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The Bounce: Draymond Green and Austin Rivers have beef. Who’s right?

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The Bounce Newsletter :basketball: | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.

On this date in 1989, Michael Jordan caught the inbound pass in Game 5 against Cleveland. He took two hard dribbles to the free-throw line, rose, hung in the air, fired and hit “shot on Ehlo.” This call by the Bulls crew is forever etched into my brain.


🥩 Court!

Beef Court: Austin Rivers vs. Draymond Green

The Bounce Beef Court is back in session for another very important case. This time, we’ve got a contentious dispute between Warriors forward Draymond Green and former NBA guard Austin Rivers. It began with Draymond offering up a very curious take regarding his coach, Steve Kerr, on his podcast:

“When I think of who I was offensively as a player and who I became, I think a part of that is due to him. I don’t hold that against him. I’m forever grateful that he still put me in a position to be successful, and that I could become Draymond Green despite my offensive role on our team.”

Green mentioned that he hadn’t had a single play run for him since 2016. That caused Rivers to question what Green was talking about. And to be fair to Rivers, many people wondered aloud if Green was being unreasonable, incorrect, delusional or all of the above. Rivers was asked on “The Dan Patrick Show” on how to feature Draymond, and Rivers responded with, “Featured doing what?” He called it “ridiculous” that Draymond thinks like this, because Draymond isn’t a scorer, and he’s left open 80 percent of the time.

Rivers noted because Draymond is such a high-IQ player, he’s taken advantage by making other plays. He claimed it wasn’t a slight to say Draymond wouldn’t be a future Hall of Famer if he were drafted to another team. I don’t know … kind of sounds like a slight.

Draymond fired back on his podcast, and Rivers has since responded. Let’s review the cases for both and make a Beef Court ruling.

The case for Draymond: Green was ruthless when he clapped back at Rivers. He started off by mentioning that Rivers is on his second act (as he’s now firmly in a media career) and that Draymond is still in his first act (playing in the NBA). Then he mocked Rivers’ ability as a player, essentially saying he peaked in high school.

“Austin, you and I averaged the same amount of points in high school, and I say high school cause that’s when you were at your best.”

Ay, Dios mio! It’s not totally true. Green averaged 20 points per game in his senior season and 25 points as a junior in high school. Rivers averaged 23.9 as a junior and 28.8 as a senior, according to MaxPreps.

He didn’t stop there. He said Rivers was “very featured at Duke,” but his NBA career started with his first team getting rid of him after two years. That’s when New Orleans declined Rivers’ fourth-year option on his rookie deal and traded him in the middle of his third season. Then he got personal with the sensitive subject of his dad, Doc Rivers, giving his son a big contract with the Clippers.

“The guy received the biggest bailout in U.S. history, prior to President Trump bailing out the airlines, when his dad gave him $42 million.”

Doc actually gave Austin a three-year, $35 million contract in 2016. But Draymond said he prays he can one day give his children $200 million or $250 million one day. My goodness.

The case for Rivers: Rivers started his response by saying he was actually being wildly complimentary of Draymond, even though it didn’t completely come off that way. Then he said, “But it’s you, and I shouldn’t be surprised. You always act irrationally, emotionally and immature. And your anger always puts you in hot water.” Rivers had previously mentioned Kerr allowing Draymond’s “spasms” and outbursts to go relatively unchecked.

Rivers defended his high school career, noting he received the Naismith national prep player of the year award (which he panned to on camera). “I was ranked No. 1, and you were ranked I don’t know.” He said Draymond was solid in college, but it’s hard to compare because Rivers was only at Duke for six months. “Something you could never do,” as Rivers referenced being a one-and-done guy versus Draymond’s four years at Michigan State.

Rivers then acknowledged his pro career can’t match Draymond’s but hit him with an “easy, tiger” before talking about how lucky Draymond has been to play with so many Hall of Famers and greats. Rivers called him the luckiest basketball player he’s ever seen. He also mentioned how Draymond chased Kevin Durant off the Warriors because he “talks too much.”

Rivers also called Draymond “the backpack jump shooter,” referencing the meme of how Draymond looks when he shoots a jumper. He closed by mentioning how teams wouldn’t give him a coaching job because he sucker punches teammates.

Beef Court ruling 🧑‍⚖️: We were going to take Draymond’s side. But then he showed a lack of cognitive awareness with this incorrect jab at Charles Barkley. So the Beef Court rules in favor of Rivers.


The last 24

🥽 See no evil. Does the NBA have an integrity problem, especially when it comes to gambling and tanking? Not according to our latest anonymous player poll.

🧔🏾‍♂️ SOS. Has anybody seen the “good” James Harden? Please send him to Cleveland ASAP, Candace Buckner writes.

🩼 Bad news. I wouldn’t get excited about a Luka Dončic return. It’s unlikely in the second round. 

🦌 Uh oh. Bucks owners were honest with new coach Taylor Jenkins about Giannis. “He may or may not be with us.”

🔊 “NBA Daily.” Watch and listen to a recap of last night’s games. And a discussion about whether Alperen Şengün really is the league’s most overrated player.

Stream the NBA on Fubo (try it for free!) and catch out-of-market games on League Pass.


About last night

Knicks, Spurs protect home court

Let’s recap last night’s Game 2s:

Karl Anthony-Towns and the Knicks are up 2-0 on the Sixers. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)

Knicks 108, 76ers 102 | Knicks lead 2-0

Without Joel Embiid (ankle and hip) in Game 2, the Knicks were expected to have another blowout victory like in Game 1. Instead, the Sixers put up a great fight … until the fourth quarter. While they did a phenomenal job of limiting the Knicks in that fourth, the Sixers only scored 12 points in the final 12 minutes. That dashed any chance of stealing a game at Madison Square Garden.

Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points, while Kelly Oubre and Paul George had 19. But Jalen Brunson put up 26 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had a 20-10-7 and OG Anunoby had 24 for the Knicks. Something to monitor? It looked like Anunoby might have hurt his hamstring.  New York can’t afford to miss him for long, Ian O’Connor writes.

What’s the adjustment for Philadelphia? Find more paint points. Losing that battle without Embiid is expected. Losing it 56-30 is not the discrepancy the Sixers should accept.

How does New York take another one? Get that 3-point percentage up. The Knicks went just 7-of-26 from deep. They played a really good game in a lot of areas, but they left a lot of meat on the bone from the perimeter.

Telling stat: 21.1. That was the percentage the Sixers shot in the fourth quarter, going 4-of-21 from the field. George, VJ Edgecombe and Maxey combined to go 2-of-16 in the quarter.

Playoff Panic Meter (out of five): 🔔🔔🔔🔔 for Philadelphia

Spurs 133, Wolves 95 | Series tied 1-1

After a spirited Game 1 loss to the Wolves, the Spurs responded exactly as they hoped. Gregg Popovich sat in on the film session between games, and San Antonio did everything right in Game 2. It forced more turnovers (22) than it allowed assisted buckets (19). Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, 15 boards and two blocks. The Spurs had 29 fast-break points. And in the blink of an eye, they made a lot of people forget about the Game 1 loss. This was a complete beatdown.

What’s the adjustment for Minnesota? Literally everything from Game 2. Limit turnovers, make free throws, make 3-pointers, protect the paint, don’t give up fast-break chances and play a little perimeter defense in the process.

How does San Antonio take another one? Continue to put pressure in the paint. That’s how the Spurs got going early, and Minnesota’s defense crumbled.

Telling stat: 40.9. That’s the percentage of shots the Wolves made in the paint on their way to a 58-36 disadvantage in Game 2. Some of that was Wemby lurking, and some was just sloppiness.

Playoff Panic Meter (out of five): 🐺🐺 for Minnesota | 🤠🤠🤠 for San Antonio

Since we’re here, let’s do a quick preview of tonight’s Game 2s. All times Eastern.

Cavs at Pistons, 7 p.m. (Amazon Prime) | Pistons lead 1-0

  • Adjustment for Cleveland: Stop turning it over. The Cavs had 20 turnovers in Game 1; they have to be more intentional with their passing decisions.
  • Adjustment for Detroit: Trap Donovan Mitchell better and see if you can make anybody else beat you.

Lakers at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. (Amazon Prime) | Thunder lead 1-0

  • Adjustment for Los Angeles: Get Austin Reaves going with some easy buckets early. Hard screens to get him clean looks.
  • Adjustment for Oklahoma City: Get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in better spots to handle the traps and give him better passing angles. Too many turnovers in Game 1.

Spin City

Let’s simulate the lottery, Part 4

As we lead up to Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery, we’re taking a spin on the Tankathon lottery simulator every day this week.

Tankathon is the best website for tracking the lottery odds. It’s also the best site for simulating the lottery and seeing what comes up. We are trying to figure out what would happen with each random drawing. One spin and we play the result, no matter what. On Monday, Miami won the top pick. Tuesday, it was Dallas going back-to-back. Yesterday, Indiana took it.

Today? AJ Dybantsa stays close.

The Jazz finally winning the top pick after years of tanking could not come at a better time. They have a good, young player in Ace Bailey. Keyonte George took a massive leap. And they added Jaren Jackson Jr. to Lauri Markkanen for a pair of All-Star veterans. Bringing BYU’s Dybantsa into the mix would add incredible size, skill and potential to the roster.

Indiana stays in the top two and could add Kansas guard Darryn Peterson to Tyrese Haliburton’s backcourt. And the Grizzlies get No. 3, where they could take Duke’s Cameron Boozer in the first major pick of their rebuild. Unfortunately for the Wizards, they drop four spots. And Atlanta “only” gets the seventh pick from New Orleans.

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Los Angeles Rams 26-30 Denver Broncos: Bo Nix scores in final minute of fourth quarter to complete thrilling comeback | NFL News

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Bo Nix crossed for a touchdown from close range with 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter as the Denver Broncos came from 16-0 down at half-time to beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-26.

Quarterback Nix’s keeper from inches outside the goal line capped a wild final five minutes that included a 66-yard pick-6 by Denver and a quick touchdown response by Los Angeles.

After Nix put the Broncos (2-1) in front by reaching over the scrum with both hands gripping the football, Matthew Stafford, whose 17 comebacks in the last 2 minutes are the most by any active quarterback, drove the Rams to the Denver 14, where he spiked the ball with 2 seconds left.

A false start moved the ball back to the 19, the Rams (1-2) sent out five receivers but safety Talanoa Hufanga secured his second interception of the night – this one in the end zone – to seal the win for the home side.

Talanoa Hufanga had two interceptions on the night including a game-winner
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Talanoa Hufanga had two interceptions on the night including a game-winner

The Rams dominated Denver before halftime, outgaining the Broncos by more than 200 yards in the first half while piling up 17 first downs to five, outrushing them 87 yards to 21 and besting them 186 yards to 46 through the air.

But it was only 16-0 at halftime because the Rams kept stalling and settling for field goals after Stafford hit tight end Tyler Higbee with a 5-yard touchdown throw on the Rams’ second possession.

The Broncos went three-and-out to start the second half but finally revved up their sputtering offense and cut their deficit in half on Nix’s 5-yard strike to Bryant and 2-point conversion pass to Jaylen Waddle on a throw between the hands of Wallace midway through the third quarter.

Pat Bryant (13) and Courtland Sutton (14) celebrate a first down
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Pat Bryant (13) and Courtland Sutton (14) celebrate a first down

The Broncos tied it on another touchdown and 2-pointer. Nate Adkins caught an 8-yard throw from Nix, who found Bryant again to tie the game heading into the final period.

Talanoa Hufanga’s 66-yard pick-6 with 4:49 left in the game gave Denver its first lead at 23-19. Hufanga jumped in front of running back Kyren Williams, cradled Stafford’s pass and weaved his way down the field and into the end zone.

Just four plays later, however, Stafford hit Konata Mumpfield from 48 yards out when cornerback Riley Moss fell down, restoring the Rams’ lead at 26-23.

Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) celebrates a tackle against the  Rams
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Broncos linebacker Que Robinson (51) celebrates a tackle against the Rams

Nix drove Denver 65 yards in 10 plays with the aid of three defensive penalties and, with the ball nearly touching the goal line, leapt over the pile for the go-ahead TD. Nix had completions of 39 and 21 yards on that drive, finishing the evening with 17 completions for 186 yards and two touchdowns to accompany a first-half interception.

Stafford, on the other hand, finished 30 for 55 for 390 yards. He threw 32 passes in the first half, the most of his career. With Puka Nacua out again with a hip injury, Davante Adams had seven receptions for 137 yards, giving him 15 catches for 332 yards over his last two games, the best such stretch of his career.

Watch the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, including every minute of the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on Sunday February 14, 2027. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.

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Today on Sky Sports Racing: Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton | Racing News

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We have a busy day’s racing on Monday with action from Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, live on Sky Sports Racing…

3.15 Brighton – Danehill Star chases a hat-trick

Danehill Star chases a hat-trick in the Bet £20 Get £40 in Free Bets at matchbook.com Handicap.

The Tony Carroll-trained gelding has been in the form of his life, winning on his last two starts. The first came over course and distance by half a length, before he bolted up by over five lengths at Bath.

The handicapper has not missed him, as he has been raised ten pounds since these wins, but the manner in which he won at Bath suggests that he holds strong claims in rounding off a hat-trick of wins.

Newfangled perhaps poses the biggest threat having won this race last season off just a one-pound lower mark. He has hit form at the right time, finishing a creditable third at Windsor last time out.

Course-specialist Dion Baker has found it tough from a mark of 73, a rise of 36 pounds since beginning his winning run at the track in late May. He holds a chance, having fallen two pounds in the handicap, and On The Inlet could be competitive if he can resume his early-season progression back down in class.

2.25 Newton Abbot – Dovecote fourth Matiwo returns

Dovecote fourth Matiwo returns in the Jodie Standing’s Point-To-Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle.

Matiwo looked a promising juvenile hurdler last season having won a decent Newbury novice in taking fashion before finishing a brilliant fourth in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle where he travelled like one of the best in the race. That day he beat some exciting types including subsequent Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner, Storming George.

His current form and unexposed profile puts him well above his opposition and he should prove very tough to beat on seasonal reappearance.

Ride Like A Girl looked promising after wind surgery when winning in May but has not progressed since. If coming on for his last run following a short break, he could be competitive with experience and fitness onside.

Scott’s Legacy would pose the chief threat if taking to obstacles on hurdle debut, having won impressively in a good bumper at Southwell in March.

Pappano contains a lot of ability having been rated 96 on the flat and contested this year’s Triumph hurdle for Willie Mullins. He has not shaped with much promise on two hurdling starts and raced too keenly last time out, and now has plenty to prove.

4.55 Wolverhampton – Record-breaking 1-33 loser Najidi Storm faces Wootz

Record-breaking 1-33 loser Najidi Storm faces exciting Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes.

Najidi Storm was mightily impressive on debut when scoring with by half a length with a taking turn of foot. That novice has worked out well with two next-time-out winners, including the subsequent Cambridgeshire fourth, Gavriel. He then seemed to dislike heavy conditions at Goodwood when becoming the shortest-priced loser in British racing history at 1-33.

He is brother to St Leger winner Logician, and half-brother to smart performer Okeechobee, so contains plenty of scope for further improvement.

Opposition is stiff with the exciting Wootz sure to prove a stern rival.

Wootz caught the eye with a striking six-and-a-half-length victory on debut before being well fancied at Windsor, but he hung left badly and could not quite overcome the smart Song Of The Clouds. He can continue his progression with more experience under his belt.

Al Jolson won nicely at the second time of asking and Shadow Boxer is sure to come on for the experience and the extra furlong up in trip after staying on, on debut in April.

Best of the rest

4.27 Brighton – Royal County Glory bids for a hat-trick.

5.00 Brighton – Macanudo seeks a hat-trick.

1.50 Newton Abbot – Depalma aims for first win over fences for the Skeltons.

3.00 Newton Abbot – Gore Point bids to bounce back when facing last time out winner Juggernaut.

3.35 Newton Abbot – Saint Polo can get back to form following a poor chase start as he seeks a four-timer over hurdles.

4.10 Newton Abbot – Unexposed and progressive pair, Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme clash.

5.30 Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame can return to form following promising debut in hot Goodwood maiden.

8.00 Wolverhampton – Trappy 0-75 handicap.

8.30 Wolverhampton – The Anthony Gover seeks a course and distance hat-trick.

Bordeaux – Listed action

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Man City charges: Case involving alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules could drag on for years | Football News

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Manchester City have been embroiled in legal disputes with UEFA and the Premier League for 12 years and they are so determined to clear their name, and the 115 charges case is so big, that it could still be years before the saga is concluded.

According to reports last week, an independent tribunal has reached decisions in the case and Sky Sports News understands that the process is moving to the appeal stage.

In 2014 City paid a £49m fine for breaking UEFA’s financial fair play rules and in 2020 they were given a two-year European competition ban and fined €30m for breaking the rules again. The ban was overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport where City were cleared of disguising owner funding as sponsorship income.

That victory may give City fans hope that they can win again when their Premier League appeal is heard by a new three-person panel.

If the appeal goes against them, they will not be able to go to CAS but there is the strong possibility that City’s owners would turn to the High Court to clear their name.

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Miguel Delaney, Riath Al-Samarrai and Jack Rosser joined Sunday Supplement to discuss the latest in the Manchester City charges case

In 2014 City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak said he would spend £30 million on the best 50 lawyers in the world and sue UEFA for the next 10 years rather than lose the FFP case. In his open letter to City fans on Saturday he sounded just as determined as he was 12 years ago: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began”.

Al-Mubarak means what he says and there is so much at stake that City will do whatever it takes to clear their name. In the meantime, the most high-profile sports lawyers are keeping their thoughts to themselves until the full judgment is released. Friday’s leak, which led to reports that City had lost on 114 of the 115 charges, may well end up being used as evidence in City’s legal fight to prove that, in their opinion, the whole process has not been fair and impartial.

At the heart of all the legal challenges City have faced is the question of how they became so big and successful so quickly. City’s owners have been accused of putting too much money into the club and disguising it as sponsorship income. City have always insisted they have irrefutable evidence to prove that they did not break the rules.

City will face serious sanctions if they fail to clear their name and the case will continue to cast a shadow over Enzo Maresca and his players until it is finally resolved.

City’s reputation, and that of their owners, depends on this and the final judgement will also have implications for relations between Abu Dhabi and the United Kingdom. The two countries have close ties and common trade and diplomatic interests but the strength of that relationship will be tested if City are found definitively to have broken the rules.

City’s legal dispute with the Premier League would never have existed if it had not been for documents obtained illegally by convicted Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto. From City’s perspective, these leaked internal documents are “out-of-context materials purportedly hacked or stolen” which have been used in an “organised and clear attempt to damage the club’s reputation”.

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