PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 16: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 16, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In this week’s Utah Jazz Reacts survey, I asked Jazz fans who they would prefer starting: Ace Bailey or Jaxson Hayes. That assumes Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are locked into the starting unit. Here’s what Jazz fans said:
It’s pretty clear that a majority of Jazz fans want to see Ace Bailey starting over Jaxson Hayes. Obviously, this changes the starting lineup dynamics, but from what we’ve seen in Preseason, it is probably a better dynamic with Bailey starting.
So what are those dynamics? Well, the philosophy of starting a big next to Jaren Jackson Jr. is that it will help with his lack of rebounding and his high foul rate. It should also help defensively by adding size. At least that’s what I assume after listening to Will Hardy’s latest comments about what Tony Bradley brings to the table (“a lot of size”).
My only issue with that is that we’ve seen Jaren Jackson in foul trouble all preseason while playing next to Jaxson Hayes. On top of that, the Jazz also lost the rebounding battle in their latest preseason game against the Suns, where both teams played their main rotations through three quarters, one of the longest stretches of the season.
We’ve also seen what looks like a leap from Ace Bailey. He’s shooting 45% from the field, but that would be higher if he wasn’t shooting just 27% from three, something we know should improve. But it’s far from just the shooting that Bailey brings. Bailey is playing 23 minutes per game at the 3 and averaging 5.3 rebounds per game. He’s also averaging 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 9.5 points, with a 14.1 net rating, the clear best among the Jazz’s main rotation players. The next closest are Svi Mykhailiuk at 9.8, Lauri Markkanen at 5.2, and Keyonte George at 1.5.
Something is working!
At this point, Utah hasn’t seen a center like Hayes play next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and either improve his deficiencies or help the team win more. So it’s time to run Ace Bailey at the three and let Hayes come off the bench if Jaren Jackson gets into foul trouble, which he likely will.
You can always adjust again if you need to, but at this point we’ve seen enough of what we get with Jaxson Hayes starting and Ace Bailey playing off the bench that it’s time to give Bailey a chance to start. It might be what unlocks everything for the Jazz this season.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: Josh Minott #00 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket while guarded by Pat Connaughton #21 of the Charlotte Hornets during their preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 06, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While NBA pundits and others, including fans of the New York Knicks, either ignore the Brooklyn Nets or alternatively dismiss any chances of success, the players and their coaches legitimately believe they can, as Julius Randle said, “shock the world.” Some might roll their eyes at that prediction or the more specific one that Brooklyn can win 50 games this season and think it’s ill-conceived optimism at best, maybe a casual comment at the least. It is not. It’s the driving force, the mantra, for the youngest roster in the NBA at 24.3 years of age. They believe it!
Now that Las Vegas sportsbooks put their season win total at 24.5, only four more than last season, and ESPN predicted they’d win 18 games, two fewer than last season, the reporters who cover the team day in and day out have their opportunity. The New York Post’s Brian Lewis and the New York Daily News’s C.J. Holmes published their season previews this weekend, the Post as part of a 20-page NBA supplement dominated by their take on whether Jalen Brunson and his Knicks can repeat. We should have ND’s annual reporter’s roundtable ready to go before Wednesday night’s opener at Barclays Center.
In general, Lewis and Holmes are not as pessimistic as the national writers, but no where near as optimistic as the Nets players. In different ways, they look at a 30-win season as something reasonable.
For Lewis, the more intriguing questions are how much further will the team travel on its path to contention … and what the roster looks like after 3:15 p.m., Eastern time on February 11, the trade deadline.
He recites what Sean Marks said back on Media Day on September 28,
“Yeah, it’s exciting that we’ve been able to add this youth to this team, watch these guys develop,” the Nets GM for the last decade said. “We’ve always said over the course of the last couple of years, we’re looking for the next Nets. Who are those guys? So we have a training camp and another year to figure this out as we build.
“We’ve kept flexibility over the last couple of years and know that we’re poised when the time is right. [It’s about] having a foundation. There’s certainly some players here on this roster that will be Nets long term. That’s exciting. … [To] see how they develop over the course of this next year is going to be really important. And it’s not just the young guys; it’s everybody we brought in. Jordi [Fernández] has always harped on developing a 28-year-old or developing a 31-year-old, it doesn’t matter. They’ve all got to show that this is an opportunity they’re going to be given, and how can they develop and take their games to the next level.”
There’s no numerical goal in Marks assessment. The tank may be over but the rebuild clearly is not … and while the GM may be setting goals internally, he’s not providing them publicly. His mantra remains development and that’s not limited to just the eight players on rookie deals, the second rounder on a tw0-way but also the 31-year-old Randle and the 28-year-old Porter Jr. (On two occasions when he’s discussed MPJ’s contract extension, Marks pointedly credited Fernandez’s role in putting MPJ in the right place within the Nets offense.)
Randle is both the most senior Net player at 32 (on November 29, six days after his return to Minnesota) and easily the most accomplished — three NBA All-Star selections and two All-NBA teams plus Most Improved Player while playing for the Knicks.) He also said recently that he is at the peak of his game.
“Yeah, I feel like I’m the best I’ve ever been in my career. And I’m in a perfect situation to play my best under Jordi,” Randle told Lewis. “I think accumulation of wisdom and continuing to improve every single year, I feel like I’m at my best version of myself that I’ve been in my career, and I’m excited to be able to utilize that under Jordi and help this team the best way I can.
“Sean brought me here because of that, because it was time to win. … That’s what it is. … I’m not here to lose. I don’t think anybody’s here to lose this year,” Randle told The Post. “We’re playing to win. That’s as simple as I can put it.”
Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., of course, are what the average Nets fan is most excited by. They’re not only the highest ranking Nets draft picks in back-to-back drafts since Ed O’Bannon and Kerry Kittles in 1995-96. They’re also symbolic of the Nets overall strategy: build organically through the draft. As Lewis writes of Brown Jr., he is a rare combination…
As a Louisville freshman last season, Brown joined stars Steph Curry and Trae Young as the only college players since 2008 to have a 30 percent assist rate, 84 percent foul shooting, 35 percent free-throw rate, and high 3-point volume (over 14 attempts per 100 possessions). That rare intersection of elite passing, volume shooting, and on-ball juice teases a potential All-Star. But there are going to be turnovers and rookie growing pains. Brown is going to have to get bigger, stronger, hone his shot selection, and learn when to settle for safe rather than the high-risk home run pass.
Marks adds that MBJ doesn’t play or act like a rookie.
Demin too presents something new and interesting. After proving that he can shoot the three despite the preseason narrative that he couldn’t, his job now is proving he can go for the more traditional two, testing the lane and going to the line.
The lithe Russian wasn’t just a poor driver as a teenaged rookie, but an unwilling one. But added muscle and a more aggressive mindset have put Dëmin in a position to level up. He’s bigger, stronger, and getting downhill more. After going just 1-for-4 on 2-point baskets in summer league as a rookie, Dëmin came back a year later and went 22-for-29. The disclaimer is that it was just Summer League. Dëmin got extended looks at point guard in camp with Brown sidelined, and attacked the paint, but, again, that’s only preseason.
Then again, in limited action, the two 20-year-olds have displayed a great deal of chemistry. And Nolan Traore, who quite frankly looked like he was the fourth youngest player in the NBA last year, also looked so much better.
Lewis also treats at MPJ departure before or at the trade deadline as a given. After all, if he isn’t extended and the Nets have until June 30 to get it done, he’ll be a free agent days later. Marks & co. certainly don’t want to get noting in return. But on the other hand, this isn’t about helping a team like Detroit or Golden State make a playoff push in return for more picks. The Nets currently have a total of eight firsts in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The Nets’ leading scorer is 28 years old and set for unrestricted free agency, which means he’s going to be a prime trade candidate. The Aug. 11 deadline came and went to extend Porter and still have him eligible to be moved at the trade deadline. General manager Sean Marks has said he wants to see Porter show consistency, leadership, and defense. It also remains to be seen how the Nets perform, and what kind of offers Porter will draw.
The Daily News’ Holmes doesn’t commit to a win prediction, but argues getting from 20 to 50 wins (which would be the second highest total in Nets NBA history) would be extraordinary.
Beating the market would take 25 wins. A meaningful step would look more like 30. Reach the Play-In, and the season gets discussed differently. Getting to 50 would demand all of it at once: the veteran partnership working, the young players growing quickly, and the defense holding up without (Nic) Claxton.
He focuses a lot of his preview on how Randle and MPJ will work together. He thinks they can as do the players.
“We understand each other’s games really well and how we can really complement each other,” Randle told reporters. “We’re two guys that obviously can both really score the ball, but we do it in very different ways.”
Porter has described the same possibility from the perimeter. When Randle pulls a defender into the paint, Porter has room to shoot if the ball comes back out. That one possession obviously can’t account for 30 additional wins, but Brooklyn doesn’t need a historic leap to benefit from it. More paint pressure and higher-percentage looks for its best shooter could lift an offense with plenty of room to grow.
One reason for the optimism, as Holmes writes is that MPJ is as good as it gets in making a 3-pointer while heavily guarded. Just nine percent of Porter’s 3-point attempts were classified as wide open, the lowest share among 307 players who took at least 100 3-pointers. One the other hand, over the past seven seasons, Randle ranks fourth in the NBA in assists leading to 3-pointers, behind only Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić. Heady company.
“We understand each other’s games really well and how we can really complement each other,” Holmes quotes Randle. “We’re two guys that obviously can both really score the ball, but we do it in very different ways.”
There was a little of that in preseason. Who knows, maybe Fernandez was hiding how much he’ll be using said combination. Every smart coach does hide some plays. Despite that, the Nets did lead the league in preseason offensive rating. Over last season with Noah Clowney starting 60 games at power forward, Brooklyn ranked dead last. As Holmes wrote, “Last season gives the Nets little room to pretend the climb is short.”
Still, the optimism is there. “And it’s going to take day by day, step by step,” Brown Jr. said when he first mentioned Randle’s “shock the world” quote to reporters. In the meantime, it’ll be “just getting 1% better every day.”
The Celtics officially converted Devin Carter to a two-way deal. While the team is excited that Carter is sticking around, he won’t be suiting up for a little while.
Carter has mononucleosis, according to multiple reports Sunday. That explains the illness that has kept him out since the preseason opener. There’s no firm timeline for his return, though the Globe’s Gary Washburn reported he could miss a few more weeks.
Devin Carter has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and could miss a few more weeks. #Celtics did announce he has signed their final two-way deal.
That opener was a wonderful introduction. Carter scored 17 points in 25 minutes against Cleveland on 5-of-9 shooting. He went 6-of-6 at the line, putting a ton of pressure on the rim. He also added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He showed a lot of the promise that made him a lottery pick for Sacramento two seasons ago.
His audition was unfortunately cut short after one game, but this lone performance was strong enough and his potential is too much for Boston to pass up on.
Joe Mazzulla pointed to Carter’s ceiling as the reason for the deal. “You see the talent, the impact that he could have, and you want to be able to invest in that,” he said.
Mazzulla on the Celtics signing Devin Carter: "Very talented. Has done some good things in the league … but with us, just gotta put his head down. Really impactful on the defensive end of the floor … came in with a great attitude, did what we asked him to do." @CLNSMediapic.twitter.com/JMiKpQEmRN
Carter is on his third team in four months. Sacramento took him 13th in 2024 and traded him to Atlanta in June. The Hawks then waived him in September to get down to 15 players. Mazzulla said Carter has talent and has shown flashes as a pro, but he needs to put his head down in Boston. So far, that’s exactly what he’s done.
“Came in with a great attitude. Did what we asked him to do,” Mazzulla said.
The Celtics have a lot of options in their development pipeline, but the team uses their G League affiliate in Maine about as well as anyone in terms of investing in young talent and guiding their growth. The two-way deal gives Boston more control of Carter’s trajectory. He’ll fill the team’s third two-way slot alongside Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams.
Carter can also remain available when the Celtics need depth throughout the year, like we saw with Williams last season.
This is a second draft opportunity for both sides. Carter gets a change of scenery, and Boston takes a shot at a player with real NBA skills that has more room for growth.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 08: Devin Carter #99 celebrates with Mike Conley #45 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 124-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Boston has already hit on Neemias Queta, who came off the Kings’ scrap heap as well. Ron Harper Jr. went from an Exhibit 10, to a two-way, to a three-year extension. Carter could have a similar journey in store for him.
He’s a smart and tenacious defender, and Mazzulla called him “really impactful on the defensive end of the floor.” The shooting is a question mark. He shot 27.4 percent from three over his first two seasons. He has other skills worth betting on, but if the jumper comes along, he could find a home here like Queta, Harper, and others have.
Mono will delay that, but Boston’s guard room is in good shape with Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley all healthy. While the Celtics might need Carter at some point, getting him healthy and sharpening his tools in Maine is the short-term focus.
The Celtics see the vision with Carter, and hopefully this is just a brief delay before it starts coming together once he returns.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during player introductions before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Payton Pritchard has been a starter and a sixth man. Overlooked and then underpaid. Scouted as too small, then played a big part on a championship team. Now, he’s gone from making about $8 million a year to signing a two-year, $44.2 million extension. Through all of it, he says the starting label matters a lot less than what he does once he’s on the floor.
“To me, a starter is the amount of minutes you play,” Pritchard said after Sunday’s practice. “Do you finish games? Are you playing 30-plus minutes? Then you are a starter. You know what I mean?”
It’s a useful way to think about a lineup spot, especially on a Celtics team that will need to figure out how its pieces fit together. The starting five will get plenty of attention. Pritchard’s point is that the label doesn’t tell you much by itself.
“How do you impact the game is what really matters to me.”
The label matters less than the minutes
Pritchard has seen both sides of the conversation. He started every game through the first half of last season, then moved to the bench in February as Joe Mazzulla adjusted the rotation. He remained an important part of the team in both roles. Boston didn’t suddenly need less from him because he stopped being introduced with the starters.
On the heels of his contract extension, Payton Pritchard reflects on going from being out of the Celtics’ rotation to everything he has accomplished since:
“You go through so many ups and downs, you’ve just gotta keep going, keep getting better every day. You just don’t know how… pic.twitter.com/SNY5Mhe2Dy
Now, the Celtics are working through another version of that question. Jayson Tatum is back, Jaylen Brown is gone, and Paul George joins Derrick White and Pritchard in a backcourt with a lot of responsibility to sort out. Pritchard could start or he could come off the bench. The decision will likely depend on what Mazzulla thinks the group needs at different moments.
Pritchard sounds comfortable leaving that choice to the coach. “If that’s what Joe thinks benefits the team the most,” he said of coming off the bench. He’ll try to be the best player he can in those minutes.
That isn’t the same as saying the role doesn’t matter. Pritchard has been clear about wanting opportunities to play and show what he can do. Rather, he seems less interested in the status attached to a role than in what he can do once he has one. A starting spot is one way to get minutes, but it isn’t the only way to matter. Pritchard knows that better than most.
Boston’s expectations suit him
He has reasons to value the demands that come with playing in Boston. Asked what he loves about the city and organization, Pritchard pointed to the expectations.
“You go for championships,” he said. “They hold you to a high standard. The media holds you to a high standard, organization too, and I appreciate being in an environment like that.”
That standard can make every rotation decision feel loaded. If a player starts, fans can read it as a sign of trust. If he comes off the bench, they might wonder what’s wrong with him. Pritchard is offering a much less dramatic read: look at how much he plays and how he affects the game.
He has earned the right to make that case. Pritchard is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds, a year after winning Sixth Man of the Year. He just recently signed a two-year, $44.2 million extension, giving the Celtics a longer commitment to a guard whose role has grown steadily.
Payton Pritchard on his extension: "It means a lot."
"$22M a year is a lot of money … sometimes I just like to take that and you can always work for the next one, stay hungry, go after the next one, be a better player … and then hopefully I'm awarded like that again." pic.twitter.com/OCakpw8GXO
Still, he isn’t talking like the contract or the award entitles him to a starting spot. His focus is on how good he can become. “I’m going after my personal greatness for basketball,” he said. “I’m not chasing anybody but myself.”
That’s a pretty ambitious goal for someone who also says he doesn’t care about hearing his name during introductions. The two ideas fit together, though. Pritchard wants to keep improving and take on more. He just doesn’t seem to think the starting lineup is the scoreboard for that.
The Celtics will have plenty to sort out before the season gets rolling. Whether Pritchard is in the first group or first off the bench will be one of the easiest things to track, and probably one of the least useful ways to measure his importance. For him, the real question is what he does after the introductions are over.
Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon in practice on Sunday, ending his comeback attempt this season with the Sacramento Kings before the season even started.
The Kings said Simmons hurt himself during a live drill and will need to undergo surgery three days before the season opener on Wednesday night on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons had signed a one-year deal with Sacramento this summer as he tried to revive his career.
The 30-year-old from Australia is a former No. 1 draft pick, three-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year, but he has struggled to perform and stay healthy in recent years. He sat out last season while dealing with back and leg injuries after ending the 2024-25 season in a reserve role for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons was the first overall pick by Philadelphia in 2016 after playing one season in college at LSU. He sat out his first season with an injured foot but quickly developed into a star player for the 76ers once he returned. He was the Rookie of the Year in 2017-18, was an All-Star the following three seasons, as well as a third-team All-NBA player in 2019-20 and a first-team All-Defense selection in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
He was sent to Brooklyn at the 2022 trade deadline but missed the rest of that season with a bad back. He then played 2 1/2 seasons with the Brooklyn before getting cut in February 2025. He finished that season with the Los Angeles Clippers before sitting out last season.
But he never came close to his level of play early in his career in Philadelphia, averaging 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists during his time with the Nets and Clippers.
Sacramento is coming off a 22-60 season and is trying to rebuild around rookie Darius Acuff Jr., who was picked seventh in the draft after a stellar freshman season at Arkansas.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 16: The sneakers worn by LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 16, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers’ most anticipated opener in years will begin with a reminder of how last season ended.
Five months after sweeping Philadelphia out of the playoffs, the Knicks will receive their rings and raise their first championship banner since 1973.
LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the rest of the Sixers’ new lineup will then attempt to interrupt the celebration.
Philadelphia will then face a challenge that has historically favored the team holding the celebration.
Defending champions have gone 63-16 in their first home game the following season, according to an NBC Sports Philadelphia review of NBA game logs dating to 1947. They have won 79.7% of those games with an average point differential of plus-8.1.
Banner night was not always Opening Night. Before the 2000s, champions sometimes began the season with several road games. For this review, NBC Sports Philadelphia used the defending champion’s first home game of the following season.
Because documentation of early championship ceremonies is incomplete, the review uses each defending champion’s first home game as the consistent historical comparison.
The 2020 Lakers split their celebration. They received their rings before their home opener but waited until fans returned later that season to unveil the banner.
The overall trend has continued in the modern NBA.
Defending champions have gone 23-7 over the last 30 seasons. They have outscored their opponents by an average of 6.3 points.
The seven visitors that won were the 1998-99 Atlanta Hawks, 2000-01 Utah Jazz, 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs, 2006-07 Chicago Bulls, 2011-12 Miami Heat, 2017-18 Houston Rockets and 2020-21 Los Angeles Clippers.
All seven made the playoffs.
Four reached at least the conference finals. The Spurs and Heat won the championship. Houston came within one victory of the Finals in 2018. The Clippers reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021.
The same pattern extends beyond the last 30 seasons.
Only 16 visiting teams have beaten a defending champion in this setting. Thirteen reached the playoffs. Three won the championship: the 1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers, 2002-03 Spurs and 2011-12 Heat.
Winning an October game did not create those postseason runs. Strong teams are often selected to play in these matchups. It still shows the caliber of opponent that has typically been capable of interrupting a championship celebration.
Chicago produced the most lopsided example.
The Bulls watched Miami celebrate its 2006 championship and then handed the Heat a 108-66 loss. It remains the largest margin of defeat for a defending champion in the 79-game sample.
Chicago won 49 games that season. The Bulls met Miami again in the first round of the playoffs and completed a four-game sweep.
The Sixers franchise has been the visiting team in five defending champions’ first home games, including one during its years as the Syracuse Nationals. It lost all five.
Syracuse fell 107-83 in Boston’s first home game as defending champion in 1957.
The Philadelphia-era Sixers are 0-4. Three of those games came against Michael Jordan’s Bulls.
They lost 110-90 in Chicago in 1991. They returned for another Bulls celebration in 1996 and lost 115-86. One of the ropes holding Chicago’s banner snapped during the ceremony, leaving it hanging unevenly above the court.
The Sixers went back to Chicago the following season and lost 94-74.
Their most recent appearance came in San Antonio on Nov. 2, 1999. The Spurs raised the first championship banner in franchise history and beat the Sixers 89-76.
Those results have little connection to the current team. They do provide another measure of how difficult these nights have been for the visitor.
The Sixers’ results have been much different in their own first home game after winning a championship.
The franchise is 3-0. The Syracuse Nationals beat the Fort Wayne Pistons 114-113 in overtime after winning the 1955 championship. The 1967 Sixers opened their title defense with a 103-87 victory over the Lakers. The 1983 Sixers beat Washington 117-114.
The Knicks are also 2-0 in their first home game after winning a title.
New York beat Boston 114-107 after winning its first championship in 1970. Three years later, the Knicks began their next title defense with a 101-100 victory over Detroit.
Tuesday will be their third such game and their first championship ceremony in 53 years.
James has experienced this setting from the visiting side four times.
He lost with Cleveland in Boston in 2008, with the Lakers at Golden State in 2022 and with the Lakers at Denver in 2023.
His lone victory came on Christmas Day in 2011.
The NBA lockout pushed the start of that season to Dec. 25. Dallas raised its first championship banner before hosting Miami in a rematch of the previous season’s Finals.
The Mavericks did not receive their rings that afternoon. Owner Mark Cuban had waited until the lockout ended so returning players could help design them, leaving too little time to have them ready for the opener.
James finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Miami’s 105-94 victory. The Heat went on to win the championship, giving James the first title of his career.
Brown experienced the other side two years ago.
He scored 23 points when Boston raised its 2024 championship banner and beat the Knicks 132-109. He will now be with the visiting team while New York holds a celebration of its own.
One game cannot answer the larger questions surrounding the Sixers. The previous banner-night winners also show why Tuesday should not be dismissed as an ordinary opener.
The teams that have beaten a defending champion in this setting have usually continued winning long after the ceremony ended.
Brooks posted a photo of himself in a Suns uniform on his Instagram story on Sunday night and wrote, “Thanks Matt for cleaning up that stench in the locker room before I came #culture,” while having the song “Back Down,” by 50 Cent playing.
“Thanks Matt for cleaning up that stench in the locker room before I came #culture”
Dillon Brooks trolls Kevin Durant on a social media post.
Since Brooks made the post to his story, Durant, who now plays for the Houston Rockets, has not responded to the Suns forward.
The two have had an ongoing beef with one another since 2025, when Brooks was included in a historic deal that sent him to Phoenix, which included Jalen Green, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden, a first-round pick, and multiple future second-round picks.
During last year’s playoffs, Durant and Brooks were seen getting into a heated exchange with each other, and it has raised speculation that Brooks told Durant he was “never that guy.”
Kevin Durant was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. NBAE via Getty ImagesDillon Brooks has inserted himself into the drama between Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As the two are in the middle of a standstill with one another, it comes after Durant reposted Ishbia’s comments on X and wrote, “#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads”
Durant went and added another repost shortly after and wrote, “U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.”
With the NBA season on the horizon, Durant’s Rockets will meet Brooks’ Suns three times this season, when they play their first game on November 7. November 25. and on February 5 for the series finale.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the preseason game at the United Center on October 07, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The season begins for the Phoenix Suns this upcoming Wednesday as they make the trip to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s a season that carries plenty of promise and uncertainty as the team looks to build upon the foundation established last year, when it won 45 games and shattered its preseason over/under of 30.5 wins.
But that team ultimately finished as the eighth seed, lost its inaugural Play-In game, and was eventually swept out of the playoffs. So what does this season have in store?
Over the next four days, the Bright Side of the Sun writing staff will share our thoughts on this team as we work toward making our final predictions for the upcoming season. And the first question on the board is a relatively straightforward one.
What is your biggest reason for optimism heading into the season, and what is your biggest concern about this team?
There’s plenty to be optimistic about when you look at this version of the Phoenix Suns. They’ve firmly established an identity and possess continuity, two things that teams around the league are constantly trying to identify and develop. That alone puts Phoenix in a position to be competitive and potentially become a difficult opponent early in the season.
But my biggest reason for optimism is the intriguing balance this roster possesses between young players who will have an opportunity to develop before our very eyes and veterans who can keep the team competitive night in and night out. I’m optimistic that this blend will provide quality basketball that’s enjoyable to watch and translate into wins.
As for my biggest concern, I ultimately land on the three-point shooting conundrum. This is a team that attempted the fifth most three-pointers in the NBA last season while finishing 12th in three-point shooting percentage. If that volume remains relatively consistent while the percentage declines, which I believe is a legitimate possibility given the roster construction, it’s going to create some significant challenges offensively.
The Suns might find themselves needing to win more games on the defensive side of the ball than the offensive side simply because consistent perimeter shooting could be difficult to come by. Sure, there are players coming off the bench who can knock down shots from deep, but how much volume are they realistically going to receive?
If the defense isn’t consistently holding opposing teams to manageable point totals, how difficult is it going to be for Phoenix to overcome deficits when the shots aren’t falling? Without reliable three-point shooting, the margin for error becomes increasingly narrow, especially when you’re trying to work your way back into games. And that concerns me.
So what does the rest of the Bright Side writing staff have to say? Here are their biggest reasons for optimism and concern heading into the 2026–27 Phoenix Suns season.
Brandon Duenas: The bench is the popular answer for optimism, and it’s the correct answer. We’re talking about how deep this team is despite losing its starting center until at least February. Just let that sink in. The trio of Gillespie, Kennard, and Goodwin off the bench is such a luxury.
The biggest concern has to be the health issues, which contradict our strength, but also make a case for it (depth) being so necessary at the same time. Injuries happen. They’ll be better prepared for them this season. We’re just hoping they don’t snowball like they did last season.
Holden Sherman: For the first time since maybe the 2021-22 season, not only do the Suns appear to have continuity and good vibes around them, but also empirical evidence that they should feel optimistic. The team shocked many last year and has reason to believe they can build on last season by keeping the roster mostly the same and upgrading at starting power forward with Miles Bridges.
Bruce Veliz: The biggest reason for optimism for me is that this bench unit looks deep and can work well together. We already saw last year that Collin Gillespie can lead the unit, and players like Jordan Goodwin and Oso Ighodaro can work well off him. Not to mention the youth with Ryan Dunn, Rasheer Fleming, and Koa Peat at the forward position, it has the potential to be one of the league’s best.
My biggest concern for this team is that there is still no true point guard next to Booker to help alleviate the playmaking duties. With Jalen Green working with Steve Nash this offseason, there is some light at the end of that tunnel. It’s just all about waiting to see it work in real time.
Tom Mildenberger: The biggest reason for optimism is the bench. They are going to push our regular-season win total, and the Suns are going to need them to if they want to stay out of the Play-In tournament. The starting lineup is going to have games where they hit threes, and we’re all going to think, “Wow, we are really good.” But they’ll have just as many games where they don’t. You can also pencil in some inconsistency, especially early in the season, from the second-timeline guys who are going to be counted on this season, mainly Khaman, Dunn, and Rasheer. Gillespie, Kennard, Goodwin, and Oso aren’t just going to have to be good; they’ll need to be consistently good. I think they will meet that challenge in the regular season.
My biggest concern will continue to be injuries. We’re already down our starting center, and Miles Bridges has already limped off the court. While he’ll be available when the games count, his preseason reps have been limited. Obviously, losing Devin Booker for an extended period would have us hitting the under, but I’m also concerned about nagging injuries. The core four need to gel. What they’re lacking in star power, they’ll need to make up for in chemistry. The bench can lift them up through the regular season, but that doesn’t carry over to the playoffs, where it’s best-on-best. If guys are in and out of the lineup with soft tissue issues all season, they’ll never develop the chemistry they need.
Kevin Humphreys: My biggest reason for optimism heading into the season is how deep this team is. I understand the shooting limitations that this roster has on paper, but I expect Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to both take jumps in three-point shooting efficiency this season because they will be taking ‘better’ shots, plus Gillespie and Kennard are snipers. I trust Devin Booker as the Suns’ main playmaker and scorer to win games, and I trust Jordan Ott to configure the rotations to give Booker, Green, and Brooks opportunities to get up shots.
Defensively, this team should be one of the best five defenses in the NBA and have the depth to give opposing teams 48 minutes of hellish defense for 82 games. They will force a ton of turnovers, run off misses or makes, and be one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA this season.
CJ Savage: Optimistic about: Has to be seeing what Man Man Maluach can do as a starting (hopefully) center. Close second would be the promise, as yet largely unfulfilled, of Jalen Green.
Concernedabout the physical and mental decline of Devin Armani Booker. I know he’s said he’s ‘in love’ with basketball again, but what caused him to drop out to begin with? When you are dating the Kardashians and jet-setting, you no longer, IMHO, have basketball/winning a championship/HOF as your primary concern. I think the trajectory now, unless things change for him this season, is that of a former teammate of his, Chris Paul: great player, not quite enough to get a team to the promised land.
Mark Bowser: Optimistic about: I do think we’ll see Jordan Ott take a year 2 jump in the head coach role. I often lean on analytics and look at former video coordinators who became head coaches, and at their progression from year 1 to year 2. It’s honestly a mixed bag. But I believe he has the work ethic and intensity to be closer to an Eric Spoelstra (+4 wins) than a James Borrego (-16). I expect better rotations and more emotion at the right moments. Concerned: Inability to sustain injuries or foul problems at the 5 position. I thought this was a strength pre-Mark Williams’ injury. Maluach and Ighodaro are a respectable and complementary pair. If either is unavailable, all the options behind them are marked with question marks. I do not think Huntley or Reath provide enough meaningful rotation minutes, and the small-ball options each have limitations.
Where do you land? What are you optimistic about? What concerns you?
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors superstar Steph Curry avoided a serious injury scare Sunday that had thousands of fans holding their breath at Chase Center.
Sunday was the Warriors’ open practice, where fans flock to get a look at their favorite players in a relaxed environment. The Warriors went a little more intense than in years past but still kept it light. About 45 minutes in, there was a heaviness of a dark cloud hovering over the court when Curry limped his way to the locker room.
Curry went to make a move on De’Anthony Melton when his sneakers squeaked and his body got stuck. He tapped Melton, bounced the ball hard twice and favored his right leg limping to the sidelines. Curry caught his breath and then kept limping down the hallway and to the Warriors’ locker room.
Steph Curry limps off the court at open practice and he just went back to the locker room @NBCSWarriors
The main concern was that Curry, 38, injured the same right knee that held him out for more than two months last season. Luckily for Curry and the Warriors, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Curry has a sprained right ankle, per the Warriors, and did not injure his knee.
“He said he’s fine,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after practice.
Kerr shared that he spoke with Curry in the training room and that he was in good spirits. No further diagnosis has been shared, nor has a conversation with the Warriors’ medical staff.
Like everybody in the building, Kerr certainly was worried for the worst when he first saw Curry in discomfort and admitted his heart skipped a beat.
“Always, always,” Kerr said. “He’s fine. I went and talked to him after he went downstairs, and I went in the training room. He’s doing fine.”
The Warriors have been cautious in Curry’s ramp-up leading to Wednesday’s regular-season opener in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Lakers. Less is more in making sure Curry is as healthy as possible entering his 18th season. He has scrimmaged less and has been part of fewer and fewer higher-intensity portions of practice.
Curry played a little under 18 minutes per game in the preseason and averaged 13 points while shooting 44 percent from the field (20 of 45) and 41.9 percent from three (13 of 31).
Gui Santos was on the floor when Curry came up short, but his fear wasn’t at an all-time high because of his teammate’s reaction.
“Of course we were scared,” Santos said. “But it’s Steph. He’s tough. He’s going to be good. Tomorrow he’s going to wake up and be good. We were definitely worried. … The way that I saw him walking off the court, I didn’t think it was something really bad.”
The Warriors already are being tested from a plethora of health problems. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody continue to rehab leg injuries, and an illness has kept Kristaps Porziņģis away from the team for the last three weeks. Curry wasn’t the only concern from Sunday’s open practice, too.
Brandin Podziemski and Charles Bassey did not participate. Bassey was seen having his right knee wrapped in ice, and the Warriors are saying he’s dealing with right knee tendinitis. Kerr did not know why Podziemski was absent but did confirm he practiced prior to the open session.
Now, it’s another game of wait and see on Curry’s health days before the regular season begins.
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, including the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 22.
The team announced that Strawther suffered the injury during a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers and will be sidelined as he undergoes rehabilitation.
Strawther sustained the injury in the third quarter of the game on Oct. 16 when his leg got caught under his body, causing him to bend and land awkwardly. After undergoing an evaluation by the Nuggets' medical staff, it was determined that he had suffered a left knee sprain.
Strawther will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks to determine if he is healthy enough to resume basketball activities.
Selected by Denver as the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Strawther has started 18 games in his career and averaged 7.2 points over 57 appearances last season.
The 30-year-old Simmons, who did not play last season, was set to make his return to the league with Sacramento for the 2026-27 season, but he now will have to wait another year before potentially taking an NBA floor again.
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons went on to have a roller coaster of an NBA career throughout his first nine seasons in the league before stepping away last season.
Between injuries and inconsistencies in his game, Simmons never truly lived up to his full potential, despite winning Rookie of the Year in the 2017-18 season and making two All-Star and All-Defensive Teams.
In two preseason appearances with Sacramento, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
Ben Simmons’ first NBA season with the Kings is over before it even started.
The veteran guard, who Sacramento signed in free agency this summer, is believed to have torn his Achilles at practice on Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
Just in: Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons is believed to have sustained a torn Achilles tendon at practice Sunday, sources tell ESPN. A suspected season-ending injury for Simmons after rejuvenated and impressive training camp and preseason performances. pic.twitter.com/v4HBvCbgQF
The 30-year-old Simmons, who did not play last season, was set to make his return to the league with Sacramento for the 2026-27 season, but it appears he will have to wait another year before potentially taking an NBA floor.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 12: Raptor the mascot of the Toronto Raptors performs during a break in the action while wearing a throwback Huskies jersey during NBA game action against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre on November 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the 80th anniversary of the 1946-47 Basketball Association of America (BAA) season, the Toronto Raptors get a rare opportunity to mark the occasion of the city’s first professional basketball team. But, unfortunately, they probably won’t take it.
The National Basketball Association as we know it has its roots in the BAA, which later went on to merge with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949, to create an early version of the NBA. The Association of America had its first game on November 1st, 1946, where the New York Knicks faced off against the Toronto Huskies in the Maple Leaf Gardens.
Right there at Church and Carlton, the Huskies lost their first game by two points, ending in a 68-66 loss for Toronto: the team would only play one season in the BAA, collapsing by 1947. But! En-route to making history (and failing soon after), the Huskies established the first brand identity for Torontonian professional basketball.
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 12: Raptor the mascot of the Toronto Raptors performs during a break in the action while wearing a throwback Huskies jersey during NBA game action against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre on November 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The blue jerseys are striking, bold, and a massive departure from anything the Raptors have done aesthetically in a long time. While taking on the Huskies’ colours is not reinventing the wheel, doing so would be a great callback not only to 80 years since the beginning of the BAA, but to the Raptors’ 2016-17 tribute to the Huskies, and those great years with Lowry and DeRozan.
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 08: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors tips off against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Huskies night as the Raptors commemorate the Toronto Huskies with throwback jerseys during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on December 8, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who would say no to the idea of a cute, giant dog on the hardwood, at least for a few nights a year?
The Raptors have had a somewhat stale brand identity over the years. It seems that the franchise has become allergic to divergence from the red-black-white colour scheme it’s maintained on-and-off for the past 20 years.
While there have been reports that the team will, next season, finally rebrand and bring back purple as a part of the team’s visual identity, my heart goes out to the Husky that could have been. It feels like every year, each time has a million jerseys. And the Raptors have maybe two good ones. And that’s being generous.
The Huskies have come back before, with the 2009-10 Raptors sporting it, but with Chris Bosh’s departure, so to went the sense of fun from the Raptors’ design choices.
Now, are either of the previous jerseys total works of art? I wouldn’t go that far. But, beyond being charming, these jerseys reflect Canada’s role in the history of basketball, something that can be easily ignored. In a league of 30 teams, with 29 of them being American, the Raptors should fight tooth and nail to set themselves apart, and remind their opponents that the basketball league they know and love started right here in the 6ix.
The Raptors have not yet announced their City Edition jerseys for this year, and the Husky look would be a perfect fit. But, it is entirely likely that they will choose to take this year to honour the retirement of Kyle Lowry by turning him into a Raptor, and putting that illustration on a city edition jersey.
The Raptors have unveiled a Kyle Lowry-themed logo ahead of his jersey retirement this upcoming season 7⃣
Cool. Fine. And if it came down to it, nine out of ten times, I’m probably making that call as well.
But, every time I think about those jerseys, I remember DeRozan dropping 41 points and whipping the Celtics in them, on a bright blue and white court. And I wish that the Raptors would do a better job commemorating their roots.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors controls the ball against Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter of a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last weekend without official NBA content popping up our timelines, folks.
Last couple of sleeps before the next time you hit the sack there’s another (or multiple!) new banners hanging from the MSG rafters.
On delegating responsibilities to his assistant coaches and veteran players:
“My coaches can do their job, they can teach, take the lead in the areas that they need to, going by the practice plan and then on top of that, our veteran players, especially with the new guys, they can coach those guys because they kind of got a feel and they kind of know what we’re expecting on both ends of the floor.”
On his emotions ahead of the Knicks’ championship ring ceremony and banner raising:
“Obviously I’m going to be filled with a lot of different emotions. That’s a special moment. I’m going to be a little selfish, but for me individually, not only that, for my family, for the people in the organization, the team, the players, the other coaches, but just as importantly, the city of New York and the fans of the Knicks all around the world … so to see that happening while knowing the history of it, and knowing how hard it is to let alone get there on top of winning it, it’s going to be an awesome feeling with a ton of emotion inside. We’re all human, the trick is now to really appreciate and enjoy that moment and still try to lock in and get ready for the game and know you got to move forward once it’s over.”
On the challenges of defending an NBA championship:
“There are a lot of challenges in trying to do that. That’s why it hasn’t happened in the NBA in the last eight, nine years. In all of sports, you don’t hear a ton about back-to-back champions in the modern sports world no matter what sport it is you’re playing. The added quote, unquote pressure that some people may allow to seep in as the year goes on, there could be more jealousies, that the team is not connected, and people forget about sacrificing for the betterment of the team. Everybody has naturally been telling you how great you are the whole summer, and so you think you’re great, and you don’t have to go through and/or embrace the process like you did when you got there the first time because you think you know and it’s just going to happen in moments when you think it needs to happen. There’s a lot that can impact it.
“And for me, the biggest thing is trying to make sure our group understands that this is a new season, it’s a new team, and there are new challenges in front of us. Therefore, it’s not about the end result, we have to really make sure we focus our energy and effort on the process, by embracing all the details of the process. And if we do, that’s going to give us our best opportunity to do it again.”
On how the Knicks will handle being the hunted team:
“That’s another one, everybody likes to play the Knicks anyway, especially in MSG, and now it’s just an added carrot to the whole deal. We have a mature group, and that’s one of the main things that gives me — I don’t know if hope is the right word — but gives me hope that we’re going to take this or embrace this process like no other. I truly believe that the maturity of the group is going to help when it comes to all of it, not just being The Hunted, but handling being patted on the back all year, and media scrutiny that we’re going to be under and pressures of the other things that we’re going to be under. I think that’s what’s going to help a ton.”
On Jalen Brunson’s superpower:
“His focus and determination.”
On OG Anunoby’s superpower:
“His potential with his size, his athleticism, and his skillset.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ superpower:
“His skillset and his size.”
On Mikal Bridges’ superpower:
“His versatility.”
On Josh Hart’s superpower:
“His ability to connect the group, with sacrifice and determination.”
On his expectations for the Knicks’ bench:
“I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to giving guys an opportunity that they might not have gotten before.”
On replacing Mitchell Robinson’s contributions following his departure to Boston:
“I talked to our guys about this. When I was in Golden State, we had a really good team the year we won back-to-back (2017 and 2018) and KD [Kevin Durant] left after that [after the 2019 season] and everybody thought that, rightfully so, we were going to go into the tank, because you can’t replace KD with one player. In 2022, we won it again, we basically had the same core minus KD. We replaced him basically with a young Jordan Poole, Otto Porter and Andrew Wiggins. And collectively, those three guys plus the rest of the group just brought a little bit more to the table, and we were able to get it done in 2022. So it’s no different with Mitch. Mitch is a great player. We’re not bringing Andre [Drummond] in here to quote, unquote be Mitch. Andre’s going to be Andre, but that means everybody else has to give a little bit more defensively, and has to give a little bit more when it comes to offensive and defensive rebounding,”
On the Knicks fans and how New York celebrates its championship teams:
“It’s like no other. This is my fifth championship that I’ve been a part of in some really good cities.
“Love you guys, love your energy. Keep bringing it, because we’re looking forward to having another fun year.”
On the improved Eastern Conference and increased competition:
“You see what goes on. A lot of teams got better, and it’s good. Excited for all of the other teams; you love when the competition’s high. Who doesn’t love that?”
Andre Drummond
On developing his jump shot throughout his NBA career:
“I did it when no one was watching. … So here we are, 15 years later, s–t, better late than never, right?”
On the skills that have allowed him to remain in the NBA entering his 15th season:
“Be a master of what I do. I mean, I’m able to rebound the ball at a high clip still. Obviously with the addition of the three-point shot, being able to be a good pick-and-roll defender, and just a great locker room guy altogether is really what keeps me around.”
On his passing ability and how his game has evolved:
“I love to pass, I love to see the floor, and I play well in the pocket. … The game is changing, [my] guards like to score, and I throw the pocket pass in.”
Jalen Brunson
On Andre Drummond establishing his own identity rather than replacing Mitchell Robinson:
“not coming in to be Mitch, he’s coming in to be himself.”
On Mike Brown taking time to build a personal relationship with him:
“He came down to Jersey in the summer, and we sat, had dinner, talked for two-and-a-half, three hours, whatever, and did not talk about basketball or what we were gonna do. So that just tells you who he is. That’s a genuine dude, and he just wanted to get to know all of us before we got into our jobs and to see what we had to do as a team. But it’s just genuinely who he is.”
“I want y’all to know I’m ready for y’all. Y’all not ready for me, I’m applying all pressure on y’all all summer…Y’all was sleeping on me…All gas no brakes-that’s gone be me rest of my life”
— Dink Pate’s 12 straight for Westchester wins last game of year, Mark Pope courtside pic.twitter.com/RP4ZHvJrfo
On Mike Brown addressing the team’s personal struggles and contract uncertainty:
“Mike talked about mindfulness. He talked about the situation to all of us openly, and we all talked as a team, as a family — the coaches and players — and it’s still so amazing to see how connected this team is, to see how much of a family unit we really are.
“It was really cool to have a coach talk to us about being you, about the struggles in life, and us being together and understanding where everyone is in life and the situations they deal with as a family, as brothers, that will allow us to even be more connected and allows us to even be a better team. That was an amazing job by him as our leader to approach the elephant in the room and to allow us, the players and the coaches and the ones who are on that core into Game 4, Game 5, who really found a way to get this title back to New York, allowing us to be human.”
Josh Hart
On Andre Drummond’s skill set:
“Way better passing than I thought he was.”
On Mike Brown’s leadership style and personality:
“Honestly, I didn’t know he was a military baby until you said it. Obviously, he’s someone who commands attention and respect and those kinds of things.”
“Now, he’s super chill. He’s a great person, lets us know, holds us accountable when we’re out there not doing what we’re supposed to do.
“He’s more of a ‘Who let the dogs out’ kind of guy.”
On McBride’s desire for a contract extension and the possibility of future negotiations:
“No doubt, he would love to get that. But at the end of the day, you work for the Knicks and it takes two sides to get a deal done. And if the Knicks aren’t ready to do extensions right now, then we just gotta buckle up and go have a great season. He’ll be a free agent this summer, but we’ll see. We’ve got a great relationship with [president] Leon [Rose] and the front office. We’ll see: there may be opportunities during the season, maybe in the near future. Who knows where we’ll be able to have those conversations.”
On McBride’s contributions to the Knicks and his willingness to play through injury:
“We’ve spoken to the Knicks throughout the summer. Miles, like any player in his position, would love to get an extension. I think he’s earned it. He’s been a huge part of where that organization has gone over the last three or four years. He’s been their sixth man. A lot of people don’t realize how hurt he played last year in the playoffs. He had abdominal surgery that caused him to miss a couple of months. He came back and he wasn’t really right yet, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be there for his teammates.”
Joel Embiid, on facing the Knicks on opening night: "I don't really feel like watching that whole ceremony, so I guess I'll be in the locker room."
"It's the first game…The way I see it is taking it day-by-day, slowing getting better…It's about the process that it takes to… pic.twitter.com/tdExscxMlX
On the Philadelphia 76ers being the biggest threat to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference:
“The East has caught up with the West. You have the 76ers, obviously, you have the Toronto Raptors, you have Giannis [Antetokounmpo] with Miami, I think they’re still a few pieces away. But to me, if I had to pick one, it would be the 76ers. Nick Nurse won a championship [as coach of the Raptors in 2019]. Nick Nurse had to figure how pieces worked when he was in Toronto. And when you have guys that have high IQs — Jaylen Brown is a Finals MVP, LeBron James is [not just] arguably the greatest player but one of the smartest players to play the game of basketball. That’s not going to be a hard adjustment. … Offensively I see them getting out and running. I could see them being probably the best transition team offensively in the league. But I also could see them figuring things out on the fly while they’re still winning games during the regular season. And I also see LeBron James bringing out the best in Joel Embiid.”
On how Mike Brown should handle Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation:
“KAT is an emotional guy. And if I’m Mike Brown, the biggest thing is from a personal side, I would just want Towns to know that he’s loved on a day-to-day basis. That don’t mean that there’s not going to be times where you have to call him out in film, but if I’m Mike Brown, I’d go the extra mile to extend my love, whether that’s on the road, him meeting him for breakfast before shootaround, maybe dinners, just to let him know his value. And to let him know that he’s a huge and the most important part of this team. … It would be through actions and less through words.”
On the challenges of defending an NBA championship:
“The first thing is health, obviously. The second thing is getting through the regular season knowing that everywhere in every game that you play, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. But last but not least is having everyone continue to lose themselves in the team and play agenda-free basketball. Because what ends up happening is when you win a championship, because of the praise that you get in the offseason, everyone starts to believe that they were the reason and guys come back and want a bigger role, instead of staying and playing and being a star of that role that helped them win the championship.”
On Jalen Brunson’s development into an elite player and leader:
“Offensively, I believe that Jalen Brunson over the last three years before Giannis was injured, has been consistently the best player in the Eastern Conference. But last year we saw him take that leap of accountability. We saw him doing the little things of fighting to get over screens. We saw him doing things of getting back in transition and getting extra possessions by taking charges. We saw him take over a Game 4 in Madison Square Garden in the second half to direct traffic and get buckets. We just saw leadership, right? We saw a guy in probably the hardest market to play in, have composure, have leadership and be able to perform on the biggest moments. But I think the most important thing is that he accepted the challenge of actually playing defense and playing enough defense where he wasn’t a liability. But also playing defense where the Spurs couldn’t hunt him out on the big stage. … He’s one of if not my favorite players in the NBA, but history tells us that we haven’t had a back-to-back champion in the last 8-9 years.”
