The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
Jalen Green opted to forego the college route to play in the NBA’s G League.

Point-Counterpoint | The case for NCAA modernization

By Ben Bobeck, Senior Staff Writer • May 19, 2020
News flash — College basketball isn’t going anywhere. Even before a pandemic-induced shutdown and subsequent cancellation of the annual championship tournament, questions about the sport’s future bubbled below the surface as both federal authorities and NCAA leadership conducted investigations into top programs and coaches. These questions boiled over when three top recruits were lured away from the traditional road to the NBA by lucrative offers to spend a year of professional development with a startup team in the G League, the NBA’s minor league, before becoming eligible for the draft next year.
Jalen Green opted to forego the college route to play in the NBA’s G League.

Point-Counterpoint | The case for the G League

By Camryn Simons, Staff Writer • May 19, 2020
Top high school basketball players, like five-star prospects Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix, shocked basketball fans this commitment season by foregoing the traditional college route to play in the NBA’s G League. It’s a smart move, especially for players with serious dreams of lengthy NBA careers.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on Nov. 21, 2014, in Washington, D.C.

Revamping Silver’s season salvaging tournament

By Sean Tierney, Staff Writer • February 3, 2020
The league has grown massively in popularity over the past decade. Despite its upward trajectory, there is still one nagging obstacle that holds the NBA back — an 82-game regular season.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks off the field after losing to the Seattle Seahawks, Oct. 13, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Take 5: Getting excited for NBA, Williamson

By TPN Staff • October 18, 2019
With the NBA season starting on Oct. 22, The Pitt News sports staff takes on several basketball-related topics such as the potential of Zion Williamson and the league’s improving parity.
Lebron James answered questions about the NBA’s current tension with China at a press conference on Monday.

Column: LeBron is all for activism — until it’s an inconvenience

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor • October 16, 2019
LeBron James recently addressed Daryl Morey’s comments and the ensuing fallout from China, resulting in a stunning display of tone-deafness from an individual typically known for adept social commentary.
The Chinese flag is seen with a display of basketballs at the NBA store in Beijing on Oct. 9.

The NBA is being bullied by China, and it can’t continue

By Sean Tierney, Staff Writer • October 9, 2019
Less than a week ago, the Houston Rockets were one of the most popular basketball teams in China. Today, they are an enemy of the Chinese state. The same team once loved by Yao Ming, NBA Hall of Famer and current chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, is now the focal point of a Chinese blacklisting of the NBA.
Kawhi Leonard, left, and Paul George are joining forces next season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 6 biggest winners of the 2019 NBA offseason

By Michael Elesinmogun, For The Pitt News • July 16, 2019
The 2019 NBA offseason will go down as one of the biggest offseasons in league history.
Zion Williamson speaks during a news conference after being awarded the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy Player of the Year prior to the 2019 NCAA Men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on April 5.

Take 5: Kings, queens and curses

By The Pitt News Staff • May 28, 2019
Our staff is sharing four of our hottest basketball takes — and one about Serena Williams.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' Jeff Teague (0) drives against the San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills (8) during the second half on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Spurs won, 116-113.

NBA Playoff race set for photo finish

By Stephen Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor • April 3, 2019
The NBA regular season is winding down, but much still remains to be determined as the final week of games begins.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets last week.

Take 5: Baseball is Boomin’

By Staff • March 20, 2019
The largest contract in baseball history lasted 20 days before it was beaten out by the largest contract in baseball and American sports history. So who got the better deal, the Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper or the Los Angeles Angels and Mike Trout?
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