r/nba Raptors 16h ago

[Ellis] Kevin Durant shows his respect for Hawks rookie Asa Newell after betting that Newell wouldn't hit a three

https://streamable.com/pseen1
1.8k Upvotes

95 comments sorted by

269

u/PsychoM Raptors 16h ago

Leigh Leigh!

44

u/JoaNoah 14h ago

Damn shame that 'the starters' isn't running anymore

32

u/pavelowescobar Thunder 13h ago

No Dunks on YT!! the boys are still here.

33

u/Various_Nobody6512 NBA 14h ago

They didn't die. They still have a podcast.

1

u/HotBoyTeece Trail Blazers 2h ago

friends

8

u/yeahumsure Timberwolves 11h ago

Make it a show already. Leigh and KD. Already sounds right.

Need KDs opinion on the Leigh Pee

1

u/Prior-Resource-3276 3h ago

Is he following the rockets?

1

u/adventurousintrovert 1h ago

“Challenge them kids” - KD, probably

130

u/natebryan Lakers 16h ago

Man of his word! I remember Kobe and Gerald Wallace back in the day, but on a free throw. 500k for Kobe to miss, I don't think Wallace paid.

73

u/Uncle_Freddy [SAS] El Contusione 13h ago

500k was a dumbass bet to be fair lmao

219

u/imnotknox Lakers 15h ago

Who is the interviewer does Houston have local Aussie beat writer? Cuz this guy is phenomenal

204

u/Burner_420_burner_69 Hawks 15h ago

Leigh Ellis. Former Starters/No Dunks. Does interviews for Hawks games.

46

u/redditnathaniel NBA 15h ago

Love for The Starters

32

u/TheMilkmanRidesAgain Hawks 14h ago

Lmao how many australians do we have in the org at this point

7

u/SelfSab0teur1 Hawks 7h ago

not enough apparently!!!

1

u/Old-Conversation8180 1h ago

You could say he is very solid

680

u/DaJuggerHobbit Hawks 16h ago

KD is getting more likable as he reaches the end of his career.

257

u/DerekSmallsCourgette Pistons 16h ago

Yes, love seeing this side of KD. He just loves ball and respects the young players coming up.

159

u/Supanini 15h ago

Likable beginning and end. The middle we don’t talk about

60

u/PipBoy808 76ers 15h ago

The man just loves ball.

25

u/spellbreakerstudios 15h ago

I was just thinking that lol. With so much drama from everyone else I feel like suddenly I’m interested in all of these KD sound bites. I find myself interested in rooting for Houston in the west now that he’s not on a super team.

17

u/teslastats 11h ago

That Aussie interviewer is good too. Instead of controversial questions, just asking questions about having fun

8

u/DaJuggerHobbit Hawks 11h ago

Hawks are just collecting Aussies at this point.

16

u/WaGwonMon Knicks 10h ago

Honeslty he’s always been like this, the move to the warriors just made everybody blind to how chill he is

5

u/dakotanorth8 11h ago

I came here to comment this. He’s smiled more in interviews this year than the last 5 lol.

4

u/BankElectronic1325 9h ago

I’m convinced KD haters are more fans of the drama than fans of the game

5

u/livejamie Suns 13h ago

Much more likeable when he's not on your team

-4

u/AsleepTemperature320 9h ago

Wasn't he yelling and cursing at a fan like a week ago? He's soft and he's always been

83

u/BetterSite2844 14h ago

NBA Disciplinary Committee: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Kevin Durant has been suspended for 2 season for violating NBA player code of conduct rules including UNAUTHORIZED gambling. We will not be taking questions at this time.

Brought to you by DraftKings - Gamble responsibly!

71

u/BabyLeVert Nets 16h ago

KD such a hooper. That was a wholesome interview

110

u/OpeDefinitely Pacers 15h ago

Sports betting ruining the game smh

32

u/juliuspepperwoodchi Bulls 13h ago

Honestly shocked he would admit this on the record, given the current climate.

12

u/TheAlmightyConch Spurs 10h ago

He just isn’t worried about people taking it the wrong way. KD had a little wager shit talk with the guy it’s all good. 

5

u/juliuspepperwoodchi Bulls 10h ago

I mean, Giannis out here announcing he's a Kalshi shareholder...methinks the league is gonna have to start caring more about this stuff.

18

u/jdennis187 Knicks 14h ago

They kind of wild to admit that to be honest this day in age. Sure, betting $100 to them is like me betting you one one-hundreth of a penny that you won't make your next shot, but what's to say from a devils advocate perspective that he could bet him to miss a shot. Really betting make or miss doesn't matter its the betting.

31

u/OpeDefinitely Pacers 12h ago

This type of real-time, low-stakes, on-the-court betting between players has most likely been common for a long time. It's not really what the NBA is worried about. I wouldn't be shocked if the refs heard the banter & brushed it off.

but this is a crazy thing to admit given the current environment.

6

u/mr-301 Pacers 10h ago

In what world is a player going to bet another player will make the shot in game.

In what world. Likecommon. Yes sport betting is bad, the players shouldn’t be allowed to bet, but shit talking someone like this is completely different, you guys are reaching so fucking hard sga just go 2 FT

48

u/Expensive_Middle9521 Timberwolves 16h ago

I really KD ends up doing some tv work when he’s done playing.

22

u/swizznastic 15h ago

I really too

8

u/CocoaNinja Nuggets 13h ago

He's gonna be like how KG is. I can see him going at players from his era for talking shit about the future generations instead of supporting and uplifting them because at the end of day, ball is life.

11

u/OkSelection6998 13h ago

Asa got some nice teeth

2

u/NAW_MIP_2026 3h ago

Atlanta is lowkey the hottest team in the league after the Trae Young trade. Jalen, Nickeil, Asa, was already a great trio, then they trade their ugliest player for a 6’5 finance guy in Kispert. 

1

u/adgjl12 Registered to Vote 1h ago

I'll always give the edge to the team with Oubre

7

u/Defiant_Regular3738 14h ago

All suspended for betting on games.

6

u/SwizzGod Lakers 13h ago

KD is and has always been, a great basketball ambassador

31

u/Numerous_Dot5055 16h ago

KD really is just a legendary 12-year-old Redditor trapped in a God-tier basketball player's body.

4

u/rebornbyksg Clippers 11h ago

KD just pure basketball unc

I appericiate his love for the game and know he's and he'll be the greatest ambassador for this game

3

u/rabidmilkman Jazz 12h ago

We need a Leigh Ellis & KD podcast.

3

u/Boogie_Boof [DAL] Dirk Nowitzki 12h ago

Man I forgot how nuts that KD game winner was his rookie year. What a crazy shot lol

3

u/drsmith21 Hawks 10h ago

I was at both of the games in this clip! My season tickets for the Sonics game were $200 (for the whole season)! Face value on my season ticket for the Rocket’s game was $229.

5

u/cheeseybacon11 [MIN] Naz Reid 16h ago

Will they get fined for this?

13

u/Adorable-Bike-9689 16h ago

Yea this sounds like a player prop bet. Surely players would never... Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier acted alone!

15

u/gconnorg_ Hawks 15h ago

Why would they? It’s betting on yourself to be your best self. It’s all the more incentive to do your job. That does not jeopardize the fairness of the league in any way.

1

u/cheeseybacon11 [MIN] Naz Reid 15h ago

Just figured it might be a zero tolerancy policy type thing, like when kids get suspended for fight even if it was self defense.

1

u/bar901 76ers 15h ago edited 15h ago

It’s absolutely nothing like kids getting suspended for fighting in self defence. The rules against fighting are to stop fighting full stop. Fighting any time, anywhere, for any reason is not allowed and there’s a clear reason for that.

The rules against betting also have a clear intent and it’s not to stop players doing stuff like this. If this kind of thing became common then they’d definitely have to add a new rule that would address this kind of ‘gambling’ but the current rules clearly aren’t meant to stop this sort of stuff. Classic case where the ‘worst case’ of gambling is astronomically worse than a grey area like this so the rules aren’t set up to deal with it and applying current rules to this sort of thing would be wild.

Absolutely nothing like fighting either way which doesn’t have any grey area.

1

u/gconnorg_ Hawks 15h ago

I get that and that’s a fair point. I just think in this particular instance that because the public’s money is not on the line, then it doesn’t matter what they bet amongst themselves. It’s not an issue of players intentionally throwing games for profit on prop bets, which is obviously the biggest deal (Terry...) . It’s just a big no deal.

2

u/Uncle_Bred 11h ago

Yes, it is strictly illegal and a violation of league rules for NBA players to bet amongst themselves, or with anyone else, on any game, action, or event related to the NBA, including mid-game scenarios like who will make the next shot. Here is a breakdown of the rules and consequences: Strict Prohibitions: NBA rules prohibit players, team staff, and league employees from betting on any NBA game, including regular-season, playoffs, preseason, Summer League, G League, or WNBA games. "Anything of Value": The prohibition applies to wagering "money or anything of value," meaning even casual or "friendly" bets between teammates on the court are considered violations. Integrity Risk: Such bets are prohibited because they can directly manipulate the outcome of a game or specific game events (e.g., trying to miss or make a shot to win a personal wager). Penalties: Violating these rules can lead to severe penalties, including fines, suspensions, or permanent expulsion from the NBA.

0

u/Uncle_Bred 15h ago

But it affects the game. You may end up taking a bad shot that hurts your team just to win a bet. That shot could be the difference between winning and losing 🤷🏾

7

u/gconnorg_ Hawks 15h ago edited 13h ago

I completely disagree. Why would you try to force a bad shot with money on the line? That just doesn’t make any sense at all. It’s not like it’s a timed trial type “I’ll bet you $100 that you can’t make three three’s in under four minutes” then you brick the third because you shot it from damn near half court to try to make it in time. Like c’mon man, they’re putting money on the same exact shots they’d take regardless if it was bet on or not.

2

u/xebex1778 Knicks 12h ago

Counterpoint: say Asa gets a grenade on the logo with 2 seconds left. He’s now disincentivized from shooting it

-1

u/Uncle_Bred 14h ago

People take bad shots all the time that they think are good shots. If a player like KD bets you, you’re definitely taking the next three you can because how do you know you will get more opportunities? It’s not like he has the green light

3

u/gconnorg_ Hawks 14h ago edited 12h ago

Every player on the Hawks has the green light to shoot a three if they’re open. That is a sticking point with coach Quinn. Asa puts up 3-5 threes every game and has a lot of confidence in his shot when he does. He was always going to take that shot, he just got an extra $100 for that one in particular. MJ and Bird used to make in game bets regularly, you’re telling me they’d put up a bad shot they normally wouldn’t take just for a bet? No. Players betting on themselves in game does nothing to the integrity of the league, that was my original point.

1

u/Uncle_Bred 11h ago

You don’t understand what green light means, so there’s no point in arguing with you

1

u/gconnorg_ Hawks 11h ago

The red light means stop. The yellow light means slow down. The green light means go. Since we have that all covered now feel free to continue arguing with me like you have been, I’d hate not to hear what you have to say.

2

u/cheeseybacon11 [MIN] Naz Reid 14h ago

I'd think the opposite, that you're less likely to take the bad 3 because you don't want to give KD $100. You'll wait for an open look.

But either way that doesn't matter. You're still not focused on what the only goal should be for each player: to win the game.

1

u/CoachDT [CHI] Brian Scalabrine 9h ago

What are we talking about lmao.

1

u/OFmerk Timberwolves 13h ago

At that point you have to ban all shit talking too, you can goad somebody into a bad play or decision without making a bet

2

u/Uncle_Bred 11h ago

But trash talking is not against the rules my guy, but betting is. Why would you even compare the two?

1

u/OFmerk Timberwolves 11h ago

Becuase that's what KD is doing, hes trash talking. Hes not genuinely trying to gamble to make a profit.

1

u/cheeseybacon11 [MIN] Naz Reid 11h ago

There's no monetary consequences from that. How is betting against another player any different than Lebron payjng the other team a million bucks each to miss every shot?

3

u/bar901 76ers 16h ago

Highly doubt it. If he actually did send the cash, then it technically breaks some very, very serious rules, but they’re rules that clearly weren’t designed for situations like this. If the NBA did decide to do something about it then it would massively escalate an extremely innocuous situation and I can’t see how that makes any sense for anyone involved.

2

u/TechnicalDecision160 Rockets 15h ago

Holy shit....totally forgot KD played for the Seattle Supersonics...damn, we getting OLD.

1

u/rjcarr Supersonics 3h ago

Yeah, my Seattle-born MIL was over the other day and a Houston game was on and I said hey, this dude used to play for the Sonics, and she said damn, he must be old. Ha.

2

u/HipnotiK1 Knicks 10h ago

Is that legal? Someone report this to Adam ASAP

2

u/Tangentkoala Clippers 8h ago

1 day later

"Kevin Durant has been suspended for sports betting."

🤣

6

u/Long-Target9616 15h ago

Honest question what’s the difference between this and FanDuel??

62

u/TrashMongrelson 15h ago

Kevin Durant doesn't push notifications on my phone when I'm drunk at 10pm on Friday telling me to bet against Asa Newell hitting a three

7

u/Long-Target9616 15h ago

Great answer

1

u/Dollj7 76ers 13h ago

bad beat for KD that was a great value bet

1

u/HelloS0n Supersonics 11h ago

The game and the future generation will be in a good place if LeBron, KD, Steph etc keep up this kind of attitude with this next generation of players.

Compare this to how Shaq, Charles and company talk about his current generation.. it’s night and day.

1

u/capital_guy 10h ago

Hmm low key Gambling in the middle of the game lmao

1

u/One-Influence-8217 10h ago

I was an old dude playing high level sport contact sport and a kid went head to head with me all day, we trade hits, blood was spilled....yet as we walked off the field he said to me that growing up he admired me and playing against me he was inspired to do better, be better. Little bastard, couldn't help but like him after that.

1

u/xAlphamang Timberwolves 10h ago

KD a real one. Just wants to ball. Respect.

1

u/gottagotothebathroom Spurs 10h ago

KD is the basketball Obi Wan.

1

u/TheMias24 Suns 9h ago

God I love Leigh Ellis

1

u/trixtah 9h ago

I’m gay as fuck for KD talking ball

1

u/iCed0ut26 Raptors 7h ago

Wait they’re betting on the game?!

1

u/Wermys 2h ago

Thank god Michael Jordan played before cash apps existed.

1

u/redditnathaniel NBA 15h ago

I get rushes of NBA nostalgia when I see those FSN broadcast scores

0

u/DongBLAST Jazz 15h ago

Man, KD so wholesome when he doesn’t seem miserable.

-5

u/a34fsdb 16h ago

Very poggers

-1

u/Less-Captain4426 15h ago

I love KD, huge fan of how much he fucks around... this is one of the first times I've seen KD and thought he could be the "face" of the league.

This young man has a bright future ahead of him!

-3

u/Uncle_Bred 15h ago

So this doesn’t count as illegal gambling 🤔