Tag: kevin durant

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Kevin Durant Out 2-3 Weeks Following Ankle Injury

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 5: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on March 5, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The Suns won 130-126. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns have yet to fully take advantage of their new acquisition, Kevin Durant.  And it looks like they are going to have to wait a few more weeks to get their superstar back in action.  Wednesday, March 8th, in front of the hometown fans, Durant rolled his ankle while preparing for the matchup.  The 34-year-old went up for a layup in pregame warmups and awkwardly came down and landed on the floor.  He grabbed at his left ankle immediately.

Durant Slips

The positive moment of that night was that the Suns defeated Durant’s old team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, behind teammate Devin Booker’s 44 points.  Now, the 13-time NBA All-Star, will miss about two to three weeks with a sprained left ankle.

This is the second injury for Durant this season as he sprained his MCL on January 8th while with the Brooklyn Nets.  He was forced to miss almost two months of basketball.  In the midst of his injury, he was traded to Phoenix.

The Phoenix Sun

In his first three games with his new team, the 6’10 superstar picked up where he left off.  Durant helped the Suns win three straight games scoring above 20 points in all three affairs, including 37 in a win over his former teammate Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks.  Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams feels bad for his new superstar.

“I feel bad for him because he feels bad.  I saw his face and -I’ve been around him so many times-I know what he’s feeling, and I don’t want him feeling that way at all.”

Hopefully, Durant can come back soon as now with him, the Suns are one of the top three teams to win the NBA Finals.  Unfortunately, the former Net has endured several injuries throughout his career.

Durant Injuries

In 2014, Durant was out for six to eight weeks for a Jones fracture in his right foot.  He continued to have minor injuries before undergoing foot surgery.  In 2016, with the Golden State Warriors, he suffered a MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise causing him to miss the rest of the regular season.  The following year, Durant missed the end of the regular season again with a fractured rib.  In his last year with the Warriors, the veteran suffered a right calf strain and then tore his Achilles tendon shortly after that.

Sometimes, it seems like he just can’t catch a break.

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The NBA Steals Headlines As Playoff’s Approach

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kyrie Irving #11 (L) and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets look on against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Lakers 121-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The NBA trade deadline ended today at 3 pm and this was one of the busiest days in NBA history.  Franchises have their eyes on the playoffs as the halfway point is upon us.  Although it is Super Bowl week for the NFL, the NBA is stealing the show.  In fact, all week the Association has been making headlines.  From Kyrie Irving being traded to the Dallas Mavericks to LeBron James becoming the NBA’s All-Time leading scorer, this week sure has been memorable.

No Stars on the Nets

Joe Tsai did not wait for the deadline to part ways with Kyrie Irving as the Nets dealt him as well as Markieff Morris in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and three draft picks.  The 2016 NBA Champion made his debut for Dallas on Wednesday night in a 110-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.  Irving’s now ex-teammate Kevin Durant also found himself in a new city.

Just a day after introducing their new majority owner, Mat Ishba, the Phoenix Suns have acquired Durant.  Phoenix sends Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and five draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets.  TJ Warren is headed to Phoenix as well.  Although Crowder just landed in Brooklyn, he is now headed to Milwaukee.  The Bucks are giving the Nets five second-round draft picks for the 11-year veteran.

Lakers Make a Deal

In a three-team deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Utah Jazz, a handful of players are switching jerseys.  The Lakers receive D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota, and Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz.  Utah receives Russell Westbrook, Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and a first round draft pick.  The Timberwolves receive Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as well as draft picks from the Jazz.  In another deal for the Lakers, the Orlando Magic agreed to send Mo Bamba to LA in exchange for Patrick Beverley, a draft pick, and cash.  Veteran point guards, Westbrook and Beverley, are expected to be bought out by their new teams and look elsewhere to play.

Clippers Looking to Win

The Lakers aren’t the only team in LA making moves.  The Clippers have sent John Wall back to the Houston Rockets and Luke Kennard to the Memphis Grizzlies.  The Rockets receive three second round picks in exchange for Eric Gordon.  Eric Gordon won’t be the only new face in LA with the Clippers trading Reggie Jackson for Mason Plumlee.  They also traded two draft picks for Denver Nuggets Guard Bones Hyland.

What a busy day for the NBA and these were just a few of the trades today!  The second half of the season should be very interesting.

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Kevin Durant May Be Out Up To 6 Weeks Due To Knee Injury

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 8: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on January 8, 2023 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets played against the Miami Heat and one of the worst things, in what seems to be a recurring thing happened.  NBA superstar Kevin Durant was injured, yet again.  With about a minute to go in a two-point game, Heat forward Jimmy Butler drove to the hoop.  Nets forward Ben Simmons stepped up to block Butler’s shot attempt, but as Butler came down, he landed on Durant’s right leg.

This caused the 13-time NBA All-Star’s knee to buckle as he hit the floor with his shoe coming off.  He grabbed his knee and stayed there for a bit.  Thirty seconds later, he was subbed out.  He stopped at the scorer’s table for a few seconds hunching over before heading to the locker room.

MCL Sprain

According to the Nets staff, Durant suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee.  Ultimately, the Nets can have their superstar forward back in six weeks, but they will re-evaluate his progress in two weeks.  This is good news for Brooklyn compared to Durant’s injuries from 2019-2021.

In Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, after sustaining a right calf strain in the Western Conference semifinals, Durant ruptured his Achilles tendon while with the Golden State Warriors. During that offseason, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets and opted to sit out the whole upcoming season because of his recent injury.  In 2020, he missed 23 games due to a hamstring injury.  Last season, the 2014 NBA MVP missed 21 games due to an MCL sprain in his left knee.  It seems like Durant can’t catch a break!  And, neither can the Nets.

Kyrie’s Up

It’s clear they believe Kevin Durant is their ticket to the NBA Finals.  Although, without the two-time NBA Finals MVP for the remainder of the game, the Nets were able to pull out a one-point victory over Miami, 102-101.  Joe Tsai and the Nets front office will lean on their other superstar, Kyrie Irving, to keep their winning ways while Durant is out.  After the game, Irving spoke about his teammate’s injury stating that they have to move forward without any excuses.

 

Written by Brandon Simmons

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Is Travis Scott Making a Comeback Since Astroworld Tragedy?

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Travis Scott performs at The O2 Arena on August 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)

Travis Scott is set to make a comeback!  The Houston rapper headlined two concerts in London this past weekend.  It has been nine months since his Astroworld music festival.  Unfortunately, 10 attendees were killed with hundreds injured at that festival forcing Travis Scott to lay low for several months.  It’s hard for people to forget what happened that day.

Astroworld

 In November 2021 at the NRG Park in Houston, Texas the Astroworld Festival took place.  With over 50,000 people in attendance, during Travis’s set, the crowd tried to rush towards the stage.  Rushing the stage caused many people to be stuck and out of breath.  Investigators of the incident named compression asphyxia as the cause of death for the 10 victims.  Compression asphyxia is where there is no respiration in your body because of external pressure.  Unfortunately, the concert still went on even with all the commotion leading people to questions Scott’s motives.

Performance in London

In front of 20,000 fans at the O2 Arena, Scott performed new songs from his next album, Utopia.  The album is set to have verses from Swae Lee, Bryson Tiller, and 21 Savage.  He even treated fans to a track featuring Kanye West.  The track titled, “God’s Country” was supposed to be on Kanye’s Donda album, but it never made it.  Scott also performed “Lost Forever”, featuring Westside Gunn and James Blake.  He debuted this song at the Billboard Music Awards earlier this year.

Travis Celebrates

After his show, he was met by his good friends NBA stars James Harden and Kevin Durant.  They embraced him and celebrated him for his first headlining show since Astroworld festival.  His wife, Kylie Jenner, and Stormi were also there to support him.  Kylie caught the celebration on camera and posted the trio to social media.  In the video, Travis can be seen shirt-off, yelling, and screaming banging his hand against the door.  James Harden joins him while Kevin Durant pops a bottle of champagne.  This video was met with criticism as fans thought he was being insensitive after what happened at his festival.  They said he is still “raging” and isn’t a good look.

With his fourth studio album in the works, people are wondering if Utopia will honor the victims of the Astroworld festival.  Fans feel he should at least mention it on the album.  Before the album, he has a residency at Las Vegas from September 17-October 15.  “Road to Utopia” consists of seven shows and will be at the Zouk nightclub.

Written by: Brandon Simmons

 

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Brooklyn Nets Star Kevin Durant Comments On The Warriors Winning The NBA Finals In His Absence

Kevin Durant On The Warriors Winning In His Absence
Kevin Durant discusses the Warriors being victorious in the NBA Finals without him. Image Source: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics to claim their fourth championship since 2015. Kevin Durant commented on the Warriors’ recent triumph. It could be that one troll at a time may be tarnishing the legacy of Kevin Durant following his first-round sweep by the same team Golden State defeated in the NBA Finals. Durant was a member of the Warriors from 2016 to 2019 and helped lead the team to two NBA championships.

Kevin Durant will have to contend that he now has two fewer rings than Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. On June 17, Durant tweeted: “I been dead since July 4th 2016, but congrats to the dubs and my boy Steezy, a Fillmore legend, man been waitin his whole life for a parade on market st.”

Furthermore, on June 13, he tweeted that he does not believe he struggles as a basketball player. A hater responded with the statement: “You shot 22-83, 7-21 from 3 and had 21 turnovers in a sweep. You for sure struggled in that series vs Boston.”

Durant appeared unfazed by the insult and took the jab with ease. Read Durant’s back and forth on Twitter below.

Kevin Durant’s Team Lost In The First Round

For the series, Stephen Curry led all scorers with 31.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. Durant’s Brooklyn Nets were the victims of a sweep by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. As a result, they watched the game from home after losing to the Celtics.

In addition, KD was told by a fan that he’s among the top 5 players in the league and reminded that others’ opinions are useless.

KD Involved In A Kobe Bryant Debate

In recent days, however, KD found himself involved in an argument about Kobe Bryant. Also, about Kobe’s attitude between winning three in a row and two additional victories after Shaq left. The fan noted that KD’s approach to the game is “At every facet of the game – and the height you’ve achieved is perhaps the highest anybody ever has.”

The fan continued, “Kobe is my favorite player ever – the diff between him in 05-06 vs 08-09 as an example is he imprinted his personality on every single player.”

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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Roddy Ricch Criticized The Grammys On The ETCs Podcast

Source: Calloway

Roddy Ricch went for the interview at The ETCs Podcast with Kevin Durant and Eddie Gonzales. Among other topics, Ricch also brought up his recent confrontation with the Recording Academy. Notably, the artist talked about Lil Baby and Lil Uzi Vert not receiving Grammy nominations.

“I feel like everybody got their own lane, everybody got their own thing they do,” Roddy Ricch claimed. “You know what I’m saying? Uzi is like, like when I was talking to the Grammys, I’m like, ‘Y’all ain’t nominate Uzi for [Best] Rap Album?’ I was tripping on them. Even like Lil Baby: ‘Y’all ain’t nominate Lil Baby?’ Like I’m tripping, ’cause it’s like everybody got their own lane, and it should be spoken about, talked about more, because I feel like the n***as now that’s doing shit like no disrespect, but we really breaking barriers.”

Roddy Ricch also talked about his musical inspirations on top of bringing up the artists he finds hot and underrated. “The way Kanye do shit, that’s inspirational.” Ricch kept listing, “The way Nipsey move, his being, the way he talk, the power in his words…I take that from him. JAY…that n***a like…he on a whole other level. The whole no writing shit, I took that from him.”

Watch the interview below:

Roddy Ricch ‘Live Life Fast’

Roddy Ricch also released his new Live Life Fast album on December 17th. Features on the album include 21 Savage and Kodak Black on “hibachi,” Gunna on “don’t i,” Lil Baby on “moved to miami,” and more.

Listen to Roddy Ricch’s ‘Live Life Fast’ below:

Do you think Roddy Ricch’s claims are justified? Also, what do you think of his newest album? Let us know @FMHipHop Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Read more:

–Roddy Ricch’s ‘Live Life Fa$t’ Release Gets Mixed Reviews

Written by Nikita Serdiuk

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DEA Worked With Biz Markie’s Manager And Longtime Friend

DEA Worked With Biz Markie's Manager And Longtime Friend
Image Source: Biz Markie's Twitter.

The long-lasting criminal court case marks late Biz Markie’s manager and longtime friend, Lamont Wanzer, apparently cooperated with DEA several years ago concerning Richard Byrd’s drug trafficking case. In 2016, Byrd was indicted and now serves a 26-year prison sentence.

Wanzer’s role was to collect the information against Byrd. Both ran a marketing and events company BizMont. Wanzer died in November 2014 from cancer.

Another person in custody is Kenneth Ravenell, Byrd’s attorney. Ravenell currently faces racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, and obstruction of justice charges. The attorney allegedly also accepted up to $2 million in drug money between 2009 and 2014.

DEA collected evidence against Ravenell since the 2014 office search, finally indicting the attorney in 2019.

From Challenging The Supreme Court To DEA Searches And Money Laundering Charges

Kenneth Ravenell has been a lawyer for more than 25 years. Ravenell even challenged the Supreme Court and argued to uphold a rule, making murder defendant’s confessions insufficient evidence on trial.

The Late Manager Of Late Biz Markie Was Also The DEA Informant
Kenneth Ravenell. Image source: FOX.

The precedent was Leeander Blake’s case; the defendant confessed in murder to the detectives while in police custody. Blake allegedly admitted his guilt to the detectives after some officer ignored his written request for counsel and still interrogated the 17-year-old detainee. Considering Blake’s Miranda and Sixth Amendment rights violations, the Supreme Court eventually ruled the state of Maryland to dismiss the pre-trial charges.

Unfortunately for the defendant, the happy end never happened. Various Baltimore law enforcement authorities kept investigating the case. In 2007 Blake still got a life sentence in prison for first-degree murder and carjacking, twenty years for conspiracy to possess firearms and ten for possession and discharge of a gun.

Ravenell’s Arrest

In 2014, one of Ravenell’s clients, Richard Christopher Byrd, suggested that the attorney is in his drug-trafficking ring. The 16-page indictment shows that Byrd paid “a representative,” who in exchange “gathered information about law enforcement activities and inquiries.” Byrd requested the data to “monitor” the ongoing investigation against him.

The law enforcement searched Ravenell’s office twice and DEA collected evidence for 5 years until finally pressing conspiracy and money laundering charges in 2019.

Baltimore Drug Kingpin, A Friend Of Drake And Ye

Richard Byrd, who threw Ravenell under the bus, also did so with many other people. Before getting arrested, the nationwide operating drug kingpin distributed over 200 kilograms of cocaine and 20 tons of weed.

Ravenell first represented Byrd in the early nineties. With his attorney, Byrd also allegedly snitched on many more people, including family members, who helped with transportation.

Byrd also testified to DEA that many Hip-Hop artists and famous people from other industries had been working with him. Richard Byrd heavily participated in the club industry as a drug kingpin. People like Chris Brown, Drake, Kevin Durant, Jamie Foxx, LeBron James, and more participated at Byrd’s shows and branded events.

Byrd even worked with Ye. Unfortunately, as Byrd complains, “once he became a megastar, [Ye] became very difficult to work with.”

The case is still ongoing. While Byrd already spends his years in prison, Ravenell is only facing the court trials.

Written by Nikita Serdiuk

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Diddy, Will Smith, & Kevin Durant Unite To Fund $30 Million Speedboat Venture

Here’s a premise: Diddy, Will Smith, and NBA superstar Kevin Durant get in a speedboat with tens of millions of dollars. Safe to say, it’s going somewhere.

Diddy, Will Smith, and Kevin Durant Invest $30 Million
Arc One/ via Arc Boats Co,

Diddy, Smith, and Durant join the crew

That’s just what Arc Boats Co. has in mind as it brings the big-time investors. The three teamed up to fund Arc’s new Arc One speedboat, with a $30 million check, per Yahoo. Officially labeled “new strategic investors”, Diddy, Smith, and Durant will invest through their respective venture companies. Diddy will go through Combs Enterprises, Smith through Dreamers VC, and Durant through Thirty-Five Ventures.

In a statement, Arc said:

“Along with being world class in their respective fields, these individuals bring a wealth of experience in building brands, marketing products, and cultivating strong communities. “Together, they’ll help Arc execute faster and amplify our impact.”

Called “a Telsa of the high seas”, this 24-foot long speedboat will be all charge, and also no gas. Reportedly, a single charge can keep the ship going for 3-5 hours. Space age-designed and looking as fit for galactic travel as for seas, the Arc One comes from incredible minds. Ryan Cook, the co-founder of Arc Boats, is a former SpaceX engineer, along with other employees at Arc Boats. Cook also worked extensively on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, first launched in 2018. CEO Mitch Lee is a software engineer, developer, and also a former engineer at Boeing.

Costing $300,000, the Arc One is definitely a product for the well-to-do. So, Diddy, Smith, and Durant are most certainly the target audience. And with this latest investment coming on the heels of another $30 million investment, Arc has the wind in its sails.

In other Diddy news, the NYC rapper’s charter school also found a new location in Harlem. Originally opened in 2016, The Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School serves some 500 students. Now using the historic site of Church of All Saints, Diddy’s new program looks to increase student enrollment to 700 students.

 

Garrett C. Owen

Twitter | Instagram

 

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Team USA Bounces Back With Dominant Showing Against Iran

Team USA bounces back with dominant showing against Iran

Damian Lillard helped erase the memory of his dismal performance vs. France with 21 points in today’s game, as Team USA bounces back with a blowout win vs. Iran, 120-66. The victory was Team USA’s first of these Olympics, and it came as a nice comfort after they fell to France on Sunday after blowing several second-half leads. Early in, the United States steamrolled Iran, leaping out to a 28–12 first-quarter lead, increasing the score to 30 at halftime, and turning the last 20 minutes into extended garbage time. Iran supplied an easy win for the Americans, who are still attempting to gel together with a late-arriving lineup.

Team USA bounces back in a major way

All 12 American players scored four points or more, with Damian Lillard leading the way with 21 points. Lillard got the ball rolling early for Team USA, hitting six three-pointers in the first half. Jayson Tatum had 14, and Devin Booker had 16. Bam Adebayo and Kevin Durant each had three blocks. Off the bench, Zach LaVine had eight assists. Team USA went 17-for-18 from the charity stripe. In addition, the team made 55% of their shots from the field and 49% from beyond the arc.

The result was lopsided, and Iran never stood a chance, yet a few of its players put up strong performances. The only Iranian-born player in NBA history, Hamed Hammadi, recorded 15 points, six rebounds, and a block. Mohammad Jamshidi contributed 14 points and three assists, while Navid Rezaeifar chipped in with 12 points off the bench.

Despite numerous turnovers, Iran’s rotation players performed admirably. Their lack of depth, however, was revealed when four bench players went 0-for-13 from the field. The ability of Team USA to create turnovers allowed their speed to seize control in the open court, and Iran was completely overwhelmed.

Written by John Galietta

Instagram: @jgalietta17

Twitter: @jgalietta17

 

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The Milwaukee Bucks Pull Off a Historic Win Against the Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are out!

Let’s make one thing clear from the start, the Brooklyn Nets are the best team in the NBA. Led by Kevin Durant (the best player in the NBA), Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Blake Griffin, coached by the legendary Steve Nash, this team has greatness written all over it. That greatness is just going to have to wait for another season with the Milwaukee Bucks booting them from the playoffs.

The Bucks shoot a basket

In a seriously riveting seven game series, the Bucks pulled off the final victory in Brooklyn. Game 7 was a constant back and forth battle, with no clear winner at any point. Even when the Bucks were up with seconds remaining, everybody and their mother knew that Kevin Durant would tie the game. In a low scoring overtime, Khris Middleton sealed the deal for Milwaukee, knocking the Nets out for good.

Though the Bucks have Giannis leading the charge, they are far more team-based than player-based, something the Nets are debatably in the air about. While Giannis is a competent scorer, his chemistry with the talents of Middleton and Jrue Holiday―among other great players―is why they prevailed over the Nets.

The Bucks on the court between play time

Brooklyn fought the fight

The Nets shoot a basket while the Bucks defend

We can’t talk about a Nets game without talking about Kevin Durant’s performance. In game 5, KD went nuts and dropped a heavy triple double, scoring 49 points, leading a major comeback to win the game. In game 7, KD brought out 48 points, played every minute, and brought the game into overtime with a fantastic basket. Unfortunately, it was Durant who air-balled the Nets final possession, clenching the game for Milwaukee. However, Durant deserves credit for carrying the team with Kyrie injured and Harden playing FAR from his best.

Game 1 between the Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will be on Wednesday, June 23rd. With how this playoffs has gone, the series is anybody’s. With that, the Hawks better watch out because any team that can beat KD’s Nets can beat any team.

 

 

Jason Heilbronner | Twitter: @JasonHeilbronn1