Page 15 - atd

A15
SPORTS Wednesday 8 February 2023
Nets’ Irving drama makes other East contenders look stable

By NOAH TRISTER postseason the past two
AP Sports Writer years. Philadelphia hasn’t
Blake Griffin is no stranger reached the Finals since
to trade drama. He was 2001.
dealt from the Clippers The 76ers showed they
to the Pistons in 2018, and might have that potential
last season he was playing this season when Joel Em-
for the Brooklyn Nets when biid scored 47 points in a
they sent James Harden to win over Denver late last
Philadelphia in a February month. Coach Doc Rivers
blockbuster. understands it’s important
These days, Griffin is with to go into the postseason
the Boston Celtics, who rested and ready.
seem awfully stable when “The March schedule is
compared with those Nets. tough, more because of
“It’s a tough time of year, the travel and the back-to-
but as far as this team goes, backs than the opponent,”
we’re in a pretty good he said. “The opponents
spot,” Griffin said after Bos- are all tough, we don’t
ton’s win at Detroit on Mon- care about that. That’s
day night. “This team is very going to be an interesting
focused.” month for us on what we’re
In the aftermath of anoth- going to do as far as play-
er Brooklyn bombshell the Referee Ashley Moyer-Gleich signals a three-point basket by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum ing guys, resting guys.”
Nets broke up their remain- (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, Feb. The Celtics, Bucks and 76ers
ing All-Star duo of Kevin 6, 2023, in Detroit. might make some moves
Durant and Kyrie Irving by Associated Press of their own before Thurs-
trading Irving to Dallas the late November to early a little surprised the deal “Health is one of them,” day’s trade deadline, but
other top teams in the East- January, but Irving’s recent came together so quickly. Griffin said. “Those guys they’re unlikely to shake up
ern Conference can feel trade request and the ful- “I think Dallas has been played like 16 games to- their rosters the way Brook-
pretty content with their fillment of it now leave wanting to get him for a gether or something. And, lyn did. The Nets had a dis-
situations. Boston has the Brooklyn a very uncertain little bit. Now probably feel don’t think the pieces were satisfied star and decided
best record in the NBA and threat in the East. Cleve- like the West is kind of open utilized the right way.” to part with him. Boston,
a team that reached the Fi- land jumped ahead of right now and (the Maver- The Celtics recovered from Milwaukee and Philadel-
nals a season ago. Milwau- the Nets on Monday night icks are) trying to go for it,” a recent three-game los- phia, on the other hand,
kee has the league’s lon- and into fourth place in the he said. “It’s good for both ing streak and have won can deal from positions of
gest current winning streak conference. sides. Kyrie wanted out and three of four. They’re trying strength.
at eight games. “I don’t think (the trade) didn’t want to be there to hold off Milwaukee atop “You know there’s a lot go-
Even the 76ers, who affects Boston, Milwaukee and you know, hopefully the East. The Bucks are a ing on in the NBA. It’s ex-

haven’t always been a pic- they’re still at the top,” De- both sides are happy.” game back. citing, fun for everyone to
ture of tranquility in recent troit coach Dwane Casey As for why Brooklyn’s star- “We’re very confident,” Mil- watch and listen and all
years, have won nine of 11 said before facing the Celt- studded team which at waukee big man Brook Lo- that stuff,” Lopez said. “But
and are third in the confer- ics. “It could affect Brook- one point included Durant, pez said. “We’re just trying obviously we’re really good
ence, just three games be- lyn. ... It’s interesting for the Irving and Harden didn’t to play together and keep at just staying focused,
hind the Celtics. league and it just lets you reach its potential, there getting better.” keeping our head ground-
The Nets had a stretch of know that anything can are a number of explana- The Bucks and Celtics have ed and focusing on what’s
16 wins in 17 games from happen.”Griffin said he was tions. made deep runs into the next.”q

Diana Taurasi has sights set on playing at Paris Olympics

By DOUG FEINBERG of the Paris Games, but had a quad strain that kept
AP Basketball Writer said if she’s healthy enough her out of the end of the
Diana Taurasi said immedi- she’d like to give it a go. WNBA season.
ately after winning her fifth “If the opportunity comes “I got hurt a little bit before.
Olympic gold medal in To- to play and be a part of it, I had a good conversation
kyo that she might try for a it’s something I’ve always with Coach (Cheryl) Reeve
record sixth in Paris. It’s still taken a lot of pride in,” said and (Jim) Tooley. I felt like
on her mind 17 months out Taurasi, who shares the re- I hadn’t played enough
of the 2024 Paris Olympics. cord of five gold medals basketball to be out there
“It’s something that it’s on with Sue Bird. “When you and help,” Taurasi said.
my radar,” Taurasi told The get to my age at this point “That’s the biggest thing
Associated Press in a phone in my career, you just try to with USA Basketball is being
interview Tuesday after the win every day. Right now able to help the team win.”
first day of a USA Basketball this is a good opportunity to Taurasi is an unrestricted
training camp in Minneso- be part of this team mov- free agent although she is
ta. “I’m still competitive, still ing forward we’ll see what expected to return back to
driven, still want to play, I happens.” Phoenix where she’s spent Diana Taurasi takes part in drills during a minicamp for the U.S
still love being a part of USA She said she would have her entire career since get- women’s national basketball team, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in
Minneapolis.
Basketball.” played at the World Cup ting drafted No. 1 overall in Associated Press
Taurasi will be 42 at the time last year in Australia, but 2003.q