Entries by Mateo Mayorga

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signing pushes the Magic over the Heat

The Orlando Magic have surpassed the Miami Heat as the top team in Florida with the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the sharpshooting, defensive ace. He leaves the Denver Nuggets after two seasons, registering 313 trifectas, 253 steals and 95 blocks combined between the regular campaign and Playoffs. In year one as a Denver Nugget, the […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: JJ Redick is introduced as the new Lakers coach

The Los Angeles and national brigade of reporters questioned JJ Redick on his 40th birthday for 45 minutes, and nobody asked him about his ill-informed comment about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being a “one-note wonder” that perverts NBA history. Redick blurted that nonsense about the NBA’s six-time MVP during the 2022-23 season, impersonating the obnoxious gimmick of […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Mavericks avoided getting swept with a Game 4 win in Dallas versus the Celtics

The Dallas Mavericks lapped the Boston Celtics in Game 4, preventing a sweep in the Finals. Luka Dončić was relentless on offense, cared to defend and yapped considerably less to the referees. Kyrie Irving consumed inside protections. And the hosts outrebounded the Celtics by 21. Early, the Mavericks’ defense permitted two of nine 3-pointers. But […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Celtics outdid the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Finals

The Boston Celtics conquered the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Finals, taking a 2-0 lead. Dallas’ Luka Dončić was inexorable, and the visiting defense protected the arc. But Gang Green was overruling in the second half, and their supporters periodically chanted, “Kyrie [Irving] sucks.” In act one, the Mavericks’ defense permitted one of nine […]