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MSU legend Draymond Green needs to step up in elimination game

It’s Day Day’s time to shine.

Published

3 weeks ago

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Draymond Green
© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State legend Draymond Green needs to step up in an elimination Game 6 on Wednesday night vs. the Lakers.

Since his time wearing the Green and White, Draymond Green has had a very successful NBA career. Four-time champion, four-time all-star, two-time All NBA member, eight-time (!) member of the all-defensive team, two-time gold medalist, and of course won the defensive player of the year award in 2016-2017.

Not bad at all for a second-round pick.

Green has always been known for his defensive ability, versatility, and hustle. He has arguably been the second most important player in the Golden State Warrior’s dynasty (behind Steph Curry). His exuberant personality has also made him a “fan favorite” and “most hated” player… just depends on who you ask.

Draymond Green is known and respected for many things in the NBA, but one that flies under the radar a bit is his play in NBA playoff elimination games.

Draymond Green in elimination games

In Green’s career, he has played in 12 elimination games, 11 if you get rid of a game in 2013 against the Nuggets in which he only played eight minutes.

In those games, he averages 12.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Those numbers are higher than his career stats in every category. He elevates his game when it matters most. And we’ve seen some absolutely nuclear performances from him.

None of his performances have been bigger than his Game 7 of the 2016 NBA finals. It’s almost been a “forgotten” performance due to the Warriors losing and blowing their 3-1 lead, but Green was on another level that night.

He finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists in the loss. All while shooting 73 percent from the floor and hitting six threes. It’s tough to find a more efficient 32-point game than that. Add on his other numbers and near triple-double, if the Warriors would’ve won it could’ve been considered the best Game 7 in NBA history.

Green has had other great elimination game performances in his career as well. In 2014 he dropped 24 points in Game 7 against the Clippers while adding seven rebounds.

In Game 6 of the 2019 NBA finals against Toronto, Green had maybe his most well-rounded performance. He only scored 11 points but hauled in 19 rebounds and dished out 13 assists. He also got it done defensively with three steals and two blocks.

Draymond’s most recent elimination game performance was a little quieter than normal. In Game 7 against the Kings, he had a solid eight points, six rebounds, and eight assists. He also had zero turnovers and had a +/- of +25 in the Warrior’s win. It wasn’t super pretty, but it was winning basketball.

The Warriors are currently down 3-1 to the Lakers and LeBron James. If they want any chance of coming back, Draymond will need to step up and play winning basketball.

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PRO SPARTANS

Miles Bridges posts interesting Snapchat with Michael Jordan

Miles Bridges is eyeing an NBA return.

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 21, 2023

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Miles Bridges
© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Bridges has been out of the NBA for a year after getting into a domestic incident but it looks like he may be back soon.

Former Michigan State star Miles Bridges posted a picture on Snapchat of him talking to Michael Jordan on Saturday.

After being out of the NBA for a year, this could be a hint at a return despite the controversy that would follow him.

Off-court issues

Bridges has been in a lot of trouble off the court this past year. That is not something we need to dive into now, but Bridges missed all of last season due to serious legal issues. However, with Miles’ legal battle now complete, he is now able to play in the NBA again. The NBA suspended Bridges for 30 games but has ruled 20 of those games as being served. If an NBA team were to sign Bridges, he would have to sit for just 10 games before he can play again.

NBA career

The picture above may be an indication of which team is looking to sign Bridges. Miles has spent his entire NBA career playing with the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan is the owner of the Hornets, so this picture shows that Bridges may be looking to re-sign with his former team.

Bridges has played four seasons in the NBA. During that time, he is averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. His best season by far was his last. In the 2021-22 season, he averaged 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. He has shown constant improvement during his career, but there is a lot of unknown with where his game is at now.

Relationship with MSU Fans

Michigan State fans do not support Miles like they once did. He was one of the most loved Spartans especially after he made the decision to return for a second season in East Lansing. Spartan fans continued to watch and support him during his NBA career as well. That all changed once his off-court legal issues began last year.

It will be interesting to see how all basketball fans treat Bridges if he makes a return to the NBA.

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PRO SPARTANS

Gary Harris back taking Michigan State classes to earn his degree

Gary Harris hasn’t given up on that degree.

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 20, 2023

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Gary Harris
© Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Gary Harris is back taking summer classes at Michigan State so he can earn his degree during the NBA offseason.

Every NBA draft cycle, players leave college early to pursue their dreams of playing professionally and making millions. What often gets overlooked when that happens is that the players who leave early surrender a chance to earn their college degrees on schedule.

Some players who leave early decide to go back and finish their degree which is a really cool move and it shows that they took college seriously.

Others don’t think twice about their degrees and just play pro ball.

Gary Harris is the former group.

According to @dudenamedcald on Twitter, Harris is taking classes at Michigan State currently so he can finish his degree. He posted a screenshot of a discussion post by Harris in one of his friend’s summer classes.

Imagine taking a summer class at Michigan State and then seeing a “discussion post” from a “Gary Harris” and then reading it just to see if it’s the Gary Harris. And then it is.

Harris, currently residing in Indiana over the summer, just wrapped up a season with the Orlando Magic in which he averaged 8.3 points and shot 45 percent from the floor, 43 percent from 3-point range, and 90 percent from the free throw line. His averages have gone down, but his shooting percentages remain elite.

But he’s clearly not content with being just an NBA starter. He wants to earn that MSU degree.

Leaving after the 2013-14 season, Harris was drafted No. 19 overall in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He played two years at Michigan State and then earned a borderline NBA Lottery draft grade but slid to 19. Harris was then traded to Denver where he was one of the league’s brightest young stars for seven years. For the past three years, he’s been Orlando’s “veteran” wing.

And soon, he’ll be a graduate of Michigan State University.

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PRO SPARTANS

Brian Lewerke gets another opportunity to play pro football

Brian Lewerke is headed back to Michigan to play pro ball.

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 18, 2023

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Brian Lewerke
© Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Lewerke will be joining former MSU cornerback Josh Butler in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers.

After spending a couple of stints in the NFL with the Patriots and Giants as a practice squad member, Brian Lewerke is getting another shot at professional football.

On Wednesday evening, the USFL’s Michigan Panthers announced the signing of Lewerke.

Lewerke was signed after Carson Strong, the previous backup quarterback, was placed on injured reserve. He will now get a chance to compete for a prominent role on the roster with Strong injured and Josh Love not exactly setting the world on fire.

Quarterback play has not been a strength for the Panthers.

In four appearances, Strong had 266 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Love, on the other hand, has started five games and has 617 yards and six touchdowns with five picks. Neither quarterback has really stood out and that’s one of the reasons the Panthers are 2-3 and tied for last place.

Lewerke has spent time around the NFL with the Patriots and Giants and he was also in the XFL this past season for a few months, signing with the Seattle Sea Dragons. He was released in January.

Now he’ll look to catch on with the Panthers and potentially enter a more favorable situation. This could be a good spot for him to play professional football, especially since the Panthers need some quarterback help.

Lewerke had a decent career at Michigan State, passing for over 8,000 (fourth in MSU history) yards and 47 touchdowns (fifth in MSU history). He also has two of the top three single-game passing yard performances in Michigan State history and two of the top 10 single-season passing yardages.

Michigan State fans will get another opportunity to watch him live as there are two more home games left in the regular season for Lewerke to play at Ford Field.

The former Spartan quarterback will join Josh Butler who was signed by the Panthers earlier this spring.

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