Down goes Steph Curry

After sitting out the past 2 games against the Rockets, Steph Curry was able to play in game 4. Unfortunately for Curry he went down, with a Grade 1 knee sprain. This means that there is slight damage; the ligaments are stretched but not torn, and the knee still has stability. He will be reevaluated in 2 weeks to determine if he will be able to return. With Curry going down, the rest of the players on the Warriors will have to step up if they want to repeat as NBA Champions. I never want to see a player get hurt, but it is hard to go an entire NBA season fully healthy. I know I am a little bias, but this was every Cleveland Cavaliers fan's dream; to see Curry to go down. Hopefully in his absence, a team will be able to beat the Warriors, giving the Cavaliers a shot at the title!

Cavaliers sweep round 1

Get your brooms out, the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons in round one of the NBA playoffs. In just one week, Cavaliers Head Coach Tyrone Lue went from having zero playoff experience under his belt to taking out a guy he once played for, Stan Van Gundy, with four wins in four games. LeBron James said, "We definitely recognize it and understand that it's his first challenge, and he succeeded as well as any coach could, or if it was a player, as any player could in their first series. He physically, mentally and spiritually prepared us every single night and gave us a game plan, along with the coaching staff. We as players could execute that as close to 100 percent, then we had a good chance to win every game, which we did, because of the preparation of those guys- starting with Coach Lue, our captain-- put us in position to do."

The Cavaliers will play the winner of the Boston- Atlanta series, which is tied 2-2. The Cavs sweep was important, as it gives the players some rest as they prepare for their next opponent!

Nike terminated endorsement with Johnny Manziel

The hits keep coming for 23- year- old free- agent Johnny Manziel, after Nike decided to cut their ties with him. Nike signed Manziel for a shoe and apparel deal in March 2014 to a multiyear deal, but is no longer an endorser of the brand. The former Browns quarterback had already been dumped by his original contract agent, his marketing agent, as well as his second contract agent. Jonny needs to get his life back on track if he wants to play football sometime soon.

Nike wasn't afraid to cut ties with Manziel. This is the sixth contract Nike has terminated in the past three- and- a- half years. Those whose deals were ended prematurely include Lance Armstrong, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Oscar Pistorius, and Manny Pacquiao.

Cavs Big 3

The Cleveland Cavaliers Big 3, consisting of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, seems to be clicking at the right time. Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons of the Playoffs, we saw the Big 3 drop a total of 81 points. Irving scored a playoff career- high 31 points and added six assists and five rebounds. Love set a playoff career- highs in points with 28 and 13 rebounds, and James had 22 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. If the Cavs Big 3 keep this play up, there is no doubt that they will make it back to the Finals and have a great shot to win the NBA Championship.

Read More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2016/04/17/lebron-james-kevin-love-kyrie-irving-cavaliers-pistons-playoffs/83169080/

Kobe goes out in style

Kobe Bryant's last game of his basketball career came to an end on Wednesday night. Fan's final vision of Kobe in a purple and gold uniform was like many before as the Lakers' legend scored a spectacular 60 points in his farewell NBA game. In the fourth quarter, he outscored the Jazz 23-21. With his team trailing with just under six minutes to go, he scored 17 consecutive points for his team. Kobe got his first NBA points at the free throw line and also ended his career at the free throw line

A quick look at some of Kobe's accomplishments:

• third all- time scorer in total points
• scored 81 points on January 22, 2006 against the Toronto Raptors
• 5- time NBA champion
• two Olympic gold medals
• NBA MVP in 2008
• 18 All- Star selections
• two- time NBA scoring champion
• four- time NBA All- Star game MVP
• six 60 point games

Kobe will go down in history as the best player! #ThankYouKobe

Kobe Bryant's famous pregame shooting

There are many things that Kobe Bryant has done in his memorable 20 year career, but one thing remains the same: his pregame shoot around. The routine begins at every arena about four hours before tipoff. Bryant will typically begin beneath the rim, making 15 to 20 shots with each hand just to get loose, to gain a rhythm and feel for the ball going through the net. He'll then move to midrange and shoot from about 15 feet along each baseline, at each wing, at the free- throw line area, making 15-20 shots at each spot. He'll then move to the free throw line, making free throws until he feels good and wants to move to the next spot. Then, he will move beyond the arc, shooting 3- pointers from each corner, each wing and the top of the key, making between 10 and 20 shots at each spot. He will then move back inside the arc, shoot more free throws and begin working closer to the basket. His whole routine lasts about 20-30 minutes, which he'll make around 250 shots.

There are only two more games before his NBA career will come to a close.

Reporters show support for Craig Sager

Players and coaches are not the only ones in the NBA honoring Craig Sager. Fellow reporters made a colorful show of support Tuesday night for Craig Sager. Reporters across the NBA donned flashy threads and used the hashtag #SidelineforSager. Sager is known to wear flashy clothing, sometimes not always matching.

Here are some examples of sideline reporters showing their support: