future Job Growth
In terms of dancers as a whole, it is estimated that jobs are going to grow by as much as 5% during the next decade. The same cannot be said for NBA cheerleaders. After all, there are only a certain number of spots. At the same time, turnaround is not good. NBA cheerleaders tend to hold onto their spots for the long term. Therefore, it is pretty hard for dancers to grow into full-fledged NBA cheerleaders.
Highest Paid Cheerleaders in NBA 2020
Cheerleaders Team
Per Match Fees
Extra Bonus
Annual Payscale
New York Knicks Cheerleaders
$650
$2,000
$35,000
LA Lakers Cheerleaders
$600
$1,500
$30,000
Boston Celtics Cheerleaders
$600
$1,500
$30,000
Atlanta Hawaks Cheerleaders
$650
$2,000
$35,000
Cleveland Cavaliers Cheerleaders
$400
$1,000
$28,000
Toronto Raptors Cheerleaders
$500
$1,000
$28,000
Washington Wizards Cheerleaders
$400
$1,500
$28,000
Milwaukee Bucks Cheerleaders
$350
$1,000
$22,000
Miami Heat Cheerleaders
$500
$1,500
$28,000
Indiana Pacers Cheerleaders
$400
$1,000
$28,000
LA Clippers Cheerleaders
$350
$950
$22,000
Minnesota Timberwolves Cheerleaders
$200
$700
$15,000
Chicago Bulls Cheerleaders
$200
$700
$15,000
Golden State Warriors Cheerleaders
$550
$1,000
$30,000
Memphis Grizzlies Cheerleaders
$350
$800
$22,000
Oklahoma City Thunder Cheerleaders
$250
$800
$18,000
Orlando Magic Cheerleaders
$200
$700
$15,000
Philadelphia 76ers Cheerleaders
$200
$700
$15,000
Phoenix Suns Cheerleaders
$200
$700
$15,000
Cheerleaders get a bonus on their paycheck if they get selected for cheerleading in the NBA All Star game. Additionally, they can make another $2,000 during the NBA Playoffs if there is a 7 game series. And of course, NBA cheerleaders get free travel – flights, hotel, and per diem for food, and also get free guest tickets for friends and family to each NBA game, as well as free parking for the matches. Stats Source
When you sit down and watch an NBA game, you probably feel like it is downright intense at times. In fact, it might seem a little chaotic. Just remember that there is a method to the madness. Many people do not understand that there are tons of rules that govern the gameplay. The restricted area of the court is something that a lot of people have trouble understanding. So, what is the restricted area in the NBA? This question will be answered below.
Defining the Restricted Area In The NBA:
First and foremost, you should learn about the basics of the restricted area. Go ahead and take a look at any NBA game. Pay close attention to the court near the basket. You will notice the free-throw line. Now, move toward the basket a little bit. You will see an arc that appears to encircle the basket. This is the restricted area. There is a specific reason that this point of the court has been marked.
No Charging Foul
Charging fouls can be very detrimental for any team in the NBA. Force too many of them and your team is well on its way to winning the game. This is where the restricted area enters the picture. It gives offensive players a little lead way. When the player drives to the basket, there is always a chance that they’re going to charge into someone. If that happens inside of the restricted area, it would not be considered a foul.
Inside this area, it is not possible for the defending player to draw a foul.
Benefits The Offensive Player
Ultimately, the restricted area is there to benefit the offensive player when they charge towards the basket. This makes it impossible for a second defender to stop the offensive player after they’ve maneuvered around the original defender. Of course, both sides of the court have their own restricted area. Therefore, it is going to benefit both teams.
Anyone that has ever stepped foot on a basketball court can tell you have competitive the whole environment is.
Players want to rise above and outdo their competitors. It is safe to say that you probably feel the exact same.
That being said there will be no denying that some individuals will just possess more natural talent than you. Does that mean you should give up? Does that mean you shouldn’t even try? No, just because you do not possess the natural talent it doesn’t mean that you won’t make it to the big times. In fact, if you want to improve your game, you will need to become a better shooter.
Becoming a better shooter involves much more than just practice, free throw shot after shot, or unexpected jump shots. If you want to truly master the art of the shot there are some key principals that you need to understand.
Stationary Shooting And On The Go Shooting
The first thing you need to know about shooting a basketball is that there are two different types of shots that you can take. Sure you got the dunk and the layup, but these aren’t really considered range shots. No, range shots should be classified as being a few feet away from the hoop. A shot where you have to form up, bend, squat your knees, and release the ball. The two types of shots will be the stationary shot and the on to go shot. Stationary shots are few and far in-between, as they simply mean that your feet are firmly planted and you are set in cement. An on the go shot will be a shot that you take from a moving position. This could be classified more as a fallaway shot. Regardless of the fact that the two shot movements are completely different the basis and theory for each shot remains the same.
Where Do You Aim When Shooting A Basketball?
Anyone looking to improve their accuracy should locate the rim as early as possible. This is where you eventually want the ball to go, so this should be considered your target area. You want to make sure that your eyes are glued to the target at all times. You do not even want to follow the flight of the ball with your eyes. Just focus on the target. This is extremely important.
Keep Your Stance And Balance
Stance and balance will be equally important. Now, when it comes to on the go shots, you might not always have the benefit of putting yourself into these positions, but if you are stationary, you certainly can, You want to make sure that you are standing with your shoulder width apart. This will help improve your balance and provide you with a stronger foundation. You want your feet to be as comfortable as possible with the dominant shooting foot slightly ahead of the less dominant foot. They should be pointed in the direction of the hoop. You want to get comfortable with this stance because the goal is to mimic it each time you take a shot.
What Is The Best Angle To Shoot A Basketball?
Most people overlook the importance of the arms and wrists when it comes to basketball shooting, but these are two crucial components. The wrists and arms could greatly affect the overall angle of your shot. You will probably notice that different players shoot at different angles. Some might shoot those long, arched shots that reach to the clouds, while others take the shorter approach. Whatever the situation is, you need to know that there is a science behind the angle of your shot. And, the experts say that the most successful shooters in the world are shooting at anywhere from 40 to 45 degrees.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Shot Off In Basketball?
Basketball is one of the fastest paced sports in the world. Sure, it might not be as fast-paced as racing, but if you watch it on TV it is going to seem faster paced. This is because the action is right up in your face. Not only is basketball fast-paced, but the player only gets a split second to think before his or action has an effect on the game. To shoot the ball or not to shoot the ball? If a player chooses to shoot what’s the fastest that he can pull off a shot. Say 0.3 seconds are left on the clock, does the player, in fact, have enough time to pull off a shot with the little time?
Well, with a little bit of research you will find that there is only an average of 3 NBA players that can get a shot off in 0.76 seconds. There are some players that can get a shot off in 0.77 seconds.
Watch the greatest NBA shooter in history Steph Curry explain how to shoot a basketball:
Years ago, Marijuana was a taboo. You couldn’t just go around discussing such a subject. As a matter of fact, even consuming the drug privately was controversial. Today, more than 30 states have legalized cannabis in one way or the other, which is why the subject is once again brought up on the NBA table, and might have reverberations on many years of NBA history.
Marijuana Is Not New to the NBA
During the ’90s, many big players were either known for smoking marijuana, or have been linked to it in various indirect ways, including Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, and Damon Stoudamire. Back then, even former NBA player Richard Dumas stated that there wouldn’t be no NBA if the league ever tested for pot.
David Stern, in an attempt to clear out the league’s name, put a new policy in place during the 2000s, one that forced players to undergo marijuana testing using the players’ health and safety as the reason. 420 players underwent the test, out of which, only 12 tested positive. As the policy was new, the only punishment for the players was to enter an aftercare program.
Stern was happy with the low percentage and the results of the testing, so the marijuana subject started collecting dust on the NBA’s shelf.
What Is the NBA Drug Policy Today?
Today, the NBA’s drug policy is nearly-mature. Upon testing for THC, a player is considered positive if the sample contains 15ng/ml.
The NBA’s substance abuse policy requires a player who violates the procedure to enter the Marihuana program. Should he/she break the policy a second time, he’ll have to pay $25.000 in fines and re-enter the marijuana program. The third violation results in a five-game suspension and the player has to re-enter the marijuana program. If the player violates the policy any extra time, he’ll get suspended for five games longer than his/her immediately preceding suspension.
While the punishment may seem aggressive for an average citizen, it’s actually not that big of a deal for NBA players, considering that the average salary for a player in the league is $6 million and that a single season includes 82 games, making the $25.000 fine and the five-game suspension seem like measly numbers.
Does the NBA Need a New Drug Policy?
Marijuana still falls under the NBA’s banned substance list. Knowing that over 30 states have legalized cannabis over the past years, many believe that the NBA should allow pot consumption within reason.
Even David Stern, the former league commissioner that initiated the drug testing in the 2000’s season, stated that marijuana should be removed from the banned substance list after watching a documentary that convinced him that marijuana has many medical uses.
Adam Silver, the current commissioner of the NBA, stated that he has no plans to remove cannabis from the banned substance list.
Nevertheless, he still has an open mind about the subject, mentioning that he believes that marijuana should be regulated the same way pain medications are if it’s going to be used for that purpose.
Other NBA officials who believe the benefits of marijuana include Michelle Roberts, the executive director of the Players Association. Michelle isn’t all in for removing pot from the banned substance list though, as she’s worried about players getting arrested for possession by some fed claiming that it’s against the law.
What Does the Future Hold for the NBA Drug Policy?
Considering the proven health benefits of cannabis, the NBA may be working on a new drug policy in which marijuana is not a banned substance but rather a pain medication that can help players relieve pain and recover faster through reasonable, regulated consumption.
The Iranians are a powerhouse in the Asian basketball arena. Their basketball league is one of the best in the region, some of their players have experience playing in big European clubs, and one of their best players has played in the NBA. As a result, the Iranian National Basketball Team has won three gold medals on the last five FIBA Asia competitions. At the same time, their international success is limited to only two appearances at the FIBA World Cup and two at the Summer Olympic Games.
Iran NBA Players
Hamed Haddadi
Haddadi is an Iranian professional basketball player born May 19th, 1985. He is 7’2" tall and plays as an NBA center for Petrochimi Bandar Imam and the Iranian National Team. In 2008 he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He stayed with them for five years until he was traded to Toronto in 2013. From there he was sent to Phoenix Suns before coming back to the Iranian League. He also spent few seasons in the top Chinese basketball league playing for Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles (2014-2015) and Sichuan Blue Whales (2015-2017). Currently, he is under contract with Petrochimi Bandar Imam. During his career he has won several MVP awards: 2× CBA All-Star (2014, 2016), CBA Finals MVP (2016), 4× FIBA Asia Championship MVP (2007, 2009, 2013, and 2017) and William Jones Cup MVP (2013).
It does not look like Haddadi will get another shot in the NBA, since his old school back to the basket game is not suited for the modern NBA. It remains to be seen if Iran can produce additional NBA talent like Haddadi.
Hungary has only produced one NBA player in its history: Kornel David who starred on the Chicago Bulls. As for future NBA players from Hungary, it looks like based on recent success, they may indeed produce some NBA talent. The Hungarian national basketball teamhad its greatest years in between the 1940s and 1960s, when it won a bunch of medals at the global stage and qualified for the Summer Olympics on four occasions. Hungary later qualified for the EuroBasket 2017, its first qualification in almost 18 years and first EuroBasket victory in 48 years.
NBA Players from Hungary:
Kornél Dávid
Dávid was born in October 1971 and is now retired from professional basketball. He was one of the most well-known Hungarian basketball pros in his time. In fact, he has been the sole Hungarian to be a part of the NBA.
Dávid was brought up with the Budapesti Honvéd juniors squad and started playing for them in 1987. After one season, he was signed on by Malev SC for two seasons and then returned to Budapesti Honvéd. He stayed there till 1994 when Albacomp (Székesfehérvár) picked him up until 1997.
Later that year, Dávid became part of the Chicago Bulls but was waived in the same month. Part of that season was spent with Rockford Lightning (CBA). However, he was also let go from there at the end of 1997.
He went to Hungary again and committed to Albacomp Székesfehérvár for the remainder of the season. He ended up leading the team to win the Hungarian National Championship in 1997-1998. While he stayed on for some of the next season, he didn’t complete it.
Overall, Dávid has participated in 109 games in the NBA. He has started 11 of them and has an average of 2.8 rebounds and 5 points.
In 2018, when you mention Cameroon in the NBA, you will most likely hear the name 'Joel Embid'. Though Embid is the NBA's most popular and promising Cameroonian player, there is no shortage of Cameroon-born players from the NBA. Check them out below. Cameroon has recently turned into a succesfull contender for the title of the African Basketball Championship. They even reached the Silver Medal game in 2007 and recently has done pretty solidly against non-African competition.
NBA Players from the Cameroon:
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje
The Cameroonian basketball professional Ruben Bertrand Boumtje Boumtje was born in 1978 on May 20th. When he played the position of center, he stood a full seven feet tall and weighed 260 pounds. He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington D.C. He also briefly played in the NBA but retired due to a heart condition when he was only 33. This was in November 2011.
In 2001, Boumtje-Boumtje was selected for the NBA Draft as the 50th overall pick. He played with the Portland Trail Blazers in no less than 44 games and three seasons. Plus, he also played for Alba Berlin in the years 2006-2007. During this time, he participated in the German Basketball Bundesliga and the ULEB Cup.
However, his contract expired after this time and he was not approached for a renewal. He did join his previous team’s adversary, the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Come 2010, Boumtje-Boumtje was a part of the German team, the Artland Dragons. While he did manage to play four games with Beryn Munich in 2011, he was forced to retire due to his cardiovascular issues.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
This basketball pro player was born on the 9th of September in 1986. He is also a player of Cameroonian origin and played professionally as part of the Houston Rockets. This was when he played in the NBA. He is also a part of the national basketball team in Cameroon.
When he was a freshman in the academic year of 2005 to 2006, Mbah a Moute was a major part of the rebounding performance by the Pac-10 Champion Bruins. He did this by making his team either lead the session games or tie for the lead. After these 27 regular games, he sparked a kind of cult movement in the midst of loyal UCLA fans.
His most effective pairing was with Alfred Aboya, who was also a Cameroonian player. This pairing had their own spin-off fan following called the “Cameroon Crazies” (inspired by the “Cameron Crazies” Duke fans). These fans could also be seen sporting a highly coveted T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Moute Kicks Boute.”
The Milwaukee Bucks selected him as the 37th pick in the year 2008. He was traded some years later on the 12th of July, 2013, and became part of the Sacramento Kings. That same year, on November 26, he was traded yet again, and Derrick Williams took his place. Mbah a Moute now became a player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The trading continued when Mbah a Moute and Alexey Shved went to the Sixers. They were also picked in the first-round draft in 2015 from Cleveland. Minnesota-based Kevin Love was then part of the Cavaliers, and Andrew Wiggins was a player for the Wolves. The latter team also received Thaddeus Young and Anthony Bennet from Philadelphia and Cleveland respectively.
From there, Mbah a Moute performed for the Los Angeles Clippers team for two years, starting in 2015. He played in the starting position. It was at the end of this stint, on 22nd November, that Mbah a Moute made a plus-minus worth +57. This was the result of a 30-point win in an NBA game played as a rival to the Denver Nuggets. This was the highest plus-minus by anyone in such a game for over two decades.
Pascal Siakam
Siakam is also a Cameroonian basketball pro. He was born in 1994 on April 2. Siakam attended the New Mexico State University and was in the Aggies basketball team. He was then selected 27th for the Toronto Raptors in 2016. This was his introduction to the NBA league.
Tchamo Siakam, the mayor of Makénéné, Cameroon, was Pascal Siakam’s father. His mother’s name was Victorie Siakam. A car crash in October 2014 killed his father. Pascal Siakam has three brothers who are older than him but were college basketball players too. Their names are Christian, Boris, and James. The latter now plays for the Island Storm NBL Canada team.
Joel Embiid
Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 16 March 1994, Embiid played in the NBA team Philadelphia 76ers. He had a year’s stint at the University of Kansas, playing basketball at the college level. After this, he was picked third in the NBA Draft of 2014. He gave himself the name ‘The Process’ as a result of a fan’s refrain to ‘trust the process.’
Embiid is the son of Thomas and Christine Embiid. His father was a military officer. While Embiid initially wanted to be a pro volleyball player, he showed his prowess for basketball when he was only fifteen. He took inspiration from Hakeem Olajuwon, the NBA Hall of Famer center.
It was no other than Luc Mbah a Moute, also a Yaoundé native and an NBA star, who discovered Embiid at a basketball camp. Mbah a Moute became his mentor, and Embiid moved to the US when he was sixteen.
The first two NBA seasons were a sit-out for Embiid. He then signed a $148 million five-year contract and extended his stay with the 76ers. This was in 2017. He is now eligible to play in the national basketball team of Cameroon.
In February 2017, Embiid became part of the FIBA AfroBasket’s preliminary team. This was to be played in the Republic of Congo. While Mbah a Moute greatly approved of this chance for Embiid to represent his country, Embiid did not actually do so. This was because the qualifier was in March, which was a regular NBA season.
WikipediaThe only player from Belarus to ever play in the NBA is……….Maalik Benjamin Wayns, a naturalized Belarusian born in America on May 2nd 1991. At a young age he started playing basketball for the Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, and he achieved to become part of both the Parade All-American and the McDonald’s All-American selections. Then in college he played for Villanova University where he was coached by Jay Wright.
In 2012 he didn’t make it on the NBA Draft, but he did enter the Orlando Magic during the Orlando Summer League and also the Golden State Warriors during the Las Vegas Summer League of the same year. The Philadelphia 76ers signed him on July 31st 2012 and he stayed there until January 2013, because his contract was not renewed. Later that same month he became part of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which is a part of the NBA Development League.
The Los Angeles Clippers signed Wayns for two 10-day contracts during March 2013, and then he was hired for the rest of the season, and he also played on the 2013 NBA Summer League.
Later, in 2014 he played three games with the Washington Wizards during the 2014 NBA Summer League. Then he began his international experience when the Žalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania signed him for one year, starting on July 30th 2014. Next year, starting on August 14th 2015 the Italian team Pallacanestro Varese signed him for the 2015-16 Italian Series A season. Then he played in Russia with the Yenisey Krasnoyarsk during the 2016-17 season and in November 2016 he played in Israel with the Maccabi Rishon LeZion team.
Wayns returned to the USA and on August 28th 2017 he became part of the Dallas Mavericks until October 14th of the same year. From October 25th 2017 he was picked up by the Joventut Badalona in Spain, where he remains for the 2017-18 league tournament of the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto.
After hearing the news that DwyaneWade decided to leave the Miami Heat, Pat Riley reportedly texted reporters that he was "so sad." That's verbatim. He may have used a lot more of the letter "D" in his text, but Riley's decision to not increase his contract offer to Wade may be an "A."
Wade will be a Hall of Famer. He is probably the best player in Heat history and is coming off a fantastic and healthy-ish season despite his age. So, why my optimism about Miami's move?
Miami can develop some youth
Losing Wade means more minutes for promising second-year wing Josh Richardson at the 2 and more importantly, more touches for Justise Winslow at the 3. Development requires both minutes and possessions, and now both wings—and even big man Hassan Whiteside—may acquire more possessions as a result.
Don't forget about Dragic
It all seemed relatively hopeless for Miami when Chris Bosh went down to injury last season, but we all forgot about the Dragon. Goran Dragic picked up more possessions in Bosh's absence and was potentially the Heat's most lethal offensive player in the playoffs.
The move forces Miami to get younger
This is something the Heat should've considered more swiftly in a post-LeBron world. If they had retained Wade, they would have at best been in the same position this coming season as they were last season—out in the second round of the playoffs. Yes, that's at best-case scenario. Realistically, after losing Joe Johnson to free agency and with Bosh possibly out for an unforeseen amount of time, they likely would have been a low playoff seed. Remember, seeds 3 through 6 in the East this past season all had the same regular season record (48-34); the Heat won the tiebreakers to get the 3 seed, but had the same record as the 6 seed (Charlotte).
Getting younger is the biggest reason why having Wade bolt is a blessing. Whiteside led the Heat in wins produced and was thankfully retained this offseason. Meanwhile, Winslow could be an Andre Iguodala clone in Miami. The team really needs to just get younger, add a piece who can help improve everyone's development, and—say it with me Sam Hinkie—"build through the draft."
Dragic is probably someone they should look to move more immediately. One idea is to send him to Minnesota for Ricky Rubio. After drafting Kris Dunn, Rubio seems to be expendable for the Timberwolves, and Dragic would be an incredible 6th man for that team. Wolves Coach Tom Thibodeauis looking to make a playoff run this season.
Another idea is sending Dragic to Sacramento in hopes of coaxing the Kings to move a future pick (the 2017 draft should be promising); Ben McLemore; and troubled, but solid point guard Darren Collison.
As it stands, though, Miami is in fine shape. Players will still like the South Beach appeal in free agency. The Heat could net a top-10 pick in the next draft and still have a top-2 center in the league on a reasonable contract.
Right now, they just need to send out feelers for Dragic, build the offense around Winslow, and hope Bosh recovers from his blood clots. Not to throw shade on Wade, but were the Heat really going to even make it out of the first round with him? Be thankful Heat fans, there's nothing worse than riding the proverbial NBA treadmill, which you would have only continued to do with Wade. Riley shouldn't be sad—he should be optimistic. Wade just did South Beach a massive favor.
Anyone that has ever stepped foot on a basketball court can tell you have competitive the whole environment is.
