Category: Basketball

As the Spurs head into Game 3, they have some positives to build on defensively. In Games 1 and 2, they utilized a similar defensive stratagem on Jalen Brunson that worked in the Western Conference Finals against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. So far, they have limited the Knicks star point guard from taking over. In San Antonio, the Spurs stayed within striking distance but came up short.

During the regular season, Brunson averaged 26 points on 46.7% shooting. During this postseason he has stayed consistent. In the last two games, he’s averaged 25 points on 33.9% shooting. Against the Spurs, Brunson has to work harder to get his points. And with all that extra ball-handling comes an increase in turnovers, from two-and-a-half in the regular season to four per game in the Finals.

What is working for the Spurs? Simply put, Stephon Castle has been brilliant. In the first two games, Castle covered Brunson for 9:24, by far the most time by any member of the Silver & Black. During that time, Brunson has scored 8 points on shooting 2 of 10, or 20%.

After Game 1, Castle stated, “I thought we did well. We kept him off the line, for the most part. He made some tough shots late. I feel like a lot of his buckets were loud because they were back-to-back. The shots he did get to go were consecutive, so it hurt a little bit more. But looking at the box score, looking back on it, I think we did a pretty good job on him.”

The only player limiting Brunson to a lower shooting percentage is De’Aaron Fox. On his watch spanning 4:25, Brunson did not score, going 0 for 6 with two turnovers.

After Game 2, Fox echoed Castle’s sentiment from Game 1, “I think we’ve had a good defense majority of the year. We’re just trying to make it difficult on him. I think we’ve done a good job both games. He’s made big shots at the end of games. He’s a hell of a player. Even when you make it difficult on good players, they’re talented so they’re going to end up making shots. He’s done that, especially at the end of the games. I don’t know if I would say just change much of what we’re doing. He’s made timely shots.”

Dylan Harper, guarded Brunson for 5:49 and held him to 2 points on 1 of 3. After Game 2, Harper said of Brunson, “He’s a great player. I feel like he kind of likes moments like that. He steps up in those big moments. I think for us we have to keep doubling down on our game plan, kind of just seeing what works and just keep going to that.”

Victor Wembanyama also boasts some good defense on the Knicks guard. The Defensive Player of the Year has held Brunson to just just 25%, 3 of 12 shooting, in the first two games. Most of Victor’s 2:53 covering him has come after switching onto him while defending the pick and roll. In those situations, Brunson is 1 of 7.

Where Brunson has found success, and where the Spurs will need to make a more concerted effort, is when Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell, and Carter Bryant end up on him. Champagnie has allowed Brunson 22 points on 9 of 13 shooting, or 69.2%, in 4:54. Meanwhile, Vassell has allowed 5 0f 9, or 55.6%, over 2:59, yielding 10 points. Carter Bryant, who’s only been on Brunson for 2:05, has allowed 6 points on 3 of 5 shooting.

Vassell spoke on Sunday about covering him when he’s made those clutch shots, stating, “Yeah, it feels like those are the moments that he lives for, especially in the fourth quarter, clutch. I feel like we’re doing a really good job on him, making him shoot some tough shots all throughout the game. Even those clutch shots are very tough shots that he’s been hitting.”

The Spurs lost by ten in Game 1 and by a single point in Game 2. In Game 1, Brunson scored 30 points. 12-31 38.7% going 4 of 4 from the charity stripe, By comparison, the Spurs did better in Game 2, limiting him to 20 points, 7-25, 28%, 4 of 5 free throws.

Overall, there have been stretches where Brunson struggles to get the ball through the hoop. After hitting the opening shot of Game 1, he didn’t score again until the halfway point of the second quarter. In fact, he scored 3 in the first, 8 in the second, and 6 in the third. It wasn’t until his 13-point fourth quarter eruption that the Knicks separated from the Spurs for the win. It’s key to why Brunson came in fifth for Clutch Player of the Year this season, and exactly where the Spurs must lock in if they hope to take Game 3 in New York.

It takes 12 players, multiple coaches, a medical staff, front office and much more to win a championship, but to the general public, most of the credit falls on the big stars. For the Knicks, now two wins away from their first chip in over half a century, that’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but their roster of unsung heroes runs much longer.

One player who can’t be ignored is Landry Shamet -- now on his second consecutive veteran's minimum deal, Shamet's been a major part of their run to the championship, despite the bumps and bruises on the way.

Last year, he suffered a shoulder injury in preseason and agreed to rehab in the G-League before rejoining the team midseason. While he returned to action, he fell out of the rotation when the playoffs rolled around, until the Knicks desperately turned to him facing elimination in the Conference Finals.

He provided a nice spark, but New York had limited roster spots going into 2025-26, and he had to compete for another minimum deal. Shamet made the cut, but this year began to look like Déjà vu. 

Shamet suffered another shoulder injury early this season, sidelining him for a third of it. He’d come back again, but wasn’t a major rotation piece early in the postseason.

Things turned around in New York’s second round, when Shamet popped for 15 and 12 points in Games 3 and 4 on the road in Philadelphia. His performance helped close out the Sixers, as he shot 6-of-9 from three in the two contests.

But the real magic came in Game 1 of the Conference Finals. With Josh Hart struggling down 22 and just seven minutes to play, head coach Mike Brown subbed in Shamet with the starters for spacing, and the Knicks rolled.

Shamet hit some of the biggest threes of the season: one to cut the lead to 17, another that bounced in with under a minute to play that tied the game, and finally the clincher in overtime. He finished with just these nine points, but they were crucial to one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Playoffs history.

He followed up with another pair of big road games, scoring 14 in Game 3 and 16 in Game 4, contributing to another dominant sweep. He finished the Conference Finals shooting a stellar 11-of-12 from downtown.

If these performances weren’t enough to cement his legacy in this playoff run, his early start to the Finals might put #44 in the rafters. Shamet’s been a big boost off the bench in a series Brunson’s struggled and the Knicks haven’t played to their best offensively as a team. 

Shamet scored 13 in Game 1 on 3-of-6 shooting from three, and another 13 on 3-of-7 three-point attempts in Game 2, as the Knicks won two tough road games to take control of the championship round. 

Throughout his appearances, he’s defended hard and attacked the mid-range and paint to keep defenses honest.

It’s no exaggeration that the Knicks wouldn’t be in this spot without Shamet’s contributions. Miles McBride is averaging under seven points this postseason and Jordan Clarkson slowly fell out of the rotation as the competition stiffened.

With limited offensive help from the pine, Shamet’s been a major lift, providing double-digit scoring in single-digit victories. All on a prove-it contract that’s likely to now be aggressively outbid in the summer.

The Knicks are still two wins away from their ultimate goal, and Shamet will need to continue his pace to secure them. If that happens, he goes from heartwarming story to local legend, and no matter where he ends up, New York fans will be eternally, deservingly grateful. 

Former NBA guard Jameer Nelson is taking on a significantly larger role within the 76ers organization following a dramatic front-office shakeup.

With Daryl Morey no longer the team president, the 76ers have also removed Elton Brand from his role as general manager — a position he held since September 2018.

Taking his place will be Nelson, the Philadelphia native and former NBA All-Star who has been the team’s assistant general manager since May 2025 and has been in the team’s front office since 2020.

Nelson will work under Mike Gansey, the newly hired president of basketball operations.

The changes for Philadelphia follow yet another disappointing postseason exit, as Philadelphia’s hopes of a deep run ended, once again, in the second round of the playoffs.

Coming off the high of a seven-game series win against the Celtics, which included three straight victories to end the first round, the 76ers were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Nelson has steadily climbed the organizational ladder since transitioning from his playing career.

The former Magic star has worked in player development, scouting and executive roles, leading to his promotion to the general manager seat.

His promotion signals a new direction for a team attempting to regroup after another second-round exit.

The 76ers haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, and since becoming a perennial playoff team again, they’ve been eliminated in the second round in six of their last nine seasons.

Philadelphia enters the offseason with major roster questions, too.

Joel Embiid, 32, is going to make a combined $120 million for the next two seasons, with a $67 million player option in 2028-29.

Paul George, 36, will enter the third year of a four-year deal, earning $54 million next season with a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28.

Tyrese Maxey, 25, has three years remaining and will make over $40 million next season.

The 76ers, who own the No. 22 pick in the draft, will also have free agency decisions to make on Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre.

With this hiring, Nelson now becomes one of the most influential figures in shaping Philadelphia’s future.

Before enjoying a successful NBA playing career, Nelson starred at Saint Joseph’s University, where he became one of the most accomplished players in program history.

After being the No. 20 pick in the 2004 draft, Nelson played with the Magic for 10 seasons, and starred on the 2008-09 team, which reached the NBA Finals and lost to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant’s first ring post Shaquille O’Neal.

Nelson, an All-Star that season, averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, 45 percent from three and 89 percent on free throws.

He retired following the 2018 season after stints with the Nuggets, Pelicans, Celtics, Pistons and Mavericks.

The loudest I’ve ever heard Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden was May 16, 1997.

Game 6, Knicks vs. Heat. 48 hours earlier, P.J. Brown lit the match that David Stern’s dumb de jure brain fanned into the fire that torched the ‘90s Knicks last shot at MJ and the Bulls, ergo their last shot at a title. 19,763 New Yorkers cheering their team is one thing. Add a righteous indignation to the mix and you get a sound like none I’ve heard before or since. The sound of bloodlust.

I’m old now. Old enough that day after day I see more and more people I’m older than, and fewer that I’m not. Old enough to recognize the ties that bind me to the New York Knickerbockers differ from those that connect me to my other sports loves. Old enough to feel like I know something too many people have forgotten, or never knew. Old enough to realize how much the world has passed me by, too.

The first year I followed the Mets, they won the World Series. The first time I sat to watch an entire Rangers playoffs, they won the Stanley Cup. The first two times the Giants made the Super Bowl, they won. And the first season Manchester City stood up on both legs to challenge for the league title, they won, thanks to a miracle finish that still makes me tear up whenever I see it. I’m literally crying with joy re-watching it now.

And then there’s the Knicks.

The Knicks are the team I’ve followed the closest. Other than a few games at the end of the Isiah Thomas era, I’ve watched just about every game I could see since 1990. They’re as much a part of my identity as anything else. But my history with them is . . . different.

The Knicks did not win it all the first year I watched them. They finished 39-43, got destroyed in the first round. The next year, they shocked the world going up on the world champion Bulls, took them all the way to Game 7. The Mets would have won that game. The Messier Rangers would have. Man City? Definitely. But not, bless ‘em, my Knicks.

I’m old enough that the young fans are scaring me. For me and for them. The same inherited idiocy that led a generation of Knick playoff virgins to radicalize Trae Young *before* that series even started has loads of nudniks now flying off at the mouth about how the Finals are over, the Knicks are set to sweep, yada yada yada.

Babes. Don’t.

The third year I followed the Knicks, they were up on Chicago 2-0 in the ECF, riding a 27-game home winning streak. This may sound crazy now, but in 1993 everyone I knew (mostly dumb young people) shared the same thought. The Bulls and Knicks are evenly matched. No way they’re beating us four straight, or four outta five! Reader, they did.

The next year, the Knicks led the Bulls 2-0, then lost three of four. The next round, they led the Pacers 2-0, then lost three of four. In ‘97, they led the Heat 3-1, 3-2 when the teams met for that decibel-record Game 6. MSG lifted their severely shorthanded heroes to a 10-point lead after one. Four at the half. Two after three. It wasn’t enough.

Again, I am old. In elementary school, calling someone “commie” might start a fistfight. The first album I ever bought was a tape cassette — “Bad.” I remember when conservatives were upset that there were too many teen pregnancies, whereas today they say there’s too few. The world is not the same.

And neither are the Knicks. The ’90s Knicks were practically a thought experiment: What if an NBA team were the ‘85 Bears on defense with an offense straight outta James Naismith’s nightmares? The few great teams since then had flaws from here to eternity. The 2013 Knicks were eerily similar, as far as roster construction; one true superstar and a bunch of worker bees is never gonna beat a group of murder hornets. The Thibodeau Knicks could score but not defend, defend but not score, and when they could manage both they were still more shallow than Pearl Harbor.

I wrote this months ago and so far it’s held up: this is the best Knicks team I’ve ever seen. Elite offense, elite defense, elite starting five and a progressive bench that’d rather build on what’s good than settle for it. Everything they’ve done this season, to this point, has only strengthened the feeling that this could be, should be the group that does the impossible.

But I’m still bugging.

I will be even if they win tomorrow night. I will be if they’re up 10 at the half in Game 4. Until the final buzzer sounds on the fourth and final win, or Mitch Johnson pulls his starters and waves the white flag before then, I’ll feel ill thinking about the Knicks winning the series. I think a lot of middle-aged fans will.

When Man City were on the cusp of reversing decades of ignominy — if you think the Knicks have been a punchline, study City’s history before 2008 — older fans expressed more hesitance to believe in them than the younger fans I knew. Until City’s very last kick of that 2012 season, the oldheads were right. They looked set to blow it, all the way until they didn’t. Ever since, they’ve been a rocket ship ride always headed up, up, up.

I’m willing to be the last fuddy duddy to believe in what’s happening with these Knicks. There are words I’d like to share about it, feelings I’m feeling I want to shout so the whole world hears me. But until/unless the final buzzer sounds on that fourth and final Finals win, I can’t. I’ve always believed they were capable of such great heights. But there are some moments too intense to imagine, realities that only register once you’re in them. What a time to be a fan. What a twisted nest of joy and anxiousness.

I hope the Garden is the loudest it’s ever been tomorrow night.

With the 2026 NBA Draft lauded as one of the deepest in quite some time, even teams like the Lakers, who have a late pick, are looking to add a quality player to their roster.

Los Angeles is doing everything possible to find a draft prospect who can help the team win now. They’ve hired former Virginia coach Tony Bennett to come in as a draft advisor and have worked out a ton of players.

Now, Cody Taylor, a writer for the Rookie Wire, is reporting that the Lakers have recently worked out a slew of new players, including Skyy Clark and Trey Kaufman-Ren.

Clark is a guard who has played the last two seasons of his collegiate career at UCLA. During his senior year, he averaged 11.5 points per game and shot 42.7% from 3-point range.

Given Clark’s shooting and ball-handling skills, he is exactly the kind of guard the Lakers could use as part of a backup unit. He is not on mock drafts as a first-round selection, so LA is likely scouting him to see if he can be an undrafted player they can pick up.

Kaufman-Ren is another prospect who is projected to go late in the draft. He is a forward who spent his entire collegiate career at Purdue and finished his final year averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.

He could be a player who provides much-needed wing depth for LA, as well as some size and rebounding ability.

A prime example of this was his performance against Oklahoma this past season, where he scored 19 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, including seven that were offensive boards.

In the NCAA tournament, he had arguably the best moment of his career, scoring the game-winning basket for Purdue off a tip-in to push the Boilermakers into the Elite Eight.

The Lakers’ search for potentially undrafted players is a good sign that they are doing their due diligence and trying to win in the margins.

This is exactly how they got Austin Reaves back in 2021, when he went undrafted and they picked him up afterward.

While that’s a rare success story, it can only happen again if a franchise puts itself in a position to take advantage of players who slip through the cracks. It seems LA is giving themselves a chance of doing that again by working out so many players.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Trail Blazers are willing to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo without long-term assurances.

Antetokounmpo has just one year left on his deal worth more than $58 million and he’s expected to decline his 2027-28 player option for over $62 million in favor of a new, and potentially final, long-term max contract.

Speaking on “Stugotz and Company,” ESPN insider Shams Charania identified the Trail Blazers as one of the teams prepared to aggressively pursue the former MVP despite no guarantees of a long-term commitment, “no matter the risk.”

This is notable given that Portland is one of the teams reportedly interested in Antetokounmpo in a sweepstakes headlined by the Heat, which has also been rumored to include the Magic and Celtics.

It’s not uncommon for front offices to seek some level of confidence that a player intends to remain with the organization before parting with multiple draft picks, young prospects and matching salary, in order to execute a trade at this level.

Portland, however, appears willing to accept that risk.

The Blazers have spent the last few seasons rebuilding around a young core after moving on from franchise icon Damian Lillard in 2023 — although they did bring him back last off-season after a failed two-year stint with the Bucks.

Lillard, who missed last season with an Achilles injury, is expected to be ready for the 2026-27 season.

The organization has accumulated promising talent as well, including Scoot Henderson, picked No. 2 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft after Victor Wembanyama, Toumani Camara, talented swingman Shaedon Sharpe and interior presence Donovan Clingan.

The Blazers also have Jrue Holiday on the roster, who won a title with Antetokounmpo in 2021 in Milwaukee.

Holiday was moved from Milwaukee to Portland in 2023 as part of the first Lillard trade but ended up with the Celtics, and he played an integral role in their 2024 championship run.

Holiday was again traded to Portland last summer, but he remained with the club after outside speculation fueled the possibility of another re-routing.

Antetokounmpo, 31, remains one of the league’s best players and will be entering his 14th NBA season next year.

He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in just 36 games this year because of injury.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

This was not assigned as a 3-pointers props article, but that is what this look at the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks organically became. There is a bounty of value beyond the arc in Game 3, though some of it comes from expecting the visitors to stay away from the long shots.

My Spurs vs. Knicks props and these NBA picks clearly expect New York to continue controlling this series with Game 3 tipping off at 8:30 ET on Monday, June 8.

Best Spurs vs Knicks props for Game 3

Player	Pick
Karl-Anthony Towns	Over 1.5 3-pointers	+122
Julian Champagnie	Under 2.5 3-pointers	-135
Victor Wembanyama	Under 1.5 3-pointers	+145

Game 3 Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-pointers

Do not make this bet simply because Karl-Anthony Towns went 3-for-5 from deep in Game 2. Do not make it simply because his five attempts are the threshold at which it becomes far more likely than not that the New York Knicks’ center will hit multiple 3-pointers. Do not even make it because Towns has hit 48.1% of his 3-pointers this postseason.

Rather, make it because Towns is returning to Madison Square Garden. He shoots far more often at home than he does on the road.

Towns took 4.4 threes per home game this season, compared to 3.8 per road game. That has held up this postseason, taking four per home game and 2.7 per road game.

Towns is shooting so well that the only question is related to quantity. He is clearly more comfortable loading up in New York City.

Game 3 Prop #2: Julian Champagnie Under 2.5 3-pointers

The usual logic here would be to doubt a role player in a road game, but Julian Champagnie actually shot better and more often on the road this season than he did at home. The difference in percentages, in particular, was rather negligible.

The logic here instead looks at Game 2 compared to Game 1. The San Antonio Spurs’ best shooter took 10 3-pointers in Game 1, going 5-for-10 as part of 16 points. But in Game 2, he pulled up from beyond the arc only five times, going 2-for-5 as part of eight points despite playing nearly five more minutes than in Game 1.

The Knicks defense adjusted to Champagnie, and that adjustment should hold as the NBA Finals move to the East Coast.

Game 3 Prop #3: Victor Wembanyama Under 1.5 3-pointers

The inverse approach has yielded profit this postseason. Betting on Victor Wembanyama to find comfort beyond the arc at home has paid off. Because he clearly does not like shooting from deep on the road.

So, let’s take the chance to fade the French superstar.

The following trends have been true of all three years of Wembanyama’s young career. These are simply the most recent and therefore the most pertinent stats: He shot 37.9% from deep at home this regular season, compared to 31.3% on the road. He took 5.9 threes per game at home compared to just five per game on the road.

Look at the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama went 9-for-21 from deep at home, 42.9% on seven attempts per game. He went 7-for-19 in four games on the road, 36.8% on 4.75 attempts per game.

If Wembanyama is not going to attempt six 3-pointers, it becomes more likely than not that he will not hit multiple threes. To get such a reality at plus money is a foolish offering from the sportsbooks.

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.

Globe NBA insider believes Giannis Antetokounmpo’s intrigue in Celtics ‘is real’

With the Celtics long out of the playoffs, Ron Harper Jr. rooting hard for brother Dylan of the Spurs in the NBA Finals

CelticsBlogThe “sometimes when you lose, you really win” tanking paradox—The Week in Green

CLNS Media Why Celtics Should Bring Back Robert Williams

Bobby Manning: HIGHLY Unlikely Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown

NESNEx-Celtics Player Elevated To Vice President Of Basketball Operations With 76ers

Mass Live Celtics trade rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo deal ‘worth watching’ as Heat questions emerge

Charles Barkley sends blunt message to Jaylen Brown amid trade rumors

Celtics WireCeltics 2026 NBA Draft interviewee Alex Karaban 2025-26 NCAA highlights

Could we see Mazzulla in a WWE ring with his players? Derrick White hints we might

Boston Celtics 2026 NBA Draft interviewee LaJae Jones 2025-26 NCAA highlights

Derrick White on how Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla sees awards

Celtics history: K.C. Jones appointed as head coach

How Payton Pritchard impacts postseason play for Celtics with late-clock shots

What do we think the Celtics will do to their roster this NBA offseason?

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White on the players who influenced his game

The Celtics are paying the price for their 2024 NBA title

Does it mean anything that Jaylen Brown listed his home for sale?

Why Derrick White believes being a two way player for Celtics is so important

Celtics 2026 NBA Draft interviewee Zuby Ejiofor 2025-26 NCAA highlights

Celtics 2026 NBA Draft interviewee Tre Donaldson 2025-26 NCAA highlights

Boston Sports JournalNBA Notebook: The summer of Jaylen Brown, Brunson vs. Wembanyama, and messy Minnesota

Hardwood Houdini NBA preparing for hated Celtics rival to finally land Giannis

Why dumping on Neemias Queta’s playoffs is a massive mistake for the Celtics

Celtics killer may be best option should Boston acquire Giannis

Trading Jaylen Brown would be counterproductive to Brad Stevens’ main offseason goal

Clutch PointsIs Celtics trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo worth sacrificing Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown’s next era?

SportskeedaGiannis Antetokounmpo Holds Major Power in Potential Trade Talks as NBA Insider Reveals Stunning Claim

The Sporting NewsCeltics have a new alternate Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster option with Domantas Sabonis on the market

Hawks predicted to swap ex-Warriors disgruntled forward for $285 million Celtics star

Total Pro SportsJaylen Brown’s Latest Offseason Move is Only Adding More Fuel to the Growing Trade Speculation

Proposed Rockets Trade Package for Jaylen Brown Could Force the Celtics Into a Difficult Decision

Space City ScoopRockets get gutted for the foreseeable future in Jaylen Brown trade proposal

Heavy3-Team Trade Idea Gives Boston Celtics New Starting Center

NBA Trade Rumors: New Updates and the Big Board as Draft Day Nears

Celtics Get Major Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Update

SI .comOne Valuable Lesson Boston Celtics Fans Can Learn From the New York Knicks

How the Wizards Can Insert Themselves in a Jaylen Brown Trade

Iowa State Basketball Star Lands With Celtics in Latest NBA Mock Draft

Nugg Love Celtics trade idea would give Nuggets a sneaky-good Cameron Johnson fallback

BasketballNews Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Concerns About Miami Roster as Only Untouchable Heat Star Revealed, Per Reports

Last Word on SportsThis Brilliant Celtics – Raptors Trade Sends High-Reward 2023 Lottery Prospect To Boston

Bucks RoundtableOdds Increasing That Giannis Will Stay

There are two popular songs titled “Reason to Believe”.

The first was written in 1968 by a very underrated songwriter named Tim Hardin. His version of Reason to Believe has been covered by many artists, including Rod Stewart, The Carpenters and Johnny Cash. The most famous is the Rod Stewart version:

As Wikipedia describes it: “The lyrics to ‘Reason to Believe’ center on the painful paradox of maintaining hope, affection, and trust even when faced with overwhelming evidence that you are being deceived or that hope is in vain.”

Tim Hardin’s version is one of those songs where the melody seems upbeat, but the lyrics tell a different story. The most famous example of those songs is Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”.

The key lyric in Tim Hardin’s of the song, about the lies he has been told, encapsulates this dichotomy:

“If I listened long enough to you
I’d find a way to believe that it’s all true
Knowing that you lied
Straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe.”

Springsteen wrote the other version of “Reason to Believe”, on his dark and brooding Nebraska album. In his version, Springsteen sings about people with absolutely no basis to believe that things will get better — but they believe anyway.

The song has been described as “a profound comment on the resilience of our species”. Wow, the first time the words “resilience of our species” have appeared in my decade plus of writing at Pounding the Rock. This is the key lyric of the Springsteen version:

“Struck me kinda funny, funny, yeah, to me
How at the end of every hard-earned day people find some reason to believe.”

For Spurs fans like me, I will go with Bruce. At the end of the hard-earned day, including the day that ended with the painful Game Two against the Knicks, I can find some reason to believe.

We were told that these Spurs were just too young and inexperienced in the Way of the Playoffs to expect to win this season. We were told that the Spurs could not go down 2-0 before heading the basketball’s Mecca — Madison Square Garden. The Spurs are down 2-0 heading back to MSG.

It strikes me kinda funny, funny, yeah to me, that Spurs fans were told the same thing when they went down 3–2 to OKC in the Western Conference Finals. Even after winning Game Six, the Spurs had to go “on the road” to one of the roughest toughest places to play Game Seven against the defending champs. OKC was 34–7 at home this season, 35-6 last. Checking my notes… Spurs won Game Seven in OKC. They also won Game One in OKC in a classic, one of the best games I have ever seen. Checking my notes again… that is two road wins in Oklahoma City — the same number of times the Spurs will need to win in New York City.

OK, that was my pregame speech. Let’s step back and look at the facts.

The Spurs led most of Game One against the Knicks, and even led by two with two minutes left. In Game Two, the Spurs trailed most of the second half, but mounted a furious comeback and actually led by two with less than a minute left – and had the ball with the score tied with ten second left. (We don’t need to discuss the last ten seconds in this post.) The point is – THE POINT IS – the Knicks have not established that they are the better team. The Knicks have won two games, but could have easily lost two games. Put another way, the Spurs lost two games, but could have easily won two games. One of buddies asked me this morning what the Spurs needed to do differently to turn it around. My answer: “Win.”

The Finals began with two talented teams who could win or lose any game. That has not changed. Even with the truly heartbreaking loss in Game Two, the last ten seconds of that game would not have mattered if the Spurs had done better than 19 for 27 from on their free throws. Or if the Spurs had not bailed out two Knick shooters who were shooting desperation threes from the corner with the shot clock about the expire. Those two fouls cost the Spurs six free throws and five points.

My super-wife says I am an optimist, and she is right. I recognize that the Spurs are down 2-0, and we can’t change that. I also recognize that the Spurs are going on the road, but that does not concern me at all. The Spurs are fine playing on the road.

We have all seen the record of teams who are down 2-0 in a playoff series. But we have also seen the number of teams with three of the key players aged 22, 21 and 20 — zero. This is a unique team, in many ways. Each game this young team plays, they learn more about the Way of the Playoffs.

Throughout this remarkable season, the Spurs have given me Reason to Believe.

And I still do.

A planned watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals outside Madison Square Garden has been canceled.

More than two dozen people were arrested at a similar party last Friday during Game 2 of the series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. But now, with President Donald Trump and NYC mayor Zohran Mandami planning to be in attendance as the series moves to New York, security is on heightened alert.

The Knicks are making their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1999, and fans have enthusiastically embraced the team's title run. After nearly 7,000 fans showed up at Madison Square Garden to watch New York's 105-104 victory in San Antonio, authorities said 26 people were detained, with 17 arrested and charged.

The NBA has largely accomplished what it set out to do. With the implementation of the tax aprons, building long-term, sustainable success has become increasingly difficult. If the league’s goal was to reduce dynasties, mission accomplished. Once the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks finish the 2026 NBA Finals, the league will crown its eighth different champion in eight seasons.

Teams across the NBA are feeling the effects. Front offices are constantly searching for ways to shed salary and navigate the increasingly restrictive rules attached to the tax aprons. Business decisions are being analyzed more than ever, as the wiggle room has tightened.

The Denver Nuggets, despite winning a championship in 2023, are no exception.

A quick glance at Denver’s 2026-27 cap sheet tells the story. They’re top-heavy, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray alone account for $109.1 million in salary. Add another $32 million for Aaron Gordon, and it’s easy to see why Denver is rumored to be looking for financial flexibility. The Nuggets currently sit $4.8 million over the 2026-27 first apron and only $2.6 million below the second apron.

For a franchise trying to maximize its championship window while a three-time MVP is still in his prime, difficult decisions are unavoidable. And those decisions aren’t going to involve the stars. They’re going to involve the middle class of the roster. One player who stands out is Christian Braun, who enters the first season of a five-year, $125 million extension next year. Yikes. My guess is that if Denver could revisit that negotiation today, it might look a little different.

The other contract that jumps off the page belongs to former Phoenix Suns wing Cameron Johnson. Johnson is set to make $23.1 million next season, accounting for roughly 14% of Denver’s cap sheet. And when a team is searching for ways to create breathing room, those are the kinds of contracts that inevitably enter the conversation.

We know Cameron Johnson well here in the Valley. He was the unexpected 11th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, a selection that caught plenty of people off guard at the time. But he was the best shooter in that draft, and he has continued to prove it throughout his seven years in the NBA, shooting 39.6% from beyond the arc.

He helped the Phoenix Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals. The following season, when the Suns won a franchise record 64 games, Johnson finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting after averaging 12.5 points off the bench while shooting 42.5% from three.

So yes, there is familiarity here. There is history here. And rumors are that the Nuggets are expected to shop Johnson this offseason as they look to reduce their tax bill and do what they can to get below the first apron.

That’s where the question and thought exercise begins. Should the Suns pursue him? Is bringing Cameron Johnson back to Phoenix something the Suns should explore? 

Because if they do, they are adding payroll rather than subtracting it. Denver’s goal in moving Johnson would be to save money. It isn’t to bring back another expensive rotation player or replace him with a comparable shooting threat at the same price. Why would they? Johnson makes $23.1 million this season, and he’s on an expiring contract. If Denver is trying to create financial breathing room, taking back the same amount of money defeats the purpose.

So there’s plenty to consider with this potential roster decision. Let’s look at it holistically, weighing the pros and the cons. Let’s discuss whether a Cameron Johnson reunion actually makes sense for Phoenix.

The Trade

The mock trade I’ve seen circulating would send Grayson Allen to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. The Nuggets would also include the 26th overall pick in this year’s draft, while the Phoenix Suns would send back the 47th overall selection.

There is one wrinkle, however. Because Denver has already traded away its 2027 first-round pick, the Stepien Rule comes into play. That means the Nuggets cannot simply trade the 26th pick outright before the draft. Instead, Denver would make the selection at No. 26 and then complete the transaction afterward, effectively making this a draft-night trade.

That’s an important distinction, but it doesn’t change the framework of the deal. The Suns would still be acquiring Johnson and moving up 21 spots in the draft, while Denver would gain financial relief ($4.9 million) and add Allen’s shooting to its roster.

The Case for Acquiring Cam Johnson

Where do you start when contemplating a Cameron Johnson reunion? I think you start by removing nostalgia from the equation. This isn’t about bringing back a familiar face because he was part of a memorable run. This is about evaluating a player through the lens of productivity and roster construction.

Adding Cameron Johnson would immediately give the Phoenix Suns a better option at the power forward spot and provide a legitimate floor spacer. One of Phoenix’s biggest challenges last season was size at the four. While Johnson isn’t the ideal solution at 6’8”, he’s still an improvement over what the Suns rolled out for much of last season. Phoenix started Royce O’Neale, who stands 6’6”, in 67 games. What you are doing is getting bigger and longer. And you’re adding one of the league’s better shooters to the rotation. 

Now, I wouldn’t sit here and tell you Johnson is some massive defensive upgrade. He’s not. But the gap isn’t nearly as significant as some might assume. Last season, O’Neale posted a 115.1 defensive rating while Johnson came in at 114.7. So you’re not suddenly transforming the defense by making this move.

The other factor you have to consider is the viability of the trade itself. Because Denver’s motivation is an important factor in the equation. The Nuggets are trying to get off money, and they’re motivated to do so. That means any realistic trade discussion has to begin with that understanding.

They’re not looking to take back comparable salary if they can avoid it: they’re looking for relief. So before deciding whether Johnson is worth pursuing, we have to look at what the actual cost would be.

And that’s where things get interesting. When a team wants to get off a contract, it usually has to attach some kind of asset. That’s an important part of this conversation from the Suns’ perspective. If Phoenix could swap its second-round pick and receive Cameron Johnson along with Denver’s 26th overall pick, that becomes one of the strongest arguments in favor of making the deal.

Because it’s not only about Johnson. It’s about opportunity. Adding the 26th pick gives Phoenix another chance to bring in a young player and continue building through development. 

No, the 26th pick isn’t likely to produce a future Hall of Famer. But there’s a very real chance you find a quality rotational player. History tells us as much. Bones Hyland was selected 26th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2021, Payton Pritchard went 26th overall to the Boston Celtics in 2020, and our old buddy Landry Shamet was the 26th pick in 2018 by the Philadelphia 76ers. If you’re looking for the gold standard, it’s probably Vlade Divac, who was selected 26th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989.

Again, nobody is saying the Suns would be drafting the next Hall of Famer. That’s not the point. The point is that acquiring Johnson and a first-round pick creates value. You get a proven NBA rotation player who addresses a current need, and you get another developmental asset at a time when draft capital remains one of the most valuable commodities in the league. From Phoenix’s perspective, that’s a win.

And Denver could view it as a win as well. The Nuggets would save roughly $4.9 million in payroll, easing some of the pressure on their cap sheet and moving them just under the first apron. That’s what makes the framework interesting. It’s one of those rare trades where both sides can make a legitimate argument that they improved their position.

The final reason this trade makes sense is the contract itself. Cameron Johnson is on an expiring deal. Meanwhile, Grayson Allen has two years remaining on his contract, with the final season carrying a $19.4 million player option.

From a business perspective, there’s logic here. You acquire a first-round pick and inject another young player into your development pipeline. You add a player who can realistically replicate much of the shooting you’re sending out the door. You gain additional size on the wing. And perhaps most importantly, you create future financial flexibility. That’s valuable, especially for a team trying to balance competitiveness with long-term roster construction.

Johnson is a proven shooter. He’s familiar with Phoenix. He fits the style of basketball the Suns are trying to play. And because his contract expires after next season, you’re not making a long-term commitment that could limit future options. That’s a meaningful distinction. If things work, you can always explore bringing him back. If they don’t, the contract comes off the books, and you regain flexibility.

When you combine that with the potential addition of Denver’s 26th overall pick, the framework starts making a lot of sense from Phoenix’s perspective. You’re getting younger, you’re getting bigger, and you’re maintaining shooting. And you’re improving your long-term financial outlook.

That’s why, if Denver is willing to entertain a deal built around that framework, it’s one that the Suns should seriously consider.

The Case for Not Acquiring Cam Johnson

When you look at the Phoenix Suns’ offseason goals, the first question is simple. What are they prioritizing?

Are they trying to get below the luxury tax and reset their repeater tax status? Are they comfortable paying the tax but determined to stay below the first apron? Or are they willing to cross the first apron as long as they avoid the second? Those are important questions when evaluating a potential trade for Cameron Johnson.

Because in this scenario, Phoenix is taking on more money than it’s sending out. For a team that still has to navigate new deals for Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams, that has merit. Every move has to be viewed within the context of the larger plan.

That’s why I keep coming back to the hierarchy of decisions. Where does Cameron Johnson rank on that list? You could easily argue that of those four players, Johnson is the least essential to what Phoenix is trying to accomplish. 

He’s also the most expensive. Yes, the contract expires after next season, which certainly helps. But an expiring contract doesn’t magically erase the financial implications of carrying a $23.1 million salary. Especially for a team already carrying $23.2 million in dead cap. That’s the reality Phoenix is dealing with. You can’t simply start adding $20+ million contracts because the player fits a need. Every dollar has to be accounted for and every decision has to fit into a broader strategy.

That’s what makes the Cameron Johnson conversation so interesting. You can argue that the basketball fit makes sense. The financial fit is where things become much more complicated. And until the Suns decide exactly where they stand on the luxury tax, the first apron, and the second apron, it’s difficult to know whether a move like this is realistic or simply an intriguing idea on paper.

And speaking of strategy, where exactly does Cameron Johnson fit? Grayson Allen, the player you’d be sending out in this deal, is a bench player. An expensive bench player, sure, but a bench player nonetheless. Acquiring Cameron Johnson would likely mean inserting him directly into the starting lineup at power forward. Is that the right move?

Once again, the answer comes back to philosophy. What is the guiding principle for the Phoenix Suns entering next season? If development is truly at the core of what they’re trying to accomplish, then you have to consider what this move means for Rasheer Fleming. Fleming is sitting there with an opportunity to earn a starting role. If you bring in Johnson, are you once again limiting that opportunity? Are you reducing his exposure and slowing the learning process? Or is the plan to continue developing him in a reserve role while Johnson handles the bulk of the minutes?

That’s the question. And for me, the answer is pretty straightforward. I’d rather see Fleming out there. I’d rather see him making mistakes, learning on the fly, and gaining valuable experience than watching the Suns invest significant resources into a one-year rental of Cameron Johnson.

That’s not a knock on Johnson. He’s a good player. He fits. He helps. But if Phoenix is serious about development, then development has to win these tiebreakers. At some point, you have to give young players the runway to prove what they are. If the Suns truly believe Fleming is part of their future, I’d rather spend next season finding out exactly what they have in him.

You could make the argument that swapping Cameron Johnson for Grayson Allen makes the Suns younger. Technically, you’d be right. But only by 146 days. That’s it. Johnson is 30 years old. Allen is 30 years old. The age difference is practically nonexistent. Honestly, I was surprised when I looked it up.

The other piece of this conversation is the draft pick. If Denver includes the 26th overall selection, that player is coming in on a guaranteed contract. Compare that to the Suns staying at No. 47, where the most likely outcome is selecting a player, signing him to a two-way deal, and allowing him to develop in the G League.

There’s a financial difference there. Based on the current rookie scale, the 26th pick would sign a four-year deal worth roughly $16.3 million, with approximately $3.2 million hitting the books next season. So when you run the numbers, the equation starts to look very different. Phoenix would be sending out roughly $18.1 million in salary and taking back $26.3 million. That’s an increase of $8.2 million before we even explore Gillespie, Goodwin, or Williams.

For a team carrying $23.2 million in dead cap while trying to navigate the luxury tax and apron restrictions, every dollar matters. That’s why, despite the appeal of adding Johnson and a first-round pick, I keep coming back to the same conclusion. It’s not a basketball decision. It’s a math decision. And right now, the math doesn’t work. Not for a franchise in the Suns’ current position.

Maybe if the cap sheet looked different. Maybe if the dead money wasn’t sitting there. Maybe if the organization had more financial flexibility to absorb additional salary. But that’s not where Phoenix is today. At this point in the organization’s timeline, taking on an additional $8.2 million in payroll simply isn’t the smartest use of resources. No matter how intriguing the trade may look on paper.

I find this trade fascinating. There’s a legitimate case to be made on both sides. If you’re focused on improving the roster today, adding Cameron Johnson and moving up to the 26th pick feels like a smart piece of business. You get bigger, maintain shooting, add a first-round prospect, and create some future flexibility with Johnson’s expiring contract. There’s real value there.

At the same time, if your focus is continuity, development, and the preservation of financial flexibility, the argument against the trade is just as compelling. The added salary complicates an already delicate cap situation, potentially impacts opportunities for younger players like Rasheer Fleming, and forces Phoenix to make even tougher decisions elsewhere on the roster.

That’s what makes this such a great offseason thought exercise. There isn’t an obvious right answer. There’s simply a choice between two different paths, each with its own benefits and consequences. I can see the appeal of both. The question is which direction you would take. Would you make the move and bring Cameron Johnson back to the Valley, or would you stay the course and continue investing in the group already in place?

Courtside chair Taylor Swift sat in for Cavs-Knicks game is up for auction originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The courtside seats in Cleveland will soon have a blank space.

The chair Taylor Swift sat in during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks has been listed for auction.

According to the listing on The Realist, the opening bid was $100 and, after 38 bids as of Sunday, was listed at $6,000. The auction is set to end June 14, per the listing.

“As one of the most recognized and influential artists of her generation, the occupant of this chair has earned worldwide acclaim through a career defined by commercial success, critical recognition, and multiple Grammy Award victories,” the bidding description reads. “Her attendance reflects the cultural reach of the NBA Playoffs and the significance of the Eastern Conference Finals as one of the most visible events in sports.”

Swift attended the game on May 23 at Rocket Arena with her fiancée, Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs star and an Ohio native. The chair Kelce sat in is also up for auction at, as of Sunday, $525 after 30 bids.

But it was a cruel summer for the Cavaliers, who lost the game the couple attended 121-108 en route to getting swept in the series – meaning those courtside seats won’t be needed any time soon.  

The chair features a Cavaliers logo, arm rests and a cup holder. The listing says an authenticator was on site to witness Swift’s use of the chair during the game, and the item features a Gold OVD.

“This chair serves as a tangible artifact from a nationally celebrated postseason event,” the listing reads.” “Its connection to one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers adds a distinctive layer of provenance to an item tied directly to the atmosphere and excitement of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, further reflecting the Cavaliers’ position at the intersection of sports and pop culture.”

Other seats used by celebrities in the series are also being auctioned. The chair that actor and Knicks fan Ben Stiller sat in during the Knicks’ Game 4 series clincher is listed, as of Sunday, at $385 after 17 bids. Timothée Chalamet’s seat for that game is listed for $106 after 16 bids — and bidders can make it a set by also adding the chair used by Chalamet’s girlfriend Kylie Jenner, which is up to $280 after 21 bids.

“Throughout the 2026 postseason, Chalamet emerged as one of the most visible celebrity supporters of New York basketball,” the listing reads. “Whether attending games at Madison Square Garden or traveling to road playoff matchups, his presence became closely associated with the team’s deepest playoff run in nearly three decades. Television broadcasts, social media coverage, and national headlines regularly featured Chalamet among the faces of a fan base experiencing a long-awaited return to championship contention.”

The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden on Monday for the team’s first NBA Finals home game in 27 years. Holding a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, the team is two wins away from its first championship since 1973. Tickets to the games are at record highs, with the lowest asking prices on the secondary market at five figures.

Celebrity row at the Garden will be full of A-listers. Regulars like Spike Lee, Stiller, Chalamet, Jenner and Tracy Morgan are expected to attend. President Donald Trump will be in the building. Maybe Swift, a New York resident, will even show up.

How much would those chairs sell for?