Category: Basketball

Game 3 of the NBA Finals wasn’t much different than Games 1 and 2: the Spurs got ahead early after a classic slow start from the Knicks, they eventually responded, then everything was once again down to the wire in crunch time with the winner being the team that made one or two more clutch shots. The difference? The location was Madison Square Garden, and the winner was the Spurs, who barely but admirably avoided falling into a 3-0 hole. I continue Fraternizing with the Enemy with with Russell Richardson, editor-in-chief of our Knicks sister site Posting and Toasting, as we discuss what the Spurs did differently to get back in the winners column and how the Knicks, who aren’t used to having to bounce back from a loss these days, will respond.

This has been an enjoyable series so far — the Fraternizing, but I guess the basketball too — so click on the links if you would like to revisit parts 1, 2 or 3.

J.R. 

So, the Spurs showed a few things last night and we now know that they can:

1. Beat NY

2. Win in MSG

3. Stay composed in an intense clutch game in the Finals. 

All of those are important, but I’d say the third is the biggest deal. First, it unlocks the other two. Second, because they’ve been shaky down the stretch in games going back to before Wemby joined the team. 

For years, the knock on San Antonio was that despite their talent, and even though they could stay with teams through three quarters, they couldn’t win games. (I call that a talent gap, but some people call it not knowing how to win — potato potahto). Then the gripe became that they could build a lead, but couldn’t hold onto it. Then they could hold onto leads but couldn’t win close games. Then they could win close regular season games but not close playoff games. Close playoff games but not close Finals games…

You can see where this is going; it’s not like it’s a particularly rare development path. What’s unusual about it is how quickly they’ve moved through these stages to the point that now it’s reasonable to wonder whether they could be the first team to come back and win The Finals after trailing 0-2 at home. I know I brought up pressure in our last conversation but it seems even more important after Game 3, because the series is for sure going back to San Antonio now, and none of the Knickerbockers are going to feel comfortable about the possibility of coming back home for Game 6 down 3-2. Which means they have to go up 3-1. Which brings us to mental toughness. 

I’ll be honest, there were several times last night that I felt like the Knicks were about to put the game and the series away. After the flagrant review of Castle’s ugly looking foul on Brunson, I thought you guys had it. After the challenge that turned Victor’s three into zero points, I thought you guys had it. After Jaylen’s layup cut it to, (whatever it was) I thought you would take it home. But Wemby and the boys kept believing and kept making plays and now we are where we are. And my question is, at what point did you realize Game Three was slipping away?

R.R.

One summer, I took my kids out in a four-pedal paddle boat. We struggled to fit everyone in—my oldest was already over six feet tall, my stepson and I each weighed about 200 lbs., and my third son was scared for his life. Sam had good reason to be worried. We didn’t get more than 10 feet from the dock when the boat started to noticeably move in a vertical direction. Down. We all foot-pedaled furiously back toward the dock, but slowly, ever so slowly, the SS Guppy approached and broke the waterline. Despite our frantic attempts to save ourselves, we watched the disaster unfold in slow motion as we all sank into the drink.

That was how it felt to watch the Knicks shoot 7-of-27 in the fourth quarter of Game Three.

Expecting the Knicks to win 15 straight playoff games was unrealistic. But they had not lost in 46 days, so a little irrationality was permissible.

We always assume that the bright lights and stars at MSG will rattle the opponent. Sometimes it swings the other way. In Game Three, the young Spurs were cold-blooded from the start, while the home team stumbled in the spotlight. Anyone watching on Monday with virgin eyes could not have identified which team was a squad of steady vets, trained under the cruel tutelage of Master Thibs, and which was a group of youngsters who jumped the development line.

One thing we might assume about confident vets is that they will dictate the pace of a game from tip-off. Not so with these Knickerbockers. All season long, they started games flat and played from behind after the first quarter. It was maddening. That changed through the first three rounds of the playoffs, but lately they have returned to their woeful ways. From my recap:

This was the first time they looked like the “old Knicks” since the first round. The lead guys started slow, the reserves provided a second-quarter lift while Towns and Brunson were split up, the play went stale again after halftime, and they hoped for Captain Clutch magic in the fourth. It was as if, after being away from the Garden for 19 days, they’d forgotten what a juggernaut they had become and, returning to their home court, reverted to their bad habits.

I say it often: first-quarter mistakes are just as impactful on the outcome as those in the fourth. New York started the game with two unforced errors and fell behind by seven points, putting themselves on the back foot for the rest of the game. With both teams so evenly matched and deserving of a championship, every brain fart is another nail in the coffin.

On that note, will the Knicks ever win a first quarter? They lost the first in Game One, 27-19, then 34-25 in Game Two, and 33-22 in Game Three. Playing from behind, they won the second quarter in all three contests. Great. But why must they put themselves at a disadvantage every single time? Every first quarter, they turn me into a sputtering, seething Lewis Black.

We must give them credit—the Spurs played their best game of the series. Castle was cooking (and boy, I dig that kid). Their distribution was excellent, their defense was hard-knuckled, and they were wise to keep Wemby away from KAT for long stretches. Both of these things can be true: San Antonio did an admirable job of keeping KAT out of the offense, and the Knicks did a lousy job of incorporating KAT into the offense. Brunson shot 15 more times than Towns. They could have at least split the difference!

Would you believe that Towns finished +8 and Bridges +11? I don’t, but it is true. It’s difficult to fathom because Bridges could not buy a bucket, and Shamet was worse. He crashed back to earth with 1-of-8 shooting and a -22 plus-minus. Shamet’s marksmanship has been a big part of New York’s postseason success. In his return to the Garden, ShamWow went ice cold. If he had made just one or two more threes, New York would be lining up the brooms.

If Mikal plays like that, Mike Brown knows better—he’s gotta sub in Shamet or Clarkson (OK, not Shamet this time). When Bridges is down, it seems like he doesn’t want to be on the court, which is weird for the guy with the longest active streak of consecutive games played. His foul on Wemby, when he had linked into his limbs like they were playing Twister, is the kind of stuff Bridges does when his confidence is shaken. If things are going well, Mikal is great. He has been in eight straight games now. After a few bad turns, though, he tends to ruminate, and it affects his performance. Brown has benched him in fourth quarters before. He should have last night.

Towns can get lost in his head, too. His anxiety reveals itself differently: he gets giddy and does a lot of Gorsh, can you just believe this?-type pantomiming. When that happens, it doesn’t affect his shooting per se, but it does result in forehead-slapping fouls. Which kills momentum and leads to foul trouble . . . which sends him to the bench . . . which reduces New York’s offensive options. . . . Sigh.

Josh Hart is different. He will randomly lose confidence in his shot and then play hot potato for a few games before snapping out of it. But that never affects his overall play, he’s the same maniac throughout. Brunson is mostly a killer, but if he’s getting smacked around without calls, his anger either leads to a turnover or a dagger three to win the game.

Occasionally, in late-game, high-stakes situations, OG Anunoby gets the yips at the charity stripe. It’s one of the few flaws in my favorite Knick; otherwise, he is one of the most unflappable hoopers to ever play. While his missed free throw late in the fourth was costly, his corner three redeemed him and nearly saved the game. When it came time for that last shot, we would rather that OG had taken it (“NOT BRIDGES, NO!!” I yelled), but even if it went in, a Manhattan Miracle was still needed. They were losing by four with five seconds left. (Note that if OG had made that free throw, a longball would have tied it. . . .)

Nevertheless, despite so much going wrong, I also thought the Knicks were right about to bust open the game many times. There is a lot of complaining in NY about the officiating (some warranted), but ultimately, the Knicks lost because they missed too many shots. We doubt they will misfire so badly in Game Four. From your side of the aisle, did this feel like a Spurs victory or a Knicks collapse? And what do you expect on Wednesday night?

J.R. 

It certainly didn’t feel like New York collapsed. Every team goes through dry spells, and after winning a few dozen games in a row (I honestly lost count), eventually you might have a poorly timed dry spell and drop a contest once a millennia or so. I’m just saying it’s a thing that happens, though it’s understandable if you’ve forgotten what it’s like in the interminable time since Knicks fans have had to suffer the indignity of taking an L.

As far as starting slow goes, man, the Spurs have been there. It was such a thing that it led to the team getting upset after a loss and shaving their heads. (I sure hope I’m remembering the timing of this right. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.) To be precise, Keldon Johnson, and Wembanyama shaved their heads. There were a few other guys who trimmed their hair and some others who were threatened. Carter Bryant was told that if he blew three more dunks before the season ended that he’d have to shave his head. Instead of the ambitious dunks that he’d been missing repeatedly during games, he switched to easy two-handed shove-it-in-the-basket for a few weeks out of fear KJ wasn’t joking. 

Anyway, the first game after going bald, Wemby and the team started sprinting out of the gate and they have won first quarters, or at least the beginning of the game, like clockwork ever since. It sure is fascinating when a team flips a switch like that. Makes you wonder about how it’s done, when sometimes it takes players years to get out of some ruts. 

You said you love Castle, so I’ll admit that I’m crazy about OG. He’s the guy I’ve wanted on the Spurs ever since his name was tossed around while SA came to terms with Toronto on the Leonard/DeRozan deal. Can’t tell you how jealous I was when NY nabbed him. That said, my heart belongs to Josh Hart. I don’t know what it is about guys like him and Alex Caruso, but I can’t ignore it. Hart seems to always be in the right place at the right time making the right play precisely the way necessary to end an opponent’s run or preserve his team’s flow. Plus, he plays with so much passion and savvy and he reads exactly where weird rebounds are headed so frequently it’s infuriating. 

Anyway, thanks for the player personality breakdown, it’s helpful to understand the opposition better when I haven’t been watching them much this season and only know them by the way they play against San Antonio. I’d have never thought that about Bridges, who’s always seemed imperturbable to me. 

As for what I expect in Game 4, I’ll begin with what I don’t expect: another impeccable shooting performance from Hart and Clarkson. I also don’t expect KAT to Chet the bed again. He’s too good a player to disappear two games in a row, right? I also don’t expect Fox to go 4-14 again, no matter how bad his ankle is. I could see the Spurs continuing to get Wemby closer to the rim. So far, across the three games, his average shot distance has gone from 17 feet to 13 to 10.6. I don’t know that it’ll get lower than that, but I like SA’s chances as long as it doesn’t start going up again. I expect more great defense from both teams, and I expect a tied series heading back to Texas. 

What do you expect from G4, and who do you think will have the biggest bounce back game?

R.R.

Chet the bed. That’s so deliciously mean, I have to add that to my repertoire.

I shaved my head once, either just before or at age 21. I had applied midnight black hair dye and, while waiting for it to set, I drank too much Goldschläger (any Goldschläger is too much Goldschläger). After a while, I checked and saw that my hair had turned Smurf blue. Hammered, impatient, and disappointed, I decided to shave it all off. The next day I shambled into work, hungover and looking like I was wearing a blue skullcap. The dye had stained my scalp. My coworkers assumed I’d been in some accident. How come nobody told me that shaving one’s head is the secret to improving basketball skills? If I’d known, I would’ve gone straight to the Y to school some fools . . . with my bald, blue head . . . covered in nicks from the dull razor I had used. . . .

The Knicks don’t do anything quite as interesting when the team needs a jolt. Brunson, the team captain, calls a meeting. They air it out. They play better afterward. Since the entire Knicks organization keeps secrets tighter than the Genovese crime family, details of team meetings are never leaked. If any Knick ever shows up on the injury report with broken thumbs, rest assured he’s a rat.

You and I seem to appreciate similar qualities in hoopers. I have equal amounts of affection for Anunoby and Hart. On any given day, I’ll call either one my current favorite Knick. When Josh arrived in New York in a swap with Portland for Cam Reddish, I was unfamiliar with his game but a friend from Seattle said, “You are going to love him.” ‘Tis true. These days, I consider him a modern-day Dennis Rodman with better offensive skills. Although I’ve mentioned this in posts, no one has congratulated me for this genius comp. You watched the Worm play, I assume. Is the comparison apt?

That’s an interesting stat about Wemby inching closer and closer to the rim. I expect Mike Brown to scheme a response to that. As for who will have a bounce-back game, can I answer “the whole team”? Shamet will sink three to four threes, Bridges will get his shot count up, and KAT will log a 20-10 double-double. With their cold shooting spell snapped, I predict the Knicks to take a 3-1 lead back to Texas.

By the way, congratulations to us for not mentioning the officiating. That grenade would blow up the comments section. Oh, but look at the time! I’ve overstayed my welcome already. Good luck to you tonight (but Knicks Forever, of course).

J.R.

Congratulations, Russell, you have activated: Fraternizing with the Enemy’s, lightning round! Ready, begin!

I see your nicked-and-dyed scalp story and raise you a Wemby in the park sketching a statue on the day of the game story. 

If broken thumbs means a rat, what does a broken hand mean? 

The “Rodman, but with offense” comp is pretty apt, but I gotta go back to Alex Caruso. Both guys embody modern basketball through the lens of Wayne Gretzky, the man who skated to where the puck was going to be. Josh teleports across the court to materialize with the ball in his hands. 

No, you may not answer, “the whole team” but thanks for playing! See you on the road back to San Antonio!

Here is my latest conversation with J.R. Wilco of Pounding the Rock. On Monday night, the Knicks shooting went cold and the Spurs handed them their first loss in 13 games. Now, with New York clinging to a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals, they must defend home court and prevent a series tie before heading backing to San Antonio. Can they do it? Read on to find out what these dashing, highly-paid basketball experts think.

Here are links if you missed part 1, part 2, and part 3.

J.R. 

So, the Spurs showed a few things last night and we now know that they can:

1. Beat NY
2. Win in MSG
3. Stay composed in an intense clutch game in the Finals. 

All of those are important, but I’d say the third is the biggest deal. First, it unlocks the other two. Second, because they’ve been shaky down the stretch in games going back to before Wemby joined the team. 

For years, the knock on San Antonio was that despite their talent, and even though they could stay with teams through three quarters, they couldn’t win games. (I call that a talent gap, but some people call it not knowing how to win — potato potahto). Then the gripe became that they could build a lead, but couldn’t hold onto it. Then they could hold onto leads but couldn’t win close games. Then they could win close regular season games but not close playoff games. Close playoff games but not close Finals games…

You can see where this is going; it’s not like it’s a particularly rare development path. What’s unusual about it is how quickly they’ve moved through these stages to the point that now it’s reasonable to wonder whether they could be the first team to come back and win The Finals after trailing 0-2. I know I brought up pressure in our last conversation but it seems even more important after Game 3, because the series is for sure going back to San Antonio now, and none of the Knickerbockers are going to feel comfortable about the possibility of coming back home for Game 6 down 3-2. Which means they have to go up 3-1. Which brings us to mental toughness. 

I’ll be honest, there were several times last night that I felt like the Knicks were about to put the game and the series away. After the flagrant review of Castle’s ugly looking foul on Brunson, I thought you guys had it. After the challenge that turned Victor’s three into zero points, I thought you guys had it. After Jaylen’s layup cut it to, (whatever it was) I thought you would take it home. But Wemby and the boys kept believing and kept making plays and now we are where we are. And my question is, at what point did you realize Game Three was slipping away?

R.R.

One summer, I took my kids out in a four-pedal paddle boat. We struggled to fit everyone in—my oldest was already over six feet tall, my stepson and I each weighed about 200 lbs., and my third son was scared for his life. Sam had good reason to be worried. We didn’t get more than 10 feet from the dock when the boat started to noticeably move in a vertical direction. Down. We all foot-pedaled furiously back toward the dock, but slowly, ever so slowly, the S.S. Guppy approached the waterline. Despite our frantic attempts to save ourselves, we watched the disaster unfold in slow motion as we all sank into the drink.

That was how it felt to watch the Knicks shoot 7-of-27 in the fourth quarter of Game Three.

Expecting the Knicks to win 15 straight playoff games was unrealistic. But they had not lost in 46 days, so a little irrationality was permissible.

We always assume that the bright lights and stars at MSG will rattle the opponent. Sometimes it swings the other way. In Game Three, the young Spurs were cold-blooded from the start, while the home team stumbled in the spotlight. Anyone watching on Monday with virgin eyes could not have identified which team was a squad of steady vets, trained under the cruel tutelage of Master Thibs, and which was a group of youngsters who jumped the development line.

One thing we might assume about confident vets is that they will dictate the pace of a game from tip-off. Not so with these Knickerbockers. All season long, they started games flat and played from behind after the first quarter. It was maddening. That changed through the first three rounds of the playoffs, but lately they have returned to their woeful ways. From my recap:

This was the first time they looked like the “old Knicks” since the first round. The lead guys started slow, the reserves provided a second-quarter lift while Towns and Brunson were split up, the play went stale again after halftime, and they hoped for Captain Clutch magic in the fourth. It was as if, after being away from the Garden for 19 days, they’d forgotten what a juggernaut they had become and, returning to their home court, reverted to their bad habits.

I say it often: first-quarter mistakes are just as impactful on the outcome as those in the fourth. New York started the game with two unforced errors and fell behind by seven points, putting themselves on the back foot for the rest of the game. With both teams so evenly matched and deserving of a championship, every brainfart is another nail in the coffin.

On that note, will the Knicks ever win a first quarter? They lost the first in Game One, 27-19, then 34-25 in Game Two, and 33-22 in Game Three. Playing from behind, they won the second quarter in all three contests. Great. But why must they put themselves at a disadvantage every single time? Every first quarter, they turn me into a sputtering, seething Lewis Black.

We must give them credit—the Spurs played their best game of the series. Castle was cooking (and boy, I dig that kid). Their distribution was excellent, their defense was hard-knuckled, and they were wise to keep Wemby away from KAT for long stretches. Both of these things can be true: San Antonio did an admirable job of keeping KAT out of the offense, and the Knicks did a lousy job of incorporating KAT into the offense. Brunson shot 15 more times than Towns. They could have at least split the difference!

Would you believe that Towns finished +8 and Bridges +11? I don’t, but it is true. It’s difficult to fathom because Bridges could not buy a bucket, and Shamet was worse. He crashed back to earth with 1-of-8 shooting and a -22 plus-minus. Shamet’s marksmanship has been a big part of New York’s postseason success. In his return to the Garden, ShamWow went ice cold. If he had made just one or two more threes, New York would be lining up the brooms.

If Mikal plays like that, Mike Brown knows better—he’s gotta sub in Shamet or Clarkson (OK, not Shamet that night). When Bridges is down, it seems like he doesn’t want to be on the court, which is weird for the guy with the longest active streak of consecutive games played. His foul on Wemby, when he had linked into his limbs like they were playing Twister, is the kind of stuff Bridges does when his confidence is shaken. If things are going well, Mikal is great. He had been in ten straight games. After a few bad turns, though, he tends to ruminate, and it affects his performance. Brown has benched him in fourth quarters before. Maybe he should have last night.

Towns can get lost in his head, too. His anxiety reveals itself differently: he gets giddy and does a lot of Gorsh, can you just believe this?-type pantomiming. When that happens, it doesn’t affect his shooting per se, but it does result in forehead-slapping fouls. Which kills momentum and leads to foul trouble . . . which sends him to the bench . . . which reduces New York’s offensive options. . . . Sigh.

Josh Hart is different. He will randomly lose confidence in his shot and then play hot potato for a few games before snapping out of it. But that never affects his overall play, he’s the same maniac throughout. Brunson is mostly a killer, but if he’s getting smacked around without calls, his anger either leads to a turnover or a dagger three to win the game.

Occasionally, in late-game, high-stakes situations, OG Anunoby gets the yips at the charity stripe. It’s one of the few flaws in my favorite Knick; otherwise, he is one of the most unflappable hoopers to ever play. While his missed free throw late in the fourth was costly, his corner three redeemed him and nearly saved the game. When it came time for that last shot, we would rather that OG had taken it (“NOT BRIDGES, NO!!” I yelled), but even if it went in, a Manhattan Miracle was still needed. They were losing by four with five seconds left. (Note that if OG had made that free throw, a longball would have tied it. . . .)

Nevertheless, despite so much going wrong, I also thought the Knicks were right about to bust open the game many times. There is a lot of complaining in NY about the officiating (some warranted), but ultimately, the Knicks lost because they missed too many shots. We doubt they will misfire so badly in Game Four. From your side of the aisle, did this feel like a Spurs victory or a Knicks collapse? And what do you expect on Wednesday night?

J.R. 

It certainly didn’t feel like New York collapsed. Every team goes through dry spells, and after winning a few dozen games in a row (I honestly lost count), eventually you might have a poorly timed dry spell and drop a contest once a millennia or so. I’m just saying it’s a thing that happens, though it’s understandable if you’ve forgotten what it’s like in the interminable time since Knicks fans have had to suffer the indignity of taking an L.

As far as starting slow goes, man, the Spurs have been there. It was such a thing that it led to the team getting upset after a loss and shaving their heads. (I sure hope I’m remembering the timing of this right. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.) To be precise, Keldon Johnson, and Wembanyama shaved their heads. There were a few other guys who trimmed their hair and some others who were threatened. Carter Bryant was told that if he blew three more dunks before the season ended that he’d have to shave his head. Instead of the ambitious dunks that he’d been missing repeatedly during games, he switched to easy two-handed shove-it-in-the-basket for a few weeks out of fear KJ wasn’t joking. 

Anyway, the first game after going bald, Wemby and the team started sprinting out of the gate and they have won first quarters, or at least the beginning of the game, like clockwork ever since. It sure is fascinating when a team flips a switch like that. Makes you wonder about how it’s done, when sometimes it takes players years to get out of some ruts. 

You said you love Castle, so I’ll admit that I’m crazy about OG. He’s the guy I’ve wanted on the Spurs ever since his name was tossed around while SA came to terms with Toronto on the Leonard/DeRozan deal. Can’t tell you how jealous I was when NY nabbed him. That said, my heart belongs to Josh. Hart. I don’t know what it is about guys like him and Alex Caruso, but I can’t ignore it. Hart seems to always be in the right place at the right time making the right play precisely the way necessary to end an opponent’s run or preserve his team’s flow. Plus, he plays with so much passion and savvy and he reads exactly where weird rebounds are headed so frequently it’s infuriating. 

Anyway, thanks for the player personality breakdown, it’s helpful to understand the opposition better when I haven’t been watching them much this season and only know them by the way they play against San Antonio. I’d have never thought that about Bridges, who’s always seemed imperturbable to me. 

As for what I expect in Game 4, I’ll begin with what I don’t expect: another impeccable shooting performance from Hart and Clarkson. I also don’t expect KAT to Chet the bed again. He’s too good a player to disappear two games in a row, right? I also don’t expect Fox to go 4-14 again, no matter how bad his ankle is. I could see the Spurs continuing to get Wemby closer to the rim. So far, across the three games, his average shot distance has gone from 17 feet to 13 to 10.6. I don’t know that it’ll get lower than that, but I like SA’s chances as long as it doesn’t start going up again. I expect more great defense from both teams, and I expect a tied series heading back to Texas. 

What do you expect from G4, and who do you think will have the biggest bounce back game?

R.R.

Chet the bed. That’s so deliciously mean, I must add that to my repertoire.

I shaved my head once, either just before or at age 21. I had applied midnight black hair dye and, while waiting for it to set, I drank too much Goldschläger (any Goldschläger is too much Goldschläger). After a while, I checked and saw that my hair had turned Smurf blue. Hammered, impatient, and disappointed, I decided to shave it all off. The next day I shambled into work, hungover and looking like I was wearing a blue skullcap. The dye had stained my scalp. My coworkers assumed I’d been in some accident. How come nobody told me that shaving one’s head is the secret to improving basketball skills? If I’d known, I would’ve gone straight to the Y to school some fools . . . with my bald, blue head . . . covered in nicks from a dull razor. . . .

The Knicks don’t do anything quite as interesting when the team needs a jolt. Brunson, the team captain, convenes a meeting. They air it out. They play better afterward. Since the entire Knicks organization keeps secrets tighter than the Genovese crime family, details of team meetings are never leaked. If any Knick ever shows up on the injury report with broken thumbs, rest assured he’s a rat.

You and I seem to appreciate similar qualities in hoopers. I have equal amounts of affection for Anunoby and Hart. On any given day, I’ll call either one my current favorite Knick. When Josh arrived in New York in a swap with Portland for Cam Reddish, I was unfamiliar with his game but a friend from Seattle said, “You are going to love him.” ‘Tis true. These days, I consider him a modern-day Dennis Rodman with better offensive skills. Although I’ve mentioned this in posts, no one has congratulated me for this genius comp. You watched the Worm play, I assume. Is the comparison apt?

That’s an interesting stat about Wemby inching closer and closer to the rim. I expect Mike Brown to scheme a response to that. As for who will have a bounce-back game, can I answer “the whole team”? Shamet will sink three to four threes, Bridges will get his shot count up, and KAT will log a 20-10 double-double. With their cold shooting spell snapped, I predict the Knicks to take a 3-1 lead back to Texas.

By the way, congratulations to us for not discussing the officiating. That grenade would blow up the comments section. Oh, but look at the time! I’ve overstayed my welcome already. Good luck to you tonight (but Knicks Forever, of course).

J.R.

Congratulations, Russell, you have activated: Fraternizing with the Enemy’s, lightning round! Ready, begin!

I see your nicked-and-dyed scalp story and raise you a Wemby in the park sketching a statue on the day of the game story. 

If broken thumbs means a rat, what does a broken hand mean? 

The “Rodman, but with offense” comp is pretty apt, but I gotta go back to Alex Caruso. Both guys embody modern basketball through the lens of Wayne Gretzky, the man who skated to where the puck was going to be. Josh teleports across the court to materialize with the ball in his hands. 

No, you may not answer, “the whole team” but thanks for playing! See you on the road back to San Antonio!

The Minnesota Timberwolves face an important offseason as they need to figure out how to keep pace in a competitive Western Conference.

The Wolves have a chance to remain one of the top teams in the West with the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, among other teams, but they will need to make changes as Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles injury will compromise his availability for at least part of the season.

“DiVincenzo’s Achilles tear has created an opening in Minnesota’s backcourt. Yet while the Timberwolves could retain Conley, who’s a free agent this summer, they’ll more likely re-sign free agent Ayo Dosunmu and use him as their fifth starter going forward,“ ESPN analyst Zach Kram wrote.

With DiVincenzo tearing his Achilles in late April, there’s potential that he may not participate in the 2026-27 season at all. This means the Wolves have to pivot and go in a different direction, but there is a natural solution with Dosunmu, who is a free agent this offseason.

The Wolves acquired Dosunmu in a trade with the Chicago Bulls back in February and acquired his bird rights in the deal. This means the Wolves have the potential to offer him money that exceeds the luxury tax and apron.

Perhaps the Wolves could trade DiVincenzo to a team that can absorb his salary to give Minnesota some cap room, but it isn’t completely necessary. That being said, with a year remaining on his contract and an injury that could keep him out for the entire season, it might be wise to move on from him and give Dosunmu a long-term extension that will establish the future of Minnesota’s backcourt.

Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about Dosunmu’s future with the Wolves? Let us know in the comments section below.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have the 29th pick in this month’s NBA Draft. We’ll see if they can find an impact player at that position.

Let’s take a look at some of the recent mock drafts to see who the experts have the Cavs taking.

The Athletic – Meleek Thomas

Sam Vecenie has the Cavs taking the 6’3”, 19-year-old from Arkansas.

Vecenie writes:

The Cavaliers will have to find a way to cut money from their books, with Dennis Schröder representing one of the easiest ways to do that. If they find a taker on the trade market for Schröder, they’ll need more instant offensive contributions off the bench, and Thomas fits that bill. He’s a highly effective shooter who can attack and handle the ball, but he does need to rein in some of his wilder decision-making issues.

Thomas was an efficient, microwave scorer during his one season at Arkansas. He averaged 15.6 points on .433/.416/.843 shooting splits. The lack of playmaking was a concern for a player of his size. Thomas averaged just 2.5 assists to one turnover per game.

The Cavs struggled to find players who could create their own shot off the bench throughout most of the regular season. Thomas has the skill set to do so, but it’s fair to wonder if the Cavs need another undersized two guard that can’t shift up to the three or handle point guard duties.

SB Nation – Henri Veesaar

Ricky O’Donnell has the Cavs selecting a seven-foot, 22-year-old from Estonia.

O’Donnell writes:

The Cavs have plenty of talent in their frontcourt already with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, but they’ve never had a real stretch-five option. Veesaar could be that after hitting 42.6 percent of his threes on 94 attempts with North Carolina this season. I really enjoyed watching Veesaar’s high-low game with Caleb Wilson, and I think he could have similar success

The Cavs could certainly use an additional big to back up Allen and Mobley. Veesaar should be able to do so.

Veesaar spent three years at Arizona before transferring to UNC this past season. He averaged 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 31 contests. Veesar showed that he could be a decent outside shooter as he connected on 42.6% of his three outside attempts per game.

It’s always risky to draft for need, especially this far into the draft. Getting the best talent available is usually the best bet. That said, it’d be easy to talk yourself into a center with this skillset helping the Cavs.

Yahoo Sports – Koa Peat

Kevin O’Connor has the Cavs taking a 6’9” wing from Arizona with their lone first-round pick. He writes:

The Cavaliers need some toughness in the frontcourt. There may not be a better choice in this range than Peat, whose bloodline is so loaded with offensive linemen that it’s almost funny he ended up playing basketball. His father played nine NFL seasons. His uncle was a Pro Bowl tackle. Two brothers played college ball on the line. And you can absolutely see it in how he plays: powerful, physical, relentless, and it genuinely takes something special to stop him from getting to where he wants to go. He opened the season with a 30-point game against defending champion Florida and backed it up as one of Arizona’s best players all year. The concern is that he doesn’t really shoot, doesn’t create for himself off the dribble without assistance, and he’s not going to wow anyone as a vertical athlete.

You aren’t going to get a perfect wing prospect this late in the draft. Peat certainly isn’t that. But there are plenty of reasons to talk yourself into someone who plays with his level of physicality, even if there isn’t much polish to his game yet.

Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as a freshman. He did this on .528/.350/.623 shooting splits.

We’ll see what direction the Cavs go. The first round of the draft will be on Monday, June 23.

Through all the athletic highs and exciting signs of his potential, Adem Bona’s 2025-26 season was a mixed bag.

The flaws are clear with Bona. Unfortunately, issues like his tendency for errors and spells of too many fouls, somewhat lacking defensive rebounding, and questionable touch around the rim can be glaring when he’s having an off night. And despite some games where he’s a asserting himself as a physical rebounder, there are others where he comes short with his boxing out and positioning in that area. Considering his size, strength and explosiveness, averaging 9.0 total rebounds per 36 minutes (when he does a good job on the offensive glass with 3.7 offensive rebounds) is a touch underwhelming.

All of that led to him falling out of Nick Nurse’s rotation come the end of the playoffs. After averaging 17.4 minutes per game through the regular season and 19.3 minutes through the first three games of round one against Boston (before Joel Embiid returned), he averaged a mere 5.3 minutes through the rest of the playoffs and wasn’t a factor. Thankfully for the Sixers they had other options that could get them by (at least in the epic 3-1 comeback against the Celtics — we don’t need to relive what happened after that again). For instance, with Dominick Barlow stepping up the Sixers do have the option to downsize and embrace faster, more versatile lineups, and that takes a little pressure off Bona for next season. He’s clearly not in a position to be the Sixers’ sole option at backup five right now. But they need a reliable, genuine big to count on.

All these areas will be key to how Bona can progress in year three. His personal fouls started trending down slightly (from 6.8 per 100 possessions as a rookie to 6.0 this season), but he needs to take that a few steps further. He needs to be reliable controlling the ball, catching passes, finishing more of his opportunities in the paint that require some touch, and being a more consistent presence on the defensive glass.

All that said, Bona deserves credit for what he does do well, though. Because when he is a positive on the court, he really can excel in certain areas.

Shot-blocking rate is somewhere Bona thrives. He ranked ninth in the NBA this season in blocks per 100 possessions at 3.2. Even on a per game basis in only 17.4 minutes a night, he averaged 1.2 blocks — good enough for 18th in the league.

He has the leaping ability to elevate under the rim and deter shots in an instant, with the recovery speed and motor to get back for blocks when he’s beat. The explosiveness to fly around as a help defender, or the agility to switch onto a range of positions and stay with drivers from the perimeter all the way to the basket. When Bona is avoiding fouls and alert off the ball, he can truly energize the Sixers’ defense and be a major playmaker protecting the paint.

At the other end of the floor, Bona can do some of the simple things well. When it comes to finishing plays, Bona can explode as a lob catcher and dunk with force when he gets good opportunities. His length and vertical make it easy for him to rise above opponents at times, and his speed down the floor in transition is impressive. He also improved his free throw shooting a little this year, up from 67.0 percent as a rookie to a respectable 70.8 percent.

When things become a little more complicated, though — whether he has to make a catch in traffic and requires more touch and control to finish off the glass or through defenders — is where Bona can fall short. It’s why despite having what should be a very simple and efficient shot profile, he made a modest 66.9 percent of his shots within three feet of the basket this season. For reference, Kelly Oubre Jr., who clearly takes on far more difficult drives, shot 68.9 percent on such attempts. Any improvement there would be key for Bona being able to reliably contribute on offense and maintain increased minutes.

With Andre Drummond set to hit free agency, we could see the Sixers bring in a new veteran center to give Bona some new competition next season. The young big should still have some more opportunity to play and develop next year.

His shot-blocking, athleticism, and defensive versatility with his rare mobility are traits that can’t be taken for granted. If he can add any more polish to his offensive ability and reduce some of his defensive miscues, there’s still a clear path to him becoming a quality backup center.

But Nick Nurse’s patience is only going to get shorter in Bona’s third season. The Sixers can’t wait forever for Bona, and he still has a way to go. It’ll be interesting to see how he looks after another offseason and what he has to offer come October.

New York’s got the need for Reed.

A medium traveled to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday to summon the clutch spirit of Knicks legend Willis Reed — and to cleanse the basketball Mecca after the brutal Game 3 loss to the Spurs a day earlier.

While superstitious fans burned sage outside MSG to purge the arena of any bad juju following the Knicks’ defeat, The Post brought in the big guns to contact the dead.

Award-winning psychic medium Bianca Rose traveled from Long Island — armed with tarot cards, an ouija board, a spirit portal and a silver bell — to the Midtown stadium to give the orange and blue some extra luck as the team heads into Game 4 Wednesday night.

The ghost whisperer stood outside the Garden and repeatedly rang a small silver bell with her eyes shut as she gently whispered a chant, summoning Reed while wearing headphones connected to a specialized spirit portal used to speak with the dead.

Rose said she was successful in contacting the late center who famously shrugged off a thigh injury to take the court in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, which the Knicks won.

Reed, who was known simply as “The Captain,” died in 2023 at age 80, leaving behind a legacy as the heart and soul of New York’s most recent NBA championship teams.

His emergence from the tunnel of the World’s Most Famous Arena remains one of the most iconic moments in the franchise’s history.

Rose added that she repeatedly saw the No. 6, possibly alluding to the number of games it would take to decide the NBA Finals series. The Knicks are now up 2-1.

“I kept seeing the number six,” the clairvoyant told The Post. “These are good signs.”

The paranormal investigator also contacted Charles and Helen Dolan — the parents of Knicks owner and Executive Chairman of MSG Sports James Dolan — reporting that Charles said he would be “really happy” about what’s coming.

Rose also did a tarot card reading and the cards she pulled pointed to defiance and a reignited fire, revealing a tale of a defiant team pushing forward without a care for what others think.

One fan who watched the seance told The Post it was much needed after the Game 3 loss.

“We need this,” he said. “I’m feeling good going into game 4 now,” he said about the cleansing.

The Knicks faltered during Monday’s game against the Spurs for the first time since April 23 — putting an end to a remarkable 13-game winning streak.

The teams will face off for Game 4 on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

The 2026 NBA Draft is just two short weeks away, which means it’s peak smoke screen season for your Dallas Mavericks. Information is coming fast and furious from all over the place, and it’s still very hard to decipher what’s real from what isn’t. One thing that can’t be denied is that there is a ton of smoke around the Mavericks and Arizona G Brayden Burries, with many reports saying that Burries is angling to get to Dallas.

Does that play out in the mocks? Let’s round ‘em up.

SB Nation

9) Brayden Burries (G, Arizona)

There are reports that Burries is trying to land in Dallas to play next to Cooper Flagg. I like the vision even if I’m a bit skeptical Burries has the shot-creation upside to eventually be a star. The Arizona guard is a well-rounded player who defends and rebounds better than your average two-guard, and he’s a really good three-point shooter. Flagg would have to stay in more of a shot-creator role if Burries is the pick, but maybe that’s what Dallas wants. I personally wouldn’t have him as the best player available in this scenario, but Burries’ lack of a glaring weakness makes him a malleable guard who should be able to hang in the playoffs. It’s easy to understand the appeal of that with the No. 9 pick.

Read our profile of Brayden Burries here.

30) Isaiah Evans (G, Duke)

Evans is No. 24 on ESPN’s big board, and he’s already had a workout with Detroit picking at No. 21. The Mavs probably wouldn’t expect him to be on the board with this pick, but if he is, he would add volume three-point shooting around Cooper Flagg.

Read our profile of Isaiah Evans here.

The Athletic

9) Brayden Burries

The Mavericks are another team that has engendered a lot of speculation among sources, something that the new brain trust led by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz will likely appreciate. They’ve explored trading this selection and are considering several different players and positions, from lead guards like Flemings, Wagler, Brown, Acuff and Christian Anderson to Ament to Yaxel Lendeborg.

Burries is the name I hear the most with Dallas, though, with sources around the lottery trying to determine why he’s not working out in as many places as you’d expect given his standing at the start of the process. There is a lot of enthusiasm for Burries among teams who want to try to win next season, as he’s seen as a tough guard who can dribble, pass and shoot who will also defend at a high level with physicality.

30) Isaiah Evans

Evans would represent a terrific floor-spacing and shooting option for the Mavericks, who need to continue accumulating players in that archetype around Cooper Flagg. It probably wouldn’t hurt that Evans played with Flagg last season at Duke and has a terrific understanding already of what the NBA’s Rookie of the Year requires around him.

Bleacher Report

9) Brayden Burries

Brayden Burries is being looked at as high as No. 6 by the Brooklyn Nets. He isn’t expected to fall outside the top 10, with nearly all scouts confident in his strong physical profile, three-level scoring and low-maintenance style.

In the late-lottery, he’ll enter the best-player-available conversation for his downhill attacking, shotmaking, strong defensive tools and knack for scoring without needing heavy usage.

30) Henri Veesaar (C, North Carolina)

Henri Veesaar became one of the draft’s top play-finishers who also hit 40 three-pointers.

He doesn’t block many shots for a 7-footer, but offensively, he has become incredibly productive and efficient with a translatable and coveted inside-out scoring package.

Yahoo!

9) Brayden Burries

Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports reported that Burries hasn’t taken many workouts and there is speculation that he’s trying to angle his way to Dallas. I also have heard that same chatter, which is why he lands here. To add some more color to that reporting: Burries is represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who steered Dereck Lively to the Mavericks with the 12th pick in the 2023 draft, even though some teams picking higher wanted to select Lively. It would make perfect sense for Klutch to want Burries to be the guard paired with Cooper Flagg for many years to come. Burries is a physical, versatile scorer who can beat you from all three levels, rebounds like a forward and competes hard on defense. But he’s a methodical creator rather than an explosive one, and his shooting history before Arizona gives scouts reason to wonder whether the efficiency is real or a blip.

30) Jack Kayil (G, Alba Berlin)

Kayil is a combo guard with a strong frame, a feel for the game that exceeds his youth and the grit to become a high-level defender. He just became one of the youngest players to ever win the German League’s Under-22 Player of the Year, joining Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder on a list that bodes well for his NBA prospects. He committed to Gonzaga in October, but has decided to stay in the draft — a decision that surprised some scouts since he has yet to prove he can shoot consistently or run an offense full time. The speculation around the NBA is Kayil received a first-round promise. If it’s Dallas, the fit makes perfect sense pairing Kayil next to Flagg given how they can share the ball. And his size would allow him to play next to Kyrie Irving early in his career. Maybe Kayil will end up going much higher, though, because there’s no denying his upside.

Sports Illustrated

9) Brayden Burries

The Mavericks and Brayden Burries have been a popular pairing of late due to both fit and reporting, and its hard to shake the fact he could be the odd man out of the top bunch, and fit perfect in the Dallas core.

Burries fills the combo guard role well, able to score off the ball in transition and as a shooter, as well as on the ball with handling and pick-and-roll play. He’d be the perfect pairing for Cooper Flagg, who should be able to do the same at a superstar level soon enough.

Even more, Burries should have more upside than it appears given his usage was lesser for an elite Arizona squad. The Mavericks could be a threat to move up or back if they’re unhappy with their range, putting this pairing in jeopardy, though it makes plenty of sense if they stick around.

30) Koa Peat (F, Arizona)

The Mavericks grabbed one Arizona product at No. 9, and cap the first round off with another at No. 30 in Koa Peat.

Peat saw an interesting season with the Wildcats, functioning as one of the team’s best players en route to the Final Four, and impacting the game at several levels. Despite that, he doesn’t yet project flawlessly to the NBA given a lack of 3-point shooting and elite defense, making for a flip-floppy draft case.

Now that he’s entered, a team is likely to bank on him in the first round, and the Mavericks would be happy to bet on pure upside. If Peat’s 3-point shooting comes around, his interior scoring, passing and defense would all be more manageable.

With the NBA Finals currently underway, news and discussion about the Suns have quieted down over the last few weeks. That said, it’s important to highlight how this team can improve to put itself in a better position heading into next year. So that brings us to another edition of the Suns trade verdict, one that I am excited to go over today.

That player, as you know, is Naji Marshall, a solid wing on the Dallas Mavericks who I feel could help the Suns take that next step. Marshall is someone many teams could covet in the trade market, as the veteran is a solid role player on a cheap deal. With the Mavericks cleaning house in the front office and coaching staff, it seems anything could be on the table—especially a player who is not cemented into the future of the franchise, with a tradable contract.

Is this a move the Suns’ front office could make to add on the margins without shaking things up? Let’s find out!

How could the Suns get this done?

In most of these trade-verdict articles, there are plenty of moves the team can make, but for this one, there are only two that can be done one-for-one. That would be either trading Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale for Naji Marshall.

And the Royce scenario:

In this scenario, the Mavericks cannot take back either Dillon Brooks or Jalen Green without involving other contracts.

Which trade makes the most sense?

It looks like either could be done personally. The Mavericks struggled from the three-point line and could use more alongside Cooper Flagg. In an earlier STV, we looked at another Maverick, P.J. Washington, and discussed how an Allen-for-Washington deal was the best for both teams.

Allen would benefit the Mavs, but in this trade, Dallas would prefer O’Neale because the contracts are closer in value. In a Marshall for Allen deal, the Mavericks take back an extra $8.7 million for no reason, hindering their ability to make further moves in free agency.

In the O’Neale trade, the Mavericks are still taking on money, but a lot less: $1.4 million, which will still keep them as an under-the-first-apron team. Similarly, for the Suns, this would save them money, allowing them to use the extra change to bring back their own free agents.

Why could this trade get done?

This one could get across the finish line if Dallas were ready to sell some players. For starters, the Suns should be all over this and for the right reasons. One, his contract, as I stated above, is cheaper than O’Neale’s, which would help with the financial hiccups down the line. Secondly, Marshall is a free agent next year, allowing him to have a trial run with the team without committing to any long-term money.

Then you add that Marshall can be a positive for this team and that it’s appreciated. Personally, I’ve loved watching O’Neale over the past few seasons, as he has a winning mentality, heart, and hustle on defense. Unfortunately, he has just gotten a bit older and, with that, has slowed down on defense. Yes, he has gotten streakier as a shooter too, but that always happens with players of his archetype.

For the Suns, Marshall can be exactly what Royce was, but younger and a bit more athletic. We all know O’Neale is that catch-and-shoot scorer on the perimeter, a solid perimeter defender who can scrap for some impactful rebounds. Marshall would come in and play a similar role to fill the void left by Royce.

Even if they are the same size, both at 6’6”, Marshall does seem like he plays a bit bigger and has the same aggressiveness that O’Neale does, which is key. Marshall might be a worse three-point shooter, which is tough, but he still brings value to the squad. He is one of the more efficient scorers in the league, shooting 51% from the field last year. His ability to guard multiple possessions as a solid perimeter defender and knack for scoring at the basket could compensate for his lack of three-point shooting.

He has that blue-collar mentality that O’Neale has, to be a junkyard dog and do all the dirty work, which is all you can ask for in someone who could be a key role player for the team.

The question here, though, now arises with the Mavericks. Will Dallas ship off a younger player for an older one? Do they want to trade someone who is going to be a free agent to get someone locked under contract? Do they think O’Neale can help either now or in the future?

Those are all things the Suns have to worry about if they choose to get this one done. Personally, I don’t know if they would trade Marshall for O’Neale, as they are looking to reshuffle the deck. If they have Cooper Flagg and want to get into that timeline, why go older rather than trade for younger players? That may be the case for Dallas, but could a veteran help them in the future?

With Flagg and Washington already there in Dallas, there really is no need for Marshall either. The same could be said of O’Neale, but on a bad team; the veteran could look like one of their better role players and get flipped down the line. Since he is still under contract, this could allow the Mavs to build on a Marshall flip if his value were to rise.

Ultimately, if Dallas made this move, bringing in O’Neale as a bench presence wouldn’t be bad, especially if they want to avoid being at the very bottom of the Western Conference. If they still want to tank but remain somewhat competitive, O’Neale can step in when needed.

The foolproof way to get this deal done is to make it a three-team deal. This would have the Mavericks trade O’Neale to another contender, then acquire a younger piece or a draft pick to accompany their reshuffle. This makes the most sense for all parties involved and can be done as the offseason progresses.

Overall, a player like Marshall should be someone this front office looks at, as he could add in areas of need and replace a player who plays a similar role without messing up the chemistry too much with a big splash. What do you think, though? Would you welcome a Naji Marshall trade to Phoenix? If not, why?

Draft season is no stranger to rumors. It’s why some prefer the term “smoke screen season” when discussing the period between the NBA Draft Lottery and the NBA Draft.

For the Washington Wizards, those rumors began the second they won the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. That’s because this class lacks a consensus top prospect, with three vying for the No. 1 spot.

AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are viewed as possibilities for Washington. Dybantsa is currently the -450 favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook to be the No. 1 pick, followed by Peterson (+380) and Boozer (+1700).

Below is an updated log of every Wizards-related draft rumor, from trade down talks to which prospect is most likely a Wizard by June 23.

June 8

Sam Vecenie: Washington is doing its due diligence and hasn’t decided on the No. 1 pick, but AJ Dybantsa remains the most likely target. (The Athletic)

Brett Siegel: While the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago have called the Wizards to inquire about the No. 1 pick, there are zero indications that these conversations have matured into anything serious.

“Dybantsa is the clear selection for the Wizards, and there isn’t a reason to believe right now he won’t be the first name called by Adam Silver on draft night.” (ClutchPoints)

June 4

Kevin O’Connor: “For now, the most likely scenario is staying at the first pick and taking Dybantsa, who could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators.”

The consensus among NBA mock drafts pins Dybantsa as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick.

May 15

Brian Windhorst: “The Wizards are sending out signals that they’re willing to deal the No. 1 pick, but it may NOT be the Jazz who move up.” (ESPN)

As President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger told Jake Fischer at the draft lottery, the Wizards will consider trading down from the No. 1 pick. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Utah Jazz, who own the No. 2 pick, will be the only team interested in acquiring the top pick, according to Windhorst.

May 13

Marc Spears: “The Utah Jazz have reached out to the Wizards about potentially trading up for the No. 1 pick.” (Andscape)

This is not a remarkably crazy report, as Washington made its intentions to keep all options open at No. 1 public at the draft lottery.

Adam Finkelstein: “Dybantsa was hoping to stay in Utah.” (CBS Sports)

This report builds on the notion that Dybantsa prefers the Utah Jazz select him so he can stay in the same state he played his senior year of high school (Utah Prep) and freshman year of college (BYU). Dybantsa has since made it clear that Massachusetts, where he was born, is his home state — not Utah.

Nelson gets ‘goosebumps' from rise up Sixers' ranks  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Monday wasn’t just another day at the office for Jameer Nelson.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since his elevation to Sixers executive vice president of basketball operations, Nelson thought back to how he got there.

“It’s actually a surreal moment,” he said from the lobby of the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey. “Six years ago when I started, I had no idea where this journey would take me. Credit to the organization for believing in me — Daryl (Morey) and (Elton Brand) as well, pushing me to do more, get better at my job and just allowing me to grow. 

“I’ve always been a 76ers fan. I’ve always wanted to play for the organization. To do it for the home team gives me goosebumps, to be honest with you.”

There’s now only one person above Nelson in the Sixers’ basketball operations department in president Mike Gansey.

He wanted to team up with Nelson, a Chester native, Saint Joseph’s legend and longtime NBA point guard. 

“I’m obviously very, very excited to have Jameer as my No. 2,” Gansey said. “That was kind of a sticking point, talking to (Sixers managing partner Josh Harris) and Bob (Myers, president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment). He was someone I really wanted throughout the process. Jameer’s very, very well-respected throughout the league.”

Nelson played his final professional game in 2018. He interviewed for the St. Joe’s head coaching job in 2019 (Billy Lange was hired), served as an in-studio college basketball analyst for CBS Sports Network, and considered his next steps.

Brand pitched him on the front office route and Nelson started in 2020 with a duel role as Sixers scout and Delaware Blue Coats assistant general manager. 

“I’m going to be honest with you,” Nelson said, “I thought I was going to be a coach. But when you’re working in the front office, you get to coach in your own way. Starting as a scout and in the G League, being able to run a team in the minor leagues, it’s important. It was important for shaping me into the executive I am now. Collaborating with coaches and players, I quench my thirst for coaching there.”

Once Nelson got rolling with the Sixers, he enjoyed the work and earned promotions.

The location was meaningful, too. 

“In the past I’ve had opportunities other places,” Nelson said. “I wanted to be part of the solution here. The thing that matters most to me here is I’m home. My family is here. I’m a Sixers fan. My favorite basketball player of all time is Charles Barkley, and (Allen) Iverson and Kobe (Bryant) — people that played in this area. I feel like there are possibilities to help this organization move forward.” 

With the Gansey era underway and many major roster decisions to come— the NBA draft, team options, free agency, potential trades — Nelson knows his voice will matter.

“Just being able to learn and grow is the main focal point this year,” he said. “I think Gansey said it up there: You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. You don’t have to be ready, but you have to be prepared. 

“I look at it like that. Just be prepared for everything, figure things out and help make the right decisions.”

The question for years surrounding LeBron James hasn’t been whether he can still play at an elite level. It’s how long he wants to keep doing it.

At 41 years old and coming off his 23rd NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers star remains one of basketball’s most productive players. Yet despite constant speculation about retirement, James says the decision won’t come down to age, statistics, contracts or outside opinions.

Instead, it will come down to something much simpler.

In a wide-ranging interview with TIME Magazine, in which he was named the “athlete of the century,” James explained that he already knows the signal that will tell him his career is over.

“It’s up to the mind,” James said. “Where the mind goes, the body will lay.”

For a player who has built his career on relentless preparation, that mindset remains central to everything.

“When I’m not in love with getting to the arenas on game days five hours before to start my preparation, if I’m out of love with getting to practice 2½ hours beforehand, then I know I’ll be done,” James said. “Because then I’m going to start cheating the game.”

The comments offer a rare glimpse into how James views the final chapter of a career that has spanned nearly a quarter of a century.

While many aging athletes measure their future by declining production or physical limitations, James believes the decision will be determined by whether he still enjoys the daily work required to compete.

So far, there are few signs that passion has faded.

Despite missing 22 games, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds during the 2025-26 season while helping the Lakers reach the playoffs.

His scoring dipped to its lowest average since his rookie year, but much of that reflected a changing role alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves rather than a dramatic decline in effectiveness.

James elevated his game in the postseason averaging more than 23 points per contest and carrying stretches of the Lakers’ playoff run with Doncic and Reaves sidelined with injuries.

His future remains uncertain. James is an unrestricted free agent and recently reiterated on his “Mind the Game” podcast that he plans to take his time before deciding whether to return for a 24th NBA season.

Family considerations will play a major role, as will his desire to compete for championships. One thing appears settled, however.

James won’t retire because the calendar tells him to. He’ll retire when the preparation no longer excites him.

And based on his latest comments, that day does not appear to be arriving anytime soon.

New York, New York, the town so nice they named it twice. Madison Square Garden is considered the mecca of sports arena, and the New York Knicks pulled out all the stops for their first Finals home game in twenty-seven years.

The Garden always boasts celebrities and Game 3 of the NBA Finals was no exception. From steadfast fans Spike Lee, Fat Joe, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet to televison personalities Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, during each break in play, the camera found well-known faces.

The arena was rife with sports personalities. Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Rick Pitino, Francisco Lindor, John Franco, Juan Soto, Todd Zeile, Woody Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Adam Fox and Vincent Trocheck were seen throughout the game.

Speaking of sports greats, it couldn’t be a Knicks Finals series without former players and legends. Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Allan Houston, Gerald Wilkins, Al Harrington, Bill Bradley, Richie Guerin, Baron Davis, Tim Thomas, Charles Smith, Steve Novak, Raymond Felton, Larry Johnson, John Starks, Latrell Sprewell, Marcus Camby all greeted the crowd. Jeremy Lin brought the “Linsanity” to MSG.

But fame isn’t limited to the audience.

New York , and arts and cultural hub featured a bevy of in-arena talent.

The national anthem was sung by Avery Wilson.

Wilson, a singer and actor, most recently portrayed the Scarecrow in the 2024 revival of the The Wiz on Broadway.

Broadway, one of New York’s most popular attractions, was featured during a commercial break. A trio from Hamilton performed at center court.

As if Broadway stars, sports legends, and celebrities weren’t enough, the Knicks pulled out all the stops and surprised attendees with a halftime performance by Cardi B.

Of course, the best known celebrity of the night was President Donald Trump. His attendance altered the fan experience considerably. Considering the alterations to schedule, the timing of the game went off without a hitch.

In the end, the most memorable sound was the silence of the over 19,000 fans walking away empty-handed after the Spurs took their first win of the series.

Game 4 tips off at 8:30 EST/7:30 CST tonight.

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When Masai Ujiri was hired he was tasked with a difficult balancing act; build a competent winning team, and set up success in the future. The idea of a full rebuild is sadly impossible due to the lack of draft picks over the next 5 years, and Cooper Flagg’s rapid ascension could mean the desire to win sooner rather than later.

But the Mavericks can’t go all in right now.

The roster is full of odd-fits and mismatched timelines. The addition of the 9th pick further complicates this dynamic because that player will need development.

But blowing up the roster is also not an option, so what do the Mavericks do?

Well I decided to put on my GM hat and take the Mavericks through an entire simulated offseason. This will include everything from coaching hires to mock trades, all in an attempt to correct both the present and future of the franchise.

But before we dive in, what are the specific goals the Mavericks must accomplish this offseason?

1. Use aging veterans and financial flexibility to acquire future draft assets
2. Build the current team to suit Cooper Flagg’s playstyle
3. Begin building the foundation of the basketball culture that will define this era

So with all of that out of the way, let’s begin

The head coach

The first order of business is to hire a new head coach, and with the Mavericks being very early in their search we can only speculate on the potential hire.

But for this excersise we will hire former Portland Trailblazer head coach Tiago Splitter as the next leader of the Mavericks.

Splitter had an impressive season for the Blazers, as he stepped in when Chauncy Billups was fired in an FBI gambling investigation. Splitter led the Blazers to the playoffs, an impressive feat given the impossible circumstance he was placed into.

Splitter would bring a focus on offensive organization and a more balanced shot diet, as the Blazers attempted the majority of their shots at the rim or from three. This change is philosophy is much needed for a Mavericks team who were nearly last in both three point attempts and percentage last season.

Finally, Splitter would have a connection to current GM Mike Schmitz, with the pair overlapping in Portland for a couple of years.

The Kyrie conundrum

With all the talk of resetting the timeline it may feel obvious that Kyrie Irving would be on the trade block.

But it may be smarter to keep Irving for the time being. Irving can still provide value on the court even if his athleticism is diminished from his ACL injury. But this injury is the reason the Mavericks should keep him, with his trade value probably being diminished from where it was before he got hurt.

Now this doesn’t mean the Mavericks shouldn’t listen to offers, and if they get a package that can restock their future draft assets, they should take it. But I don’t expect teams to be lining up with packages that involve multiple first round picks, which is my minimum with any Irving trade.

It would be smart to keep Irving around for now, with any trade being revisited at the deadline. This would allow Irving to come back and show his extraordinary abilities, and possibly drive his price to the point where a trade would make sense.

The Draft

By far the single most important aspect of the Mavericks offseason will be nailing the draft.

The Mavericks do not own another outright first round pick until 2031, and won’t have another opportunity to acquire a premier young player for some time.

Not only do the Mavericks have to draft a player with high-upside, but they also have to fit next to Cooper Flagg long term. Now the draft is still two-and-a-half weeks away, and the order could be shaken up dramatically. But it feels obvious that the Mavericks need a guard, but whether that player will be a ball-handler is still unknown.

The most likely players in my opinion are either Brayden Burries or Kingston Flemings, 2 players with wildly different skillsets. It remains to be seen if the Mavericks want the more pro-ready candidate in Burries, or the higher upside bet in Flemings, either way, a guard being drafted feels extremely likely.

For this excersise, I will default to the mock draft that we recorded on Pod Maverick last Monday, in which the Mavericks selected Flemings.

Flemings would immediately fill multiple holes within the team, serving as a primary point of attack defender, and another downhill threat. He would also help as a floor-general, as his 32.6% AST ranked in the 86th percentile. His shooting is a large concern, but his on-court play and high basketball IQ make him a tantalizing fit on this team.

But the Mavericks also posses the 30th pick, where I will again default to the previously mentioned mock draft, in which the Mavericks select Meleek Thomas.

Thomas was a Freshman last season at Arkansas, and while he was overshadowed by his teammate Darius Acuff Jr., Thomas was still very impressive. His most standout skill is his three-point shooting, as Thomas shot 41.6% from three on 5 attempts per game. Thomas’s size and defense are real concerns, but he would fill the most desperate need on the roster, and could become a very useful player.

Finally, the Mavericks have a second round pick, but this pick will be used in a trade later on.

Overall, the additions of Flemings and Thomas would help to address 3 biggest needs of the current roster. They would also be building blocks of the future, as both were just freshman in college last season.

Possible re-signings

Before the Mavericks can make any new additions to the roster, they have some decisions about players currently on the team.

The 5 players who could receive an extension this offseason include: Dereck Lively, Naji Marhsall, Max Christie, Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse.

The first 2 that we’ll focus on are Nembhard and Cisse, as both will be receiving extensions in this scenario. Nembhard will be signed to a 3 year $9 million deal, and Cisse will be signed to a 2 year $6 million deal. Both of them showed potential last season, and can give you rotation minutes at the very least. Cisse especially showed tremendous upside, and he should be kept around no matter what.

Resigning Nembhard means that Brandon Williams is gone, and while I enjoyed watching Williams play, I do not believe he fits next to Cooper Flagg.

The next player to receive an extension will be Marshall, signing a 3 year $45 million extension. This was the hardest decision of this bunch, but in the end, I felt it was better to keep Marshall around rather than trade him. His new deal is also not very expensive, and if he needs to be moved in a future transaction he still can be.

Finally we get to both Christie and Lively, 2 players who fit Flagg’s timeline, but have significant issues that hinder my excitement.

First with Christie, while he is an effective 3 point shooter and decent defender, his impact is inconsistent at best, and is not worth a potentially lucrative extension. This carries risk due to his current contract because of his player-option next season. If the Mavericks choose not to extend him now, he could become a free agent next offseason, but that is a risk that Mavericks must be willing to take.

On the other hand, there is not questions about Lively’s impact when he plays, as the young big-man has consistently been one of the more impactful role-players in the league. The issue, of course, is his health, as Lively has played in fewer than 50% of the possible games in his career.

But his health issues could help with his next contract, with the Mavericks having the option of extending him now at a cheaper price, rather than waiting for restricted free-agency. The contract I have devised is 4 years 64$ million, but with the only guaranteed seasons being the first 2. This type of contract has been done before, and allows for a compromise between the 2 parties.

Now this still carries risk, especially if Lively is a shell of himself due to the injuries, but the upside is tremendous. If Lively is able to overcome his early career injuries, the 16$ million contract per year will feel like a steal.

Trades

Finally we have reached the most exciting part of any mock offseason; trades.

P.J. Washington

Dallas receives: Keldon Johnson, 2027 Atlanta Hawks first round pick

San Antonio receives: P.J. Washington

This trade has been brewing in my mind while watching the NBA finals, specifically with how much the Spurs have struggled to contain Karl-Anthony Towns. Washington has proved to be a great defender in his time with the Mavericks, and fills a roster hole the Spurs have. The Spurs do not have a player of Washington’s build on roster, and should be in the market to upgrade if they end up losing in the finals.

For the Mavericks this trade is simple; a 2027 first round pick alleviates pressure for next year’s team. If the Mavericks had the security of this pick they would not feel forced to win games, and could put a greater focus on development. This pick is also not a meaningless first, as it would not be surprisng if the Hawks pick could end up in the lottery.

The real hold up for this trade could be the inclusion of Keldon Johnson, with the Spurs possibly being hesitant to move off of the reigning 6th man of the year. But if they feel the need to make major improvements next year, Johnson’s $17 million contract will have to be moved.

Daniel Gafford

Dallas receives: Jarred Vanderbilt, 2032 Lakers first round pick

Los Angeles receives: Daniel Gafford, pick 48

This next trade could trigger some Mavericks fans, with the prospect of helping the Lakers being the last thing many fans want.

But feelings cannot get in the way of a good deal, and this deal makes perfect sense for both teams.

The Lakers are in desperate need of more athleticism and size across their team, with Gafford bringing both in spades. There is also the connection that Gafford and Luka Doncic share, with the ladder being able to advocate for the big men’s services. If the Lakers want to keep Doncic happy they need to continue to add more talent, and who makes more sense then a starter on Luka’s only finals appearance.

The purpose of this trade for the Mavericks is simple; adding another unprotected first round pick. Obviously 2o32 is 6 years away, but all first round picks are incredibly valuable. Whether the Mavericks ever use this pick isn’t the point, rather, gaining more assets and flexibility gives the Mavericks more avenues to build around Cooper Flagg.

So why did I choose these 2 players to trade?

Simply put, their skillsets are redundant on the current roster, and both will be on the decline when the Mavericks are actually ready to contend. The Mavericks already have a plethora of center options, with Gafford being the oldest and most worn down of them all.

Washington’s issue is his fit next to Flagg; simply put, it doesn’t really work. Both players occupy similar roles defensively, and have similar size and athletic profiles. Washington also pigeon-holes Flagg at the 3, rather than his more natural position at the 4.

Finally, Washington does not provide the requisite shooting the thrive off of Flagg’s gravity, and unlike Marshall, he cannot be a primary ball-handler.

Traded player exception

Dallas receives: Isaiah Joe, 2028 UTA, 2029 BOS, 2030 HOU second round picks

OKC receives: Cash considerations

The final trade of this offseason is using an underrated tool that the Mavericks posses; a traded player exception. This exception allows for the Mavericks to absorb any player who has a salary of $20.2 million or under, which is incredibly useful for absorbing a bad contract. The Thunder have to make a move like this due to their proximity to the second apron, and while Joe is a useful player, his minutes had decreased heavily in this year’s playoffs.

The Mavericks would receive Joe, who would add much needed three point shooting, along with 3 second round picks to help the Thunder out.

Free Agency

For the last several years free agency has become much less important, with few teams having any cap space, and exceptions being the only way contenders add players.

This fact is especially apparent in this year’s free agent class, with there being few high-level contributors available, and even fewer who would want to join the Mavericks.

Due to this, I will have the Mavericks split their full non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15,000,000) on two players: Marvin Bagley III, 3 years $25 million, and Simone Fontecchio, 2 years $7 million.

Bringing back Bagley is obvious for me, he was a spark for the Mavericks after the Anthony Davis trade, and brought a different skillset to the center position. Bagley averaged 10 point and 6 rebounds after the trade, but the most interesting development was him shooting 48% from three. If this development can continue over a full season it would allow for the Mavericks to have true versatility at the center position, rather than the simple rim-running big men that have populated the position.

Fontecchio is a lesser known name, as the Italian wing has only spent 3 seasons in the NBA after leaving the Euro league. But his skillset is very intriguing, with his primary value coming from his three-point shooting. Fontecchio has shot 37% from three over the course of his career with an elite .70 3PR. Fontecchio can also compete on the defensive end thanks to his size, measuring at 6’7 and 220 LBS.

While this class may feel lackluster, the Mavericks would be adding 2 solid contributors on cheap contracts, which is exactly what they should be doing.

Final roster

So after all this maneuvering and changes, what does the final roster look like?

• PG: Kyrie Irving, Kingston Flemings, Ryan Nembhard 
• SG: Max Christie, Isaiah Joe, Meleek Thomas,
• SF: Naji Marshall, Simone Fontecchio, Caleb Martin
• PF: Cooper Flagg, Keldon Johnson, Caleb martin
• C: Dereck Lively, Marvin Bagley III, Moussa Cisse, Jarred Vanderbilt

Overall the roster has been changed heavily from what is was before this exercise, with the majority of the focus being on restructuring the depth of the roster. While the starting lineup is similar to last season, the bench has been completely slanted towards three point shooting and offensive creation.

This choice would certainly hurt the defensive upside of the roster, but would completely change the way they play on the offensive end of the court. Joe, Fontecchio and Bagley all bring real three-point shooting, with Flagg, Marshall and Flemings relentlessly attacking the rim.

Klay Thompson is also absent from this roster with the Mavericks buying out his contract. While I searched for a trade, nothing felt very likely, and it would be fair to let the veteran try and win one last ring on a contender.

But the X-factor would be Kyrie Irving. If Irving is able to return to the level of play that he was showcasing pre-injury, then this could be an offense that causes serious problems. But even if he isn’t at his peak anymore, he still brings elite shooting and a clutch-gene that was sorely missing last year.

Combine these upgrades to the roster with 2 more first-round picks, and I would say that this offseason accomplished the goals that were laid out at the beginning: more three-point shooting and creation for the current roster, all while gathering future draft assets.

Celtics' Joe Mazzulla is logging the miles to earn his players' trust originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s not even officially summer and Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is piling up the frequent flier miles in his relentless offseason quest to be near his players.

During the first week of June, Mazzulla was spotted in both Omaha, Nebraska, and Lisbon, Portugal, while supporting Baylor Scheierman and Neemias Queta, respectively. That’s roughly 4,400 air miles between the two spots — with no direct flights — and is only the start of Mazzulla’s worldwide travels aimed at nurturing relationships. 

For Mazzulla, that shared time is key to getting the Celtics where they want to go next. And that wild itinerary reminded us of something poignant that president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told us right before the 2025-26 season. 

“I had a guy that has been around [Mazzulla] working out — he’s been here doing individual work and small group work for a couple of weeks — and he just said, ‘That guy can say anything to me because of the amount of time he spends with me,'” Stevens said. “And I think that that speaks to — you have to build a relationship, you have to get to know people. 

“You just don’t get to throw a whistle around your neck and wear a shirt that says, ‘Coach’ and just be able to coach people. You have to really learn to meet them where they are and then hopefully motivate them, or find the intrinsic motivation and motivate them to use their strengths.”

For Mazzulla, that trusts begins with trying to find out what makes a player tick and often examining the roots of their NBA journeys.

In previous summers, Al Horford marveled at Mazzulla’s willingness to trek to the Dominican Republic to help run basketball camps after Boston’s championship season. When offseason signee Chris Boucher mentioned last year that he was returning to Montreal to be baptized, Mazzulla excitedly asked if he could attend.

While the outside world tends to focus on Mazzulla’s unique personality and the odd ways he choses to motivate himself and his team, his players have bought in largely because of his old-fashioned relationship building.

“He is very unpredictable. People see all these other things. But there’s also, I feel, like the caring factor from him, and it’s a real thing,” Horford told us after Mazzulla’s Dominican visit.

“You can see that he cares about his players, he cares about you as a person, and that’s somebody that you can respect. We can rally around him, he’s genuine, and when he speaks, we listen.”

Horford suggested Mazzulla might even go to great lengths to hide that more human side.

“One of the coaches that was [in the Dominican] told Joe that he wanted him to give another session, another practice,” explained Horford. “So, the next day, we go see the president and we have our moment and everything. And then Joe kind of afterwards, we drive separately, we go our separate ways.

“And he went back to the neighborhood in the Dominican, in La Romana specifically, it’s a city there. And he went back and gave — he’s not gonna talk about this, nobody knows this — but he gave like a two-hour clinic to a bunch of kids down there.

“There were no cameras, there was no anything. And he just went down there with the people and just gave a free basketball clinic and just talked about fundamentals of the game. So, it just speaks of the type of great person and leader that he is.”

Mazzulla, who’s been known to wander off into the Costa Rican jungle on his own summer refresh, was spotted working with Scheierman on the Creighton campus, then accompanied Neemias Queta to Portugal to see two of the teams that Queta played for to start his own basketball journey.

Players like Scheierman and Queta both made big strides last season. If the Celtics are to shuffle closer to title contention next season, they might need both players to take another leap.

For Mazzulla, that process starts long before the Celtics even get back on the floor.