Wednesday, December 25, 2024

GET NEWS ALARTS

No Result

View All Result

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

No Result

View All Result

No Result

View All Result

ADVERTISEMENT

Tag: NBA

LeBron fueled by snub in NBA best player poll

by AFP

August 20, 2021

(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 30, 2021, LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after ...

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has apologised for butchering the names of members of the Nigerian basketball team during a rant on a TV show “First Take” following the team’s win over USA on Saturday.

Smith also apologised to the Asian community for making incendiary remarks about MLB All-Star Shohei Ohtani.

“When I spoke about the Nigerian basketball team, on the very same show, I hurt people as well,” Smith said at the opening of “First Take” show on Tuesday.

“So it doesn’t matter what my opinion was, or what my intentions were.

“What matters, is that I messed up

“I intend to learn and listen to people in those communities.”

Smith on the show clearly, and seemingly purposefully, mocked the names of the players.

The American TV personality action were met with backlash and even Nigerian basketball team.

“You can lament your loss without slandering the players who gave blood and sweet to grind out a win,” NBBF said

“Put some respect to their names.”

Smith is reacting to the Nigerian team historical win over the USA which came as a surprise to many.

The American men’s team fell 90-87 to Nigeria in its first of five exhibition games before the Olympics in Tokyo.

It goes without saying that the USA was the overwhelming favourite entering the game as the number one ranked basketball team in the world.

It is only the team’s third exhibition loss since the Dream Team in 1992.

Team USA, ranked number 1 by FIBA, started the game with a lineup that included a player of Nigerian origin Bam Adebayo, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum.

The 22nd-ranked Nigerians, tutored by Golden State Warriors’ assistant head coach Mike Brown, had seven players currently playing in the NBA.

“In a way, I’m kind of glad it happened,” Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said after the game.

“That means nothing if we don’t learn from it. It could be the most important thing in this tournament for us.”

Nigeria had a line up that included Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent who ended the game with 21 points.

There were 42 three-pointers in the game. 20 of those were made by the Nigerians.

“It was an exhibition and at the end of the day it doesn’t mean much in the standings,” said Mike Brown. “But it’s a good win for us. I don’t think any African team has been able to beat USA Basketball.”

ESPN’s Stephen Smith apologises to Nigerian basket ball team for mocking their names

ESPN’s Stephen Smith apologises to Nigerian basket ball team for mocking their names ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has apologised for ...

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka

Boston Celtics’ Udoka makes history as first Nigerian-American head coach in NBA

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka Former Nigeria basketball international Ime Udoka has been named as the new coach of the ...

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 19, 2021 Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets grabs the loose ball as Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends in the first half during game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. – Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant will compete for a third Olympic title in Tokyo alongside a new group of NBA stars seeking gold, according to an ESPN report June 23, 2021. (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Durant to lead new US set of NBA stars at Olympics

by AFP

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball during the game against the ...

Zion Williamson's Family Is Reportedly Upset With The Pelicans

Zion Williamson’s Family Is Reportedly Upset With The Pelicans

There are reports circulating that Zion's family wants him out of NOLA. Zion Williamson has been box office during his ...

Page 3 of 15 Prev 1 2 3 4 … 15 Next

© 2023 Afriupdate News. All Rights Reserved

Login
Sign Up

No Result

View All Result

© 2023 Afriupdate News. All Rights Reserved