Category: Basketball

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country.

This week’s question is asking you to name the most important Houston Rockets player. Is it Kevin Durant, the Houston leading scorer who hates his teammates? Is it All-Start center Alperen Sengun? How about young guard Reed Sheppard and his shooting? Or Fred VanVleet, who the organization prizes? How about Amen Thompson, who is rumored to be the Rockets’ only untouchable player? Or Steven Adams, who leads the offensive rebounding charge that is a key part of Houston’s offense?

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Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with the results.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

It’s August, the desert for NBA rumors and news.

As Celtics fans, we’re lucky to spend History Month reminiscing about our eighteen banners and privileged to honor the death of NBA visionary and Celtics champ Don Nelson.

However, this basketball tumbleweed was hard to ignore:

Sources: Several NBA teams have expressed interest to Simmons’ camp, including one West squad that offered a training camp invite. He is also open to signing a vet minimum contract. Simmons has dreams of playing for Australia during 2028 LA Olympics. Attending mini-camp aids hope

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 10, 2026

No, that’s not the son of Celtics superfan Bill Simmons. That’s the #1 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft Ben Simmons — and for what it’s worth, Jaylen Brown was selected by Boston at #3. Simmons was last seen with the Clippers after he was waived by the Nets in 2025. Now, here comes a series of big ifs: IF he’s truly healthy and IF he’s willing to play a role and IF everything goes well with his stint with the Australian national team, a Simmons comeback in the NBA could be possible.

It’s unknown if Brad Stevens and the front office are among those interested teams, but if he’s truly regained his athleticism — and maybe more importantly, his confidence — he might be worth a flyer with the team’s 15 roster spot still unfilled.

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Simmons spent part of last year’s sabbatical become a professional sport fisherman and for the Celtics, hooking a potential buy-low candidate could be just what this confusing offseason needs.

Kings' NBA Cup schedule released, featuring matchup vs. De'Aaron Fox, Spurs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup will return for the 2026-27 NBA season, and if the Kings need any motivation to win it this year, look no further than the New York Knicks.

New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup last season, then six months later defeated the Spurs again in the NBA Finals to win their first championship in five decades.

Perhaps some extra fuel for teams?

Sacramento is a part of West Group C, and it will open group play on Nov. 6 against De’Aaron Fox and the reigning Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT.

Next, the Kings will host Ja Morant and the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. PT before concluding group play on the road.

Their first stop will be in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Nov. 20 at Crypto.com Arena. Finally, group play action will come to a close against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 25 at Chase Center.

The Kings’ full schedule can be found below:

The Sacramento Kings' 2026 NBA Cup schedule:

▫️ vs. Spurs, 11/6
▫️vs. Trail Blazers, 11/13
▫️at Lakers, 11/20
▫️at Warriors, 11/25

The Kings went 0-4 in group play last season.

— Tristi Rodriguez (@tristi_r14) August 12, 2026

It shouldn’t take much for the Kings to fare better than their showing last season, given they had a 0-4 record in West Group A play and were eliminated from advancing before even completing group play.

New year, clean slate.

At least for the Kings, that’s the hope.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

Warriors' NBA Cup schedule released, with matchup vs. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup will return for the 2026-27 NBA season, and it’s starting with two thrilling matchups.

The Warriors will open up group play against Luka Dončić and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 30 at Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT, following the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup with the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

Next, Golden State will face the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 13 at Frost Bank Center.

A NorCal rivalry will ensue on Nov. 25 when Golden State hosts the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. PT at Chase Center.

Finally, two days later, the Warriors will conclude group play against Ja Morant and the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 27 at Moda Center.

The full schedule can be found below:

#DubNation, mark your calendars.

The Emirates NBA Cup returns October 30th 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/vvJuw5J915

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 12, 2026

Last season, the Warriors finished group play with a 1-3 record and were eliminated from the tournament.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

This season, the Jazz will be trying something they haven’t tried for four years: to make the playoffs. There is a real shot for them to make it, too. With the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies and Darryn Peterson from the draft, they’ve added some top-tier talent. Combine that with the leap that Keyonte George made last season, as well as the possibility of an improved Ace Bailey, and the Jazz are looking like one of the most interesting teams entering the season.

Not everything has been perfect for their chances of winning this season. Utah traded Walker Kessler to the Lakers for a treasure trove of picks when the negotiations didn’t go as planned. As impressive as the trade was for the Jazz and how much they received, it did mean losing depth at center.

All that said, how excited are you for the upcoming season?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country.

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Russell Westbrook is not known to be in advanced negotiations with Hapoel Tel Aviv. The report suggesting otherwise was a social media hoax.

The false claim originated with an X account presenting itself as basketball reporter “Marc Jacobs.” The account asserted that Westbrook and Hapoel had mutual interest, that negotiations were progressing and that the former MVP was seriously considering playing overseas.

It attributed the information to The Athletic, but no corresponding report from the outlet supported those claims. Journalist Philip Lewis subsequently identified the purported source as a parody account.

The Jerusalem Post published an article based on the post, elevating the claim from “mutual interest” to “advanced talks.” ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel could not corroborate it.

There is currently no credible evidence that Westbrook is negotiating with Hapoel Tel Aviv. No agreement has been announced, and the Israeli club has not confirmed talks with the 37-year-old guard.

The episode made Westbrook the latest athlete caught in a growing ecosystem of sports misinformation on X. Parody accounts increasingly imitate the names, profile pictures and posting styles of established insiders, allowing fabricated reports to appear legitimate to users scrolling quickly.

Accounts such as “NBA Centel” and “SharmsCharania” have built large followings through fictional basketball reports designed to resemble breaking news. Other fake insiders have produced fabricated coaching comments, roster moves and front-office changes that were subsequently repeated by aggregators and media outlets.

The incentive extends beyond the amusement of going viral. Front Office Sports has documented how X’s engagement-based monetization can financially reward accounts for generating viral misinformation. Awful Announcing also reported that some fake insider accounts have promoted prediction markets alongside invented scoops.

Westbrook’s unresolved free agency made this particular fabrication believable.

The former Lakers star remains unsigned after averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals with Sacramento last season. He encountered another quiet market in 2025 before joining the Kings on a one-year contract shortly before opening night.

His next destination remains uncertain. An impending move to Tel Aviv, however, is not among the possibilities.

---

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Judge the two greatest NBA players of this generation by the way they spent their summers.

LeBron James, after his fifth championship, left nothing to chance. The King methodically evaluated the league’s rosters, liked how the Sixers looked after adding Jalen Brown and signed a minuscule contract to secure a new, potentially final home for his throne.

Steph Curry, also looking to join the exclusive five-ring club, has left everything to chance. At least, he put his faith in Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., who in turn decided to leave the twilight years of Curry’s magnificent career resting on a roster that won 37 games a year ago.

The Warriors signed zero free agents this offseason. They made no trades. Steve Kerr is back, albeit with some new assistants and a rookie he will almost certainly have to play big minutes.

Yaxel Lendeborg aside, that’s it. 

Golden State will add a few more players to get its roster to 15, but largely, re-signing Draymond Green to a $28 million deal put a ribbon on its roster moves.

“All in all, pleased with our offseason,” Dunleavy said Tuesday. “We like this team.”

Dunleavy held court on a videoconference with reporters, ostensibly to put a wrap on the Warriors’ summer. But there wasn’t much, if anything, to wrap up.

There’s still no timetable on the returns of Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody; their injuries will keep them out into this season. Still no progress on an extension with Brandin Podziemski, though Dunleavy affirmed the Warriors’ desire to get one done. 

And still little to no hope of Curry getting that fifth ring with the roster currently surrounding him.

“If people knew the cold calls I made offering a lot of stuff for players, I think they’d realize how hard we’re trying,” Dunleavy said. “We’re super aggressive.”

Golden State missed out on Giannis, lost the LeBron sweepstakes and reportedly didn’t try for Brown. Many of the calls Dunleavy made were about players who ended up not being moved.

The end result was the same: Curry enters his age-38 season with the same supporting cast that lost in the play-in to the Suns, who went on to be unceremoniously swept by the Thunder.

The Warriors re-signed Kristaps Porzingis. Re-signed Al Horford. Re-signed De’Anthony Melton. Re-signed Gary Payton. Re-signed Green. Drafted Lendeborg. Let Quinten Post walk.

“We had to make a decision between talent and availability,” Dunleavy said. “There was no perfect solution in terms of the combination of the two. I think we leaned a little more toward talent … and hope that we can get some good luck, but also improving some areas medically.”

That’s placing a lot of eggs in the baskets of the health of Porzingis and Horford, who combined to play 60 games for the Warriors last season. Even Curry, while still at the top of his game, is hardly a bastion of health. He was limited to only 43 games last year with a knee issue that Dunleavy described as “delicate” and “something we have to be mindful of.”

Still, Dunleavy said “I see a path” to a championship with the roster as currently constructed. But he added, “We need to get healthy. We need to stay healthy. And then we need to evaluate and see where we’re at. And if we need to get better, I know we can get better.”

Dunleavy indicated that the Warriors will be active in their attempts to improve the roster during the season. Just like this summer. They’d better hope for different results.

If Curry was any other superstar—LeBron, for one example—he would either already be out the door or at least putting immense pressure on Dunleavy to do more.

That’s typically how it goes in the NBA. But that’s not Curry, who has expressed a desire to play for only one team, unlike James, who will suit up for his fourth franchise this season.

Curry is under contract for one more season, at $62.8 million.

Dunleavy expects a deal to get done when Curry is eligible for another extension later this month. He hasn’t heard anything to indicate otherwise from the superstar’s camp.

But did he also speak the unthinkable into existence?

“I’m pretty confident Steph will finish his career here,” Dunleavy said. “But ultimately that’s his call, his decision. 

“Look, if he comes to me and wants to be moved, Joe [Lacob] and I will talk it through. We wouldn’t love it, but he’s earned the right to be where he wants and do those things. But as far as the messaging or any idea that he would be anywhere else, that’s not a thing we’re looking at or he’s looking at.”

For just the second time in six seasons, the Phoenix Suns will not be playing on Christmas. After trading Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal during the 2025 offseason and once again being projected to go under .500 by the sportsbooks, Phoenix will not be one of the ten teams suiting up on the holiday for the second straight season.

The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) for the 19th consecutive year, with ABC and ESPN both televising each matchup.

Highlights include the first meeting between the Knicks and Spurs since the 2026 NBA Finals, as well as new 76er LeBron James’ return… pic.twitter.com/CgWdaaFJXN

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 11, 2026

The premier holiday teams play on during the regular season, Phoenix is 13-9 all-time on Christmas, and in their four straight years playing on December 25th from 2021-2024, the Suns went 1-3 with their lone victory coming back in 2024 when Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant combined for 54 points to beat the Denver Nuggets 110-100.

Once Durant was traded and the Suns’ national spotlight dwindled, it was inevitable the team would not be playing on the holiday as often. It’s now been two seasons since Phoenix played on Christmas, and now Durant and Houston are not playing on the holiday as well, as Houston finished last season fifth in the West and lost in the first round to the Lakers. With the emergence of the San Antonio Spurs and a poor season, Houston’s status as a top team in the NBA has diminished, and they are not playing on the holiday despite employing the former Phoenix Suns superstar.

Suns fans will have to wait at least one more year to watch their team on the holiday again.

Just because LeBron James is eating Tastykakes and Wawa sandwiches in the City of Brotherly Love this season, that doesn’t mean the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t still the Golden State Warriors’ biggest rival. The NBA agreed, sending the Dubs down to Los Angeles to open their 2026-27 season against Luka Donic, Austin Reaves, and a revamped Lakers team.

STEPH. LUKA. MUST-SEE TV. 🤩

Stephen Curry and the Warriors meet Luka Dončić and the new-look Lakers in a marquee California showdown during Opening Week of the 2026-27 NBA season!

📅 Wednesday, October 21 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/kU4Sp8VBbG

— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2026

Lakers-Warriors remains a “marquee” matchup for the NBA, so the clash at the Crypto.com Arena will headline ESPN’s doubleheader on the second night of the season, following Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first game as a member of the Miami Heat and LaMelo Ball, who drives like a Floridian, playing his first game with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s the second season in a row for this matchup and the fourth time in the last six years the Warriors have opened the season against the Lakers.

The Warriors battled Doncic and Reaves separately in the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. It’s been entertaining viewing, especially since Doncic is one of the rare NBA players who yells at the referees more than Draymond Green. The Lakers have a big group of new players for 2026-27, including:

• Walker Kessler
• Sandro Mamukelashvili
• Quentin Grimes
• Collin Sexton
• Kevon Looney
• Jaden Hardy
• Matisse Thybulle
• Cameron Carr

They lost

• LeBron James
• Rui Hachimura
• Marcus Smart
• Luke Kennard
• Deandre Ayton
• Jaxson Hayes

They’re also rumored to be interested in adding Jonathan Kuminga, a transaction that will no doubt be perfectly reasonable and easy to complete with his realistic and understanding agent. But Looney should get a lot of hugs, daps, congratulations for escaping the New Orleans Pelicans, and offensive rebounds where he doesn’t jump more than two inches off the ground.

That’s quite a bit of roster turnover, so the Warriors should have a marked advantage in continuity, veteran leadership, Social Security accruals, folksy sayings, ability to whittle, and slipperiness from Ben-Gay cream.

Another Warriors’ California rival will host the Dubs for their home opener as well. The Warriors will head up Interstate 80 to the Golden 1 Center on Oct. 24 for the beginning of the Darius Acuff Era in Sacramento, which Sacramento Kings fans also hope will mark the beginning of the end of the Zach LaVine Era in Sacramento.They’ll either be lighting the beam or lighting themselves on fire in the capital!

The Warriors are opening the season against the Lakers. The world changes, but some things stay the same every year.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic’s generous offer to his teammates is being copied by one of the star’s biggest rivals.

At the end of July, news broke that Doncic was hosting the entire Lakers’ roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp. Not only was he inviting them to his home country, but he was also paying for all of their flights to and from Europe.

This was seen as a praiseworthy act of leadership from the Lakers’ best player, even though these flights will barely even register in Doncic’s bank account, given that he’s making nearly $50 million this upcoming season.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is making $49 million in this upcoming season. And he seems to have taken inspiration from Doncic’s flight-booking act, as news broke on Monday that Edwards (and his new teammate LaMelo Ball) have offered to pay for their teammates’ flights to Paris for a team workout overseas.

It appears that Minnesota is trying to create camaraderie with their new-look roster that includes Ball. And they chose Paris as their workout location in part because their French star center, Rudy Gobert, lives there in the offseason.

Doncic and Edwards have had many great battles on the court together. And now they seem to be competing when it comes to treating their teammates to nice flights.

It would be fun to find out which of these two ended up paying more for their teammates’ flights. Then again, Edwards had Ball to help foot the bill while Doncic did so on his own.

That seems like another win for the Lakers guard.

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You'd better finish opening your presents quickly because the NBA is bringing the heat early on Christmas Day, with the New York Knicks hosting the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden at noon ET in an NBA Finals rematch.

I had a strong stance on this matchup during the NBA Finals, and it hasn't changed. Let's dive into my early NBA picks for a loaded slate on Friday, Dec. 25.

NBA Christmas Day predictions

The NBA delivered an incredible Christmas Day slate, starting with an NBA Finals rematch before LeBron James returns to Los Angeles to face Luka Doncic as a 76er. 

And while some questioned Golden State's inclusion, Stephen Curry vs. Nikola Jokic as the nightcap is the perfect way to end Christmas Day.

Spurs vs Knicks (12 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Spurs vs Knicks opening odds

Spurs vs Knicks early pick: Knicks -1.5

em-105 at DraftKings/em

The New York Knicks have the matchup advantage against the San Antonio Spurs, just as they did in the NBA Finals, so I'm backing them again on Christmas Day. 

Karl-Anthony Towns' spacing and the starting five's shooting limit Victor Wembanyama's ability to roam defensively. As long as nobody gifts De'Aaron Fox a jumper, New York should cover.

Heat vs Celtics (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Heat vs Celtics opening odds

Heat vs Celtics early pick: Celtics -5.5 

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat matchup is fascinating with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in South Beach.

Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo give the Heat one of the NBA's most imposing interior defenses, but that strength doesn't align with Boston's Mazzulla-ball offense, which is built around bombing away from three rather than attacking the paint.

Give me the Celtics -5.5.

76ers vs Lakers (5 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

76ers vs Lakers opening odds

76ers vs Lakers early pick: 76ers +1.5 

em-115 at DraftKings/em

I'm shocked to see the Philadelphia 76ers as underdogs. I wasn't a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers' free-agent moves, and by Christmas Day, Philadelphia should have plenty of games under its belt to establish roles and usage.

Jaylen Brown was a nightmare for Luka Doncic at the point of attack in the NBA Finals, and I expect more of the same.

Take the Sixers at +1.5.

Thunder vs Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Thunder vs Timberwolves opening odds

Thunder vs Timberwolves early pick: Timberwolves +3.5

em-105 at DraftKings/em

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Lu Dort this offseason, a physical defender who has given Anthony Edwards problems in the past as his primary defender.

Not only did the Thunder lose perimeter depth, but the Minnesota Timberwolves added a major creator in LaMelo Ball. 

That matters here because the Wolves have often forced the ball to Edwards against the Thunder in matchups that aren't favorable for him. Ball can handle the Thunder's pressure and create open looks for the Wolves' secondary scorers. 

Nuggets vs Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Nuggets vs Warriors opening odds

Nuggets vs Warriors early pick: Nuggets -3.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

I personally have high hopes for the Denver Nuggets next season. I think they caught a ton of bad breaks last season, as they had a hard time integrating Cam Johnson into the offense, while Aaron Gordon missed a ton of time with an injury.

When healthy, this is one of the best starting fives in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors feel like a deflated team heading into next season after missing out on LeBron.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The biggest date on the NBA calendar, at least in the first half of the season, is undoubtedly Christmas Day.

And on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the league revealed the games that will be played December 25. The league historically preserves its best matchups and rivalries, offering a five-game slate that highlights some of the game’s biggest stars. LeBron James has been a fixture. So have Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others.

This time, however, things will be a little different, as James will be playing for his fourth different team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Interestingly, their opponent on Christmas happens to be the team where his son and former teammate, Bronny James, plays.

Here’s a ranking of the 2026 Christmas Day NBA games, from worst to first:

MORE: Ranking NBA opening week national TV games from worst to first

NOTE: All games on ABC and ESPN and all times Eastern.

5. Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors

Game time: 10:30 p.m.

Stephen Curry has been a fixture on Christmas Day, but this feels more like a nod to past performance and what has worked in the past. The Warriors, with their age, injury concerns and lack of offseason additions, may struggle to compete this season in the West. Christmas Day can be an opportunity for the league to introduce casual fans to some of the game’s upcoming stars; think of Victor Wembanyama in 2024 at 20 years old, dropping 42 points at Madison Square Garden in a close loss. This felt like a missed opportunity to pass the torch.

4. Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers

Game time: 5 p.m.

The storyline is there: LeBron James is making his return to Los Angeles and will face off against Luka Dončić and the Lakers, presumably for the first time since he signed with the 76ers. His son, Bronny James may play, which would mark the first time a father and son have been opponents in the same game in NBA history. Yet, though James delivered a championship to Los Angeles, fans never held him in the same regard as franchise icons like Magic or Kobe or Shaquille. It should make for compelling theater but there are better basketball matchups out there.

3. Miami Heat at Boston Celtics

Game time: 2:30 p.m.

This was an excellent Eastern Conference rivalry in the early 2020s that lost its luster after Miami languished in recent seasons. The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat should revive it. Both these teams are gritty and they’ll have contrasting styles; the Heat will look to push pace in transition, while the Celtics slow things down and launch 3s. They’re also superb on defense. This could end up being a low-scoring game more reminiscent of the early 2000s, but that should be taken as a high compliment.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves

Game time: 8 p.m

The Thunder may very well be the best team in the NBA, when fully healthy. And though they lost some key players like Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe, they remain deep and talented. The Timberwolves are intriguing because they took a risk in adding LaMelo Ball to give Anthony Edwards another ball handler and shot creator. The Thunder have been the best defensive team each of the last two seasons. What a way to test this new Minnesota offense.

1. San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks

Game time: 12 p.m.

It’s the early game but make no mistake: this should give us the best basketball. You have Wembanyama going back to the Garden, where fans will surely try to make him uncomfortable. You have a Spurs team that is presumably bothered about the way they closed out the NBA Finals. And you have the newly-crowned Knicks trying to prove that they were no fluke. And, if it happens to go down to the wire, expect fireworks because this Knicks team has shown it is no stranger to a good comeback.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking 2026 NBA Christmas games: Where does LeBron vs. Bronny James land?

After carving out Mt. Rushmores for the floor generals and bucket-getters, it is time to move into the paint. The point guards gave the Knicks flash, tempo, and leadership. At the same time, the shooting guards and small forwards provided sheer scoring. However, if you truly want to understand New York Basketball’s DNA, you must look down low. It all starts with the power forward.

To put it simply, the small forwards gave New York the baskets, but the power forwards dished out the bruises.

As Knicks fans, we have grown accustomed to our bigs playing like bouncers at the MSG doors. If your blood isn’t blue and orange and you’re unwilling to dive headfirst into the hardwood or take a few borderline-flagrant fouls for the franchise, you do not belong. The 4-spot in Knicks history is a blend of legendary enforcers, championship glue guys, and offensive engines that pulled the organization out of the mud.

Leaving a few beloved fan favorites off the rock was tough. However, if we are talking about sustained greatness, hardware, and impact, these four names stand all on their own.

Harry “The Horse” Gallatin

To truly understand Knicks history, we have to respect those who poured the foundation. Long before Charles Oakley was throwing elbows, there was Harry Gallatin. “The Horse” was New York’s original iron man, playing 610 consecutive games through the grit and grind of 50s basketball.

A certified Hall of Famer, Gallatin was a seven-time All-Star as a Knick and earned an All-NBA First Team selection in 1954. An absolute terror on the glass, he set a franchise record with 33 rebounds in a single game against the Fort Wayne Pistons. Though he now shares the accolade with Willis Reed, the record still holds today.

The original blueprint for a tough, blue-collar big man, Gallatin proved you could dominate the paint with sheer willpower, a relentless motor, and refusing to be outworked by anyone. In building a mountain representing what it means to play power forward in New York, we have to start with the individual who defined the position. Without “The Horse” laying down the law in the 50s, there is no Oakley of the 90s. A true pioneer, Henry Gallatin deserves a place on our Rushmore.

Dave DeBusschere

The story of New York’s two 70s championships cannot be told without discussing Dave DeBusschere. When Red Holzman and the Knicks front office acquired him for Walt Bellamy during the 1968-69 season, they were receiving the missing piece. That single transaction transformed the team from a fun and highly competitive group to a legendary one that would ingrain itself into the NBA’s history book.

The hardware speaks for itself. During his time in New York, DeBusschere was a six-time All-Star and made the All-Defensive First Team for six consecutive years. Oh, and of course there were the two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973.

The ultimate glue guy, DeBusschere executed his role on a superstar level. Every game, Holzman tasked him with guarding the opposition’s best frontcourt player. Whether it was battling Elvin Hayes or Wilt Chamberlain, he absorbed physical punishment so Willis Reed didn’t have to. He grabbed heavily contested rebounds, sparked fast-break opportunities, and confidently knocked down open jumpers. A rugged player with a high basketball IQ, DeBusschere was an absolute winner and is the anchor of this mountain. If you try to argue against it, you are just flat-out wrong.

Charles Oakley

For a decade, Charles Oakley provided pure terror in the paint. Not only a player for New York in the 90s, but he was also the Knicks’ bodyguard. Under Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy, Oakley became the physical embodiment of an era that defined a generation of fans.

Statistics back up the intimidation. Pulling down over 12,000 career rebounds, he earned one All-Star appearance in ’94 and was also named to the All-Defensive First Team. An absolute machine that never took a night off, Oakley demonstrated his durability during that ’94 Finals run, starting in all 82 regular-season games and a record-setting 25 playoff games.

His silky-smooth midrange jumper from the baseline will also have a place in our memories, but Oakley’s real legacy lived in his ability to play enforcer. If you planned on driving the lane, you had to prepare to pay a steep price. He consistently had his teammates’ backs through every brawl, hard foul, and intense series against the Bulls, Heat, and Pacers. When you picture a Knicks power forward, you picture #34 as the team’s beating heart, ripping down rebounds in traffic.

(1992) Dennis Rodman gets clobbered by Charles Oakley and then shoved by Patrick Ewing.

No easy buckets. pic.twitter.com/8csKDsIW9y

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) August 3, 2018

Julius Randle

This is where I start getting yelled at.

Julius Randle is undeniably a polarizing figure in Knicks basketball. But we have to take a step back for a second and recognize what he actually accomplished in New York. Before Jalen Brunson ascended to basketball immortality and provided us with our modern championship window, Randle pulled the franchise out of a two-decade joke.

The resume is quite staggering. Consistently providing 20-point, 10-rebound, 4-assist production, he made multiple All-NBA and All-Star selections while also winning the 2020-21 Most Improved Player award. Think about the dark ages of the 2010’s filled with characters such as Alexey Shved and Lou Amundson. Randle put the entire city on his back and took the Knicks out of that disaster, breaking the 7-year playoff drought and bringing New York back to relevancy.

Yes, the body language was frustrating when things didn’t go his way. Yes, the playoff shooting slumps were infuriating. But you cannot deny Randle’s talent and the heavy lifting he did for this franchise. He arrived in New York when the organization was a complete laughingstock and built a culture of accountability, toughness, and winning. Whether you like it or not, Julius Randle helped get this new championship era in motion and deserves a spot on our Power Forward Mt. Rushmore.

So there it is. The official Knicks Power Forward Mt. Rushmore includes the pioneer in Gallatin, the champion in DeBusschere, the enforcer in Oakley, and the catalyst in Randle. It is a perfectly balanced representation of what it means to play the 4-spot in New York City.

Now it’s your turn. To me, Gallatin, DeBusschere, and Oakley are complete locks. But how off-base was I including Randle on the rock? Let me know who makes your top four in the comments below.

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The NBA has announced its Opening Night schedule, and it did not disappoint. 

LeBron James makes his Philadelphia 76ers debut on ring night at Madison Square Garden, while several other marquee matchups round out a loaded three-game slate in my early NBA picks for Tuesday, Oct. 20.

NBA Opening Night predictions

The Celtics begin a new era led by Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James make their 76ers debuts, the Knicks raise their championship banner, and the nightcap features the two teams with the shortest NBA Finals odds. 

How's that for an opening night?

Celtics vs Pistons (3 p.m. ET, NBC)

Celtics vs Pistons opening odds

Celtics vs Pistons early pick: Celtics +2.5

em-115 at DraftKings/em

I'll gladly take the Boston Celtics as an underdog against the Detroit Pistons. The Jaylen Brown-for-Paul George trade raised eyebrows, but this matchup shows its value.

George gives Boston another versatile perimeter defender who can switch onto Cade Cunningham and hold his own, even if Detroit uses actions to get Derrick White off Cunningham. 

76ers vs Knicks (7 p.m. ET, NBC)

76ers vs Knicks opening odds

76ers vs Knicks early pick: Knicks -4.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The Philadelphia 76ers are stacked and rightfully among the favorites to win it all, but I'm not backing them on opening night. 

Too many high-usage players need to mesh, while the New York Knicks bring continuity and familiarity — which is exactly what helped them win the title.

Thunder vs Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Thunder vs Spurs opening odds

Thunder vs Spurs early pick: Spurs -1.5

em-110 at DraftKings/em

The San Antonio Spurs are a brutal matchup for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and nothing this offseason changed my mind. 

If anything, San Antonio widened the gap by adding Tobias Harris for depth, while Oklahoma City had to sacrifice key role players like Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, and Aaron Wiggins to create cap space.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.