Yao Ming couldn't tell his Rockets teammates they called him the wrong name Yao Ming holds back Rockets teammate Steve Francis (Getty Images). Players who come to the NBA from foreign countries often have difficulty adjusting to the culture of the United States, but few have seemed so comfortable while still remaining themselves as Houston Rockets great and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Yao … [Read more...]

Why Kevin Durant stayed in bed after choosing to leave OKC 9:15 PM ET Kevin Durant told reporters at the Team USA camp in Las Vegas about his state of mind following his decision to head to Golden State and leave Oklahoma City. Turns out he was more comfortable staying in his pajamas than facing the wrath of jilted Thunder fans everywhere. "For a few days after, I didn't leave my bed, because I … [Read more...]

Paul George puts gruesome injury behind him in Team USA quest for gold 7:40 PM ET Dave McMenaminESPN Staff Writer Close Cavs and NBA writer for ESPN.com Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14 and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09 Syracuse University graduate LAS VEGAS -- It has been two years since Paul George's life was inextricably altered during a USA Basketball … [Read more...]

DeMarcus Cousins remains confused by the Kings’ draft night moves DeMarcus Cousins still isn’t totally clear what’s going on. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) DeMarcus Cousins made some waves on the night of the 2016 NBA draft when he seemed to respond to the Sacramento Kings’ decision to trade down from the No. 8 spot in Round 1 — and the chance to draft super-athletic Washington forward and … [Read more...]

Kevin Durant says he didn’t leave OKC because of Russell Westbrook Kevin Durant stands on the court during a Team USA practice session in Las Vegas on July 18, 2016. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) In his longest and most significant public comments since choosing to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors in free agency, Kevin Durant refuted reports that his decision … [Read more...]

GSW's Green: 'Being me has gotten me this far' 1:20 AM ET Ethan Sherwood StraussESPN Staff Writer Close Covers the Golden State Warriors for ESPN.com Contributes to ESPN's TrueHoop blog Hosts TrueHoop TV Live LAS VEGAS -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green does not believe he must take a new course in light of recent incidents. "Being me has gotten me this far," Green … [Read more...]

Cousins: 'I don't really understand' Kings' draft 10:54 AM ET ESPN.com news services DeMarcus Cousins said he does not understand the Sacramento Kings' decisions in the NBA draft but emphasized that he plans to "control what I can control." Cousins, while speaking to reporters Monday after Team USA's practice in Las Vegas, was asked about the Kings' moves in the draft last … [Read more...]

Melo: 'As a country, we have to stand united' 4:18 AM ET Associated Press LAS VEGAS -- Carmelo Anthony wants more than a better U.S. basketball team heading into the Olympics. He wants a better U.S. Anthony wants an end to the gun violence, the killing of African-Americans and the targeting of police, and right now his quest for that seems bigger than his desire for what would be a … [Read more...]

The Thunder are set to sign the final piece of the James Harden trade Alex Abrines should bring needed shooting to the Thunder (EFE). The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2012 trade of James Harden to the Houston Rockets for a collection of players and draft picks is seen as one of the biggest moves in recent memory. While the play of Steven Adams this past postseason caused many to tab the Thunder … [Read more...]

Kevin Durant on Tom Brady: 'Great to be in the presence of such greatness' 1:31 AM ET Chris ForsbergESPN Staff Writer Close Covered Celtics since 2007 Emmy award-winning videographer Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009 If the Boston Celtics were trying to get Kevin Durant's attention by bringing New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to their meeting in the Hamptons earlier this … [Read more...]