8:03 am | September 27, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
If it seems like the NBA never went away this offseason, well … it didn’t. Not really. Among the draft, free agency, summer league and the FIBA World Cup, there was plenty to keep even the most avid NBA fans satisfied. But now the real fun begins. It’s time for training camp, followed very quickly by actual preseason games. Before you know it, the Raptors will be raising their championship banner, handing out rings and hosting Zion Williamson for his first NBA game Oct. 22.
But before that happens, players get to meet with the media. We’ll have you covered with all the best media day quotes, anecdotes and shenanigans across the NBA. Watch Media Day Streaming Live
Media day schedule
Friday, Sept. 27: Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings
Saturday, Sept. 28: Toronto Raptors
Sunday, Sept. 29: LA Clippers
Monday, Sept. 30: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
Friday, Sept. 27
Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant: ‘I wanted to be here’
“Just be a teammate. Come in, work hard in my rehab. Hopefully that sends a message out. Try to take it a day at a time.” –@KDTrey5
Watch KD live NOW | https://t.co/5rBsKOLsJA#NetsMediaDay pic.twitter.com/kIzJeg0cQh
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 27, 2019
Kevin Durant on why he chose the Nets: “It was really easy to see what these guys brought to the table. It’s not like I had to do any deep analysis of any player here.” Cited the continuity the Nets have had the last few years.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 27, 2019
How seriously did Kevin Durant consider the Clippers, Warriors, and Knicks?
Durant: “I thought about it for a couple seconds and see how my life would look in all of those places for a minute but ultimately I wanted to be here.”— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 27, 2019
KD on his 4;16 am convo with Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan on teaming up in Brooklyn: “We was just like “Are we ready to do this?” And everyone was just like “Yeah.” ” #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 27, 2019
Hello Brooklyn, Hello Kyrie
Kyrie Irving opens his press conference by saying he’s thankful to be in Brooklyn. He said that when free agency started, he reached out to Brooklyn and let them know “my interest was very high.”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 27, 2019
Kyrie Irving: “we all know Kevin Durant was not ready to play” in game 5. Takes swipe at warriors and says it won’t happen here. pic.twitter.com/7B3KwfVrwa
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) September 27, 2019
“Let me bring this New York/New Jersey style to the court. I grew up playing at some of these courts.” –@KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/3RAMRhz6KU
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 27, 2019
Kyrie reflects on final season in Boston
1:42
Kyrie Irving shares that he struggled with the death of his grandfather and that demeanor carried over into his game and impacted his teammates.
Kyrie talked about struggling with the death of his grandfather and struggling with grief. “I didn’t take the necessary steps to get counseling or therapy.” He said he “failed” his teammates in Boston.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 27, 2019
Kyrie Irving on his grandfather dying last Oct. “After he passed, basketball was the last thing on my mind.” Didn’t seek the necessary counseling to cope & responded poorly. Added that, “I failed those guys” in Boston for not being the leader they needed him to be.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) September 27, 2019
Houston Rockets
PJ Tucker, considered the NBA’s sneaker king, walked into the Rockets’ media day wearing a pair of New Balance. He had previously been a Nike guy.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2019
• Kick Game Evolution: How PJ Tucker, others are changing the NBA sneakerhead world
Indiana Pacers
No Oladipo to start season
1:43
Victor Oladipo admits that he got smarter over the summer while he worked on his state of mind. He also talks about his injury and timeline for return.
Pacers coach Nate McMillan on Victor Oladipo (ruptured quad tendon in his right knee): “I know that he won’t start the season. I don’t anticipate Victor being available for a while.”
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) September 27, 2019
.@VicOladipo on why he feels a special connection to Wolverine pic.twitter.com/yVrz2MtMTK
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 27, 2019
2019 NBA offseason guide
If you went to sleep after Adam Silver handed Kawhi Leonard the Finals MVP trophy and are just now waking up, you missed quite a lot in the NBA. Here’s everything you’ll need to know to get caught up before media day.
NBA Power Rankings | NBA summer forecast
2019 NBA draft
The Pelicans had the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history and selected Duke star Zion Williamson, whose college teammates RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish went third and 10th overall, to the Knicks and Hawks, respectively.
2019 NBA free agency
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving teamed up in Brooklyn, Kemba Walker replaced Irving in Boston, Terry Rozier replaced Walker in Charlotte and D’Angelo Russell somehow landed in the Bay Area. Then Kawhi Leonard sent shockwaves through the league by not only joining the Clippers, but by bringing Paul George with him. So, just your typical NBA free-agency season, really.
2019 NBA summer league
The NBA’s marquee summer event was a bit of a letdown this year, with many rookies either playing limited minutes or skipping the action entirely. Still, fans did get their first glimpse of Zion Williamson in a Pelicans uniform.
2019 FIBA World Cup
Team USA’s domination of international basketball came to an end. After multiple dropouts depleted the roster, the U.S. saw its 58-game win streak in international competition come to an end, then settled for a seventh-place finish, the worst ever for a U.S. squad. Led by recently crowned NBA champion Marc Gasol, Spain captured gold for the first time since 2006.
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