LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker confirmed his retirement from basketball on Monday after 18 seasons in the NBA. The 37-year-old French international, who won four NBA titles with the Spurs between 2003 and 2014 announced his decision in a post on Twitter. “It’s with a lot of emotion that I retire from basketball, it was an incredible journey!” Parker wrote. “Even in my wildest dreams, I never […]
Tag: NBA
Durant could return for Warriors in must-win NBA Finals game
by Jim SLATER TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star forward Kevin Durant, sidelined for a month by a right calf injury, practiced with the defending champions Sunday and could return for the must-win fifth game of the NBA Finals. Improving enough for workouts means Durant might play Monday against Toronto, which owns a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and needs only one win to become the first team from outside the United […]
Democrats slam Trump’s use of trade threats against ally Mexico
by Brian KNOWLTON WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Democrats on Sunday slammed Donald Trump’s tactics of threatening punitive tariffs to extract concessions on immigration from Mexico, saying the US president was recklessly endangering ties to a major ally and trade partner. “What the world is tired of, and what I am tired of, is a president who consistently goes to war, verbal war, with our allies,” Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, […]
Raptors plan: Stay calm and capture a historic NBA title
by Jim SLATER TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — With an uncanny calm, the Toronto Raptors have advanced within one victory of a historic NBA title, bringing joyful delight to supporters even as they maintain a stoic manner. Winning twice on the road to seize a 3-1 edge over defending champion Golden State in the best-of-seven NBA Finals brought only stone-faced looks from players, taking the cliche of getting neither too high or too low to epic […]
Raptors NBA crown can bring Canada hoops legacy full circle
by Jim SLATER Agence France Presse TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — An NBA crown for the Toronto Raptors would bring basketball’s legacy full circle for Canada, celebrating its deep roots as birthplace of the sport’s inventor and site of the first NBA game. The Raptors, trying to become the first team from outside the United States to capture the throne, beat Golden State 105-92 Friday to seize a 3-1 lead on the defending champion Warriors […]
Toronto has crazed love affair with Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard
By Tennie Sumague EBC New York Bureau TORONTO (Eagle News) – In a country of hockey-obsessed fans, Canada is glued to the NBA finals between the Toronto Raptors and the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. Record-breaking ratings continue to set on Canadian television outlets, all in support of their team’s quest for their first title in franchise history. The vibe in the country’s most diverse and populated city is impeccably amazing. People in […]
Durant out for game four of NBA Finals but Thompson to return
OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Golden State star forward Kevin Durant will miss game four of the NBA Finals on Friday with a right calf injury, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday, but guard Klay Thompson is expected to return. Both players were absent in Wednesday’s 123-109 loss to Toronto, which game the Raptors a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven championship series entering game four Friday in Oakland. Two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Durant, […]
Warriors part-owner banned a year, fined $500K for shove
by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors investor Mark Stevens was fined $500,000 and banned from NBA games or team activities for a year for shoving and cursing at Toronto guard Kyle Lowry in an NBA Finals game, the league announced Thursday. But the punishment doesn’t go as far as Lowry wants, the Raptors playmaker saying he wants Stevens out of the league for his actions in Toronto’s 123-109 game-three victory […]
Low-key superstar Leonard sets mellow tone for Raptors
by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United StatesYou couldn’t tell from looking at his stone-faced manner or listening to his monotone remarks, but Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is having fun in the NBA Finals. And his poise under pressure and composure in tense moments has set the tone in lifting the Canadian club into a contender for its first NBA crown against defending champion Golden State. “Until we win the game or it’s all done, then […]
Thompson questionable, Looney out for injury-hit Warriors
by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — Golden State guard Klay Thompson is questionable for Wednesday’s third game of the NBA Finals with a left hamstring strain while reserve forward Kevon Looney is out indefinitely, the Warriors announced Monday. The setbacks are the latest bad news for the injury-hit defending NBA champions, who are level with Toronto at 1-1 in the best-of-seven final entering games three and four this week in California. An MRI […]
Injury-hit Warriors battered and bruised in NBA Finals
by Jim SLATER OAKLAND, United States (AFP) — If the injury-hit Golden State Warriors manage to win their third straight NBA Finals and fourth in five years, the trainers and medical staff might deserve Most Valuable Player consideration. The reigning champions are level with Toronto at 1-1 entering Wednesday’s third game of the best-of-seven series, but injuries to key players have the Warriors uncertain just who will suit up against the Raptors. “We’ll see about […]
NBA Finals: Warriors dominant third quarter even series against Raptors
By Tennie Sumague EBC New York Bureau TORONTO (Eagle News) – The Golden State Warriors mantra, “Strength in Numbers” took effect during their third quarter rampage, which helped even their series against the Toronto Raptors with a 109-104 win at Scotiabank Arena Sunday night. Up by five to open the second half, the Raptors offensive struggles began, missing eight straight shots, compiled with five turnovers, and the Warriors soared to an 18-0 run. The double-digit […]





