TITLE: Southwest Division Roundup: Lively Guides Flagg, Antetokounmpo Eyes Wembanyama Memorabilia, Rockets Anticipate Durant’s Impact
SLUG: southwest-division-roundup-lively-flagg-giannis-wembanyama-durant
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Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, entering his third NBA season, has stepped into a mentor role for No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Speaking with the Dallas Hoops Journal, Lively said he has known the 18-year-old forward “for at least two or three years” dating back to their shared one-and-done tenures at Duke and has been in steady contact since the June draft.
“I’m making sure he feels as comfortable as possible, giving him any little detail or advice,” Lively said, adding that he recalls being “frightened” at 19 when he entered the league.
Antetokounmpo Targets Wembanyama Collectibles
Giannis Antetokounmpo told The Athletic’s Brooks Peck at the National Sports Collectors Convention that he is actively looking for rookie items belonging to Victor Wembanyama. “I want Wemby’s first rookie card ever,” the Milwaukee Bucks forward said, calling the Spurs center a sound long-term investment alongside memorabilia from Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Durant Arrival Energizes Rockets
Alperen Şengün believes Kevin Durant will “open up the game” for Houston after the veteran forward joined the Rockets this offseason. Speaking to Turkey’s state-run agency Anadolu ahead of EuroBasket, the 22-year-old center said Durant’s offensive and defensive versatility will benefit the club’s young core.
Imagem: Dana Gauruder via hoopsrumors.com
Forward Jabari Smith Jr. echoed that sentiment in an interview with Space City Home Network’s Vanessa Richardson, calling Durant “one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball” and anticipating a valuable learning experience by sharing the court with him.
Com informações de Hoops Rumors
