Sports

After Wizards get Sweep, Pierce Takes Jabs at Raptors, Drake

Published

11 years ago

April 27, 2015

Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) shoots over Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) in the second half of Game 4 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs, Sunday, April 26, 2015, in Washington. The Wizards won 125-94 to complete the first sweep of a seven-game series in club history, and advancing them to the second-round. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Howard Fendrich, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — At age 37, Paul Pierce is having a grand ol’ time on this playoff run with the Washington Wizards.

So before turning his attention to whoever his team’s second-round Eastern Conference opponent will be in a week or more — either No. 1 seed Atlanta or No. 8 Brooklyn — Pierce wanted to relish Washington’s sweep of the Toronto Raptors.

So within a couple of hours after the Wizards completed the franchise’s first 4-0 win in a best-of-seven series by beating Toronto 125-94 on Sunday night, Pierce’s Twitter and Facebook accounts were in full troll mode, replete with doctored photos.

One showed an image of Pierce sitting on the iconic “Game of Thrones” iron-sword seat, under the headline “King in the North,” a play off the Raptors’ “We the North” slogan. Another depicted Drake, the Canadian rapper who is the Raptors’ “Global Brand Ambassador,” ripping open a shirt to reveal Pierce’s No. 34 Wizards jersey, alongside the line, “If you’re reading this the Wizards just swept,” and accompanied by these words: “Drake a fool lol.”

Aside from Pierce’s contributions on the court — such as 14 points and four of Washington’s club postseason-record 15 3-pointers on Sunday — he is putting in work off it, mentoring younger teammates such as John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter. Not to mention doing what he can to get into foes’ heads.

“Playoffs is a different game. The intensity goes up, more is on the line, and that’s where you see the stars become superstars,” Pierce said. “And that’s what you saw in this series tonight from John and Bradley.”

Pierce has been through it all, playing in 152 career playoff games and winning an NBA championship ring with the 2008 Boston Celtics.

He was signed last offseason when the Wizards lost Trevor Ariza to free agency, and after having a lighter workload during the regular season, Pierce has given the Wizards the sort of clutch 3-point shooting and leadership they needed.

A year ago, Wall and Beal made their postseason debuts, eliminating the Chicago Bulls in the first round before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the second.

“The biggest thing now (is) I don’t want that feeling again. I don’t want to have that same feeling of going home, knowing that we should be advancing,” Beal, a third-year shooting guard, said after scoring a game-high 23 points Sunday.

He also was not shy about acknowledging the Wizards’ aspirations.

“Winning this series really gives us confidence, but at the same time, we need to stay humble, because it’s not over,” Beal said. “We have another tough series up next. And then another one after that, if we advance. And another one. So it never stops.”

Heady talk for someone who plays on a team that went more than three decades without topping 45 wins, until getting 46 this season.

And by eliminating No. 4 seed Toronto, No. 5 Washington has made it to the conference semifinals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1978 and 1979, when — still known as the Bullets — the team won a title, then reached the NBA Finals.

Atlanta leads Brooklyn 2-1, with Game 4 of that series Monday.

Now comes some time off for the Wizards, a chance for Pierce to get a breather, for Wall to let his dinged-up right shoulder to heal, for Beal to do the same with his banged-up knee.

“It’s great to get this out of the way and get a rest while the other guys are playing,” said Wall, who averaged 17.3 points and 12.3 assists against Toronto.

Going into the first round, Pierce drew attention for his remarks about the Raptors’ lack of the “It” factor.

He’s pretty sure others’ perception of the Wizards is changing.

“To go out there and not only be the underdog, but to sweep them,” Pierce said, “I think it does send a message that you can’t take Washington lightly.”

___

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

6 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.