DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — There was a long flight awaiting USA Basketball on Monday. And now, every bit of USA Basketball’s focus shifts to the Paris Olympics — where the challenge will be even tougher than the World Cup, which again reminded the Americans how much the FIBA game has changed. “The narrative about USA Basketball and FIBA, and do we need reminders, we’re past that,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. We do a great job as an organization at (USA Basketball) as far as respecting the game. Those are the colors of the uniforms USA Basketball will be wearing.

Persons: Steve Kerr, ” Kerr, — Erik Spoelstra, Tyronn Lue, Mark Few, Grant Hill, Sean Ford, “, ”, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, “ I’ll, Bridges, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green, we’ve, “ We’ve, Joel Embiid, he’s, Tim Reynolds, ap.org ___ Organizations: USA, Paris, NBA, Paris Olympics —, FIBA, USA Basketball, Olympics, Paris Games, Basketball, Tyrese, United, Paris Olympics, Associated Press, AP Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Manila, Los Angeles, U.S, Paris, men’s, America, Tyrese Haliburton, USA, Canada, Tokyo, United States, France, Cameroon, treynolds

☆ The 11 sports-betting and online-gambling startups that have raised the most VC funding so far in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Margaret Fleming | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sports betting and gambling companies have raised $150 million from VCs so far in 2023, according to PitchBook data. US sports betting and gambling startups have raised about $150 million in VC funding through mid-August of this year, per PitchBook, which tracked 25 deals during that time frame. Here are the top 11 companies that have gotten the most funding in 2023 through mid-August, according to PitchBook:1) Jackpot.com — $42 million. The more than 50-year-old casino technology and data company closed the investment from VCs. Oddsworks, a gaming company offering more than 100 games for online and land-based casinos, raised early-stage funding.

Persons: Joey Levy, Jake Paul, Roger Ehrenberg's, James Harden, Joel Embiid, PlayerProfile, Oddsworks Organizations: Roger Ehrenberg's Eberg Capital, Arctos Sports Partners, Bettor, Courtside Ventures, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, Acres, Exchange, Boom Entertainment, Oyster Ventures, Touchdown Ventures, Eberg, IA Sports Ventures, Ikigai Ventures, Trinity West Ventures Locations: VCs

☆ WWE star Triple H appears to offer Elon Musk advice for potential cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk said on Monday that he was "going with WWE as my fighting style." That prompted Triple H to offer his advice and joke about his characteristic "X" celebration. Triple H, the former WWE star and current chief creative officer for the company, appeared to offer Elon Musk his help ahead of a potential bout with Mark Zuckerberg. "Say the word," replied Triple H. "I know a thing or two about making an X sign." But hopefully, Triple H is offering fighting tips instead of encouraging Musk to deploy the same gesture.

Persons: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Musk, Triple, hrLFusrY3S, Joel Embiid, Georges St, Pierre, Zuckerberg Organizations: WWE, Triple H, Triple, Philadelphia 76er, NBA, UFC

☆ In the N.B.A. Playoffs, Flopping Is a Welcome Sideshow
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Kurt Streeter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

playoffs, LeBron James got in on the act. The upstarts, upsets and dominance. The Miami Heat putting the kibosh on the comeback of comebacks in the Eastern Conference finals. Welcome to the National Basketball Floppers Association. In the 1970s, Red Auerbach, the Boston Celtics’s fabled and curmudgeonly leader, railed on national television against the “Hollywood acting” that was sullying the game.

Persons: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jokic, Malik Monk, Flopping, Red Auerbach Organizations: Miami Heat, Eastern Conference, Sacramento Kings, National Basketball Floppers Association, Boston, Hollywood

☆ 'No one's safe': Sixers cut Rivers after repeat playoffs disappointment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 16 (Reuters) - Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers was fired on Tuesday after a humiliating Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics, as the team bounced out in the second round of the NBA playoffs for a third straight year. After Sunday's gut-wrenching 112-88 defeat in Boston, he told reporters he would stay, but acknowledged, "No one's safe in our business." Rivers is not alone: On Saturday the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Monty Williams - who won Coach of the Year in 2022 - after losing the conference semifinals for a second straight year. Williams led Phoenix to the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jayson Tatum Shines as Boston Celtics Blow Out Sixers in Game 7
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown had used his public platform ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game to deliver a clear message to Celtics fans. On Sunday, before Game 7, he urged the fans to be much louder. He got what he wanted as the Celtics beat the Sixers, 112-88, to close out the series. The fans cheered every dunk and 3-pointer, every defensive stop and offensive rebound. They cheered any time Celtics forward Jayson Tatum got the ball.

☆ Joel Embiid's 'improbable' journey from newcomer to NBA MVP
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“He’s the biggest film nerd there is in the NBA,” Hanlen laughs. The ultimate scorerDespite his ‘Joel Troel’ alter-ego, Embiid’s approach to the game shows he is everything but a joker who fools around. Speaking after being named MVP, Embiid said: “I’d say the biggest key of it is, obviously, I’m all about family. Arthur is named after Embiid’s late brother who passed away shortly after the 2014 NBA Draft. But improbable doesn’t mean impossible.”Hanlen then summed up Embiid’s overall approach by saying: “I would just say he’s obsessed with greatness.

☆ James Harden Finds His Old Groove and Gets the Sixers Back on Track
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Quite frankly,” Harden said, “today was do or die.”The 76ers have been a staple of the N.B.A. playoffs over the past six seasons, making five appearances in the conference semifinals. The last time they made the conference finals was in 2001, when Allen Iverson led them past the Milwaukee Bucks and into the N.B.A. The challenge for the 76ers, of course, is that the Process was never about winning individual honors, though those are nice. The mandate now, on players like Embiid and Harden, but also on Rivers and Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, is to vie for a championship.

☆ Harden says 76ers taking confidence on the road after leveling series
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY SportsMay 7 (Reuters) - The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road to Boston with "huge confidence" this week after winning Game 4 116-115 against the Celtics on Sunday to level their conference semi-final series courtesy of another clutch three-pointer from James Harden. The game was a much-needed injection of confidence, Harden said in a televised interview after the game, after a pair of demoralizing losses with Embiid battling through a sprained right knee. "Huge confidence, huge confidence. "He just gave me good luck - he brought me good vibes, good energy," said Harden, adding he would invite Hao "every game - here on out." The Sixers face the Celtics in Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday.

☆ Philadelphia 76ers Embiid wins first MVP award
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for the first time, the league announced on Tuesday. Embiid was chosen over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, to whom he lost the award in the past two seasons, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won back-to-back awards in 2019 and 2020. The Cameroonian big man received 73 first-place votes from a panel of 100 broadcasters and journalists, marking the fifth consecutive win for an international player. The 29-year-old is only the second African player to become MVP after Nigerian-American Hakeem Olajuwon from the Houston Rockets in the 1993-94 season. The MVP trophy was renamed this season after Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

☆ Embiid hopes 'improbable' path to MVP will inspire
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 3 (Reuters) - National Basketball Association (NBA) MVP Joel Embiid hopes to be a role model of perseverance after overcoming extraordinary odds, the Philadelphia 76ers center said on Wednesday. "I felt like it was kind of my fault because I left Cameroon, I left, you know, my family. I felt like I should have been there to do something," said Embiid, who missed the first two seasons of his career with a broken foot. Embiid, who came second in MVP voting to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the last two seasons, produced an undeniable MVP campaign this time around, averaging a career-high 33.1 points per game, with 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dimmed Suns hope to recapture fire at home against Nuggets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - The Phoenix Suns return to the Valley with the grim task of turning around their Western Conference semi-final campaign against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, with star point guard Chris Paul's future uncertain. After the Nuggets humbled them 125-107 in Saturday's opener, the Suns improved their defense but little else in Monday's Game 2, losing 97-87. CURRY VS. LEBRONElsewhere in the playoffs picture, a star-studded California clash between LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers and defending champions Golden State Warriors kicks off in San Francisco on Tuesday. Philadelphia star James Harden equalled his career playoff high 45 points on Monday and will need another high-caliber performance for Game 2 in Boston on Wednesday with Embiid's future unclear. Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers told reporters their ability to win without Embiid was a testament to his players' preparedness.

☆ LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-101 win and 2-1 series lead against the Memphis Grizzlies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and center Anthony Davis had strong performances to help lead LA to a big 111-101 win over the Grizzlies in front of a sold-out crowd at Staples Center on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven first round NBA Playoff series. Brooks was ejected from Game 3 for a flagrant 2 foul on LeBron James. Anthony Davis had a massive night, racking up 31 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesAfter the game, James said that the game wasn’t about making a “statement” to Brooks and the rest of the Grizzlies. Sixers forward Tobias Harris led the way for Philly with 25 points and 12 rebounds in what is Brooklyn’s second straight first-round sweep.

☆ NBA roundup: Anthony Davis, Lakers sprint past Grizzlies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Apr 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward David Roddy (27) in the fourth quarter during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. LeBron James added 25 points and nine rebounds as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference matchup. D'Angelo Russell had 17 points and Rui Hachimura scored 16 for Los Angeles, which led by as many as 29 points in the wire-to-wire victory. Desmond Bane (18 points) ended the Morant run with a 3-pointer that cut the Los Angeles lead to 108-99 with 1:24 remaining. James Harden collected 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

☆ Joel Embiid Says He Can ‘Do Anything’ on the Court. Let Him Show You.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I think he thinks he is a guard,” 76ers shooting guard Tyrese Maxey said of Embiid. Embiid was not always so comfortable handling the ball. At the time, Rivers said, he heard from fans who wanted Embiid to stop drifting to the perimeter. But Rivers said he resisted their pleas to shape Embiid into more of an old-school center. Get him on the post!’ ” Rivers recalled in an interview.

☆ NBA roundup: Suns secure No. 4 seed in West
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Deandre Ayton scored 16 points, and Devin Booker had 15 points and eight assists. Christian Braun scored 15 points, Jeff Green had 14 and DeAndre Jordan registered 12 points and 11 rebounds. Bam Adebayo supplied 14 points and eight rebounds, while Max Strus also had 14 points as Miami connected on 18 of its 39 shot attempts from beyond the arc. Joel Embiid paced the 76ers with 21 points, six rebounds and two blocks, while James Harden finished with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kris Dunn finished with 22 points, eight assists and seven boards, while Kelly Olynyk totaled 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists to pace the Jazz.

☆ NBA roundup: Knicks get by Wizards, clinch playoff berth
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

[1/4] Apr 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) dribbles against Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. New York led by no fewer than eight and by as many as 20 the rest of the way. Atlanta got 25 points from Dejounte Murray, 18 points and 10 rebounds from John Collins and 14 points and 11 boards from Clint Capela. Dallas also got 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists from Doncic and 18 points from Wood. The Rockets' starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green combined for 44 points with Green adding seven assists.

☆ NBA roundup: Nuggets belt Bucks in matchup of titans
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Antetokounmpo was aggressive from the start, with 13 points in the first quarter and 24 at halftime. But the Bucks went 4:10 without a point in the fourth period as the Nuggets built a 20-point lead. Booker led six Suns scoring at least 13 points. Biyombo also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton added 19 points and 13 assists.

☆ NBA roundup: Warriors withstand Joel Embiid's 46-point game
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/5] Mar 24, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter at Chase Center. A 23-9 run in the first 5:59 out of the locker room quickly flipped the game in the Kings' favor. Booker finished with 32 points, 14 in the fourth quarter, and Ross' 30 points marked a season high. Italian rookie Simone Fontecchio led Utah with 26 points, while Kelly Olynyk chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds. Haliburton and Myles Turner each scored 20 points to lead Indiana, which trailed by 29 in the fourth quarter.

☆ NBA roundup: Knicks' Julius Randle scores 57, Wolves still prevail
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Mike Conley (24 points, 11 assists) had a double-double for the Timberwolves, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Bulls 109, 76ers 105 (2OT)Zach LaVine scored 26 points, DeMar DeRozan added 25 and Chicago outlasted host Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid had 37 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Sixers. Hornets 115, Pacers 109Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 28 points and Charlotte wiped out a 21-point first-half deficit to defeat visiting Indiana. Curry finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Thompson added 29 points and seven rebounds.

☆ NBA roundup: 3-pointer at buzzer pushes Mavs past Lakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Anthony Davis scored 26 points with 10 rebounds for the Lakers after missing Wednesday's defeat to the Houston Rockets because of load management. Austin Reaves scored 16 points and Dennis Schroder added 15 as Los Angeles played its 10th consecutive game without LeBron James (foot). Washington's 12 points and Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 11 points led Charlotte. Jalen Green paced Houston with 25 points while Kevin Porter Jr. added 20. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 31 points and six assists, while Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and 17 rebounds.

☆ NBA roundup: Joel Embiid (42) guides Sixers past Pacers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Mar 6, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tyrese Maxey made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points for Philadelphia, and James Harden contributed 14 points, 20 assists and nine rebounds. Boston got 32 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists from Jaylen Brown. Trail Blazers 110, Pistons 104Damian Lillard recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as visiting Portland handed Detroit its eighth consecutive loss. Cory Joseph had 14 points, Jaden Ivey contributed 13 points and 13 assists and Alec Burks also scored 13 points.

☆ NBA roundup: 76ers snuff Bucks' 16-game winning streak
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points and 13 rebounds, Brook Lopez scored 26 points and Jrue Holiday added 26 points and 13 assists. Grayson Allen made six 3-pointers and finished with 20 points, all in the third quarter. Marvin Bagley III collected 20 points and 13 rebounds and Hamidou Diallo added 14 points for the Pistons. Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin both scored 15 points, and Butler added 11 rebounds and seven assists. Houston, which received double-doubles from starters Alperen Sengun (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Kenyon Martin Jr. (14 points, 13 rebounds), will host the Spurs on Sunday.

☆ NBA roundup: Suns win in Kevin Durant's debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Bucks 139, Magic 117Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists to fuel streaking Milwaukee's victory over visiting Orlando. Orlando's Cole Anthony scored a season-high 28 points off the bench and Markelle Fultz recorded 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 24 points and chipped in seven assists, while Josh Giddey added 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. The 76ers, who snapped a two-game skid that included a home loss to the Heat, also got 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists from James Harden. Ja Morant had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Memphis, which led by as many as 28 and won its third straight.

☆ NBA roundup: Hornets win again, lose LaMelo Ball
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Gordon Hayward added 19 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. joined ball with 18 points for Charlotte. Mark Williams provided 15 points and 11 rebounds. Heat 101, 76ers 99Jimmy Butler had 23 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals to help Miami edge host Philadelphia. Jayson Tatum, who entered Monday averaging 30.4 points per game, was limited to 14 points before he was ejected late in the fourth quarter. Moritz Wagner and Markelle Fultz added 14 points each and Wendell Carter Jr. had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando, which began a three-game road trip by finishing a season series sweep against New Orleans.

Search resuls for: "Joel Embiid"

25 mentions found