Dwayne Bacon's top five scorers of all time: 'Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving'

Dwayne Bacon: My top five scores of all time? It's gotta be Jordan. Michael Jordan number one. Kevin Durant. Kobe Bryant, for sure... That's tough. I know them three is like the back of my hand, but of all time? Q. Is James Harden up there? DB: Things he was doing in Houston was like never done... To me bro I gotta go with Kyrie Irving. Kyrie is a better scorer than Allen Iverson. And I love AI's game.

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Duane Rankin DuaneRankin From Monday night: Phoenix 118, Philadelphia 116 Final. Suns (6-1) close on 14-3 run. Kevin Durant 15 of his game-high 35 points in 4th quarter. Tyrese Maxey 32. Paul George 15 in 76ers (1-5) debut. 5-game win streak. Face Miami Heat (3-3) Wednesday. #Suns #76ers #Vote2024 pic.x.com/ypp6jHXkAX – 10:00 AM Jorge Sierra hoopshype The best NBA players to come out of each state. Arizona: Sean Elliott Georgia: Walt Frazier Michigan: Magic Johnson Nevada: Greg Anthony North Carolina: Michael Jordan Pennsylvania: Wilt Chamberlain Wisconsin: Latrell Sprewell More: hoopshype.com/lists/best-nba... – 9:44 AM Trey Kerby treykerby Kevin Durant had Caleb Martin doing kung-fu kicks out there pic.x.com/x0yGp6m1hC – 9:00 AM Kellan Olson KellanOlson Kevin Durant requested for you and I not to worry about if he is getting his shots and where he is getting them on the floor. The ball will find him if the team plays together, as it did tonight: arizonasports.com/story/3563631/... – 2:48 AM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU So this was *before* the Clippers trailed by 26 points, but it is the kind of defensive possession from James Harden that this team can hang their hat on for an extended period of time. Asked James Harden about multi-deflection sequence that caused a Spurs shot clock violation pic.x.com/UOhsMdXlS5 – 1:51 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet "We had proper spacing." Speaking on his final go-ahead bucket, Kevin Durant shouted out Grayson Allen for his offensive rebound and Devin Booker for his cut from the wing that opened up a driving lane: pic.x.com/lclSy2ylBg – 1:34 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin "Tonight is an example why he's such a great player." Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on Kevin Durant, who hit game winning drive. He was happy with Grayson Allen's defense on Paul George on final possession. Liked Bradley Beal's defense on Tyrese Maxey, who scored 32. #Suns #76ers pic.x.com/dtGsacre0v – 1:20 AM Kurt Helin basketballtalk Watch Kevin Durant hit a game-winner to cap off his 15 in the fourth, lifting the Suns past the 76ers nbcsports.com/nba/news/watch... – 1:19 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Mike Budenholzer on Kevin Durant closing out tonight's game for the Suns: "Tonight is an example of why he's such a great player. Makes tough shots, can make something outta nothing" pic.x.com/jeGpQYcmMP – 1:18 AM Sam Vecenie Sam_Vecenie Think this play by KD basically saved the game for the Suns. Got frustrated there for a second it looked like, then tracked back and didn't quit on the play. Swatted Oubre, closes out on Yabusele, then dominates late on offense. Really awesome KD game tonight. pic.x.com/i4VbNylZ1h – 1:15 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin "That's the matchup we wanted." Suns superstar Kevin Durant on his game winning drive on Guerschon Yabusele against 76ers. #Suns #76ers pic.x.com/wAdJTlLYlf – 1:06 AM Kendrick Perkins KendrickPerkins A Happy Kevin Durant is a Dangerous Kevin Durant. I said it once and I'll say it again. The Greatest Scorer to ever touch the damn Basketball – 12:37 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Final: PHX 118, PHI 116 Durant: 35 Pts, 6 Ast, 14-20 FG Beal: 17-5-3-2, 7-10 FG Nurkic: 15 Pts, 15 Reb, 2 Stl, 5-8 FG Booker: 13 Pts, 6 Ast, 3-18 FG, 7-7 FT Maxey: 32 Pts, 12-23 FG, 6-15 3P Suns improve to 6-1, tied for the best 7-game start in franchise history – 12:33 AM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba And that's the game. The Phoenix Suns had Kevin Durant. The Philadelphia 76ers did not. So Phoenix wins 118-116...PG gets a shot at the buzzer......That needed to be a three instead of a long two.....it rims out and the Sixers fall to 1-5 on the season – 12:33 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Durant drive. George miss jumper. Offensive rebound. Maxey 3 miss. Suns 118, 76ers 116 Final. #Suns #76ers – 12:33 AM StatMuse statmuse KD against the 76ers: 35 ame-winner pic.x.com/NgCaoB86rT – 12:33 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Wow. KD go-ahead layup, Paul George misses a step-back middy, rebound is batted around and Maxey's 3-point miss was after the buzzer anyway. Suns survive – 12:32 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Kevin Durant 2. Suns up one, 116-115, with 60 seconds left. Durant with 33. 76ers ball. #Suns #76ers – 12:29 AM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba Kevin Durant putting on a show in the fourth quarter – 12:28 AM Kellan Olson KellanOlson Suns lead. They're getting much better looks from their key guys in the last 3 minutes and that has been the difference in coming back. Durant up to 31 on 12-for-17. – 12:28 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet I've probably tweeted like like 50 times already but that's why you go get Kevin Durant. Suns lead with 1 minute to go – 12:28 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Got Allen, Booker, Durant, Beal and Nurkic to close. Thoughts? Suns down 115-112 with 1:40 left. #Suns #76ers – 12:26 AM Paul Garcia PaulGarciaNBA 3Q: Spurs by 4 after leading by 26. Clips win the 3Q 34-30. Champagnie 19 pts Wemby 17 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 7 blk, 1 stl CP3 12 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast Castle 11 pts Powell 14 pts Zubac 14 pts, 12 reb Harden 12 pts Coffey 11 pts DJJ 10 pts Spurs +10 on 2s Clips +12 on 3s – 12:08 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Ryan Dunn and Devin Booker nearly make a crazy play to end the 3rd with a basketball. Booker walk and talk with referee and Durant spring board incoming. Suns up 94-93 after 3. #Suns #76ers pic.x.com/nB6qxuAwsH – 12:02 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet End of 3Q: PHX 94, PHI 93 Durant: 20 Pts, 5 Ast, 8-12 FG Beal: 17-3-2-2, 7-10 FG Booker: 13 Pts, 5 Ast, 3-13 FG, 7-7 FT Nurkic: 13 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 Stl, 4-7 FG Maxey: 25 Pts, 10-19 FG, 4-11 3P – 11:58 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Mike Budenholzer took Plumlee out for Booker, but then, Plumlee went straight to the scorestable as Durant was shooting FTs. So next deadball, Plumlee in, Durant out with 2:04 left in the 3rd. Still working on figuring out this rotation. Suns down 91-90. #Suns #76ers – 11:51 PM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU Spurs tagged Clippers starters with another 11-0 run and lead is back up to 72-58 with 6:35 left in 3rd quarter Harden has a 3-pointer, and has no other FGs and zero assists. Zubac has missed 11 of 15 shots. Clippers getting outscored 34-16 in paint. Wemby has 6 blocks – 11:50 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Bradley Beal now with game-high 12 as Suns down one. Booker backdoor cut off Durant feed incoming. #Suns pic.x.com/LVIcOELTjM – 10:52 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Booker drive, dish, Durant finish. Maxey 3 answer. Suns down 41-36. #Suns #76ers – 10:47 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Sixers are going with KJ Martin at center right now. Suns have Durant there, so it makes some sense. Jared McCain is also checking in now, meaning the Sixers are going with 10 players. Understandable with George having his minutes monitored + being in foul trouble. – 10:45 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Suns have been using say Beal or Booker to set a screen up top, receive pass at FT line from say Durant at the top is doubled, then hit a cutter or corner 3. Beal find O'Neale cutting. Missed layup, but followed up his own miss. Suns up 32-31. #Suns #76ers – 10:43 PM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet End of 1Q: PHX 28, PHI 26 Durant: 6 Pts, 3-4 FG O'Neale: 6 Pts, 2-2 3P Nurkic: 5 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Stl, 1-3 3P Lowry: 10 Pts, 4-5 FG Suns missed a couple wide-open 3s that could've extended the lead – 10:38 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Kevin Durant, Stephen A. Smith might finally see eye-to-eye if Phoenix Suns make #NBA Finals (w/videos) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n... via – 6:58 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin "In a game, it's like, 'hey, they're blitzing me.' The Clippers were blitzing Kevin (Durant) right away. So he was like 'just got out so I can have a pass or outlet." Suns big Mason Plumlee on the importance of screening as he praised Devin Booker for his screening. #Suns pic.x.com/Zrd2IjuedP – 2:23 PM Nick DePaula NickDePaula Jaden Ivey broke out the "Cheetah" Kobe 6 PE recently — a Tobias Harris PE inspired by the original Christmas edition of the Kobe 7s pic.x.com/x8iubdf4wG – 1:46 PM Nick DePaula NickDePaula Kyrie Irving has been wearing this custom ANTA KAI 1 by The Surgeon over the last week. pic.x.com/UZagOwghLQ – 1:42 PM John Gonzalez JohnGonzalez Monday Beyond the Arc w/ -Joel Embiid vs Marcus Hayes -KD is not happy w/ Stephen A -Bucks are in trouble -Warriors are hot — but the sked is about to get tougher listen/subscribe link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc YouTube pic.x.com/8KzWxUdIYy – 1:15 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Grayson Allen FTs at morning shootaround. #Suns pic.x.com/CXsvFv1Qi2 – 1:05 PM Brad Townsend townbrad Minutes: Doncic 32; Irving, Thompson and Washington 28 apiece. – 9:37 PM Aaron Rose AaronBenRose There have been 33 players who have attempted at least 30 possessions as the pick-and-roll handler so far this season, per NBA Stats. RJ Barrett currently ranks 3rd in efficiency among those players trailing only Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving: nba.com/stats/players/... pic.x.com/WWwfZnKu3J – 11:43 AM Adam Mares Adam_Mares Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists tonight. It is not a Jokigami. Two players have had that exact statline. Kobe Bryant vs the Raptors in 2010 Cedric Maxwell vs Hawks in 1979 – 12:59 AM Brandon Rahbar BrandonRahbar This OKC team has done something the KD/Russ/Harden teams never did: start out 6-0. – 12:48 AM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU 2024-25 season debuts for Jordan Miller and Kobe Brown following this Thunder timeout with 4:13 left Thunder lead 100-84 – 12:43 AM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU Tyronn Lue is challenging foul on James Harden drawn by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 12:00 AM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU One year ago today James Harden was introduced by the LA Clippers and declared that he is not a system player. After being on his team for a year, Terance Mann praised Harden's growth as a leader and how he demands his teammates to reach their potential pic.x.com/3bVdD8tvq4 – 2:58 PM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU James Harden last on the floor after shootaround, working on the catch corner Question is... who is gonna be the one to set H up in the corner come game time... pic.x.com/HMtX81B9gS – 2:21 PM David Locke DLocke09 Keyonte George is shooting 28% from field and 20% from three. Other players who have started a season at sub 30% and sub 25% frm 3 after 5 games (min 50 atts) – Steve Nash – James Harden – Cade Cunningham – Jamal Murray – Jeff Teague – Joe Johnson – Donovan Mitchell – 12:25 PM

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For instance, without either Paul George or Kawhi Leonard to play with anymore,2 James Harden has gone from a near career-low usage of 20.6% last year to 31.8% (his highest since 2019-20) this year. No player has seen a larger bump in offensive responsibility thus far. But now that he's gone back to being The System, Harden has a career-low 103 offensive rating — with a very poor 26.8 3P%, which should probably rebound some, but also uncharacteristically mortal rates of turnovers, drawing fouls and even attempting 3s. -via Neil Paine's Substack / November 5, 2024 Law Murray: Asked James Harden about what Clippers need to focus on for tonight vs Suns Harden said "For us, I think it's the same game plan every game" Focused on transition defense and defensive rebounding pic.x.com/cCu75dccJs -via Twitter / October 31, 2024 Duane Rankin: "They can critique what we do. We want to critique as well." Kevin Durant on relationship with media as he's had back-and-forth with Stephen A. Smith. #Suns pic.x.com/TrARQ3azz5 -via Twitter / November 5, 2024 "Respectfully, Kevin Durant, could you stop lying, please? I've been an NBA reporter and I was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer as well," he said. "Kevin Durant has seen me in the locker room when he was at Oklahoma City. He has seen me in the locker room when he was at Golden State. He has certainly seen me at games throughout his career. But unfortunately for him, I don't have to be at shootaround and I don't have to be in the postgame locker room. I happen to have a hit show that's been No. 1 for 12 years. I have other things to do with my time. I go to games all the time. I'm not a beat writer anymore. So let's get that out the way." -via Awful Announcing / November 4, 2024 Never one to hide from a confrontation, Smith carved roughly four minutes out of Monday's episode of First Take to respond. And what followed was a virtuoso sports talk television performance in which the 57-year-old bounced between showering Durant with praise and insulting him. "I got bad news for Kevin Durant: If you're expecting me to reciprocate with that kind of pettiness and childishness, it's not gonna happen," Smith began. "Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players to have ever played this game. He's a future Hall of Famer. He's a two-time champion and two time Finals MVP and I've been on the record saying he's also a good dude. So if he wants to resort to that level, even though we're both grown men and if he had something to say, he knows my number and he refrains from doing so that's what he has to live with." -via Awful Announcing / November 4, 2024 It's the fourth-most expensive NBA jersey of all time behind Jordan's $10.1 million "Last Dance" jersey; a signed Kobe Bryant jersey worn in his lone MVP season in 2007-08 which sold for just over $5.8 million; and a 1972 NBA Finals jersey worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the Los Angeles Lakers' first NBA title run ($4.9 million) — all of which sold via Sotheby's. The 1996-97 Jordan red jersey is the only MeiGray Authenticated red jersey from Jordan's first five championship seasons. -via ESPN / November 5, 2024 For most of Karl-Anthony Towns' life into his first several NBA seasons, he did the same thing every time he made a trip to the charity stripe — a deep breath, two dribbles and then a deep squat before shooting. But a few years ago, after shooting 80-plus percent from the free-throw line through his first four seasons, Towns did what many creatures of habit wouldn't dare to: he changed up his routine. "I was watching Kobe (Bryant), the way he was shooting, the way he was minimizing energy used at the free-throw line," Towns said. "I played a ton of 2K to get that free-throw style down . "You think I'm joking? I'm deadass serious." -via New York Times / November 4, 2024 Who was the best player in the league when you played? Goran Dragic: Definitely it's Kobe Bryant. If I go back, I play the 2010 Western Conference Finals, Phoenix versus Lakers, I see that Mamba mentality. It was unbelievable. We put like three or four guys on Kobe, and he was just smiling and shooting over three guys and scoring. He had a good team. He had Pau Gasol, [Andrew] Bynum, [Jordan] Farmar, [Lamar] Odom, all these players, but when the game was on the line, we all know where the ball was going to go, but we couldn't stop it. So for me, for sure it was Kobe Bryant at that time. And then you have D-Wade, LeBron James, you have many many players, I would say Kobe was the best closer, and D-Wade. When I played with D-Wade I saw so many games where he would take the ball and bring us home. And that was unbelievable. -via HoopsHype / November 1, 2024 NBA Communications: Other nominees.. . West: DeMar DeRozan (SAC), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Kyrie Irving (DAL) and Nikola Jokić (DEN) East: Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), Jayson Tatum (BOS) and Nikola Vučević (CHI) -via Twitter / November 4, 2024 How many titles do you think your good friend Luka Doncic will win by the time he retires? Goran Dragic: I really don't know. That all depends on the front office, how they are gonna surround him with players. Last year they were really good. I think nobody expect them to play in the Finals. The chemistry with him and Kyrie [Irving] was really amazing, and everyone followed. I do think that signing Klay Thompson, they are going to have a lot more firepower, but at the end of the day, are they going to be able to play defense? So you never know, especially with now in the NBA, there's a lot of good teams. You have OKC, they gonna be good, you got Minnesota, you got Phoenix, you can never doubt Lakers with LeBron, then you have Denver with Nikola Jokic, Dallas is here, then you got Boston, you got Miami, Milwaukee is a team that disappointed last year, but we'll see. I believe that Luka will win MVP because he's such a good player. He's putting up crazy numbers, but it all depends on the front office, how they gonna surround him with a team. I think they have a chance, but we'll see. I definitely wish him to win one because he's a good friend of mine, and he's coming from Slovenia, we have actually five guys who won it, Rasho Nesterovic, Sasha Vujacic, Beno Udrih, Vlatko Cancar, and I wish him to be the fifth one. -via HoopsHype / November 1, 2024 StatMuse: Kyrie tonight: 35 PTS 5 AST 6-8 3P Mavs are undefeated when Kyrie has 35+ points and 5+ threes. pic.x.com/du61hRzJdE -via Twitter / October 30, 2024 A game-worn Michael Jordan jersey from the Chicago Bulls' 1996-97 season has sold for $4.68 million via Sotheby's . The jersey was worn in at least 17 games during the season, including the game in which rookie sensation Allen Iverson crossed Jordan over. -via ESPN / November 5, 2024 But as Amrany recalled, when the Michael Jordan statute was publicly unveiled at a press conference on Nov. 1, 1994, it was not roundly greeted with praise. Rather, there were a number of initial complaints from the public and media over the way it portrayed Jordan's face, including the decision to keep the Hall of Fame's famously wagging tongue concealed behind his lips. "They didn't like that his face wasn't right off a cereal box," said Amrany. "They didn't want what (Jordan) said he wanted. And they didn't know that, because they were not meeting him, they did not sit with him." Mercifully, that experience long predated the era of social media and the current "world of algorithms," as Amrany puts it. The peanut gallery is infinitely more critical and voluble in 2024. "I mean, after 20 s (about Dwyane Wade's sculpture) in the last three days," Amrany said, "what you become is not famous, but infamous." -via Sportico / November 4, 2024