Basketball

Kyrie Irving wears

The Metamorphosis of Kyrie Irving The Metamorphosis of Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks guard could’ve left the NBA a villain, but he’s now played long enough to become a hero.

Jun 6, 2024 / Dave Zirin

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley answers reporters' questions on April 6 before a national championship game.

Coaching Great Dawn Staley Defends Trans Athletes Coaching Great Dawn Staley Defends Trans Athletes

The courageous comments of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ coach upset all the right people.

Apr 10, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Video screen shows Ohtani speaking at press conference

Online Gambling Has Swallowed Professional Sports Online Gambling Has Swallowed Professional Sports

Sports leagues partnered with legal gambling operations to fill their coffers. The deals are bringing in millions, but now they threaten to undermine what makes sports special.

Mar 27, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Dartmouth player organizers with an SEIU Local 560 sign

The Future of College Sports Is Unionized The Future of College Sports Is Unionized

The Dartmouth basketball team just voted to join SEIU Local 560, a big step toward ending the exploitation of college athletes.

Mar 7, 2024 / Dave Zirin

A red banner with white lettering that says

To Find Excitement at the NBA All-Star Game, Look to the Stands To Find Excitement at the NBA All-Star Game, Look to the Stands

Members of the Palestinian Youth Movement and Jewish Voice for Peace unfurled a banner that read “Let Gaza Live.”

Feb 20, 2024 / Dave Zirin

black and white photo of bill walton at 1975 press conference

Bill Walton Was Once a Trailblazing Radical Bill Walton Was Once a Trailblazing Radical

The basketball great is now better known for his tie-dyed shirts and enthusiastic sports commentary, but in the 1970s, he was a polarizing anti-government activist.

Sep 6, 2023 / Dave Zirin and Frank Guridy

Marcus Smart, a Celtics player, lies on the hardwood, frustrated—hands up.

Boston Tears: Why the Sports World Rejoiced at the Celtics’ Loss Boston Tears: Why the Sports World Rejoiced at the Celtics’ Loss

The sense that Boston possesses a special sporting sparkle is grating. It’s also, at least in recent history, true.

Jun 1, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Ron DeSantis’s Anti-Trans Agenda Exiles Dwyane Wade, NBA Superstar and Loving Father

Ron DeSantis’s Anti-Trans Agenda Exiles Dwyane Wade, NBA Superstar and Loving Father Ron DeSantis’s Anti-Trans Agenda Exiles Dwyane Wade, NBA Superstar and Loving Father

The Wade family, which includes their trans daughter, is fleeing Florida for their safety.

May 8, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Caitlin Clark’s Lesson for White Athletes: Don’t Be a MAGA Pawn

Caitlin Clark’s Lesson for White Athletes: Don’t Be a MAGA Pawn Caitlin Clark’s Lesson for White Athletes: Don’t Be a MAGA Pawn

When given the lucrative chance to demonize a rival player, Clark chose a different path.

Apr 7, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Willis Reed

Willis Reed Was the Best of New York City Willis Reed Was the Best of New York City

The death of the basketball great should remind the city of what it was, what it is, and what it should resist becoming.

Mar 23, 2023 / Dave Zirin

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