WHITE PLAINS, NY - APRIL 3: A general view of the arena before the game between the Maine Celtics and the Westchester Knicks during the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2025 G League Playoffs on April 3, 2025 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Bummed out by the ticket prices at Madison Square Garden? Head over to the Westchester County Center in White Plains, where the jerseys look familiar and the seats are much more budget-friendly!
The Westchester Knicks released their complete 2026–27 schedule Friday. They open with two road games against the Maine Celtics on November 6 and November 8 before returning to their home gym to face the reigning G League champion Greensboro Swarm on November 14.
The G League season begins with a 14-game Tip-Off Tournament, with regional pods of teams playing one another. That leads into the Winter Showcase, held December 19–22 in Orlando, followed by a 36-game regular season in which every team’s record resets. Regular-season play begins around December 27.
You might be wondering whether G League games are as exciting as the big-league tilts. To which I counter: You would have had fun watching Tyler Kolek do this last season.
Here are a few games we’ll be zeroed in on during the 2026–27 campaign.
November 6 and 8 at Maine: Westchester immediately gets two games against Boston’s affiliate. The opening weekend should offer our first meaningful look at the Knicks’ developmental pecking order.
November 14 vs. Greensboro: The home opener gives us our first chance to see this roster in the flesh locally, while the Swarm arrive fresh off the first championship in franchise history.
Four early games against Long Island: Westchester faces Brooklyn’s affiliate twice during the Tip-Off Tournament and twice immediately after the regular-season reset. Four early games against the same opponent should provide a useful measuring stick, no?
January 18 and 20 vs. Cleveland: The Cavaliers’ affiliate comes to town for consecutive games, providing another useful glimpse at how Westchester compares with one of the Eastern Conference’s stronger developmental pipelines.
Three 11 a.m. School Day games: The annual chorus of several thousand children returns Wednesday, January 27; Tuesday, February 9; and Thursday, March 11. Bring earplugs.
The eventual assignments of Tyler Nickel, selected 47th in this summer’s NBA Draft, and New York’s other prospects will determine how closely we follow each date. Either way, I hope to see you at a few games this season. Go W-Knicks.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 7: The crowd and the bench react after Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics made a three point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at TD Garden on December 7, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are some givens for next year’s Celtics starting lineup: Jayson Tatum and Derrick White will be part of the opening five and you can pretty much pencil in Paul George at the 3. Joe Mazzulla has options at center. Neemias Queta was a revelation last year and signed a four-year extension to keep in Boston long term, but he’ll compete with the newly signed Mitchell Robinson for playing time.
Heading into training camp, that fifth starter is the bigger mystery. Last year, it was Sam Hauser as the fifth Beatle. Before Tatum’s return, Baylor Scheierman got some run as a point forward with Payton Pritchard moving to the bench after Anfernee Simons was dealt to Chicago for Nikola Vucevic.
So, will Pritchard regain his starting spot or remain the team’s super sixth man?
Fast PP is a very good starting guard (and I would be certainly support his start of this was the decision). Though in my opinion, I think he is elite when subbing in because (1) he is just far superior off an all rounded player against opposing bench guards, (2) the flow/energy of the game stays positive if the starters are playing well or recalibrates positively when he enters off the start is more flat, and (3) it is possible for him to end all four quarters in rhythm where his play at times has been magical.
I think he recognizes this as well since he repeatedly has shared that he is okay in any role as long as he plays.
Another factor I think is George, Tatum, and Big Country Robinson unlikely playing back to backs (B2B) is what I am guessing (Tatum/George offset the B2B or play together in one and sit together in the other, and we will probably go much smaller when Robinson sits). As a result, I can see Pritchard get starts sprinkled in throughout the season.
Starting or coming off the bench, we can all agree that Pritchard will be a big part of Boston’s success next year and our friends at FanDuel still have the Celtics (+1500) with the fifth highest odds to win a championship behind the Thunder (+230), Spurs (+280), Knicks (+950), and Sixers (+1000).
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the game on December 1, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Rivalries in the NBA might not carry the same weight they once did. Perhaps that’s because, from a Phoenix Suns perspective, we haven’t won a playoff game since 2023. And for rivalries to truly exist, postseason battles usually have to come with them.
But getting to the postseason is a challenge in itself, and part of that means handling your division. Even then, division rivalries don’t carry the same importance they once did. Sure, you still see your division opponents more than any other teams in the league. Four games against each of the other four teams means 16 games on the schedule are tied directly to the division.
Division standings haven’t truly mattered in the same way since 2014–15. That was the season the Portland Trail Blazers won 51 games, which was only the sixth-highest total in the Western Conference. Because they won the Northwest Division, however, they received a higher playoff seed than both Memphis and San Antonio, who each won 55 games. The Board of Governors changed that rule the following offseason.
Division standings still matter to a certain extent, though. They remain part of the playoff tiebreaker process. The hierarchy goes:
Head-to-head record
Division winner over a non-division winner, even if the teams are in different divisions
Division record, but only if the tied teams are in the same division
Conference record
Record against postseason eligible teams in the conference
Record against postseason eligible teams in the opposite conference
Point differential
But alas, we really don’t care about division standings. If you’re somebody who likes to sprinkle a little movie money on NBA futures bets, though, they do come in handy. And I think there’s some opportunity here.
The Phoenix Suns began the offseason projected to finish third in the Pacific Division, and that’s not where the Bright Side community believes they belong. In our latest survey, 49% of the community picked Phoenix to win the division, finishing ahead of both the Lakers and the Warriors, who previously had better odds than the Suns.
That’s where I see some opportunity if you’re someone who likes placing a few preseason bets. It’s something I enjoy, especially this time of year when there isn’t much else happening. Why not throw $5 on the Suns to win the division and potentially have something to be very happy about next April? Because I believe Phoenix can absolutely win it.
The Lakers lack continuity and feel like a team that has been patched together like Frankenstein in an effort to build something around Luka Doncic. We still don’t know if it’s going to work, and that uncertainty creates opportunity. There’s also the reality that the Lakers are always overbet. Their fan base has a way of moving the lines.
So do what you will with this information. There’s opportunity there if you want to seize it. Of course, all of this is predicated on the belief that the Suns will actually win the Pacific Division, which clearly isn’t a guarantee This is also the part of the offseason where I probably find myself a little too optimistic and talk myself into believing the Suns might be better than they actually are. On paper, it makes sense to me. Which can be dangerous. Why? Because I talked myself into the idea that this team would win 35 games last season and more than 50 in each of the previous two seasons.
The lesson here is simple. I don’t know shit. The offseason has a way of doing that to you. You buy into a storyline, then time and overanalysis start reinforcing it until eventually you’ve talked yourself into the most extreme version of that belief. We’ll know more once the season tips off on October 21 in Portland against the Trail Blazers.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 05: Egor Dëmin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Kia Center on February 05, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nostalgia is coming back to Brooklyn in 2026.
According to the NBA Uniform Tracker, the Brooklyn Nets will bring back their 2018-19 City Edition uniforms for the 2026-27 season.
The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back their 2018-19/2025-26 "City Edition" for the upcoming season pic.twitter.com/GOWtIIPlCO
This will not be the uniform’s first return. The Nets brought back the Coogi-inspired “Brooklyn Camo” design for 11 games last season, beginning with Biggie Night against the Toronto Raptors on November 11.
In 2018, the Nets outperformed the consensus expectations. After an over/under win total set at 31.5, Brooklyn went on to go 42-40 while finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, it was a very fun season that created core memories for the fanbase. D’Angelo Russell had a major breakout, making his first All-Star team while leading the squad in scoring.
Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen emerged as the faces of the team’s young corps, and Spencer Dinwiddie was the scoring punch Brooklyn needed off the bench.
Now, the 2026-27 Nets should look to follow a similar blueprint.
Nobody should expect this team to return to the playoffs immediately, but there are several areas where it compares to the 2018-19 squad.
Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr. are looking to solidify themselves as the future of the Nets’ backcourt, and Brooklyn has an opportunity to become a scrappy and competitive team under head coach Jordi Fernández that opponents hate playing against.
If the Nets can overachieve while feeling confident that Dëmin and Brown Jr. are long-term building blocks, that would be a successful season for the organization.
Either way, seeing those jerseys back on the court should be a welcome sight for Nets fans.
Shaquille O’Neal never dunked on either Mike Francesa or Chris Russo, but he might have played a small part in breaking up a powerhouse radio duo.
Former “Mike and the Mad Dog” producer Sal Licata, who was working for the show at the end of its run in the summer of 2008, said one of the final straws in the often-tense relationship between the iconic co-hosts had to do with the trade of Shaq to the Suns in February 2008.
“I think there was an issue over the Phoenix Suns’ ‘Over’ win total,” Licata said on the Awful Announcing podcast. “That Mike was on one side of it, Dog [Russo] was on another side of it, and they were fighting because they had the same bet together. And Shaq got traded to the Suns.
Mike Francesa (left) and Chris Russo of ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ get together for a SiriusXM Town Hall hosted by Chazz Palminteri at SiriusXM Studios on Thursday, July 6, 2017, in New York City. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“I remember that being a little bit of an issue. I’m not saying that is the straw that broke the camel’s back or whatever, but that was a little bit of an issue.”
Licata explained that Russo thought O’Neal landing in Phoenix was a boost for the Suns’ win total, while Francesa thought the deal was going to lower the win total.
It sounds like a foolish debate.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Licata admitted. “But I’m telling you the truth. Now there was obviously other stuff at play. I don’t think it was all that. But that definitely caused some tension between the two.”
It was Heat executive — and former Knicks coach — Pat Riley who traded O’Neal to the Suns.
Riley is part of the “Mike and the Mad Dog” fabric because he was a regular guest on the show before playoff games in the 1990s, and then the program ripped into him for faxing in his resignation to leave for the Heat after the 1995 playoffs.
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal runs up the court against the Sacramento Kings on, April 3, 2009, in Phoenix. AP
Russo left to start his own SiriusXM radio channel, while Francesa remained at WFAN through 2020.
For what it’s worth, the Suns finished 55-27 but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
O’Neal was an All-Star during his first full season with the Suns in 2009.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Robert Baker #27 of the Indiana Pacers during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 18, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 - Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shares a laugh with referee Tre Maddox (23) during a break in the action against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It’s no question that the Lakers made a big gamble this summer.
Gone is not just LeBron James, but the entire starting five for most of the team’s series against the Rockets, which they won in six games. In are not just a lot of fresh faces, but a lot of unexpected names.
The Lakers identified players who can fit around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves and within head coach JJ Redick’s system. The Lakers have a high floor because of their superstar, but it’s still a risky proposition.
But so risky that they’re set up to be the most disappointing team in the league?
That’s where ESPN has them in their preseason predictions. As part of their preseason predictions, ESPN’s NBA reporters voted on various superlatives, including one titled “Disappointing teams: Which team will take a tumble this season?” The Lakers topped those standings.
Los Angeles Lakers: 32 points
Detroit Pistons: 27 points
Golden State Warriors: 26 points
Miami Heat: 22 points
Boston Celtics: 17 points
This really just feels like a clickbait category, and I guess they got their clicks here. But the question is what are we really ranking here? Because if it’s simply who is going to take a tumble, not mentioning either the Hornets or Clippers, two teams who traded away their superstars after being in the play-in last year, is crazy work.
Given the teams listed, though, it feels more like a vote on who will be disappointing, which feels both silly and apropo with ESPN’s other predictions this summer, too. Earlier in the week, they projected the Lakers to finish with a 45-37 record this year, an eight-win drop from last season. Perhaps they’re just doubling down on their prediction.
You can point all around at who else should be considered a team to take a tumble, but really, the Lakers are the team everyone loves to predict to be worse than they will be, particularly in the last few years. Summers have been full of hearing how they won’t even be the best team in LA only for everyone to begrudgingly acknowledge that the Lakers are good but not that good.
The only difference this year is no one is pretending the Clippers will be good. Outside of that, we’ll see the same pattern and can revisit this in February or March to point and laugh.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable – a round table of Bright Siders – give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: ESPN recently predicted the Suns to finish 8th in the West this season. What’s your opinion/prediction?
zenzino: I’m not mad. As we learned from previous seasons: expectations are the killer of joy. I think they can certainly do better, though.
As I said in a previous comment, there is a crazy logjam in the middle of the Western Conference and the Suns should be at least in the middle of it this time. Let’s look at who was above the Suns and who was below last season.
The Thunder and Spurs are comfortable at the top and not part of the logjam. The Rockets got better with FVV returning and adding Marcus Smart. I expect them to be following closely behind the top two and out of the reach of the Suns.
The three other teams above the Suns:
Nuggets: Bad offseason. They gave up defense and depth. They are the most vulnerable. If Jokic doesn’t play at least 65-70 games, they could fall the hardest. Gordon’s declining durability is also a concern.
Lakers: Mixed bag. They won some and lost some. Luka finally has the center he wanted. This is a ‘wait-and-see’ team for me. It would be stupid to discount any team with Luka on it.
T-Wolves: Interesting offseason, to say the least. Adding Kuminga definitely helps them in the scoring department. If he and LaMelo can stay healthy (a big if), they will be an exciting team on the offensive side. Defense is iffy.
Threats from rising teams:
Naw. The Jazz are a year away from being a couple of years away. Who knows what the hell the Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Kings are doing. They’ll be fighting to just not be the worst.
That leaves just three more:
Dallas: Kyrie coming back paired with Flagg will make for some watchable highlights. As good as Flagg will be, he’s still a year or two from being able to carry a team, which is what he’d have to do for the Mavs to be in the playoff hunt.
Warriors: Pretty sure they’re the oldest team in the NBA. Still… Steph can carry a team when healthy. Jimmy Buckets coming back mid-season(ish) gives them a wildcard to be a threat in the play-in. Health is critical.
Blazers: More than a threat last season, they knocked the Suns off the 7th seed. This season, not so much. The Shaedon Sharpe injury hurts them. Their new owner also hurts them. I think even with Dame coming back and Ja in the mix, they take a step back this season (how many guards do they have?).
In conclusion, I think the Suns are a bigger threat to 3 of the teams than finished above them than any of the teams that finished below them are to the Suns.
If Bridges gels and they stay relatively healthy, I can definitely see the Suns finishing as the 4th or 5th seed. How awesome would that be?
Ashton: Ah, we finally get to a question that I wanted to predict a few weeks ago. Great leadoff question. Let’s start with this: if ESPN knew what the hell it was talking about in predictions, they would not have employed Stephen A. Smith. Seriously, I want to join a fantasy pool of CBB bracket pool with this guy to take his money. Which leads me to my next point: I decided to dust off my long dormant DraftKings account just to see what the Vegas side is saying these days. The sacrifices I make for you, the viewers, and no, I didn’t place a bet. I am just there for their numbers and the fact that I can’t seem to place my remaining .12-cent bet on ping pong.
Vegas states that the Suns have the third-highest odds to win the Pacific Division, but there is a local site poll on that. That is after the Lakers and GSW, with the Suns ringing in at third highest at +310. This is important. It is your perspective if the Lakers or GSW are being a little too overhyped.
Now for the Western Conference, Vegas (DK) has the Suns with the ninth best odds to win it all at +7000. Above Portland and Houston and certainly above the Lakers. My final analysis is that the preseason analysts do not know what they are talking about, and the same with Vegas analysts. I have always suspected that national analysts base their writings on Vegas odds to not appear that they have no spine, in which case, ESPN actually defied Vegas, barely. Still, a cooperation between the two suggests that AI is the source.
So, look, I am just a blog commentator, but BS (Sorry Johnny CYA’s son, have your Dad explain BS to you, and do not go bull or cow-tipping or with your friends as you get older).
The Suns will not finish eighth (or ninth) in the league with all the turbulence in Portland and LA ownership issues. I literally expect to turn on HGTV and see a show called “Franchise Flipping in LA and Portland hates their owner who may just move the franchise if he doesn’t get what he wants. Vegas anyone? Add in the Jazz infatuation with acquiring picks while not really developing talent, Sacramento’s. New Orleans and Memphis general ineptness, eighth in the Western is a bridge too far for me. Great, sad movie but not for the Suns. Let’s just say sixth in the West
Oh, yeah, take the over that the Suns win 40 games or more. Don’t bet the house on it and try not to overreach but this is a 40-win range team.
OldAz: Here was a time when ESPN was the undisputed “worldwide leader in sports” with anchors and personalities that actually loved, lived, and most importantly watched all the games. Now they are closer to the Sports world’s TMZ mixed with the advertising arm of whichever leagues and teams are paying the bills (sorry SEC football fans, you know it’s true).
To paraphrase a quote from the great football movie “Varsity Blues”: That ESPN (Moxon) ain’t with the Charmin extra soft he wipes his butt with. That being said, this prediction could be perfectly accurate considering it’s right about where they finished last season and the separation between 4th and 10th stayed close all season.
This fits with ESPN’s level of analysis, which is to start where the teams ended last season and then adjust up or down based on how many clicks or views their hot take might get. Might as well search X for videos of the dog bouncing basketballs into labeled wastebaskets for your predictions if you ask me.
My prediction is that they will be better this season, but will still be fighting for the 5-8 seeds most of the season considering how competitive the West always seems to be. (Note: my opinion should not be used for betting purposes as it probably has the same value described in the above movie quote).
Rod: I’ve really gotten to the point where the only reason I go to ESPN’s site is for box scores and/or game schedules. Their opinions/predictions don’t mean much to me but, in this case, I’d say that they have the Suns at the lower end of my own personal projection range. After granting that OKC and San Antonio will be the top two teams in the West in 2026-27, I’d say that the Suns could wind up finishing the season anywhere between 2nd and 8th in the West.
I admit that 3rd-5th is a bit of a stretch, but a lot of the other teams I believe could fall into that range have question marks about them that might turn out badly and/or they could find themselves bitten by the injury bug that seemed to chew away at the Suns more last season. And if that bug stays mostly away from the Suns this year…well, that’s just another plus for Phoenix.
Right now, I’m cautiously predicting the Suns to end up 5th or 6th in the West.
Q2: Last season, for the 1st time since 2017-18, the Suns only had 2 starters averaging more than 30 minutes per game. This team finished with 24 more wins since that one. With their current depth, do you think limiting the starters’ minutes this season will be important?
zenzino: Yes. But not for the sake of limiting minutes.
In 21-23, more than 2 starters averaged over 30 minutes, and that worked out pretty well. That being said, starters playing fewer minutes means more gas in the tank come playoffs (see Knicks 24-25 vs 25-26).
Since ‘the trade’, more starters had to average more minutes because they were the only ones who could be relied on. That’s what happens when you fill your roster with NBA minimum players.
I don’t think Ott should ‘limit minutes’ as much as use the depth on the roster. The result will be the same, but it’s a different mindset. Mindset matters. If more starters average over 30 minutes, that means something has gone wrong with the roster or with the coaching. And I’m not worried about Ott at all. He’s a student of the game, and I expect him to have progressed as a HC as well.
This Suns team is deep. It would be a waste if they didn’t use that depth. I expect the starters to get more runtime for the first part the season to see what the fit is like with Bridges and Green with the rest of the starters. Then we’ll see more of the depth being used in the middle of the season. Then the rotation will tighten up at the end and into the playoffs. Like an upside-down bell curve.
Ashton: Oh, you betcha! I was so tired of the injury minutes or articles related to a player’s performance based on nagging injuries that they were going to play through. Or the BS reports on players’ health. Oh, such and such will be back in two weeks and the like. It was like reading a political script; do not trust it. To me, limiting starter minutes is the way to keep them healthy, and if it limits their chance of being an All-Star and receiving their accolades for further contract reimbursement or their trade value, then it is the right thing to do. Most players want to play past their expiration date, and the Suns should embrace limiting the minutes.
Do Suns fans get the screw on buying tickets to see their favorite player sit? Yup, absolutely. And Silver clearly does not like it with his anti-tanking rules, but hey, pare down the game schedule, and we wouldn’t be talking about rest management or if a player qualifies for an NBA award. This is a mess from the NBA commissioner, the CBA, ownership, and big money from the Networks. The reality is that players need time to recover.
OldAz: I loved that Ott limited the starters’ minutes last season and seemed to make that a concerted effort right up until the last month or so of the season. Comparing those teams’ records is more correlation than causation, however, because the 17-18 roster was built to earn the #1 pick after enduring years of McDoofus’ mismanaging the draft. Last season’s team had far more NBA-level talent, and Ott instilled a culture of effort and intensity to match.
The limiting of starters’ minutes, I believe, was strategic in saving the starters in case a late-season or even postseason run was possible. Unfortunately, I don’t think Ott went far enough because he should have limited Williams even more, or more precisely, made sure that another big was on the floor more often with Williams to keep him from being overextended and taking on too much on the defensive end. Hopefully this year’s roster is better constructed to provide for both of those issues by splitting the center minutes amongst 3 and having a little more length alongside whatever center is on the floor.
Rod: There undoubtedly will be games where many of the starters will have to play excessive minutes, but I do believe that they won’t need to do that often. The fact is that the Suns don’t actually have enough top-end talent in their starting 5 to make it a necessity to play them for a great deal of minutes, so wearing them out, which having so many quality players on the bench would be counterproductive.
The Suns will have a number of players on their bench that could be starting for other teams, so they should utilize that depth to its fullest…and not just to keep the starting 5 rested. With the depth they have, keeping the starters’ minutes down doesn’t have to be something Ott needs to be overly concerned with. His most pressing problem will be giving enough minutes to deserving players outside of the starters.
Q3: If Jordan Ott runs a 10-man player rotation, who (other than the two-way contract players) do you think will start off on the bench, getting DNP-CDs, early in the season?
zenzino: Again, I’m tempted to reject the premise. This ties into the previous question of using the depth. I don’t see Ott running a 10-man rotation. Especially since MW is going to be on injury management and will probably only start 50ish games. Oso will start games MW is unavailable in the beginning, and maybe Man Man takes that over later in the season. They also may limit Mark’s minutes on a per-game basis, so both Oso and Man Man could share extended backup duties.
Starters: Book, Green, Brooks, Bridges, MW/Oso
1st off the bench: CG, Goodie, Sheer, Oso/Man Man, Kennard
That leaves Dunn, Peat, Highsmith, and Bouyea fighting for minutes. Peat is the only one I see that will get consistent DNPs. The rest of the guys will get popped in depending on situation. It might only be 3-5 minutes. Need quicker defense? Dunn gets a few minutes. Need reliable 3-and-D? Highsmith. Need some energy and quick scoring? Bouyea’s got it. Of course, injuries will jumble all of that up.
Yeah… I definitely don’t see a 10-man rotation happening.
Ashton: I still can’t help but laugh at the phrasing of this question. Rod hired a lawyer to write it.
Okay, we (Fantable) can’t answer the two-ways as starting off the bench. And we have no idea what the DNP-CDs will be, which means you read Question 2 and followed the flow of where this ends up.
The DNP-CD’ers are the main question as well as the “I “ word, injuries. I see that mainly in the center position, but with the guards highly circumspect to get the backup start.
I think this question is answered easily by Oso Ighadoro getting the start in favor of Mark Williams (rest management or injured) for the DNP-CD category.
OldAz: What a great question, except I think it might be based on a flawed premise. Through much of the year last season Ott was perfectly comfortable playing 12 or 13 or even 14 players in many games through much of the season. It was only very late in the season when he pulled it way back to an eight-man rotation and the massive shift in playing time philosophy became an obvious topic of discussion. However, for the sake of the column, let’s play out this hypothetical.
You have six “locks,” assuming everyone is healthy in Booker, Green, Brooks, Bridges, Williams, and Gillespie. This is already far more balanced than the top six players on last year’s roster, but it only leaves 4 spots to play with in this 10-man rotation. One of those four, and only one in my opinion if we are limiting it to a 10-man rotation, will be a center. That competition between Oso, whom Ott obviously loves and trusts, and Maluach, who could be better in every single way (except passing) by the end of training camp, will be fascinating. Personally, I would give the edge to Maluach, but this hypothetical still has Jordan Ott making the decision, so this one is a toss-up. Either way, there’s no room in a 10-minute rotation for three centers.
The next two spots go to Fleming and Goodwin based on Ott’s focus on defensive intensity, which leaves Highsmith and Kennard fighting it out for the final spot. Both are similar height and length, but Kennard brings shooting and no defense, while Highsmith is far more balanced. Personally, I would go with Highsmith. I just hope Ott doesn’t go with both Kennard and Highsmith in this scenario along with Oso, and bury the 2 sophomore players on the bench.
Ultimately, I think it is far more likely that Ott starts the season off playing a lot of players and limiting his starters’ minutes as discussed in question #2.
Rod: I really can’t see how Ott could get this roster down to a 10-man rotation. There are just too many players that could be useful off the bench (especially in certain circumstances) to do so and if he decides to actually keep the starters’ minutes low like last season, I believe he’ll have to go more than 10-deep to do it. Maybe a better question would be “which players are likely to be 11th through 15th on the Suns’ depth chart’ at the beginning of the season. That is a little bit easier to answer…but just a little bit.
Out of all the non-two-way contract players, the only two I can really consider as out of a 10-man rotation are Bouyea and Peat…and Peat is there simply because he’s a rookie. Then there’s Dunn and Highsmith. One of them would be out of that rotation, but it’s way too early to say for sure which one. I’d need to see them both play in preseason before making that decision. And Goodie complicates that decision as I don’t know what position he’s going to get his minutes at. If he’s getting most of them at SF, then both of them could be out of a 10-man rotation. If he’s getting most of his minutes at SG, where does Kennard get his minutes? As for the center rotation, Williams is the best bet to be starting, but without getting a look at Oso and Khaman in preseason game…you might as well just flip a coin.
I simply can’t see Ott even trying to play in just a 10-man rotation. I honestly think that the only situation in which a 10-man rotation would make sense would be if the Suns go into a game already down several players due to injuries.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns History/Trivia
On September 3, 1968, the Phoenix Suns opened their first-ever training camp, running mainly conditioning drills at Brophy Prep with camp at the high school lasting for one week. Phoenix also lost another coin flip with the Milwaukee Bucks on this day for the right to first to make a player claim off waivers.
On September 3, 1994, the Suns signed Danny Manning as an unrestricted free agent. A 2-time All-Star, Manning signed a 1-yr, $1 million contract with Phoenix (all their cap situation would allow afford at the time) after making $ 3.5 million the previous year and turning down a 5-year, $35 million contract from Atlanta.
The year before, Manning had made the rare choice of accepting his qualifying offer rather than signing an extension with his previous team (the LA Clippers) and becoming an unrestricted free agent for the 1994/95 season. When questioned about Manning’s decision to sign with the Suns for much less money, his agent replied, “It is not about money. It never has been and never will be with Danny. It is about winning.”
Unfortunately, Manning would tear his ACL during a practice on Feb. 6 and miss the remainder of the season after averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.8 minutes per night. Up to that point, the Suns were 36-10 and on top of the Western Conference. They were 29-13 for the rest of the season (59-23 overall) and lost 4-3 in the WC semi-finals to the Houston Rockets.
On September 3, 2013, after arranging a buyout, the Suns waived Michael Beasley only one year after signing him to a 3-year, $18 mil contract. This is probably the most underrated (or perhaps just forgotten) move that former GM Ryan McDonough made during his time with the Suns. Beasley was originally signed to his contract by McDonough’s predecessor, Lance Blanks.
Important Future Dates
Sept. 28 – Media Day Sept. 29 – Training Camp opens Oct. 5 – Suns @ Pistons (preseason) 4:00 PM Oct. 7 – Suns @ Bulls (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 10 – Suns vs. Spurs (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 14 – Suns @ Spurs (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 16 – Suns vs. Jazz (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027
May 7, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter attends the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With the sports world experiencing an unusual wave of team sales, most notably the Lakers, fans are understandably feeling apprehensive about these sudden shifts.
A few NBA teams have seen recent ownership shake-ups even excluding the Lakers, ranging from the Timberwolves to the Blazers and Celtics. Beyond the NBA, the Seahawks, Padres, and Rays have all also seen ownership changes in the last couple of years.
Everyone knows about the Lakers being sold two times in a short period of time, but let’s take a quick look at the other NBA sales.
In our national SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans how they’re feeling about the onslaught of new ownerships, and the results were very clear.
Fans are understandably concerned about these changes.
Trail Blazer fans have seen a very concerning side to Dundon and his cheap ways. An article published by The Athletic details many ways he’s earned the label of cheap. One instance saw members of the Blazers traveling party have to check out at 12:30 pm because he refused to pay more for late checkouts. He also didn’t allow two-way players to travel with the team in the playoffs and trimmed down the Blazers support staff. It seems he’s not a particularly fun owner, and that will understandably give fans stress and disgust.
The Wolves had their own controversies with Lore and Rodriguez battling previous owner Taylor for rights to the ownership after the latter had called off the sale. After all that, Lore then sold his stake to Stad. Celtics fans were not happy when the Grousbeck family put the team up for sale, and Chisholm, a private equity executive, bought it.
Billionaires and millionaires come with controversy and endless drama. It’s the name of the game. When fans invest their time and money into these teams, seeing a change in ownership can bring fears of rising costs, staff downsizing and other changes that could affect the organization in a not-so-positive way.
So yes, fans should feel uneasy. You shouldn’t have to feel nervous about the future of your team. But, again, there isn’t much we can do about it other than wait and see how things continue to shake up.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 7: Dalen Terry #7 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles past Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at the United Center on December 7, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors only tentatively filled their final roster spots when they signed Georges Niang and Brandon Williams to contracts that were partially and non-guaranteed, respectively. That’s why their Exhibit 10 signing of Dalen Terry may be more than just training camp depth and stocking the roster of the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Dalen Terry is not two-way eligible
On an Exhibit 10 contract he’ll come to training camp with the Warriors, play preseason and most likely will wind up in Santa Cruz
Terry, a 6-6 point guard, turned 24 in July and was the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft
Terry was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 18th pick of the 2022 draft after two years at Arizona, where he was teammates with recent New Orleans Pelicans addition Bennedict Mathurin. He played for the Wildcats two seasons after Williams had his lone season in Tucson and now gets a chance to impress Wildcats legend Steve Kerr.
The Warriors have an affection for Arizona players, from Gilbert Arenas to Andre Iguodala to Luke Walton to Nico Mannion. And don’t forget Richard Jefferson, Jud Buechler, Tom Tolbert, and the immortal Chris Mills, who tried to fight the entire Portland Trail Blazers team and their bus driver in 2002. Terry will need to impress with his play but should also bone up on campus trivia and the Wildcats alumni song.
Terry’s main calling card is his defense, where his 7-foot-1 wingspan allows him to be disruptive on, well, the wings. He’s a decent passer and playmaker, but he never really developed into a part-time lead guard like he was in college. Instead, Terry has struggled as a shooting guard who doesn’t shoot well.
He’s had years where he made threes, like going 41.3% from distance in 2024-25 on 1.3 attempts. But his shooting is inconsistent, he’s been prone to turnovers, and his free throw shooting cratered to 53.3% last season — granted, he only had 30 attempts.
Could the Warriors end up deciding Terry is the best last man on the bench and choose him over Williams or Niang? Possible but unlikely, unless Terry has really improved his shot. He’s ineligible for a two-way deal because he’s played four NBA seasons, so the odds are he will end up in beautiful Santa Cruz, not the worst place to continue a G League career.
Terry is an interesting pickup albeit a longshot. At this point in the summer, adding any 24-year-old who was a first-round pick is a good bit of business, even if the title of “first-round pick” is somewhat tainted by the Chicago Bulls making the pick. Remember Chandler Hutchison? Yeah me neither.
Welcome to San Francisco, Dalen Terry! Let’s hope you packed some board shorts and beach sandals.
When reports leaked of Minnesota reaching an agreement with free agent Jonathan Kuminga — to massive headlines and the excitement of Timberwolves fans — there was one little problem: Minnesota didn't yet have the cap space to pay him. Yet. Minnesota was hard-capped at the second apron and just about $4 million below that number, but it needed more than $6 million in space to give Kuminga the promised taxpayer mid-level exception.
Enter a late Friday night trade: Minnesota is sending wing Josh Green to Utah and in return getting back Cody Williams and John Konchar, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed Saturday morning by the teams.
A Green trade was expected, he had come to Minnesota as part of the LaMelo Ball trade, and clearing his $14.7 million contract off the books was the cleanest way for Minnesota to get the room under the apron it needed. Minnesota plans to keep Williams — taking a chance on the No. 10 pick from just two years ago, a 6'8" wing who was inconsistent, shot 21.4% from 3 last season, and never established himself with the Jazz — but will waive-and-stretch Konchar's $6.2 million salary, meaning a cap hit of just $2.1 million.
Once all the moves are completed, that gives the Timberwolves about $10.6 million under the second apron to sign Kuminga and have the breathing room for another move in season, if needed.
Utah lands Green, the six-year veteran who struggled last season in Charlotte after returning from shoulder surgery and averaged 4.3 points per game, but did shoot 42% from beyond the arc. Where Green can earn minutes for Will Hardy in Utah is with his defense, which has always been good and is a point of emphasis for Utah this season. There are minutes for Green to earn off the bench, he will get his chance.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Josh Green #10 of the Charlotte Hornets plays against the Sacramento Kings during their game at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Josh Green and Lauri Markannen never crossed paths at Arizona in their respective one-and-done seasons, but now the former Wildcats will be NBA teammates.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Green was traded on Friday night from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Utah Jazz. Green and cash went to Utah in exchange for John Konchar and Cody Williams.
It’s the second time this offseason that Green has been dealt. In June he was part of the trade that sent point guard LaMelo Ball to Minnesota from the Charlotte Hornets, where Green had spent the previous two seasons following four years with the Dallas Mavericks.
Green, a 6-foot-6 guard who turns 26 in November, is entering the final year of a 3-year, $41 million contract and is set to earn $14.7 million for the 2026-27 season. He joins a Utah team that had one of the worst records in the NBA last season, despite and drafted Kansas point guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick in June.
The Jazz have missed the playoffs five years in a row, the last four with Markkanen as their leading scorer. The ex-Wildcats averaged 26.7 points per game in 2025-26 and is set to make $46.1 million this season.
Green, who has averaged 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 349 NBA games, was the 18th overall pick by Dallas in the 2020 NBA Draft after one season at Arizona. With the UA he averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during the 2026 NBA Summer League Semifinals game on July 18, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA season starts in 52 days, and while the Memphis Grizzlies start exhibition play in 37 days, vs. Quin Snyder’s Hawks, regular season play starts in 53 days, on October 21, against the Utah Jazz, featuring former Blue Devil Kyle Filipowski.
There’s a lot of keen interest in how former Duke star Cameron Boozer will do as his NBA career starts up.
At least one GM, anonymously, thinks he’s headed for a Rookie of the Year campaign, saying this: “Boozer is a winner and he’s won things his entire young life. Memphis isn’t going to have a good year, but he’s going to be the bright spot and he’s going to win the award.”
He’s more knowledgeable than we are, but Boozer could be better than people expect. We’re not saying they’ll necessarily make the playoffs, but Boozer will be a solid scorer, rebounder, and he’s a much better passer than people think.
Almost-Blue Devil Cedric Coward should start at one guard, while former Virginia point guard Ty Jerome will take over for Ja Morant.
He’s nowhere near the talent Morant is, obviously, but he’s going to be much more steady, and the chances of getting suspended for doing something idiotic are trivial. As immensely talented as Morant is, he can be his own worst enemy.
The thing that people don’t fully realize about Boozer is that he’s a superb passer. It won’t surprise us in the least if he leads Memphis in assists, covering that weakness as Edey and newly acquired Isaiah Stewart should cover up his perceived defensive weaknesses in the post.
The biggest thing, as the GM observed, is that Boozer is a winner, and he’s a winner because he has mastered the basics of the game at a very early age, and understands it at a level a lot of players never figure out. Whether it’s this year or one or two down the road, he’s going to help turn that team around.
CHENGDU, CHINA - JUNE 27: American professional basketball player Kyrie Irving high-five with a fan in a fan meeting during his China tour on June 27, 2026 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. (Photo by You Fang/VCG via Getty Images) | VCG via Getty Images
We’re under two months away from opening night, and there’s plenty of chatter surrounding the new-look Dallas Mavericks. From draft night in June to trade splashes in July to personnel moves in August, the Mavericks have had a busy summer. They’ll begin the 2026 season with a new president, new coach, and a flurry of new faces. However, one familiar face we’re ready to see on the court again is Kyrie Irving. Several trade rumors have surrounded the nine-time All-Star, but are any true? Here are three reasons why Irving will stay a Maverick this season.
No sample size with Flagg
Arguably the most exciting part of the upcoming season will be watching the Cooper Flagg-Kyrie Irving duo materialize. Coming into the league as an 18-year-old rookie with expectations similar to names like Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson, and LeBron James, Cooper Flagg had a lot to carry on his shoulders last season. Despite the heavy load, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, on 46.8% shooting. Among rookies, Flagg had the highest usage rate at 26.9% and played more minutes than any rookie, averaging 33.5 per game — 2,344 total for the season.
Having another on-ball threat will make a huge difference for the Mavericks. The majority of the 2025-2026 season was spent experimenting with guards like D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Ryan Nembhard, all of whom have found different teams this summer. Adding in a bona fide star like Irving, even as he comes off an ACL injury, will take some pressure off Flagg. Before the ACL injury, Irving was having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 47.3% shooting. Even Irving at 70% will have a huge impact. Coming into his second season next to Irving, Flagg will be able to move more without the ball, enjoy better floor spacing, and play to his strengths. Teams won’t be able to double-team and swarm the 19-year-old as easily if Irving is on the floor too. This duo will be an exciting watch.
Slim pickings at guard
Currently, Dallas has 19 players listed on its roster, which will be reduced to 15 by opening night. Of those 19, only six are guards — Irving, Max Christie, Marcus Sasser, Jett Howard, John Poulakidas, and Vsevolod Ishchenko. There’s a significant drop-off after Kyrie Irving in both shooting and playmaking. The Mavericks need Irving if they want to make any noise in the Western Conference. For the first time since the pre-dynasty Golden State Warriors, the West took a step back this summer. With no incentive to lose, since the Mavericks do not own their first-round picks until 2031, Dallas is looking for a major bounce-back year.
While putting too many eggs in Irving’s basket is risky, trading him doesn’t make sense if the Mavericks want to start winning. The only way he gets moved is if the Mavericks find themselves in the midst of a disastrous season. Even then, the mentorship and skills Irving could impart to Flagg are invaluable. It would likely take an Irving trade request to get this ball rolling.
Cents on the dollar return
The reality of Irving currently is that for all his talent and wizardry on the court, he’s 34 and coming off an ACL tear. With that, the offers for Irving would likely be less than ideal. Until other teams see him on the court, playing like the Irving we know and love, it’s hard to imagine Dallas would get an offer it couldn’t refuse. At bare minimum, Dallas would want a high first-round pick plus a good young piece or two late first-round picks with a salary dump or something similar.
Weighing the pros vs cons, there are more pros to keeping Irving and seeing what the fit looks like before even considering trading him. If Dallas isn’t in the playoff hunt by the trade deadline in February, or if he wants out, then a new destination could be an option. But for now, it makes more sense to keep him and, at bare minimum, see if he can increase his trade value before moving him.
Looking ahead
There will be loads of excitement to see number eleven back on the court opening night on October 21st. Plugging him into a lineup with Flagg is a recipe for basketball poetry. Irving has become the co-face of the Mavericks over the past 18 months, and his presence on the court will be felt from tipoff. Before even thinking about moving him, the Mavericks will want to see what he looks like, how he fits, and if he can bring them back into the playoff picture. Get your popcorn ready. It will be absolute cinema.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are easier (and less surreal) ways to fulfill an NBA dream than the Jose Alvarado route.
Go undrafted and fight your way onto a roster. Develop a reputation as a defensive menace on the court. Spend four and a half seasons in NOLA. Get traded home to New York mid-season. Help your favorite team from childhood win their first championship in more than half a century. Then parade through the streets of the city where you grew up with a few million people screaming at you.
Alvarado sat down with SLAM during his cover shoot for KICKS 29, and the conversation naturally circled back to the improbable route that brought the Brooklyn native here.
Asked to choose one word for the Knicks’ championship run, Alvarado answered: “Believe. That’s one thing you got to do is believe the way we did it.”
That was especially true in Game Four of the Finals, when New York fell 29 points behind San Antonio and somehow dragged itself all the way back, aided by significant contributions from Alvarado. He said his focus during the comeback was simple: “It was more not really overthinking—like, what can I do to make us win the game regardless if it’s making shots or not.”
The championship would have been a massive achievement anywhere. Winning it in New York meant even more for Jose, who grew up in Brooklyn before playing at Georgia Tech and eventually joining the Pelicans.
Pondering Jose’s experience, there is always something weird about getting a desperately wanted thing. For years, the dream existed at a distance, beyond the next practice, the next contract, the doubt expressed by others about your size or talent. Then one afternoon, you’re dancing on a float in Manhattan as an NBA champion with your hometown passing by, block by block.
“I almost cried on the float because . . . obviously going through the city that I was raised . . . I know a lot of people that’s in the crowd,” Alvarado told SLAM.
That’s the part of winning a championship nobody can really prepare for, that transition point when the dream stops being something you’re chasing and becomes something that has happened to you. Sounds surreal. And not to get all Jean-Paul Sartre about it all, but it’s natural to wonder: what’s next?
The answer: Your own sneaker and a new contract with the Knicks, naturally. After declining his $4.5 million player option this summer, Alvarado agreed to a new three-year deal with the Knicks worth roughly $14.4 million, with $12 million guaranteed.
Furthermore, Jose recently signed with the streetball brand AND1 and showed off his personalized player-exclusive shoes during the SLAM shoot. The partnership makes sense. Few NBA players have built an identity more closely connected to playground basketball’s particular mixture of hustle, swagger, annoyance, and joy. Thus, the SLAM team drove Alvarado back to an outdoor New York court, a familiar environment to the 28-year-old who is currently playing for Puerto Rico in FIFA’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
In March, I spoke to Jose over Zoom. He was connecting from a hotel room in Utah, grinding out NBA life on the road, still getting acclimated to his new team. What struck me in the conversation was how completely disruptive a mid-season trade is on a player with a young family.
“People don’t understand,” Alvarado told me. “You think, ‘They’ve got millions,’ and don’t get me wrong, the financial security is great. But one day you’re comfortable in your forever home, and overnight you have to go to a different city, leaving your wife and kids behind.”
He explained that even a month after the trade, he hadn’t yet been able to return home to his family in New Orleans. It became clear how much these players—and their families—must sacrifice for an NBA career.
And Jose is not slowing down. Despite the ring, a new contract, and his face on a SLAM cover, Alvarado doesn’t sound particularly interested in staying comfortable.
“The only way to stay in the NBA, or to be in a conversation where I want to be, with my goal, is [I] definitely got to have a chip on my shoulder, no matter what,” he told SLAM.
That chip is mighty durable. Going undrafted didn’t remove it; making an NBA team didn’t shake it; becoming an established rotation player didn’t loosen it; and neither did coming home, getting paid, or getting to pose for glamour shots with the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Asked how he eventually wants people to remember him, Jose went right back to the beginning. “I want them to remember that there was a lot of people that said no to this kid. There was a lot of doubts . . . just remember the doubts and how I overcame all that.”
I can think of worse epitaphs for a basketball career. Congrats, Jose. Knicks in five.
