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🏀 Has Kyrie Irving Played His Last Game Ever?

🏀 Has Kyrie Irving Played His Last Game Ever?

Chris Lesiak
November 09, 2022

Dwight Howard continues his basketball career abroad, why this crazy Bucks run is sustainable, and Kyrie Irving may have played his last game ever!

Happy Humpday!

DWIGHT HOWARD

Dwight Howard Continues his Basketball Career Abroad

Dwight Howard is continuing his professional basketball career in a surprising place. The 18-year NBA veteran announced on his Instagram that he signed a deal with the Taiwanese team, the Taoyuan Leopards.

The Leopards are part of the T1 Taiwanese league, a relatively new basketball league that debuted last season. The Leopards only went 8-22 last year and are hoping for a big improvement with the legendary Howard on board. While Howard is the most recognizable former NBA player on the team and likely the league, he isn’t the only one, joining former Memphis Grizzlies draft pick Deyonta Davis.

Howard last played in the NBA in the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 60 games. While this move likely spells the end of Howard’s time in the NBA, he leaves the league as an all-time great, having earned 5 All-NBA First Teams, 8 All-Stars, and an NBA championship.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Why This Crazy Bucks Run is Sustainable

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to their best start in franchise history, and it’s no fluke. The last time a team opened a season with nine straight wins was the 73-win Warriors, and while no one is suggesting they’ll match or beat that record, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

The biggest reason for the Bucks' success is, of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Through the first nine games, Antetokounmpo is in MVP form, averaging 31.8 points on 54% shooting and chipping in 12.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Not to mention, he’s a monster on the defensive side of the ball.

While the Bucks have historically been a good defense under coach Mike Budenholzer, they slipped outside of the top ten in defensive efficiency last season. But things in that department are back on track, and they’ve been much better at limiting their opponents' three-point attempts.

But perhaps the biggest reason for optimism is that the team isn’t yet operating at full capacity. The Bucks are still without Khris Middleton, whose untimely injury likely prevented the Bucks from winning last year’s championship, as well as the clutch three-point shooting Pat Connaughton. The team believes it can be better, and that’s a scary thought for opposing teams.

KYRIE IRVING

Kyrie Irving May Have Played his Last Game Ever

By now, you’re probably well aware that Kyrie Irving is justifiably in hot water for promoting an antisemitic film and refusing to take proper accountability for his behavior. He’s currently suspended for five games and is ineligible to return to the Nets until he fulfills six tasks that the Nets have assigned him. These tasks include things like completing antisemitic/anti-hate training and meeting with the ADL and other Jewish leaders.

However, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein, this list was reportedly “crafted with the knowledge that Irving would be unlikely to complete all six,” which would potentially give the Nets grounds to release him. While it may seem crazy to release Irving outright, his stock is incredibly low around the league.

The Athletic recently asked many NBA GMs if they would sign Irving should he become available, and the overwhelming response was no. One GM even suggested that Irving’s actions may keep him from ever playing in the NBA again. It’s an unprecedented situation for one of the more gifted players in the league, but it’s a necessary reminder that actions have consequences no matter how talented you are.

THE RUMOR MILL

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