SEATTLE (AP) — Kevin Durant got off the bus inside the loading dock of KeyArena about two hours before tipoff and made a quick glance toward the court, visible through the tunnel.He was back where his NBA career began more than a decade ago."When I woke up from my pregame nap I was nervous," Durant said. "I never felt that way coming into a game, especially a preseason game, but knowing this whole thing was set up for that moment I guess it was a crazy feeling to come out and feel that much love."Durant was back in Seattle on Friday night along with his Golden State Warriors for a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings for the first NBA game in the city since the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City following the 2007-08 season. It was an opportunity for the Seattle basketball community to gather once more before KeyArena becomes a construction site later this fall as part of a $700 million renovation that is expected to land the city an expansion NHL team, and has raised hopes of the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — With unsettled contract situations making many of the players' futures beyond this season uncertain, Warriors coach Steve Kerr is encouraging his team now more than ever to go with the flow, have fun and enjoy the moment.No pressure, even if the end goal is a three-peat.Two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant signed a one-plus-one contract that allows him to become a free agent again next summer, while fellow All-Stars Draymond Green and Klay Thompson could be up for extensions."Nothing lasts forever in this league, but we've always said we want to keep this going as long as we can, and we're right in the thick of it," two-time MVP Stephen Curry said.After two straight titles and three in four seasons, all eyes are on the East Bay once more as training camps begin league-wide.That's why Kerr is stressing going for it in what might be the final hurrah for the superstar core of this team. Not that Durant, Green nor Thompson is talking about leaving town."We are... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The debates have been so lively inside the Denver Nuggets locker room recently that coach Michael Malone wanders in to make sure everything's all right.Just the enthusiasm of guard Isaiah Thomas bubbling to the surface. He's turning up the intensity with his booming voice in what's been a rather quiet room.Think he's chatty now, wait until he's fully cleared after undergoing hip surgery in March. That's when he will do his real talking — with his play.Thomas hopes to provide another spark to a Nuggets team that hasn't reached the postseason since 2012-13. Last season, the team went down to the wire, with the Nuggets losing out on the No. 8 seed to Minnesota in the final game — a stinging 112-106 overtime defeat."We just have to be more consistent and take things more serious and I think that's what I'm here for," said Thomas, who signed a $2 million, one-year deal in the offseason to prove his hip is healthy and worth a more lucrative contract. "I'm not saying I'm the guy... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — First, his right forearm cramped turning his arm into the shape of a V as his hand bent back, and Jordan Bell could not move it for several minutes as he sat in the bathtub as he recovered post-workout. He yelled for his girlfriend's help. The cramp briefly released, then quickly returned. Soon, his quads, calves, hamstrings, biceps, hands and feet followed suit.Then, Bell blacked out. He came to and his girlfriend got him into bed, and he doesn't remember anything but waking up there."I just got cramps everywhere, all at once," he recalled after a workout at Warriors headquarters this week. "The pain was just so much, I blacked out."It was terrifying — "very," Bell said. He realized he had pushed his body to the brink of physical exhaustion after one especially grueling mid-August day with far from enough food and fuel. He did his cycle class, weights and conditioning, then a couple hours of open gym in Los Angeles — his regular routine all summer to get ready for... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — David West, a key big man and snazzy passer who had a knack for providing a timely lift off the bench during the Golden State Warriors' past two championship seasons, retired Thursday.West's Twitter announcement — one day after his 38th birthday — wasn't a surprise as he made it clear he would take some time after the team's latest title run to contemplate calling it a career."I am humbled and thankful for the support of my family, friends, coaches, teammates, organizations, and fans throughout this experience," said West, the 18th overall draft pick by the Hornets in 2003 out of Xavier.He left the Spurs following the 2015-16 season for a chance to chase a championship with the Warriors, and wound up winning his first career title and then a second one this past June."David was a consummate professional throughout his entire career and was a huge presence in our locker room the last two years," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said in a statement. "The respect that he... [More]

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry can only imagine the intensity level of the Lakers-Warriors rivalry now that LeBron James has landed in L.A.After four straight NBA Finals against James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, two-time defending champion Golden State will get four matchups against James during the regular season."And a whole new-look Laker team with some of the young kids. It should be fun, the Bay Area and L.A. and the whole thing," Curry said Monday in a sit-down with The Associated Press while hosting his annual elite camp at Ultimate Fieldhouse. "When I first got into the league Oracle would be buzzing any time the Lakers came in. There probably will be a revolution of Laker fans that are going to try to creep in but I hope Bay Area and Dub Nation we keep control of that competition because we're on top right now."The schedule is set to be released later this week.Curry is eager to have new teammate and dominant big man DeMarcus Cousins healthy and recovered from surgery... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors security man Ralph Walker, who in recent seasons had primarily worked closely with Stephen Curry, has departed the organization to spend more time with family.Walker confirmed his exit via text message, saying, "Will miss you all." He had been a fixture on the Golden State sidelines and almost anywhere Curry went, staying close to the two-time MVP at home and on the road. Walker is a former member of the Oakland Police Department.Also Tuesday, the Warriors said athletic trainer Chelsea Lane had departed for a job running the Atlanta Hawks training staff. She played a key role in getting Curry back from a knee injury this postseason as the Warriors won a second straight championship and third in four years — and Lane worked back several other stars from late-season injuries, too, such as Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala.A contract extension for coach Steve Kerr is expected to be announced soon once he signs the new deal. Kerr has one year remaining on his original $25 million, five-year agreement. Kerr had planned some family travel in Europe for July.Golden State also announced the re-signing of big man Kevon Looney that had been agreed to last week when free agency began. Looney, receiving a one-year deal for the minimum, averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game and earned five postseason starts.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors security man Ralph Walker, who in recent seasons had primarily worked closely with Stephen Curry, has departed the organization to spend more time with family.Walker confirmed his exit via text message, saying, "Will miss you all." He had been a fixture on the Golden State sidelines and almost anywhere Curry went, staying close to the two-time MVP at home and on the road. Walker is a former member of the Oakland Police Department.Also Tuesday, the Warriors said athletic trainer Chelsea Lane had departed for a job running the Atlanta Hawks training staff. She played a key role in getting Curry back from a knee injury this postseason as the Warriors won a second straight championship and third in four years — and Lane worked back several other stars from late-season injuries, too, such as Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala.Golden State also announced the re-signing of big man Kevon Looney that had been agreed to last week when free agency began. Looney, receiving a one-year deal for the minimum, averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game and earned five postseason starts.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

LAS VEGAS (AP) — DeMarcus Cousins perfectly summed up the potential of the Golden State Warriors."Scary," he said.The rest of the league likely agrees.Cousins signed his contract Friday to join the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors for this coming season, one in which he'll make $5.3 million. He isn't sure when his surgically repaired Achilles will allow him to start playing with his new team — being ready for the start of training camp seems quite doubtful — but he can already envision what might happen when he returns to form."Of course it's going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of hard work and dedication, and also a lot of sacrifice from not only myself but other guys on the team as well," Cousins told reporters Friday night at the NBA Summer League. "That's something that we all are aware of and that's something we accepted already."When he returns, something he says he won't do until he's back to 100 percent, the Warriors could have a starting five composed entirely of 2018... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — As he has long desired, DeMarcus Cousins will finally get a chance to play for a winner once he's healthy from a torn left Achilles tendon.When Boogie returns to the court this season, the volatile big man will give the Golden State Warriors five 2018 All-Stars in their starting lineup to chase another title — with Cousins trying for his first after never appearing in the playoffs. The center, who has had his problems with technical fouls, will sign with the two-time defending champions after the moratorium period is lifted Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is yet to be completed.Cousins is set to join a starting lineup of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, who is fresh off his second straight NBA Finals MVP, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."The 3rd splash Brother," Curry posted on Twitter with a series of happy crying emojis. "Let's... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — As he has long desired, DeMarcus Cousins will finally get a chance to play for a winner once he's healthy from a torn left Achilles tendon.When Boogie returns to the court this season, the volatile big man will give the Golden State Warriors five 2018 All-Stars in their starting lineup to chase another title — with Cousins trying for his first after never appearing in the playoffs. The center, who has had his problems with technical fouls, will sign with the two-time defending champions after the moratorium period is lifted Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is yet to be completed.Cousins is set to join a starting lineup of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, fresh off his second straight NBA Finals MVP, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."The 3rd splash Brother," Curry posted on Twitter with a series of happy crying emojis. "Let's go @boogiecousins."Cousins'... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State first-round draft pick Jacob Evans III has signed his contract and is set to play in the summer league with the two-time reigning NBA champions.The Warriors selected the 6-foot-6 guard/forward with the 28th overall pick out of Cincinnati and formally introduced him at a news conference last week, his proud family in attendance.Evans averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.14 steals during his three-year career at Cincinnati. He says he can't wait to learn from all the superstars around him, such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Evans called the Warriors "probably the greatest team ever in NBA history."Summer league was set to begin Monday in Sacramento, California.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — For the second straight year, throngs of Golden State Warriors fans turned out for a victory parade to celebrate a team some are calling an NBA dynasty and got a treat when several players got off their buses to mingle with the crowd.Hundreds of thousands of fans in gold and blue and holding signs that read "Dynasty" and "Back to Back Champions" waved from behind barriers set up along the route in downtown Oakland, California, as the Warriors rode by in the open, double-decker buses Tuesday.Stephen Curry, NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and the rest of the Warriors, who won their third title in four years last week, took turns raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the roaring crowd, which officials said could reach up to 1 million fans.Officials had promised an "interactive" parade with some fans able to ask the players questions and giant TV screens for the crowd to see them and hear their answers as the moved along the route. But there were no screens and when Klay Thompson... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — For the second straight year, throngs of Golden State Warriors fans turned out for a victory parade to celebrate a team some are calling an NBA dynasty and got a treat when several players got off their buses to mingle with the crowd.Hundreds of thousands of fans in gold and blue and holding signs that read "Dynasty" and "Back to Back Champions" waved from behind barriers set up along the route in downtown Oakland, California, as the Warriors rode by in the open, double-decker buses Tuesday.Stephen Curry, NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and the rest of the Warriors, who won their third title in four years last week, took turns raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the roaring crowd, which officials said could reach up to 1 million fans.Officials had promised an "interactive" parade with some fans able to ask the players questions and giant TV screens for the crowd to see them and hear their answers as the moved along the route. But there were no screens and when Klay Thompson... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — For the second straight year, throngs of Golden State Warriors fans turned out for a victory parade to celebrate a team some are calling an NBA dynasty and got a treat when several players got off their buses to mingle with the crowd.Hundreds of thousands of fans in gold and blue and holding signs that read "Dynasty" and "Back to Back Champions" waved from behind barriers set up along the route in downtown Oakland, California, as the Warriors rode by in the open, double-decker buses Tuesday.Stephen Curry, NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and the rest of the Warriors, who won their third title in four years last week, took turns raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the roaring crowd, which officials said could reach up to 1 million fans.Officials had promised an "interactive" parade with some fans able to ask the players questions and giant TV screens for the crowd to see them and hear their answers as the moved along the route. But there were no screens and when Klay Thompson... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the parade for the Golden State Warriors (all times local):1:20 p.m.Golden State Warriors players got off their buses to sign autographs and high-five fans and even posed for photographs holding brooms during their championship parade in Oakland.JaVale McGee, Nick Young and Jordan Bell ran along the barriers holding the crowd back and mingled with fans and even hugged some of them.Even coach Steve Kerr joined in on the fun and walked up to crowd to sign autographs during the team's victory parade Tuesday.McGee, who was wearing only shorts, said, "I'm just excited to be here with these guys. Our fans are amazing! All the love that they show is just beautiful."Young, also just in shorts during a very warm afternoon, swept the ground with a broom as dozens of fans held up their phones to take his picture.___12:15 p.m.Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has gotten off the double-decker bus to the cheers of the crowd.Curry is holding the Larry O'Brien... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — For the second straight year, throngs of Golden State Warriors fans turned out for a victory parade to celebrate a team some are calling an NBA dynasty.Hundreds of thousands of fans in gold and blue and holding signs that read "Dynasty" and "Back to Back Champions" waved from behind barriers set up along the route in downtown Oakland, California, as the Warriors rode by in an open, double-decker bus.Stephen Curry, NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and the rest of the Warriors, who won their third title in four years last week, took turns raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the roaring crowd, which officials said could reach up to 1 million fans.Officials had promised an "interactive" parade with some fans able to ask the players questions and giant TV screens for the crowd to see them and hear their answers as the moved along the route. But there were no screens and when Klay Thompson used a megaphone to say hello, his greeting was drowned out by the cheering crowd.Curry... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the parade for the Golden State Warriors (all times local):12:15 p.m.Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has gotten off the double-decker bus to the cheers of the crowd.Curry is holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy up in the air as dozens of cameras surround him.Officials had promised a more interactive parade this year for the team that has won three championships in four years.Klay Thompson used a megaphone from the bus to say hello to the crowd but his greeting was drowned out.Teenager Adriana Carnecer of San Francisco says she is a lifelong fan and is excited the team will be closer to home.The back-to-back champions plan to move to San Francisco next year.The 15-year-old says the team, which has won three championships in four years, has started "something that's going to be greater than it already is."___11:25 a.m.Gold and blue confetti is raining down in downtown Oakland, California, as a parade to celebrate the Golden State Warriors' third NBA... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the parade for the Golden State Warriors (all times local):11:25 a.m.Gold and blue confetti is raining down in downtown Oakland, California, as a parade to celebrate the Golden State Warriors' third NBA title in four years gets underway.Warriors guard Klay Thompson is throwing T-shirts to fans and waving from the top of an open, double-decker bus.Fans arrived hours before the start of the parade Tuesday to get a prime spot along the route.The NBA champions have gone back-to-back, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-85 on Friday night to finish off a sweep of the NBA Finals in the fourth consecutive meeting between the clubs.___10:40 a.m.Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is promising fans the team will "get greedy" and win more championships.Curry says he never imagined the team would have a parade "let alone two and now three."Curry spoke during a short interview Tuesday with the team that was broadcast live before the start of the parade through... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Warriors general manager Bob Myers expects swift negotiations to re-sign two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and coach Steve Kerr.Durant could sign for as long as four years and about $160 million, and Myers is prepared to give him "whatever he wants." Durant has said all along he wants to stay put, especially after winning a pair of championships in his first two seasons with Golden State."Sometimes you don't negotiate. I'd love to have him for 10 years. Kevin Durant, look what he did for us last year, he did us a great service," Myers said. "He's earned the right to sign whatever deal he wants. I just want him to sign a deal. But want him to be happy and want him to know that we want him as long as he wants to be here. He's earned that, to kind of lay out the terms. He can do whatever he wants. That shouldn't be a long negotiation. Our goal, to be honest, is to try to keep the whole thing together, so that's the pieces of the puzzle we've got to try to... [More]