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2 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
Another Hall of Fame class, another round of goosebumps. But this one? This one hits different. The Redeem Team—yep, the 2008 Olympic squad led by Kobe Bryant—just punched their ticket to the Naismith Hall of Fame. Four years after Miami Heat legend Chris Bosh made it in solo, he’s heading back, but this time, with the brothers who helped rewrite USA Basketball’s story after that 2004 Athens heartbreak. The redemption tour in Beijing was a straight domination.
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2 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly |SYED AHMED
It’s finally happening. When the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame dropped its list of first-time nominees for the Class of 2025, Carmelo Anthony didn’t hold back. “It’s about time,” he said. Honestly, who could argue? And as per ESPN, ‘Melo’ is already informed that he’s in. From an NCAA champ with Syracuse to climbing the NBA ladder and finishing as the league’s 10th all-time leading scorer, this moment feels more like a celebration than an announcement.
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2 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly |Reyan Mishra
Over the decades, the NBA has witnessed a parade of elite centers—from Bill Russell to Hakeem to Duncan—but none crashed through defenses quite like Shaquille O’Neal. The four-time champ and three-time Finals MVP didn’t just dominate, he bulldozed his way into league history. And while a few modern big men have tried to challenge his throne, none really shook Shaq. Not even Nikola Jokic.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
Stephon Marbury is looking to bring back a piece of his legacy. During his prime in the NBA, he was one of the few stars to have his own signature sneaker—the “Starbury” line. Now, nearly two decades later, he’s gearing up for a revival. In a conversation with Complex, the 2x All-Star reflected on the brand’s early days and his mission to make affordable basketball shoes mainstream again. But while Marbury is focused on his comeback, he hasn’t forgotten those who helped him along the way.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
It’s not every day that an old basketball rivalry takes an unexpected turn. But that’s exactly what happened when Mike Bibby appointed as the head coach of Sacramento State’s men’s basketball program. “We’re going to try to get the best kids we can here to change the culture,” Bibby declared. And soon after that, he landed his first big recruit, Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal. And given Bibby and Shaq’s history, it’s very interesting.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
Allen Iverson has seen it all—an MVP title, millions in earnings, and a legendary NBA career. But financial struggles changed everything. Back in 2012, he hit rock bottom with bankruptcy, making his lifetime deal with Reebok a saving grace. The $2.5 billion brand not only kept him on board but even set up a trust fund worth $32 million, which he’ll receive when he turns 55. On paper, it seems like Iverson has finally regained his financial stability. But there’s a catch.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
It’s no secret that Chris Paul will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he calls it quits. But the big question remains—when will that be? The 12-time All-Star, who turns 40 in less than two months, is still going strong with the San Antonio Spurs. Yet, for the first time in his career, Paul admits that retirement is on his mind, something he never considered before. Back in December, Paul opened up about his dilemma. “Maybe a year or two. I’m still trying to feel it out,” he shared.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
This year’s March Madness has Charles Barkley riding a wave of emotions. “I’ll be honest with you, I’m so proud of Alabama and Auburn. I never in my wildest dream thought that Alabama and Auburn would make it to the Final Four,” he said. But soon after that, Alabama lost to Duke. On the other hand, Auburn set to take on Florida on the 6th. And Barkley couldn’t help but remember a heart-wrenching moment from six years ago.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
For over two decades, Mark Cuban was the driving force behind the Dallas Mavericks. But things have changed. He’s no longer the majority owner, and with that shift came a move that no one saw coming—the shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. But who actually pulled the trigger on this deal, Cuban or the new owner? Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported it was Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison who made the call. But the fallout was immediate.
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3 weeks ago | 
essentiallysports.com | Pritish Ganguly
It’s been a wild week in the sports world. Not because of the actual games, but thanks to the drama between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. While many may hold opinions, Charles Barkley’s words were loud. Weighing in on the situation, Barkley didn’t think either side came out looking good, but he had a strong take on LeBron’s approach. “LeBron, he’s too big to be that type of bully,” he said. Moreover, Barkley took issue with how James went after the media, particularly Brian Windhorst and Smith.
