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Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant are among the most influential players in the NBA. Because of what both have accomplished over the years, young players who are about to enter the NBA try to imitate their playing styles.
Tatum and Durant have both established themselves as two of the best scorers currently in the league. On top of that, both have won NBA championships and have made plenty of deep playoff runs throughout their careers.
That's why young players want to play like them. Among those players is Ace Bailey, who is not only a wing like Tatum and Durant are, but is also expected to be a high lottery pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.
Bailey singled out the two superstar wings on Wednesday when speaking with reporters. Like many other young wings, he admitted that Tatum and Durant were among the players who have influenced him the most as a basketball player.
"Ace Bailey says he models his game after Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jayson Tatum," Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network wrote on X.
Ace Bailey says he models his game after Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jayson Tatum.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) May 14, 2025
In his lone year at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks a game, shooting 46% from the field and 34.6% from three. If all goes right for him, his scoring abilities as a wing could lead to a career much like Tatum's or Durant's.
In ESPN's latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft , Bailey is predicted to go No. 3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, who have another star wing in Paul George.
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From the Boozer twins to a high-flying Eagle: Must-know names for the 2025–26 men's college basketball season
Indiana Basketball Could Get Shooting Boost As Season Nears
Indiana is on track to get some reinforcements with the 2025-26 season less than a week away. As reported by CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, "Indiana's Nick Dorn (foot) hopes to be fully cleared for all basketball related activities this week and if so, would be questionable for the opener on November 5th against Alabama A M, per Darian DeVries." While that report doesn't guarantee Indiana gets Dorn back for the season opener, it's a good sign that he'll be available in the early stages of the season, barring a setback. Dorn is making his way back from a fractured foot that cut his sophomore season at Elon short and lingered into his time with the Hoosiers. Indiana's first marquee matchup of the Darian DeVries era is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 9 against Marquette at the United Center in Chicago. Nick Dorn's background Dorn is one of 10 transfers brought in by DeVries this offseason. The 6-foot-7 guard played his first two collegiate seasons at Elon, where he started 47 games and played in 55. As a sophomore in 2024-25, he averaged 15.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.4% from the field, 35.1% on 8.4 3-point attempts per game and 80.5% from the free throw line. An unranked recruit out of Chambers High School in Charlotte, N.C., Dorn made an immediate impact at Elon. Averaging 9.4 points on 36.4% 3-point shooting, he made the 2023-24 CAA All-Freshman team. Upon entering the transfer portal, he was ranked No. 103 among all transfers and the No. 13 combo guard by 247Sports. On3 ranked Dorn No. 142 among all transfers, one spot ahead of outgoing Indiana transfer Bryson Tucker. What Dorn's potential return means for Indiana Dorn's recovery would be a welcomed addition to the Indiana backcourt. He brings good positional size at 6-foot-7 and 3-point shooting ability that will help space the floor. Indiana has gone with a three-guard lineup in its exhibition games, with Tayton Conerway, Conor Enright and Lamar Wilkerson alongside forwards Tucker DeVries and Reed Bailey. Dorn figures to earn minutes at the shooting guard and small forward spots. Darian DeVries spoke a bit about Dorn's physical ability and progress from his injury back on Sept. 30. "I'm a little worried after watching him run on the sidelines that Coach Cig might try and steal him from me because he can run, he can move. You've seen him; he's a big, physical guy," DeVries said. "As he's working his way back, we haven't had an opportunity to see a lot of the basketball piece. A lot of it has been shooting, some light movement stuff, but he's certainly getting closer and closer to full health before we get into more of that live contact. We're excited about him getting back whenever that time comes, but I think he's another added piece that we're looking forward to seeing what he can do." Indiana Extends Offer to High-Flying Guard Josh Lindsay: How Would He Fit? Indiana Enters Race for Ohio State Decommit and Top Prospect Marcus Johnson Indiana Basketball Finding Identity in Resiliency, Erases 13-Point Deficit vs Baylor Indiana vs Baylor: What We Learned About Each Hoosier Starter
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Cowboys WR George Pickens has telling response to question about contract
George Pickens is having an outstanding first season with the Dallas Cowboys, and the career-best pace has come at a time when he is preparing for potential free agency. Is it possible the star wide receiver could sign an extension before he gets to that point? Pickens says that is up to his boss. Pickens, who was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, is in the final season of his rookie contract. He was asked on Thursday if he would consider signing a new deal with the Cowboys before he becomes a free agent after the season. He had a noteworthy response. "That’s kinda up to what (Jerry Jones) wants to do. All I can do is perform at my best," Pickens said. George Pickens has earned No. 1 wideout money Pickens has 685 receiving yards through the first eight weeks of the season, which ranks third in the NFL. His six touchdown catches are already the most of his four-year career. CeeDee Lamb missed several games this season with an ankle injury, and Pickens showed during that time that he is more than capable of being the featured wideout in a quality offense. That should go a long way toward setting his market, whether he re-signs with the Cowboys or becomes a free agent. With Lamb making an average of $34M per year, the Cowboys probably cannot afford to keep Pickens. For now, the 24-year-old is at least giving off the impression that he is open to the possibility. He also suggested recently that money is not the most important thing to him with his next contract, which could keep Dallas in the running.
Three NHL coaches in danger of a midseason firing
The NHL season is just about a month in, with nearly every team having played 10 games so far. While several teams, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings, have exceeded expectations, many have fallen short. A disappointing start means many coaches will face the ire of fans who call for their dismissal, fair or not. Which bench bosses are actually in danger of a mid-season firing? Let's take a look at three NHL coaches on the hot seat. Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators After a brief stint as the Florida Panthers' interim head coach in 2021-22, Brunette was hired by the Predators in May 2023. So far, his results have been less than stellar. After a first round exit in 2024, the Predators ramped up that offseason, adding big names such as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Brunette was unable to translate this into success, as the Predators finished with just 30 wins and the third worst record in the NHL. This season, Nashville's struggles have continued, with a 4-5-2 record, good for 26th overall. Stamkos has just one goal and two points through 11 games and goaltender Juuse Saros sports a .905 save percentage, far below his career average of .914. With a 30th-ranked goals for per game (2.45) and power play (11.8%), if the Predators don't turn things around, Brunette could be the first head coach let go. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres The Sabres currently have the NHL's longest postseason drought at 14 seasons and have hopes of turning around their fortunes for the 2025-26 season. Ruff, who coached the Sabres from 1997-2013, returned to Buffalo for the 2024-25 season, which the Sabres ended in 26th place. After a rough 0-4-1 start, the Sabres bounced back, going 4-1-2 in their next seven games. However, as of Thursday, Buffalo is still out of a playoff spot as the Thanksgiving benchmark looms. The Sabres will need to improve their 12th-worst 3.10 goals against average, which should be helped as starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has returned from injury. While Ruff may have a little bit off leeway, come mid-season, if Buffalo doesn't project to play meaningful games in March and April, the Sabres may move on from the long-time NHL coach. John Hynes, Minnesota Wild Hynes' first two seasons in Minnesota have yielded subpar results: a sixth-place finish in 2023-24 and first round loss to Vegas in 2024-25. Although the Wild have made the playoffs eight of the past 10 seasons, they've yet to make it past the first round in any of those years. With superstar Kirill Kaprizov committing to Minnesota with a record breaking eight-year, $136 million contract, the Wild and Hynes desperately need to capitalize on the winger's prime years. A 3-5-3 start sees Minnesota in seventh place in the Central Division. They've struggled to keep the puck out of their net (fourth worst GAA in the league) and score at 5v5 (15 5v5 goals, worst in the league), leaving Hynes with some work to do. If Hynes can't turn things around in the State of Hockey, a mid-season firing may need to happen to jump start the team.
Canuch Coach Sends Message on Woes Amid Brock Boeser Development
The Vancouver Canucks’ injury troubles continued Thursday, prompting head coach Adam Foote to joke that “voodoo” might be behind the team’s growing list of sidelined players. Forward Brock Boeser left in the opening minute of Vancouver’s 4–3 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues after being struck in the midsection by a slap shot from teammate Elias Pettersson. The 28-year-old was helped off the ice and did not return. The Canucks later confirmed he sustained a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Boeser’s exit came just as captain Quinn Hughes missed his second straight game with a groin injury, bringing the total to nine players unavailable for the Canucks. Others currently out include Conor Garland, Derek Forbort, Teddy Blueger, Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and Nils Hoglander. After the game, Foote voiced disbelief at the string of injuries that have disrupted Vancouver’s early season. “We’ve got to find the person with the voodoo doll,” Foote said. “Yeah, we got to find that person with the voodoo and all, if that’s a thing. I don’t believe in that stuff, but I’m like, ‘What is going on here?’” Foote, however, was quick to praise his players for maintaining focus despite these setbacks. “If we can handle it and be resilient, stick to what we’re doing, we’ll all grow from it,” Foote said. “Once we get another guy back, another guy back, another guy back, now we’ve got depth.” Vancouver improved to 6–6–0 with the win, led by Kiefer Sherwood’s hat trick and Jake DeBrusk's shootout-winning goal. The Canucks continue their road trip Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, hoping for updates on both Hughes and Boeser.
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