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Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett was among the many people in attendance to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in the NBA Emirates Cup championship game this week. In honor of his special guest, Giannis reflected on his own experience with Garnett and their summer workout training sessions that helped develop his game.
"I had a week of workouts with him. He was sweating more than me. I was the one working out...best experience of my life," Giannis told Kevin, via NBA. "I just want to say, man, it was a pleasure working with you, bro.".
Kevin Garnett has long been retired from the NBA but his legacy as one of the all-time great big men stands tall. The 15x All-Star was drafted 5th overall in 1995 and retired after 21 seasons with career averages of 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game on 49.7% shooting.
Besides his elite defense and versatile interior offense, Garnett was known for his ruthless competitiveness and Giannis saw it for himself firsthand during their private workout. Even now, Garnett will outwork everyone just like he did during the prime of his career with the Celtics.
Earlier in Giannis' career, back in 2017, he met with Garnett, and the two spent hours in the gym honing their craft. To this day, Giannis still has a great respect for Garnett and it's no secret that he's molded some of his own game after the former Timberwolves star.
So when the two reconnected at the Emirates Cup championship game this week, it was truly a full-circle moment for the NBA that neither side will forget.
So while Garnett is no longer around to defend his legacy, he gets to live on through a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who he helped train up in the ways of interior-oriented basketball.
Of course, with one championship already in the books, Giannis has already attained the highest possible award in the NBA but he's not ready to stop now. At just 30 years old, Giannis is already a 2x MVP, NBA champion, Finals MVP, 8x All-Star, and 8x All-NBA defensive player. Over 11 years in the NBA, he's averaging 23.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 54.8% shooting.
This season is on track to be one of the best of his career so far but the job is not finished after winning the Emirates Cup. Now that the Bucks have gotten a taste of success again, there's no looking back and they must keep the pressure on in order to keep this positive momentum.
This season, with averages of 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game Giannis is already on track for a place in the MVP conversation. And if he's learned anything from Garnett over the years, it's that his work ethic will ensure that his team remains competitive.
After making history as the second NBA Cup winner, the Bucks head to Cleveland for a game against the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at 7:30 PM EST. On Thursday, December 19th, the Bucks are set for a game against the Washington Wizards at home, at 8:00 PM EST. After a brief time off, the Bucks head to United Center to battle the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 PM EST.
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Celtics Notes: Major Trade Update, All-Star Signing Urged, Ex-Celtic Champion Cut
The Boston Celtics have a major trade update amid an otherwise unpredictable offseason. The roster is already at an incredibly different place than last season, but Boston is reportedly shopping a $45 million guard to shed some salary and shake things up around the league even more. Additionally, the roster movement isn't expected to cease as the Celtics have been urged to sign an All-Star point guard. A pair of team insiders discussed the idea of bringing in the former No. 1 overall pick to bolster the new-look team. Finally, a former Celtics champion has been cut from a Western Conference squad. The 22-year-old will now search for his next home to continue his professional basketball life. Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Celtics news (click the headline for the full article): Celtics Could Trade $45 Million Guard in Major Roster Shakeup: Report Celtics Urged to Sign Former All-Star in Major Free Agent Move Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward Former Celtics Forward Says His Injuries Are the Reason Jayson Tatum Became Superstar in Boston Celtics Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.
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