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Virgil Villanueva

The only basketball fan who thinks GOAT debates are futile but is willing to engage if Paul Pierce is excluded from the discussion.

Best team ever? 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers.

Favorite player? Sam Cassell's wit and Manu Ginobili's Euro Step

Signature move on the court? Fadeaway, tap board lay-up

Articles From This Author

Denver Nuggets fan holds up a sign towards the Indiana Pacers
Old School

That time a fan dressed as a referee blew the whistle in a Warriors vs Jazz game

By Virgil Villanueva
Michael Jordan
Old School

"I'll bring back some laughter to this team" — Michael Jordan was the Bulls' funny guy before he became its tyrant

By Virgil Villanueva
Why Shaq sold his Auntie Anne’s business: Black people don’t like Pretzels
Old School

"I didn't want to be greatest" — Shaquille O'Neal on the sneaky reason why he didn't aim to be the GOAT during his playing days

By Virgil Villanueva
Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Delonte West (13) tries to dribble around Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20)
Old School

"I didn't think it was going to be that steep" — Delonte West's honest thoughts on giving Gordon Hayward a wet willie

By Virgil Villanueva
Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016
Old School

"He agreed with me" — The crucial defensive tip from Kobe Bryant's high school head coach that led to the Black Mamba's 5th title

By Virgil Villanueva
Dejounte Murray responds to trade rumors swirling around him in the buildup to the 2022 NBA Draft
Old School

Why Dejounte Murray's meaningless dunk in 2018 made several fans jump for joy as if they won the championship

By Virgil Villanueva
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3)
Off The Court

The dumb antic that got Terry Rozier kicked out of Adidas in 2017

By Virgil Villanueva
Lower Merion High School senior Kobe Bryant
Off The Court

How Kobe Bryant's Lower Merion jersey ended up with a Chinese superfan who returned it

By Virgil Villanueva
Kobe Bryant
Off The Court

How Kobe Bryant helped high school students avoid taking their final exam

By Virgil Villanueva
December 23, 2015; Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant during the game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center.
Old School

"That type of stuff drives me crazy" — Why Kobe Bryant couldn't bear watching NCAA Games

By Virgil Villanueva
Luke Walton
Latest News

"I feel a lot of pride" — When Luke Walton included himself among the greats of the 2003 NBA Draft Class with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade

By Virgil Villanueva
New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing
Old School

"He wasn't touching the guy" — Patrick Ewing never high-fived his teammates who had not washed their hands

By Virgil Villanueva
Clyde Drexler on how it felt going up against Michael Jordan: "It was a treat"
Old School

"We're going to fine you" — The Portland Trail Blazers shut down Mychal Thompson's idea of pairing Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler

By Virgil Villanueva
Dirk Nowitzki & Kobe Bryant
Old School

"It wasn't his picking and popping" — Kobe Bryant on Dirk Nowitzki's greatest weapon against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat in 2011

By Virgil Villanueva
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant
Old School

"We're still going to take you down" — Kobe Bryant's unique perspective on Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016

By Virgil Villanueva
Lebron James and Michael Jordan on court during halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star
Old School

"He was walking on air" — LeBron James on his first encounter with Michael Jordan at a Chicago basketball gym

By Virgil Villanueva
Former Phoenix Suns guard Josh Childress
Old School

How Chris Rock influenced Josh Childress to walk away from the NBA for $20 million overseas

By Virgil Villanueva
Robert Horry during the 2013 NBA All-Star shooting stars competition; Manu Ginobili addresses the Spurs crowd at halftime before his Hall of Fame jersey is unveiled in 2022
Old School

"I would have had like 10 championships" — When Robert Horry dissed Manu Ginobili

By Virgil Villanueva
Kevin Garnett during his first-go with the Minnesota Timberwolves
2010s

"It seems to be a lot more friendships in the league" — Kevin Garnett on why players getting cordial with one another isn't entirely that bad

By Virgil Villanueva
Thon-Maker-Kevin-Garnett
2010s

"He's going to be MVP" — The draft bust that reminded Kevin Garnett of himself

By Virgil Villanueva
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant (left); Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum
Old School

"Young players coming nowadays just want to do the cute stuff" — Kobe Bryant on the underrated part of Jayson Tatum's game

By Virgil Villanueva
June 16, 2022; Boston Celtics big man Al Horford grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney during Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden
Old School

"There are times that you put things in perspective" - the reason why Boston Celtics center Al Horford flinches at the ball

By Virgil Villanueva
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to forward Tim Duncan guard Tony Parker and forward Kawhi Leonard
Off The Court

The Carrot Cake Story: Gregg Popovich's heartwarming road ritual with Tim Duncan

By Virgil Villanueva
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan
2010s

"I just laughed about it" — When DeMar DeRozan was mistaken for a trespasser at Air Canada Centre

By Virgil Villanueva
December 25, 2011; Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki  during the game against LeBron James and the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Center
Old School

"If you need an extra motivation, you have a problem" — Dirk Nowitzki's epic clap back at LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's mockery of him in the 2011 NBA Finals

By Virgil Villanueva
December 23, 2015; Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant during the game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center.
Old School

Kobe Bryant's saucy clap back for the "simple-minded people" who believed in "the Detail curse"

By Virgil Villanueva
June 7, 2015;Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and center Andrew Bogut during the game vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena
Old School

"I owe all my success to him" — The great lesson Draymond Green learned from Andrew Bogut

By Virgil Villanueva
Former United States president Barack Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden watch the first half of the basketball game between team USA and team Brazil in 2012. NBA legend Michael Jordan honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
Off The Court

"We've got the guy from Space Jam" — When Barack Obama savagely roasted Michael Jordan

By Virgil Villanueva
Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and other 2004 Pistons championship team members and staff pose for a photo after the game against the Golden State Warriors in 2016
Old School

"It depends on what the rules are" — When Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince claimed the '04 Pistons would beat the '16 Warriors

By Virgil Villanueva
Former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant sits in his office in Costa Mesa, California
Old School

When Kobe Bryant blew up Twitter after sharing his thoughts on the GOAT debate

By Virgil Villanueva
February 17, 2018; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during Team LeBron practice at the Los Angeles Convention Center
Old School

"We’re just standing here waiting for LeBron" - How LeBron James' popularity ruined Buddy Hield's media experience in the 2018 All-Star Weekend

By Virgil Villanueva
November 7, 2017; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade during their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena
Old School

LeBron James once caught Dwyane Wade looking at Miami Heat scores while teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Virgil Villanueva
November 27, 2022; Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry dribbles the ball during shoot around before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center
Old School

"I'll put myself on there" — Stephen Curry names his Mount Rushmore of Ball Handlers

By Virgil Villanueva
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1)
Old School

"I kept hearing [about] somebody named Dirt" — Dennis Smith Jr. on his first memory of Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki

By Virgil Villanueva
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue (M) talks with Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose (1),
2010s

"I was in the bathroom" — When Tyronn Lue got mad at Derrick Rose for taking a mid-game bathroom break

By Virgil Villanueva
Chris Paul and Jamal Crawford
Off The Court

"What is 'Mal doing?" — Chris Paul on copying Jamal Crawford's pre-game toe habit that saved him from injuries

By Virgil Villanueva
Dennis Rodman and Madonna
Off The Court

"She wasn't an acrobat, but she wasn't a dead fish either" — Dennis Rodman on his sexual relationship with Madonna

By Virgil Villanueva
Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson and forward Dennis Rodman
Old School

"The way Phil coached Dennis was genius" — Steve Kerr on how Phil Jackson's methods on Dennis Rodman helped his career as a coach

By Virgil Villanueva
July 17, 2021; Los Angeles Lakers' superstar LeBron James with his agent Rich Paul during game 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena
Latest News

"It's not all LeBron" — Rich Paul addresses casual fans' unfair perceptions of him

By Virgil Villanueva
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry high fives guard-forward Andre Iguodala
Off The Court

From rap albums to IPO: Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors player who prodded him to invest in Silicon Valley

By Virgil Villanueva
Detroit Pistons forward #10 DENNIS RODMAN in action/Killer 3 head coach Charles Oakley
Off The Court

"Dennis is walking around eating off people's plates" — Charles Oakley on the time he kicked Dennis Rodman out of his steakhouse

By Virgil Villanueva
Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss
Old School

"I kind of rolled my eyes" — Jeanie Buss on why she wasn't impressed when the Los Angeles Lakers hired Phil Jackson

By Virgil Villanueva
Kobe Bryant & Mike Miller
Old School

"That's just basic NBA basketball" - Why Kobe Bryant was surprised he was suspended after elbowing Mike Miller's throat

By Virgil Villanueva
Chris Childs and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan
Old School

"I’d still be suspended today if I had swung on Mike" — Chris Childs on almost coming to blows with Michael Jordan

By Virgil Villanueva
Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Miller and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant
Old School

"My esophagus don't miss him" — Mike Miller on the time Kobe Bryant exacted revenge by elbowing him in the throat

By Virgil Villanueva
Chicago Bulls players Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr celebrate after winning the NBA championship after defeating the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals at the United Center
Old School

Steve Kerr on Michael Jordan's struggles during his first comeback

By Virgil Villanueva
Los Angeles Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain
Old School

Wilt Chamberlain on how many points he would average at 60 years old

By Virgil Villanueva
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant
Old School

“This was your chance to win without Shaq” — why Kobe Bryant's nickname for Kobe 3 Prelude was "Misery"

By Virgil Villanueva
Golden State Warriors shooting guard Monta Ellis and point guard Stephen Curry
Old School

"I was right at the end of the day" — Monta Ellis on claiming he "just can't" play with rookie Stephen Curry

By Virgil Villanueva
Washington Wizards rookie center Kwame Brown
Old School

"He may even play some point guard" — When Kwame Brown's coach boosted his stock by boasting the power forward's versatility

By Virgil Villanueva