Category: Basketball

Free agent forward Trendon Watford has signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans worth $2.9 million, per reports.

The former LSU Tiger was most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers, after previously spending two seasons with both the Portland Trail Blazers and Brooklyn Nets.

The Birmingham native immediately made an impact at LSU, averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2019 and earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors.

As a sophomore, Watford averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 30 points in LSU’s SEC Tournament championship game loss to Alabama and earned First-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press and Second-Team honors from the coaches. He declared for the 2021 NBA Draft following the season.

After going undrafted, Watford signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in August 2021, which was converted to a standard contract in February 2022. He scored a career-high 27 points against Washington that March. In the 2022 NBA Summer League, Watford led Portland to the championship with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, earning Championship Game MVP honors and a spot on the All-Summer League Second Team.

In July 2025, Watford joined the 76ers on a two-year contract worth $5.3 million. He recorded the first triple-double of his NBA career on November 8, finishing with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in Philadelphia’s 130-120 win over the Toronto Raptors.

The 25-year-old will now head to New Orleans, where he will look to help the Pelicans turn things around after finishing the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record, 11th in the Western Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still keen on shedding salary to gain more financial flexibility even after recently trading away Denis Schroder. As reported by Marc Stein, “Cleveland remains in active search of a trade to send out Max Strus as Strus enters the final year of his current contract.”

Strus is entering the final year of his current deal with the Cavaliers earning $16.7 million in 2026-27. Strus spent the bulk of this past season on the shelf due to a Jones fracture he suffered before training camp.

Strus suited up for 12 regular season games, including his debut, where he went 7-9 shooting (6-7 from three), ending with 24 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.

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With the trade of Schroder on Friday, the Cavaliers were able to shave $6.8 million off their books for next season. Finding a buyer for Strus could require attaching draft capital, given the amount owed to him next season.

While it is a one-year rental, deals like this are harder to accomplish in the NBA’s apron era. Teams are more hesitant to take on any form of sizeable salary as each apron offers less roster flexibility and prevents an ability to be liquid with their current assets.

While Strus is far from a player teams would view solely as a salary hold, the salary size is notable enough to give certain teams pause. Strus is still a very capable scorer in the league and a great locker-room presence. Cleveland would definitely feel the absence of Strus’s presence on and off the court. However, according to Stein, the Cavs are looking to create the flexibility to acquire either Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson.

The active search would imply the Cavaliers are still proceeding with this approach. The question now is how much the Cavaliers will have to attach or take back from a potential trade partner to clear up the necessary space to pursue a starting small forward.

For the majority of Joel Embiid’s tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, the power forward spot has, among other factors, served as a nagging hindrance against their title aspirations. 

Ben Simmons was averse to embracing the position and its typical physicality-oriented duties. Tobias Harris could not provide ancillary contributions like keen decision-making and defensive versatility while his supposed foremost trait of scoring proved mercurial in the postseason. Paul George’s health woes and on-court inconsistencies often left Philadelphia in a bind; his finest stretch as a Sixer was headlined by malleable defense, silky shot-making and grease-the-wheels passing to upset the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round last spring. 

Over the past five years, all three players have exited the City of Brotherly Love, two via trade, one via free agency. In their stead is LeBron James, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers after spending his past eight seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Despite nearing his 42nd birthday*, James remains a very good NBA player who can address weak points for the Sixers since they reshaped their roster by swapping George for Jaylen Brown earlier this offseason. 

*This will be the one time I acknowledge James’ age when discussing his skill-set. It is incredibly impressive he persists as such an impactful player this deep into his career. But I am projecting how he fits onto a team carrying championship hopes, not simply celebrating the staggering accomplishment. Through that prism, his game must be assessed without any age caveat. 

Most prevalently, James seriously invigorates Philadelphia’s passing attack and broadens the possibilities of the playbook offensively. Prior to his signing, a Brown-Embiid-Tyrese Maxey-V.J. Edgecombe quartet was severely lacking in the playmaking department. I worried how that group could decode stingy, ingenious playoff defenses to optimize their individual scoring talents together. 

Now, James helps shore up that once-glaring deficiency, even if he’s not the ethereal offensive engine of five years ago, let alone a decade ago. He is still one of the league’s premier facilitators fueled by his size, manipulation, vision, and processing speed. Given the amount of strain Maxey, Brown, Embiid and Edgecombe can impose upon defenses as scoring threats, James should be equipped to capitalize on whatever concessions opponents allow. 

At this stage of his career, his passing comfortably transcends his scoring. Conversely, Maxey, Brown, Embiid and Edgecombe are all score-first options who own varying levels of passing limitations. James is perhaps the ideal solvent to unlock them and won’t be asked to fill too large of a scoring role. Theoretically, it’s about as perfect a partnership as he and Philadelphia could’ve found. 

Last season, the majority of his half-court work occurred in the post, against switches following a screen he set or operating around the wings with an empty corner alignment. I anticipate much of that deployment translating to Philadelphia since it’s not too dissimilar from how head coach Nick Nurse utilized George.

Where those two veterans differentiate is in the pressure they inflict from the elbows and mid-post. Most of George’s touches there resulted in jumpers, so teams were content to play single coverage against him, narrowing the scope of his scoring gravity. 

James, though, brandishes considerably more lower body strength to chisel himself into deep position at or near the rim. George just shoots over the top of defenders — mismatches or otherwise. James bowls through them to finish inside or elicits multiple bodies to table-set cutters, shooters and big men for rhythmic scores. 

According to Cleaning the Glass, 40 percent of his shots were at the rim in 2025-26 (77th percentile among forwards) and he converted 75 percent of them (92nd percentile). That’s a stark upgrade from George’s 15 percent frequency (15th percentile among wings) and 55 percent success rate (ninth percentile), which dramatically alters how the Sixers can leverage James as a stationary hub inside the arc. 

James’ effective, audacious passing should behoove Maxey, who’s been overextended as an on-ball engine since James Harden’s departure and flourishes as an off-ball scorer. Look at the discrepancy in his efficiency between creation (pick-and-rolls, isolations, post-ups) and spacing play-types (spot-ups, handoffs, off-screens) last season, per databallr:

I’d love to see screen-the-screener actions for Maxey — who’s a contact-oriented screener — in which he primes Embiid for deep catches inside before zipping around a pick himself. Sets like those spotlight two divergent, high-level scorers but have been hard to embed with the lack of creation and ball-handling around Maxey in recent seasons.

The Sixers should also implement Split actions for Maxey with Embiid — who doled out the sturdiest picks of his career last year — as his screener. Heck, they can even tab Brown or Edgecombe to screen for Maxey, as both are capable of vibrantly diving to the rim if defenses swarm Maxey. Split actions were a staple of the Golden State Warriors’ dynastic run and unfold like this:

Maxey isn’t a Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson-level marksman but has drilled 41.9 percent of his career catch-and-shoot triples. Among his shooting credentials, speed and instinctive off-ball movement, he can certainly tilt the defense to let everyone thrive in Split actions, particularly with a decision-maker like James at the helm. 

High-low actions between James and Embiid should feature heavily into the chemistry those two aim to establish together. Embiid’s never played alongside a passer of James’ ilk, the closest being James Harden from 2022-24. During that stretch, he averaged 36.0 points per 75 possessions on 65.5 percent true shooting with Harden on the floor, according to databallr. James’ contemporary playmaking panache is built less around pick-and-rolls than Harden’s but could nonetheless be a nightly stream of easy points for Embiid

With James most comfortable at the elbows and in the mid-post, I do wonder how he meshes alongside Brown, who considers those spots his home as well. The Sixers’ offense is better served treating James as their foundational mid-post player yet such a hierarchy may stunt Brown’s impact. 

Brown is likely a superior scorer to James but a much lesser passer and a fairly stationary off-ball cog. He does not routinely cut or move and has only made 34.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot long balls the past three seasons. 

The degree to which they harmonize could determine Philadelphia’s offensive ceiling and be contingent on how well each performs as spot-up shooters, where they’ve both oscillated over the years. Although, I do think their collective propensity for physicality and paint scoring are major boons to potentially paper over incongruency elsewhere.

Tossing Embiid, a face-up and low-block player, into the mix could further complicate matters, too. But his size, pick-and-roll scoring, midrange touch, dribble handoff talents and advantage passing make me more optimistic about how he’ll fit with James. 

While still a useful half-court technician because of his virtuoso playmaking, James is not much of a dribble-drive creator these days. He can burp up unnecessary, ill-advised jumpers and lacks the explosion/ball-handling to punish defenders off the bounce as he did in his heyday. Perimeter creation attempts sometimes grow stagnant or unfruitful and lead to wasted trips down the court.

Yet in the open floor, he is mesmerizing and devastating, seemingly eager to maximize those opportunities and avoid the constraints of the half-court. Per Cleaning the Glass, with James out there, the Lakers’ transition frequency was 2.4 points higher and their transition offensive rating was 1.6 points higher per 100 possessions last season. 

Since the Sixers traded away Simmons — they ranked among the top eight in transition rate during three of his four seasons — they’ve dialed down the tempo. They’ve finished 19th or lower three times and never eclipsed the league’s 11th-highest transition frequency over the past five years. 

James, Brown, Maxey and Edgecombe are likely to change that; according to Synergy, the initial three were among the top four in transition possessions per game last season while Edgecombe was 48th overall (409 eligible players). All of them can ignite and punctuate fast breaks, especially James. He’s a bullet train with the ball who loves arcing outlet passes for quick buckets. 

In semi-transition, inverted actions including James as the ball-handler and Maxey, Brown or Edgecombe as the roller will lather up this offense. James and Austin Reaves wielded these connections to team up for plenty of snappy scores during their years together. His new running mates should do the same.

James’ passing flair ensures he’ll see plenty of time on the ball. But there will also be many stretches when Maxey, Brown and Embiid commandeer possessions. During those periods, James’ feel and athleticism can shine. He and the Sixers would be shrewd to minimize his half-court creation volume — containing most of it to transition chances — and funnel the majority of his field goals in that context to play-finishing responsibilities. 

Cuts, drives off the catch, deep seals, off-ball screens into hard dives and on-ball screens into spacious rolls should be the emphasis. Of course, it is unrealistic to fully separate one’s scoring and playmaking usage like this. He will take shots via his elbow/mid-post touches and snug pick-and-rolls. Being diligent about not letting those scenarios overlap too much, though, is imperative for fostering his ideal offensive environment.

Beyond Maxey, the Sixers’ starting five is quite light on shooting. Reserves Anfernee Simons (career 38.1 percent from deep) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (36.5 percent) are pivotal in alleviating some of those concerns. Regardless of what those three do, Philadelphia, to reach the lofty offensive heights it seeks, must ply its trade inside and rely heavily on James to do so.

His individual interior exploits have been outlined above. But he is also one of the NBA’s foremost playmakers around the basket — an area Maxey, Philadelphia’s primary playmaker last year, has long struggled — tossing lobs, whizzing feeds to cutters and fitting drop-offs or wraparounds through keyholes. 

Note his at-rim assists per 100 possessions from the past four seasons (smaller number is percentile ranking):

Or how much higher the Lakers’ rim frequency was with him on the court each of the last four years, per Cleaning the Glass (a consistent trend throughout his illustrious career):

An interior-inclined offense short on long-range shooting is not a new phenomenon for the Sixers. They’ve been among the top 10 in rim frequency the last three seasons. But they’ve dawdled as a bottom-15 group offensively partly by virtue of never placing higher than 24th in rim efficiency. James (and Brown) should help remedy that.

For as monumental an offensive upgrade James represents over George for Philadelphia, his latest seasons defensively indicate a notable defensive decline from his Sixers predecessor. 

James is a fairly inactive defender, content to switch out of most actions and avoid being thrust into screen navigation requirements or on-ball duties. Once a ferocious help-side rim protector, his flame has dimmed. Vigorous rotations at the basket or pick-six steals are highlights rather than an accurate snapshot of his signature off the ball.

Philadelphia will miss George’s point-of-attack aptitude, swirling limbs of chaos and interior imprint. The gulf between his and James’ rim protection over the past three years is vast, per databallr (top is George, bottom is James):

Similarly, the gulf between their playmaking is substantial. Last season, George averaged 2.7 steals (98th percentile) and 6.5 deflections (98th) per 100 possessions. His STOP rate (steals, blocks recovered by the defense, offensive fouls drawn per 100) was 3.5 (94th). 

James’ production in those categories? 1.8 (64th percentile), 2.7 (30th) and 2.4 (60th). 

Illuminating this reality does not mean the indirect George-for-James swap at the 4 is a negative for Philadelphia. In essence, the Sixers opted for Brown and James over George. That’s an easy decision that makes them much better entering 2026-27, led by the offensive dominion those two acquisitions will instill.

Yet they are demanding lots from Embiid as the lone interior force (commonplace for him, we’ll see what he looks like another year removed from the tumult of 2023-24); hoping for a bounce-back year on the ball for Brown (while still carrying a hefty load offensively, albeit smaller than 2025-26); asking Edgecombe to expand upon the defensive intrigue of last season, and banking on Dean Wade to continue excelling at the point of attack. 

None of those are unreasonable expectations. They’re merely many dominoes needed to fall for Philadelphia’s presumably potent offense to be flanked by a serviceable defense in a post-George existence (again, George out, James and Brown in is a smash hit). 

More than anything, envisioning what an overhauled roster uniting so much talent and starpower may resemble is a guessing game of the highest order. I have an idea of what James brings and how he fits. I could be off-base in my assessment. 

At worst, I know his passing sorcery is an element Brown has never experienced, nor has the All-NBA version of Maxey or the still-very-good-yet-below-MVP-caliber era of Embiid. That should benefit all of them and render the Sixers an improved team in 2026-27. I’m fascinated to watch it shake out.

The Phoenix Suns front office has done a solid job over the last two years of identifying under-the-radar talent.

Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin are the latest examples of this. Jamaree Bouyea provided real production for key stretches last season. To a lesser extent, we all saw Dillon Brooks breakout in his new home as well. He was much more on the radar than the others mentioned, of course. You get the point. The Suns have a type.

From a cultural perspective, this is who you want to bring in. A hard-nosed competitor who isn’t afraid to mix it up, chirp a little, and make winning basketball plays. He doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. He embraces doing the little things.

Enter Pat Spencer

The Suns signed the 30-year-old guard to a two-way contract in early July, an acquisition that sailed under most national radars. On the surface, it’s a sensible depth move. The guard rotation needed fortification after some early offseason uncertainty.

But dig deeper, and this signing tells you everything about how the front office operates in 2026.

Pat Spencer arrives in Phoenix fresh off the best season of his career with Golden State Warriors.

In 66 games (14 starts), he averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, shooting 42.7% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. Those headline numbers don’t immediately jump off the page, but his starting splits do.

As a starter, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from three.

Pat was playing in a Warriors system without heavy volume. Steve Kerr wasn’t running the offense through him, becuase they have a guy named Steph Curry (yes he missed time). Yet when he got real minutes in spot situations and starts, he produced with efficiency. He shot a respectable 35.7% from beyond the arc and averaged 0.7 steals per game.

But the stats only matter if the player has the intangibles to stick. Spencer has that in spades.

Spencer embodies toughness, smarts, and competitiveness. Steve Kerr publicly stated that “he’s kind of the perfect guy to have as a backup” because “he can win you games” and brings consistent energy and attitude regardless of playing time. Kerr doesn’t throw praise at role players casually. He meant it.

Why This Fits the Suns’ DNA

Spencer’s competitive fire runs deep. His brother Cam also plays in the NBA, and Pat’s mentality stems from a lifelong need to compete in everything, even in childhood moments like racing to elevators or calling shotgun, displaying a mindset where he’s always trying to prove something. That hunger doesn’t fade because you’re on a two-way contract. It compounds. Phoenix goes after guys with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

Phoenix’s guard rotation entering 2026-27 features Devin Booker and Jalen Green as primary creators, with Collin Gillespie and Luke Kennard handling secondary playmaking duties. Jordan Goodwin in the “super guard” role as a psuedo small or power forward with several other guards bodes well for Pat, at least.

Spencer will not crack the rotation unless there is an injury…. or two.

He probably won’t see 15 minutes per game if there is one. But the Suns aren’t counting on that. They’re paying him for reliability and availability when injuries or foul trouble demand rotation adjustments. We all saw the constant musical chairs of injuries to the guard rotaiton last season and how necessary it was to have a deep guard group.

Consider the modern NBA playoff reality: small guards get hunted on defense. Perimeter players pick up fouls trying to contain athletic wings. Backup point guards need to run second-unit pick-and-rolls without turning the ball over. Spencer checks all three boxes.

His 40% three-point shooting from the starter sample means he spaces the floor. His assist rate suggests he doesn’t force things when he doesn’t have them. His competitive mentality means he won’t shrink in tight moments. These aren’t flashy traits, but they win games.

The gap between a playoff team and a championship team in the Western Conference comes down to depth. It always does. Not stars. Not All-NBA players. The ability to rotate fresh bodies without losing spacing, decision-making, or intensity.

Spencer’s personal journey amplifies this logic. A standout college lacrosse player at Loyola University Maryland who won the Tewaaraton Award as the nation’s top player in 2019 and was selected first overall in the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League Draft, Spencer pivoted to basketball, using his final year of college eligibility to play at Northwestern University, then played professionally overseas with Hamburg Towers in Germany before working his way through the G League to reach the NBA.

This is someone who earned every inch.

What Happens Next

Spencer will spend chunks of time in the G League with the Phoenix Suns’ affiliate squad. That’s the reality of a two-way contract. But the framework exists for rapid escalation. If any of Booker, Green, Gillespie, Kennard or Goodwin pick up an injury or enter foul trouble, Spencer steps in. If second-unit scoring dries up, Spencer gets run. He’s an insurance piece that you need to have to withstand the rigors of an 82-game season.

The real question isn’t whether Spencer will play. It’s whether he’ll capitalize when the opportunity comes. Based on his track record in Golden State, the answer is yes. One of Spencer’s best games last season came against the Suns back in February, where he scored a career-high 20 points and was one of the Warriors’ main contributors in their fourth-quarter double-digit comeback.

This is who the Suns’ front office is now. They’re building connective tissue through under-the-radar depth acquisitions. Guys who fit the system, bring competitive juice, and won’t require massive contracts or draft capital to acquire.

Spencer is the latest addition to that blueprint. Low-risk. High upside for a backup guard. Proven character in a Warriors system known for demanding toughness.

The Suns have been solid at identifying these types. Spencer feels like the next one in line.

After winning a championship for the first time in 53 years, the Knicks kept much of their roster intact for the 2026-27 NBA season. The only big change from the offseason could have ramifications for the team’s hopes of producing similar results.

The Knicks let center Mitchell Robinson walk in free agency. Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Atlantic Division rival Boston Celtics.

To shore up the backup five spot, New York signed veteran center Andre Drummond to a one-year, $3.9 million contract. A two-time All-Star, Drummond has been a productive player for much of his 14-year NBA career.

At 33 years old, Drummond is a downgrade from Robinson, but he can be an important contributor off the bench. Some of Drummond’s best skills blend well with New York’s philosophy. Robinson was arguably the best offensive rebounder in the NBA. Drummond is not exactly on that level, but it is a strength. Of players who played in at least 40 games last season, Drummond was fifth in offensive rebound rate, grabbing 14.5 percent of available offensive boards.

Creating extra opportunities has been a key part of New York’s strategy to win games. The Knicks finished seventh in offensive rebound rate during the regular season, and third in the playoffs. Listed at 279 pounds, Drummond is also a very good screener for his teammates. He led all players in screen assist points per 36 minutes during the playoffs.

Drummond has added the three-point shot to his skill set. After knocking down just 23 trifectas in his first 13 seasons, the big man made 32-of-90 treys (35.6 percent) last season. However, virtually all of those shots were wide open. Per NBA Stats, in 89 of those 90 three-point attempts, the closest defender to Drummond was 4 feet or more away.

If teams are willingly conceding that corner three to Drummond, it will gum up the paint, limiting driving lanes for New York’s other players. Knicks head coach Mike Brown would likely prefer having Drummond in the paint to cause havoc on the offensive glass, rather than standing idle in the corners.

Weaknesses

There are deficiencies to watch with Drummond. He’s been a weak finisher around the basket. According to NBA Stats, Drummond shot just 54.1 percent in the restricted area. Robinson was much more efficient around the basket, converting on 71.9 percent of his attempts. He was also a lob threat the Knicks will miss that next season.

Unless it’s an easy dunk, Drummond will likely have a hard time scoring efficiently close. Dunks are becoming a rarity for the veteran center, who had just 33 stuffs last season. According to Basketball Reference, just 12.2 percent of Drummond’s field goal attempts last season were dunks, the lowest figure of his career.

Another concern with Drummond will be on the defensive end. He will swat the occasional shot and is passable when it comes to defending the paint. But he lacks the mobility to switch on defense or cover a lot of ground. New York’s perimeter players at times will have to cover up for those limitations.

Drop-off

In replacing Robinson with Drummond, the Knicks are capable of contending for a championship. But this trade-off limits New York’s tool kit for the postseason. When the Knicks needed a defensive stop down the stretch in the NBA Finals, Robinson was on the floor. He forced Spurs star Victor Wembanyama into two missed shots in the closing moments of Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Drummond is unlikely to be relied on for defensive stops. Also, his pick-and-roll defense will be tested in the East against guards like Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey and Tyrese Haliburton.

Financially, the move does make sense. Robinson only played 13.9 minutes a night during the postseason and never recorded over 20 minutes in any of New York’s 19 playoff contests. It would’ve been difficult to pay him nearly $16 million annually in such a small role with New York’s second apron constraints.

The Knicks also lost third center Ariel Hukporti to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. The lack of a third center might also push the Knicks to other strategies. There could be more scenarios where they go small with OG Anunoby at center, depending on opponent matchups.

The Knicks unsuccessfully pursued Dallas Mavericks center Moussa Cisse in July, and SNY’s Ian Begley reported that New York looked at a trade for New Orleans Pelicans center Karlo Matkovic. The club could also look for a center who’s either a more capable switch defender or a stretch five between now and the trade deadline in February.

The 2026-27 schedule is out and it shows the Brooklyn Nets, generally seen as having one of the worst rosters in the NBA this season, will open the season October 21 vs. the Charlotte Hornets, just as they did last season, only in Brooklyn rather than Charlotte.

The game is not likely to get much attention from New York or national media. The night before, five miles away at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street in Manhattan, it will be “ring night” and “banner night” at Madison Square Garden in 53 years. The long-suffering fans of New York’s legacy team, the Knicks, will celebrate their title — and relive their incredible run — on national TV before facing the Atlantic Division’s exciting newcomers, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s not much of a stretch to say that Brooklyn’s team has never been more irrelevant since moving to the borough 14 seasons back. One team is at the top of the world and will be hosting its biggest challenger; the other an afterthought, facing a non-contender a little further along than the home team.

So now midway between the big win and opening nights, how do the Nets look at their challenges in light of that disparity? and a rivalry record 14 losses in a row? We spoke with Joe Tsai and Sean Marks recently, Tsai exclusively by phone, Marks at the rookie press conference last month and read the comments of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment’s chief financial officer Peter Stern in an interview published this week with CFO Magazine.

There are two takeaways: 1) they say all the right things about the Knicks accomplishments but they’re not changing their strategy, their trajectory, just because the team they share the city with won it all … in dramatic fashion and 2) there’s some hope that the championship has renewed New York’s interest not just in the Knicks but in the NBA in general. Tsai was succinct in his comments, saying yup, it’s “irating,” even “embarrassing,” in his words but nothing has changed in his thinking on the path the franchise has chosen. Are they whistling past the graveyard? As with a lot of things, starting in October, we shall find out.

“Every year, some team is going to win a championship,” Tsai told us and indeed the Knicks became the eighth different team win a chip in the last eight years. “So it happens that this year that team is in the same city. It doesn’t make us feel very good. It irates our fan base and it is embarrassing but in business or in competition, in sports, or in anything, you shouldn’t let the embarrassment factor affect how you perform…. [We] had a plan and we’re rebuilding and I think right now we are on a positive trajectory. So it doesn’t change my thinking at all.”

Tsai also noted that the Nets central business theme — generational fandom — remains in place. Get them while they’re young.

Marks, in answer to an ND question about the Knicks back on the day his team introduced its three draft picks, dismissed the possibility of having another team’s success change his thinking. (As more than one NBA watcher has noted, the team governor and GM have been like “peas in a pod” when it comes to strategy.)

“No, not at all. I mean, we’re not, we’re not, we’re not going to be motivated or less motivated by what somebody else is doing,” Marks said. “I think we all we control is our path. I think we set out on this a couple of years ago, and I think I’m very happy with what the group has done, what Jordi (Fernandez), the coaching staff, have done to develop these young men, and it’s gonna be really exciting to see what they look like, and you know, whether it’s a year or two years from here, and who really seizes this opportunity?”

Patience is the watchword then.

Stern, in his CFO Magazine interview, took a different tack. He gave credit to the crosstown rivals, but argued that a large part of the excitement we saw in the city the night of O.G. Anonoby’s tip-in or Jalen Brunson’s 45-point performance a couple of nights later or the parade that drew TWO MILLION New Yorkers to the Canyon of Heroes, may be contagious.

“We’re happy for the Knicks,” said Stern who came with Tsai from Alibaba. “But even more so, we’re happy for the NBA. You could make an argument that it’s a tailwind because of this reason or that reason, or a headwind. We think about mostly just tailwinds.

“We want more people loving basketball, and the Knicks’ championship, or I should say, even their deep playoff runs previously, really activated many dormant fans. Fans got to engage with it and appreciate this special thing called the NBA in a different way.”

It’s about the city too, said Stern, not just NBA.

“This year, there were plenty of folks around New York who maybe weren’t basketball fans who ended up at a watch party or engaged in some way, shape or form with the playoffs. That’s a great thing for us as the Nets and Liberty continue to grow in Brooklyn.“

While that certainly was true, some of the biggest and most prominent street watch parties was in Brooklyn, like this one in Fort Greene for Game 4 of the Finals …

So, yes, things will require re-introducing the team to fans, take advantage of the possible new interest in the NBA. (We should not from our small sample that there are indications fan, at least the die-hard ones who come to ND, are not giving up. There’s more interest, more of circle-the-wagons mentality. Here’s a fun fact: the three news items that garnered highest number of comments on ND are the Kevin Durant trade in 2023 with more than 4300, the Kevin Garnett-Paul Pierce trade, about 2000 less, ten years earlier … and the signing of Moe Wagner last month which had more than 2100!)

So it’s about patience and steadfastness, which are admittedly in short supply as the Nets enter what is basically the fourth year of a rebuild. It began with monumental collapse of the Big Three and has included a brutal two-year tank that didn’t result in getting a top draft pick (although everyone seems happy with who they did get.) Now, with a flawed roster and two 20-year-olds as the face of the franchise, few other than Jordi and his staff believe there will be much improvement.

Although we’ve not supposed to pay attention to the Knicks, according the three officials we quoted, the Manhattanites basically return with the same club other than Mitchell Robinson who’ll be blocking shots and missing free throws in Boston. But Leon Rose keeps pushing all the right buttons in roster building. Yes, he’ll have to maneuver around his boss’s dictate about the second apron and yes there are huge contract decisions down the road, but they now have that championship pedigree and swagger as well as a staggering amount of continuity. They also have Brunson who is an unlikely superstar but a superstar nonetheless. And everything is going James Dolan’s way.

These pages are filled with the status of the Nets so no need to reiterate all that. It’s also kind of brutal. How soon might they turn it all around? Hope for the best this year and don’t dismiss, despite the Nets history, the possibility of a big trade deadline move. They still have all those draft assets, all those rookie contracts, all that cap space.

Last season, despite the 20 wins, the Nets filled 99.22% of Barclays Center on average and as Stern pointed out, they’re in the midst of a $150 million renovation of Barclays while BSE is also putting together an $80 million training facility for the Liberty. Tsai is ready to spend. He has a record.

So on October 20, it will be all about the Knicks in New York and that’s just fine with the brass. It’s the days after that matter.

Hall of Famers

Back in the 2009-10 season when the Nets were playing their final season in the Meadowlands, losing badly, the people who ran things at the YES Network decided to pair Chris Carrino and Mike Fratello for the first time Over the rest of the season, the veteran announcer and former head coach broadcast a Nets game together. Over the course of their careers, they appeared together 12 times in nine seasons.

Then, this weekend, they were sort of reunited in the grandest of stages, the induction ceremony for the Basketball Hall of Fame, Carrino and Fratello were awarded the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award Recipient. They are now both Hall of Famers.

Both of course are familiar to Nets fans as well as fans of national and Olympic media and their time in New Jersey and Brooklyn noted in the Hall’s induction announcement:

Chris Carrino has served as the Brooklyn Nets’ radio play-by-play announcer since 2002, having joined the organization in 1992 as a studio producer and feature reporter. He steadily worked his way up to studio host, backup play-by-play announcer, and ultimately the team’s lead radio voice. Over more than two decades on the call, Carrino has narrated many of the franchise’s defining moments, including consecutive NBA Finals appearances and the Nets’ historic first game in Brooklyn.

Fratello’s broadcast contributions have earned him a 2015 New York Emmy Award for Best Sports Analyst and four consecutive nominations (2012-15). His relationship with Turner Sports spans decades, including NBA playoff coverage (1994-96), regular-season work (1999-2004), and Thursday night NBA coverage alongside Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, and Reggie Miller (2009-13). He later joined NBA GameTime Live (2014-19) and appeared on select NBA on TNT telecasts.

Beyond national broadcasts, Fratello served as color commentator for the Nets on YES Network for 10 seasons (2008-18).

Carrino is not just known as a broadcaster but as a campaigner for those who suffer from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). His Chris Carrino Foundation for FSHD is the leading non-profit addressing the disease. As the Post’s Phil Musnick wrote a couple of years ago, Carrino may be the “toughest guy in sports.” Wheelchair-bound, he is often helped getting in and out of tough spots by his WFAN analyst, Tim Capstraw, Carrino is a hero to a lot of people, including, it should be noted, his son, Chris Carrino Jr. who’s been heard on the FAN of late.

In his induction speech, Carrino spoke extensively about how his broadcasting career gave him the audience and the stage to discuss the disease and disabilities in general…

For Fratello, the award was just the latest in his long career that has spanned coaching three college teams and four NBA teams either as an assistant or head coach. He also led the Ukraine national team. He won the NBA Coach of the Year in 1986 when he was with Atlanta. His head coaching record is the NBA was 667-548 for a .549 winning percentage.

The New Jersey native spent nine seasons with the Nets on the YES Network. Of those, he was the lead analyst for last four years in New Jersey, then part of a three-man analyst rotation for 1he first five seasons in Brooklyn. Overall, he worked 342 Nets games on YES with Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Ryan Ruocco as well as Carrino. Previously, he had been a national TV analyst for both NBC Sports and TNT where Albert dubbed him the “Czar of the Telestrator.”

Most recently, he’s done analyst gigs for the Clippers, Cavaliers and NBA TV.

Congratulations to both on their well deserved honor. And special thanks to Frank DiGraci, the YES producer who first paired them … and kept copious notes that we used in this item. DiGraci of course became the coordinating producer for YES broadcast before leaving for a similar job with NBC Sports two years ago.

Final Note

In addition to talking to CFO Magazine about the Knicks and how the Nets business side is starting to use AI, Peter Stern spoke as well about how he teaches financial literacy to inmates at maximum security prisons, most recently in New York, including at Sing Sing.

Stern said he feels empowered by his time teaching and helping prisoners.

I strongly believe in the power of rehabilitation. People talk about, ’Oh, Stern, your students deserve a second chance.‘” Many of them, most of them, never had a first chance. Born into abject poverty, one parent incarcerated, the other parent passed away, or you pick the challenging situation that they’re in.

I want to inspire, and I want to empower, and I want them to know I believe in them. I want them to know that I believe that upon their release, they’re going to be successful.

I tell my students, “I’m going to show you in this class how to buy a house and build an investment portfolio.” I believe if you can help those at the bottom, then all of society rises…

You can learn a lot about resiliency and determination from someone who’s been locked in a cell for decades.

Congratulations to him too.

During the CelticsBlog History Month, I ‘ve had the enjoyable assignment of writing about the 11 NBA championships won by Boston during Bill Russell’s career. The Celtics of 1957-69 achieved so much, set unbreakable records, and overcame obstacles time after time, yet they are often underappreciated by today’s basketball fans and observers.

That sentiment came across in some of the comments posted to the series, with some readers saying those long-ago teams should get more credit than they do.

The accusation that non-Celtics fans like to make is that too many of Boston’s 18 total titles were won when there was no competition. Anything that happened decades ago can’t possibly be as good as what the doubters see with their own eyes now. The grainy highlight videos from decades ago are easily mocked.

So let’s take this opportunity to provide some facts and context for common misconceptions about a) the Celtics dynasty and b) NBA basketball in general before the Eighties. Some readers might form a new opinion, but most won’t. If you’re a hardcore Wilt fan or a Celtics hater who happened upon this commentary, you may regret reading past the words “Celtics dynasty,” but here we go.

“It was too easy to win in a league with only eight teams.”

Can’t deny math. Four is more than two. Winning four series in one postseason is more difficult than winning two. However, let’s compare the longest streaks from the NBA, MLB and NHL, and see how many postseason series they won.

• NBA (eight or nine teams), eight straight titles: 1959-66 Boston Celtics, won 17 consecutive series (16 best-of-seven, one best-of-five).
• NHL (six teams), five straight titles: 1956–1960 Montreal Canadiens, won 10 series.
• MLB/American League (eight teams), five straight titles: New York Yankees (1949–1953), won five World Series, best-of-seven, no preceding playoff rounds.

Basketball and hockey requirements are comparable, and baseball had the shortest path. The thing is, I haven’t seen hockey and baseball fans claiming the Canadiens and Yankees had it too easy. So why hoops?

If the Celtics were to win 17 straight series in this era, that would be more than equal to four championships in a row. Keep in mind that no team except Boston has ever won more than three straight titles.

Michael Jordan is famously 6-0 in Finals appearances. Taking absolutely nothing away from him, it’s worth noting that John Havlicek, Satch Sanders and K.C. Jones all had an 8-0 Finals record.

“No competition, playing against plumbers, firefighters and insurance salesmen.”

Did every team except the Celtics have a roster of plumbers? Not at all. Each squad actually had one or more future Hall of Famers, and teams matched up 10 or more times per season. Russell and Chamberlain were in the league together for 10 years, and played each other 143 times.

Moreover, if it was really so easy to win, why couldn’t anyone other than Russell’s Celtics do it more than once? Playoff records of the greatest players of the era versus Bill Russell teams: Wilt Chamberlain, 1-7; Elgin Baylor, 0-7; Jerry West, 0-6; Oscar Robertson, 0-3; Bob Pettit, 1-3.

Russell went to 12 Finals in 13 years and was 11-1, losing only to Pettit’s Hawks when he missed two games with a sprained ankle. In playoff series overall, Russell was 27-2. The second loss was to Chamberlain’s 76ers in the year they set a record for wins, finishing 68-13. In other words, Russell’s teams lost only when a random, rare situation occurred.

Russell was uniquely 10-0 in Game 7s for his career. If every team was stocked with “plumbers and firefighters,” why was Boston forced to the limit 10 times? It’s because the “no competition” claim is untrue. Plenty of capable teams had their chances, pushing the Celtics to the brink of elimination:

• 1962 Finals, down 3-2 to the Lakers after Elgin Baylor hit them with 61 points in Game 5 at Boston; Celtics stayed alive by winning Game 6 at Los Angeles and Game 7 at home in overtime.
• 1966, down 2-1 to Oscar and the Royals in Eastern best-of-five, won on the road and then at home.
• 1966 Finals, even with the motivation of wanting a title for Red Auerbach’s last year of coaching, the Celtics almost blew a 3-1 lead and barely escaped with a Game 7 win.
• 1968 Eastern Finals, Celtics were down 3-1 to the defending champs with Chamberlain, but won three straight, including Games 5 and 7 in Philly.
• 1969 NBA Finals, Celtics fell behind 2-0 and then 3-2 versus the Lakers, but won Game 6 at home and Game 7 at LA, versus the superteam of Chamberlain, Baylor and Jerry West at his peak.

“Players in the old days could never compete today.”

There is truth to this, because numerous early NBA players lacked the size, speed and physique that today’s players possess. But the training methods and medical techniques of 60-70 years ago could never produce the same results as modern practices and resources.

Today’s Celtics are guided by eight assistant coaches and a player development staff of five. Meanwhile, anyone who played for Coach Auerbach or Coach Russell had access to exactly zero assistant coaches. (John Killilea was Boston’s first assistant coach, not hired until 1972.) There was certainly no player development staff.

Other obstacles in the old days included no free agency, so if you were a guard trapped on a team that had too many guards, or if you believed you had earned a better contract, you were stuck. Worse than that, in the Jim Crow era, even well-known black players were subjected to the evils of segregation. The Celtics were no exception.

Travel was not by private jet, it was on commercial aircraft, or train, or bus. On the road, you were assigned a roommate. And the schedule was often relentless, such as the example shown here: eight games in 10 nights!

One more thing: Basketball in the Russell era didn’t always pay enough for a good living, causing many players to work offseason jobs. Come to think of it, Tommy Heinsohn had a very successful second career – he was a manager of insurance sales.

Russell vs. Chamberlain

It’s the classic debate: How do you define greatness? Do you take titles over statistics, or vice versa? Wilt set all the records and won twice, but Russell won 11 times and revolutionized defense during an era when defensive stats were not recorded and Defensive Player of the Year was not yet created. Nor was Finals MVP, of which he would’ve had several. If those were in place, then how many records would Russell own?

Chamberlain was by far the better offensive force – obviously, that’s not up for debate. Yet, in the season that Wilt averaged 50 points per game, he was held to 22 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Finals, a game with the final score of Boston 109, Philadelphia 107. Wilt went home, and Russell continued on to raise another banner. A lot of people would agree that (here’s more math) 11 is more than 2, and maybe the individual most responsible for the 11 is better than the other choice.

Remember, too, at the end, Russell was the player-coach. There have been 40 in league history, but he’s the only one to win two championships.

Let’s also note that player-coach Russell’s Celtics beat Wilt Chamberlain and his stacked 1968 Sixers AND his stacked 1969 Lakers, in both years,in Game 7, on the road.

“Russell had better teammates, multiple Hall of Famers”

Hall of Fame teammates are often mentioned in the debate, but the count is almost even. 

Russell Hall of Fame Teammates (11) : Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Frank Ramsey, Bill Sharman, Bailey Howell, Clyde Lovellette, Carl Braun, Andy Phillip.

Chamberlain Hall of Fame Teammates (10):
Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Lakers; Billy Cunningham, Hal Greer, Chet Walker, 76ers; Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, Guy Rodgers, Nate Thurmond, Warriors.

Consider that some of the enshrined Celtics were honored simply because they won so much – and that was because they had Russell as a teammate. No disrespect intended, but honestly, Frank Ramsey, the first Sixth Man, but 13 points per game career average. K.C. Jones, one of the best defenders ever, but less than 10 ppg career average. Can’t see them making the Hall today. And Lovellette, Braun and Phillip were stars elsewhere who came to Boston for a year or two at the end of their careers.

“Lakers are historically better. Most of Boston’s titles are from too long ago.”

• The Celtics are 9-3 head-to-head in the NBA Finals versus the Lakers. If it was, say, 6-6, many legacies would be much different now.
• Against Russell, the Lakers were 0-7 in the NBA Finals. They finally won a Los Angeles championship in 1972 when they were coached by Bill Sharman and K.C. Jones – two former Celtics.
• It makes no sense for LA fans to diminish the Celtics for winning titles before 1970, when the Lakers claim five Minneapolis titles from the Fifties. Yet, it happens.
• Again, 9-3. The Lakers took their swings, and missed.

The last point here: The mental and physical toughness required to win eight consecutive NBA titles cannot be measured. Try to win something – anything – eight straight times at a world-class level. Or just try to win eight straight games to 21 at your local park. Then imagine the degree of difficulty is “infinite.”

Only one group of people in U.S. professional sports ever met that challenge: The Russell-era Celtics, coached by Red Auerbach. Love it or hate it, that deserves to be respected.

1969 Finals MVP Award: Still puzzling

Until 1969, the last year of the Celtics 13-year dynasty, the NBA did not choose a Finals MVP. Presumably, no one thought of it before then. So, while the Celtics were stacking championships, likely candidates Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy and Sam Jones had no opportunity to earn a prestigious honor that recognizes both individual achievement and team leadership at the highest levels.

Then in 1969, the first trophy was awarded after a series in which, against all odds, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious. The FMVP therefore was presented to…the Lakers’ Jerry West?

Granted, West was incredible in the series, averaging 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He had five games scoring 39 points or more. But his team lost, so the MVP is tough to justify. Havlicek averaged 28.3/11.0/4.4 while playing every minute of the seven games, and was just as worthy.

No one from a losing side has won FMVP since then. West himself said in an interview that he didn’t want the award.

“I have two dubious honors that I would not recommend to anyone,” West shared. “I was the [NCAA] MVP on a team that lost to Cal by one point and I was the Finals MVP in a seven-game series loss to the Celtics…These were not ‘honors’…These were meaningless to me.”

After the 1969 loss, West was 0-6 against the Celtics in the Finals. Naming him MVP seemed like a consolation prize. If the choice was actually made for sentimental reasons, then Russell should’ve been the pick. It’s a head-scratcher knowing that, for instance, Celtics hero Cedric Maxwell — a deserving winner in 1981 but not close to Russell’s level — possesses a Finals MVP award and the man the trophy is now named after does not.

Long time fans of the San Antonio Spurs know that David Robinson has a gift for music. Back in 1989, he sang backup along with Sean Elliott, Willie Anderson, and Johnny Moore on Terry Cumming’s “It’s That Christmas Time of Year.” As local music legend Joe Reyes recalled, Robinson adeptly played the keyboard while in the studio as well.

In addition to tickling the ivories, Robinson plays saxophone, flute and bass guitar.

Recently, Robinson played bass in what appears to be a college-aged jazz combo. The video has been posted by mulitple sources and since gone viral.

Does anyone have information on how this happened? The room looks like a hotel of sorts. I just can’t image how a group of coeds lured one of the greatest basketball players to sit in with their jazz combo. I’m dying to know the back story.

If you know, please share.

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The 10-time champion Boston Celtics entered the 1968-69 season with very few expectations. They were an aging group, with five of their nine core players age 30 or older. Their rivals were younger and getting better. The Los Angeles Lakers had traded for Wilt Chamberlain to team with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, three of the greatest ever. No one was predicting the Celtics would get anywhere near the NBA Finals, much less win it.

But as it turned out, the 1969 NBA Finals were the most astounding, incredible, thrilling, unexpected, stunning, and for Celtics fans, glorious Finals perhaps in the entire history of the league.

The regular season

The NBA had 14 teams now, and the Celtics finished the regular season at 48-34 for fourth place in the East. Sam Jones announced before opening night that this would be his last season. (Spoiler: He did not go out quietly.) Though no one knew it yet, player-coach Bill Russell would also be saying goodbye.

Before the season, Boston acquired two former New York Knicks who found minutes in the rotation. Jim Barnes, the 1964 no. 1 overall pick, had the role of backup center to Russell. Emmette Bryant, a reserve guard, was more of a factor. The Knicks gave him to Phoenix in an expansion draft, then Phoenix gave him to the Celtics for just a second-round pick. But with Boston, Bryant appeared in 80 games and surprisingly became the starting point guard in the postseason.

The Celtics regular season wasn’t special, mostly short winning streaks that were offset by short losing streaks. However, when the playoffs began, they were ready to pull it all together.

Eastern playoffs

The Sixers weren’t the same team without Chamberlain. Philly finished the regular season seven games ahead of Boston, but postseason was a different story. The Celtics won the first three games (two of them in Philadelphia) and closed out a gentleman’s sweep with a 93-90 Game 5 win, also on the road.

After dominating the season series, 6-1, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier and the Knicks thought they were ready to bring down the Celtics in the East Finals. In reality, they were not. The Cs won Game 1 in Madison Square Garden, 108-100, with Bryant posting 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists against his former team. Boston then won Game 2 at home, 112-97, and closed out the series in six with home wins of 97-96 and 106-105. Bryant played 42 minutes in Game 6, torched New York with 8 of 14 shooting, and outscored Knicks star Walt Frazier, 19 to 17.

NBA Finals

Celtics vs. Lakers in the NBA Finals, for the seventh time since Bill Russell arrived in Boston. In the 1980s, this was the dream matchup for fans, media members, and TV executives looking at their viewer ratings. It couldn’t get any bigger or better than that.

But in 1969? The NBA didn’t have that sort of status yet. The Lakers had yet to beat Boston at that point, so there was no historic rivalry to hype. In fact, Games 1 and 2 were not televised nationally, and they were not even shown in the Boston area!

It’s true. Celtics fans in Massachusetts and throughout New England were not able to watch their team play for the 1969 league championship. As explained in “Tall Men, Short Shorts,” a book about this Finals written by retired Boston Globe sports reporter and columnist Leigh Montville, the ABC network would televise the Finals nationally, but not until Game 5. Channel 38 in Boston was the Celtics’ home station, but they skipped West Coast games – even the Finals – due to high costs of production.

Also, Games 3 and 4 were seen only by fans who were present in the Boston Garden. They weren’t on Boston TVs because home games were blacked out “to protect ticket sales.” We had the great Johnny Most on the radio to call the games, but even now it is hard to believe that nothing was worked out to solve this problem. Fans who didn’t or couldn’t buy tickets were denied the ability to watch unforgettable hoops action, and the NBA forfeited a huge opportunity to promote its product. Obviously, that was a far, far different world than we live in now.

Game 1

The opening game set the tone for the series, and that tone was “WOW!” The score at the end of each quarter was no more than two points difference. According to a game report in the press, the lead changed hands 27 times and the score was tied 14 times. Most team stats were virtually even. Both teams took exactly 100 shots. Five players on each team scored in double figures. Chamberlain unofficially blocked 13 shots.

Havlicek led the way for Boston with 37 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. But even he couldn’t match Jerry West, who was in a zone: 21 of 41 shooting (remember, no three-point shot yet), 11 of 13 free throws, 53 points. And 10 assists to go with that.

The final score was Lakers 120, Celtics 118. A very tough loss for Boston, unless your viewpoint is the Lakers got the best game they could expect from West, yet were down after three quarters and had to win the fourth just to take the game by two points.

Game 2

Another heartbreaker for the Celtics. They led most of the way and were still up by four with four minutes left. A brief cold spell shooting opened the door for the Lakers to tie the score. After some trading of baskets, it was 112-112 in the final minute. From there, Elgin Baylor was fouled three times, the last two intentionally. With the Celtics in the penalty, he shot six free throws and made them all. Lakers 118, Boston 112.

Baylor scored 18 in the fourth quarter and 32 for the night. West was once again in another world with 41 points on 12 of 22 and 17 of 20 free throws. But Havlicek took the top spot with 43 points (15 of 27 FGs and 13 of 14 at the line). Chamberlain oddly tallied only four points. LA took 20 more free throws than Boston.

Being down 2-0 is not quite as dangerous as down 3-1, but it’s a deep hole to climb out of. Boston had never even been behind 2-0 in Russell’s career. Game 3 at home was an absolute must-win, and honestly, so was Game 4.

Game 3

Now at home, the Celtics almost turned the game into a blowout with a 57-40 first half. But…it’s the NBA, so the score was tied 78-78 after three quarters. Momentum is powerful in the league, but can change sides in a blink. So, Havlicek and Larry Siegfried combined for 24 points in the fourth, the Celtics retook the lead and were not threatened again.

West and Baylor proved to be mortals, scoring 24 and 11, respectively. On the Boston side, Havlicek continued his assault with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Siegfried went for 28 points, his career playoff high.

Game 4

This game was low-scoring simply because no one except West (40 points, 15 of 30 FGs, 10 of 10 FTs) could make a shot. By game’s end, LA had made 39.3% and Boston, despite desperately needing to win, was a hideous 31.6%.

Regardless, in the final half-minute of the game, the Lakers were ahead 88-87 with the ball. Bailey Howell and Emmette Bryant double-teamed LA guard Johnny Egan, Bryant slapped the ball away, and Sam Jones picked it up. His shot bounced away but in a scramble it went out of bounds and was awarded to the home team.

In the timeout, coach Russell called for a triple screen to free Jones for the game-winner. It was a play used by college teammates Havlicek and Siegfried (“the Bouncing Buckeyes from Ohio State,” as Johnny Most called them). The Celtics had practiced it but never used it in a game.

The next seven seconds will probably determine the NBA championship. If the ball goes in, its 2-2 and the season is saved. If not, it’s 3-1 Lakers, and how many times can the Celts pull off that comeback?

Turning point

As the play begins, referee Mendy Rudolph goofs up and throws the ball to the defender, disrupting the inbounds pass timing. But the Celtics keep going, Sam curls behind the screen and gets the pass, but slips a bit and is off-balance when he shoots. He says later that he hoped to get the ball on the rim for Russell to rebound, then is informed that the big center had subbed out for a better free-throw shooter.

But luck always seemed to be with Boston during Russell’s years. This was a Sam Jones clutch shot, enough said. The ball hit the rim, caromed up and bounced gently around the cylinder like a roulette ball dropping into place on the spinning wheel. It fell through the net into Chamberlain’s hands, and his scowl was pure art to Celtics fans.

Game 5

This one was drama-free, unlike every other game so far. West had 39 points and nine assists, as the Lakers slowly built their lead by a few points at the end of each quarter. Final: 117-104. LA had preserved home court advantage and would go back to Boston needing just one more win to capture the elusive championship.

But that wasn’t the headline. West injured a hamstring muscle and his status for Game 6 and possibly Game 7 was very much in doubt. The next game was only two days away, not much time to heal, and with a cross-country flight in the mix.

Game 6

It was a win-or-go-home game for the Celtics, down 3-2 in the series. In hindsight, Boston had that one all the way, building a 17-point lead after three and coasting to a 99-90 final. They couldn’t let the season end at home, or without a win for no. 24.

This was Sam Jones’ last home game before retirement, and he received a long and heartfelt standing ovation during player introductions. He didn’t have the best shooting day, scoring just nine points in 14 minutes with foul trouble. But everyone knew they wouldn’t be sitting in the building that day if not for his Game 4 finish.

Don Nelson took the scoring honors with 25 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Emmette Bryant had a big day with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Jerry West played through his hamstring injury; he and Elgin Baylor each scored 26 points.

Game 7

You don’t get to be a dynasty without winning some battles against all odds. That’s where the Celtics found themselves on this night in Los Angeles. Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke was so certain of victory that he planned a postgame celebration that included a marching band, a victory cake and a balloon drop from the rafters. According to legend, when the Celtics learned of this plan and looked up to the ceiling, Bill Russell told the team, “There’s no bleeping way those balloons are coming down.”

Boston immediately took the lead on Havlicek’s jumper off the opening tip. The first half was close but at halftime it was 59-56, Boston. It was tied in the third quarter when Boston ran off 12 straight points. LA missed 16 consecutive shots. Even West, who would play all 48 minutes and provide a 42/13/12 triple-double, was no help. The Celtics led by 15 with 12 minutes left, and 17 when Bailey Howell hit a jumper with 10 minutes on the clock.

With about five minutes to play, Chamberlain suffered an injury to his knee. He limped off and was replaced by former Celtic Mel Counts, who was traded for Howell three years before. Counts starting making baskets and the Lakers were catching up while Boston suddenly was ice cold. LA ran off 10 straight points and the visitors’ lead was just 103-102 with still 2:30 left.

Meanwhile, Chamberlain told Lakers coach Butch van Breda Kolff he was okay to check back in. For whatever reason, the coach refused. They argued, but Wilt never returned. Controversy ensued and, unsurprisingly, van Breda Kolff was soon the ex-coach.

On the court, both teams missed shots and chances to get separation, and the score didn’t change – until the Celtics almost turned the ball over, but a fortunate bounce went to Don Nelson. The rim provided an even better bounce. Just watch.

That fluky hoop was the backbreaker for the Lakers’ hopes and momentum. Siegfried was fouled and swished two free throws for a five-point margin, LA scored a meaningless layup at the buzzer, and it was over, 108-106. Banner 11 was in hand.

It was over when…

Pregame: the balloon plan was revealed.

In the last two minutes: the moment Nelson’s lucky bounce came down.

The heroes we needed

• Havlicek scored 26, Jones 24, and Nelson 16.
• Russell totaled 21 rebounds and a team-high six assists.
• Emmette Bryant, who an expansion team didn’t want, and who came to Boston with just nine games of playoff experience, started Game 7, played 42 minutes, and scored a career postseason high of 20 points.

Notable facts and stats

• For the second straight year, Russell and the Celtics beat Chamberlain and his favored powerhouse team on the road in a Game 7.
• With the Game 7 win, Russell became the only player-coach and first black coach to win two championships.
• Rookie Don Chaney didn’t play much but won a ring, later became the starting guard known for his defense, won a second ring in 1974, and retired after the 1979-80 season. He is the only player who was a teammate of both Bill Russell and Larry Bird, the two greatest Celtics.
• Bryant and Barnes became the latest ex-Knicks to sign with Boston late in their careers and win a ring in the Russell years. Preceding them were Carl Braun, Willie Naulls and Clyde Lovellette.
• Department of They Really Did That?: Jerry West had a brilliant series, averaging 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. He was chosen as the first-ever NBA Finals MVP, despite losing.

And finally, farewell Bill Russell

During the summer, Sports Illustrated published an article in which Russell announced his retirement from playing and coaching. After 11 titles in 13 seasons, the Russell era in Boston was over. There will never again be anything like it. Before we leave this part of the Banner Years series, here are a few more moments of joy, including the entire Game 7 fourth quarter TV broadcast.

Banner Years continues tomorrow with a review of the 1973-74 season and the road to winning Banner #12.

Philadelphia made a huge change to the front office this offseason, parting ways with Daryl Morey and hiring Mike Gansey as the new President of Basketball Operations. So far, so very good on that front, as Gansey’s tenure has begun with the trade for Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining the organization on a veteran’s minimum contract in free agency.

Don’t expect this next bit of news to make quite the same immediate impact, but the Sixers are reportedly bringing another new face into the front office. Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Philadelphia is hiring Tommy Balcetis as the new Head of Basketball Intelligence, Analytics and Innovation.

Balcetis was previously a member of the Denver Nuggets’ executive team, working there from 2013 through 2025, eventually as an assistant general manager. Lithuanian-born, Balcetis moved to New Hampshire as a teenager and later attended Harvard for college. He had his first NBA-related position in the NBA’s London office in 2012, which led to him meeting Tim Connelly during a Basketball Without Borders event in Moscow. Balcetis was contacted by Connelly a year later to build out the Nuggets’ analytics department when the latter moved from New Orleans to the top job in Denver.

During his time with Denver, Balcetis is most notably credited with an analysis that identified Aaron Gordon as one of the league’s top defenders against opposing alphas. Denver ended up trading with Orlando for Gordon, who in a supercharged role player position was an instrumental piece in the Nuggets’ 2023 championship. Since leaving the Nuggets when his contract expired in 2025, Balcetis had been working for Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania in a similar head of innovations role.

The Sixers have a championship-caliber core in place with Brown, James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe. The front office’s challenge will be to find the right pieces on the outskirts of the roster that could serve as a small missing piece to supplement the team’s starting five. With Philadelphia now approaching the first apron, possible moves could include a veteran signing at a prorated salary in December, or some sort of two-way player acquisition. Hopefully Balcetis’ experience and expertise will assist Gansey and the organization in making the right moves down the road in their pursuit of the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Karl-Anthony Towns has added a wedding band to his ring collection.

The New York Knicks star and Jordyn Woods reportedly got married over the weekend in Malibu, California.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, the New York Post shared photos and details of the wedding. The outdoor ceremony was held under a flowered arch overlooking the ocean. Woods wore a strapless ball gown with a neck scarf and Towns opted for a black suit and bow tie. All of the guests wore black attire.

The publication reported that Towns' Knicks teammates Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride attended the wedding along with New York superfans Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet. The "Marty Supreme" actor's girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, is a good friend of Woods and was also a guest. Other members of Woods' close circle shared in the joyous occasion, including Suni Lee and Hailey and Justin Bieber.

The Lakers now know their 2026-27 regular schedule – the longest road trips (the annual Grammy swing in late January/early February), the long homestands (three separate five-game stretches in December, March and April) and the competitive breaks.

They also know the marquee matchups in which Luka Doncic will be the featured player, leading a roster that was reconstructed around the Slovenian superstar.

Here are several big games the Lakers and Doncic should have circled in 2026-27: 

Oct. 21: vs. Warriors in Los Angeles

By the time October rolls around, Doncic would’ve already been with the Lakers for 20 months. 

This won’t be his first season opener in the Purple and Gold, but it will be the Lakers’ first season opener without former superstar LeBron James on the roster since 2017, marking a pivotal moment in the franchise’s Doncic-led era. 

Oct. 25: at Jazz in Salt Lake City 

This matchup is less about Doncic and the Lakers, and more about their marquee offseason acquisition, center Walker Kessler, playing his former team for the first time after the Jazz sent Kessler to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade.

Kessler, the No. 22 pick in the 2022 draft, spent the first four seasons of his NBA career in Utah before restricted free agency led him to Los Angeles. 

Nov. 27: at Spurs in San Antonio

This will be the first of three matchups between the Lakers and the defending Western Conference champions.

It’ll also be the first matchup between two players in Doncic and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, French phenom Victor Wembanyama, who finished in the top-four in MVP voting in 2025-26.

Dec. 16 and Dec. 18: at Timberwolves in Minnesota 

This is the first of a pair of two-game series between the Lakers and Timberwolves – the two Western Conference playoff teams who underwent the most change this offseason. 

The Timberwolves will have plenty of starpower on their end, led by All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards, four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert and recently-acquired All-Star guard LaMelo Ball.

This will be a good test for both teams to see where they stand in the conference.   

Dec. 25: vs. 76ers in Los Angeles 

Christmas Day matchups always draw eyeballs. 

Add in this being James’ first game against the Lakers in Los Angeles since leaving the franchise, and the anticipation will be even higher. 

It’ll be interesting to see how the crowd inside Crypto.com Arena reacts to James’ return after LeBron left behind a complicated Lakers’ legacy despite delivering them their lone NBA title over the last 15 years. 

Jan. 7: vs. Celtics in Los Angeles 

Even during a season the Celtics may take a step back after trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George, Lakers-Celtics remains one of the league’s marquee games because of the historic rivalry between the franchises.

Doncic is still looking for his first win against the Celtics since joining the Lakers. If he wants to ever make a name for himself in Purple and Gold, beating the Celtics is a must.

Jan. 26: vs. Thunder in Los Angeles 

The 2025 NBA champions, led by two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, beat the Lakers in all four 2025-26 regular-season matchups by an averaged margin of victory over 29.5 points before sweeping the Lakers in the second round of the playoffs.  

This should be a true measuring stick game for Doncic and the Lakers in the second half of the season. 

Jan. 30: at Knicks in New York 

For several years, Lakers at Knicks offered the one annual opportunity to witness James play on the NBA’s biggest stage at Madison Square Garden.

Now, Doncic will be in the spotlight against the defending NBA champions. 

Feb. 28: at Mavericks in Dallas

Matchups against the Mavericks in Dallas should become less emotional for Doncic as more time passes – especially compared to his first time playing against his former team at American Airlines Center in April 2025 after shockingly being traded to the Lakers two months prior. 

But this will still be just Doncic’s third game in Dallas since the trade.

Doncic, and fellow star guard Austin Reaves, sat out of the second visit to Dallas last April because of their season-ending lower body injuries.

NBA superstar LeBron James may have left the Los Angeles Lakers’ organization in the rearview, but he’s still hanging out with his former teammates.

James spent time with Austin Reaves at a golf course Sunday along with his son, Bronny James. The trio were filmed having a meal together with Bobby Fairways, Joey Coldcuts, Fat Perez, and Binny the Jet from the Bob Does Sports YouTube channel.

Perhaps the meeting is for a future collaboration on James’ new YouTube channel, which he launched earlier this week. Moreover, James’ channel posted a YouTube short with the group on the green, cameras in sight.

Both James and Reaves have had quite the offseason.

James was the top free agent of the NBA summer, spending a month-long saga weighing where his next and final destination would be before retirement. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

As for Reaves, the 28-year-old signed a four-year, $180 million max contract with the Lakers making it the richest contract signed by an undrafted player ever.

While both the 76ers and Lakers face immense pressure to be title contenders, there are many more questions surrounding the latter.

The Lakers were sold by Mark Walter after only 10 months to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and billionaire Josh Kushner.

The instability comes at a unique time for the storied franchise as the 2026-27 season will be Luka Doncic’s first season without James, arguably the biggest face of the league. Now, the Lakers are fully Doncic’s team and their performance this season will be on his shoulders.

If there was one certainty about the Lakers’ offseason, it was that change was coming. But no one could have expected change to this degree. 

With several players going out — namely team cornerstone LeBron James — and several coming in, the roster looks drastically different from what it did this time last year. Even with the known probability that a makeover was looming, what was startling was that it was a teardown, not a renovation.

The shuffling of the pro personnel was radical on its own. However, what took everyone by surprise was the recent news that the franchise would also be changing ownership for the second time in just 14 months.

After only a little over a year since taking over the team from the Buss family (who previously controlled it for the past 46 years), Mark Walter sold the Lakers to former CEO of Disney Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner.

Understandably, the news sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. It also raised serious questions. The suspicious timing of the sale amidst Walter’s ongoing FBI investigation was one thing, but seeing the league’s crown jewel flipped like a piece of real estate was another.

Before the sale, the Lakers seemed to have a fresh direction. They had clarity. With Walter and the ongoing Dodgerfication of the organization, the team seemed on track to finally catch up to the rest of the league in terms of modernization. The roster changes also supported this, with a clear emphasis on building directly around the new face of the franchise, Luka Dončić.

What was meant to be the first chapter of a new book suddenly was scrapped just months before it was set to hit shelves. And with new authors now in charge of the rewrite, the team’s fans are once again left uncertain about what comes next.

Natural questions such as: How invested will Iger and Kushner be in day-to-day operations? Is this just another business coup for a new set of wealthy investors? How deep actually are their wallets? What happens to the changes Walter began to implement? And perhaps most important for the fanbase, what impact will the new ownership have on the on-court product?

The Lakers were already heading into the year at a continuity deficit before all the changes at the top. With likely three new starters, a revamped bench, and a younger-leaning group overall, the team will have to find stability on the court in the face of all of the changes off of it.

While easier said than done, there may be optimism they will be able to expedite the chemistry process faster than a typical team of new players.

For one, the team’s new star duo remains intact with Dončić and Austin Reaves. Losing James obviously hurts, but he already began to take on a smaller role compared to his younger peers as the season progressed. Also returning are head coach JJ Redick and the rest of his staff, who have already shown an impressive ability to generate buy-in from new players previously.

Speaking of the new set of Lakers, it’s worth noting how many of them will arrive with some degree of built-in chemistry. Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton spent three seasons together in Utah. Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy both played with Dončić. And when looking further down the bench, Ziaire Williams and Bronny James were high school teammates at Sierra Canyon.

The importance of building chemistry right away seems to be a point of emphasis as Dončić is organizing a team-wide mini-camp in Slovenia this month. While not an uncommon occurrence in the offseason, it is an encouraging step towards bringing the group together, especially given how many of the new players signed multi-year deals.

For better or for worse, this is the core going forward. And if successful, it will be the backbone of bringing stability back to a franchise currently in limbo.

Ultimately, the fastest way to build cohesion and block the outside noise will be getting onto the court and, hopefully, winning.

There is no understating the sheer magnitude of the ripple effects that this summer will have for years to come. Time will reveal more details, and time will reveal the results. Yet for this group of Lakers players and their fans, shifting the focus back onto basketball itself will help make things feel less slimy than they currently do.

Owners, while important, should not be the beginning of a basketball conversation. The sooner we can get back to talking about the intricacies of a Dončić and Kessler pick-and-roll or the impact of Sexton’s driving ability instead of yet another rich person’s ROI the better.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.

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