Category: Basketball

The Spurs melted down in the second half. What was the play that let you know the loss was coming?

Marilyn Dubinski: There were several plays within the downward spiral that had me losing hope, from Wemby missing three threes in one possession and two clutch free throws, but the moment for me was when Fox got the loose ball with them up one with very little time left, and he had the choice to race to the bucket and get the lead up to three or dribble around and eat some clock. Hindsight is always 20-20, and now it seems obvious he should have dribbled and gotten free throws, but I can’t entirely blame him for going for two guaranteed points to get the lead to three over two non-guaranteed ones. The problem is, of course, he missed, with seemingly a slight hesitation while deciding what to do allowing the defense to recover and the Knicks the chance to take the game-winner.  (I’ll also give him the benefit of the doubt and say he gets there and makes the shot without a bum ankle.)

Mark Barrington: I think it was when Wembanyama missed both free throws. At that point I knew he was spent and couldn’t save the team, and nobody else was going to step up. Of course, I was yelling at my TV when Fox took an unnecessary shot with a few seconds left, as no one wearing Silver and Black had anything resembling court awareness. That play, like Wemby’s pass off of Castle’s back in Game 2, was the final nail in the coffin, but they had been building that coffin for the entire second half.

Devon Birdsong: I *knew* it was over when Fox made one of the biggest mistakes in Spurs history, but my first real suspicion was the out-of-bounds call on Castle (which the NBA has now admitted was wrong). My hope momentarily lifted when Fox had an open mid-range jumper, but when he missed it (even though Castle redeemed himself on the rebound), my heart sank into my bowels. After Game 3, I wrote that most of this series has felt like a horror film, and I’m not sure if that was predictive or just bad timing, but I had no idea that it could get worse. Watching the 2nd half of that game was like watching characters do clearly stupid things in one of those movies (or the ‘Good Choices’ Geico commercial), and I could almost hear the faintest echo of Fred Herman Jones saying “Let’s split up gang!” in the distance. 

Jeje Gomez: I’d love to be less predictable here, but it was Fox’s mistake. Even though the collapse started much earlier, the Spurs were still in the driver’s seat for most of the last few minutes and it seemed like the Josh Hart miss was going to be the Knicks’ version of the Wemby to Castle botched pass, an error that would determine the winner. I was optimistic until the end, and when Fox tapped the rebound to himself, I could taste the win. Then, the second he took the shot, and it got blocked, I thought a New York win was almost inevitable.

True or false: The Spurs’ lack of experience is the biggest reason for their struggles in the Finals. 

Dubinski: It’s hard to say.  It seemingly wasn’t a problem against the defending champions last round, in which they didn’t even have homecourt advantage, so why is it a problem now? There is zero doubt the Finals are an exponentially bigger stage than the conference finals, and going against a historical and charged-up franchise like the Knicks adds yet another level, so maybe this is just too much for a young team with little to no playoff experience before this year.  Closing tight games has been an issue almost all season, and the Knicks are the polar opposite and the last team you want to falter against in the clutch against.  I guess I’ll go with true since they’re playing a team of hardened, grizzled veterans with more experience to learn and build off of. (Although I think the Spurs win this series against any other Eastern Conference opponent.) 

Barrington: True. De’Aaron Fox is supposed to be the playoff closer for the Spurs, but before this year, he had been in only 7 playoff games, and he had the most playoff experience of any starter. You could say that the 22 playoff games they’ve played this season would be a lot of playoff experience, but I don’t think players can absorb that quickly on the fly with only one or two days off between games. They’ll handle these kinds of situations better next season, if they make it this far, but nothing is guaranteed. They’ve had a lot of things go right for them in this year’s playoff run to get to the finals, but their luck ran out Wednesday night in the Garden. You have to give the Knicks credit for continuing to fight even when down by a ton of points, but you also have to be a little mad at the Spurs for losing their focus and falling apart under pressure. It’s a hard lesson, and thinking it would never happen to this team on a storied run from a 34-win season to the NBA Finals was a vain hope. 

Birdsong: Absolutely true. Lost in the hubbub about Fox is the very real failure as a team to recognize a need for a strategy change midway through the 3rd quarter. The Spurs should have been grinding out possessions instead of still trying to jump-shoot the Knicks out of the building. The inability to recognize that they no longer had the hot hand, as well as that they weren’t effectively draining the clock + failing to create, take, and make easier shots, is largely what let the Knicks back in. Some of that was pure hubris (I’ve written before about how these Spurs are sometimes not satisfied with just carrying a lead and prefer to embarrass the opposition), and some of it was execution. But both are symptoms of the same thing, inexperience. A Twitter/X account last night tweeted out that if Chris Paul had still been on the team (even hardly playing) he would never have let them keep that up for the entire 2nd half, and I think that’s right. Last night wasn’t just the players’ inexperience showing, but Mitch’s too. 

Gomez: True-ish. There’s no denying that some of the mistakes the Spurs have made are probably a reflection of not only their lack of experience in the biggest stages, but a lack of experience playing with one another. The Fox gaffe can be explained by the former, and the Wemby-to-Castle pass by the latter. Without those two massive blunders, the series could easily be 3-1 the other way. But there are other, arguably deeper problems. San Antonio doesn’t have a bench or reliable size at the forward spots. They don’t have an established half-court offense, which technically could be chalked up to Mitch Johnson’s lack of experience, but it seems more to do with the coach’s philosophy of giving his players freedom. Since the Spurs have so much talent, they have been able to hide those flaws at times and overcome them at others, but against a team that matches up so well against them, it’s been harder to do. Youth is to blame for some of the issues, but focusing solely on it can distract from other weaknesses in the roster and the offense that are being exposed.

How confident are you that the Spurs can get it to Game 7?  

Dubinski: Not at all, but maybe I should give them more than a 10% chance.  One thing they have done well in these playoffs is bounce back, and they likely know just as well as we do that they could just as easily be up 3-1 (or even have already won 4-0) if they weren’t shooting themselves in the foot in the final minute of games. They have what it takes, but they have to stop beating themselves and execute for three straight games. The question is, can they do it, considering consistency has not been their forte in these playoffs? (I will say, my only goal for them right now is to just get to Game 6, and not just for the obvious “one game at a time” reason, but also because the only thing we have never had to endure as a franchise is watch another team celebrate a championship on our home court, and I don’t want that to change now.)

Barrington: I’m not confident, but I’m hopeful. Game 5 is the key. This series isn’t over yet. If they play like goldfish and don’t internalize the failure of Game 4, they will be in good shape to take Game 6 in the Garden. If they do that, it’s a matchup for the ages, as the league can see one of the most exciting back-and-forth series in history. 

The reason why I think that won’t happen is that I remember the Spurs in the 2013 finals. After Ray Allen’s miracle shot stole Game 6, the Spurs were mentally and physically spent and didn’t put up that much of a fight in Game 7. I could see that happening again in Game 5 this year, but this team is younger and they could overcome the fatigue. The only good thing about remembering the 2013 Finals is that that wasn’t the end of the story. There was a redemption arc, and who knows, that could happen again. 

This team is going to be good for a long time, and the mental hardening from the lessons of this season should make them tougher to take down in the future. That, and some roster improvements, as the bench was really exposed by the Knicks in this year’s finals, and the lack of playable bigs led to an overdependence on Wembanyama, who can’t play over 40 minutes in every game.

Birdsong: I think it’s all about Game 6. Supposing the Spurs win Game 5 (and I expect they will, if not purely out of sheer anger with themselves), they have a very tall order going back to the Garden down 2-3. That being said, they’ve already pulled that off down 0-2. It’ll be a different kind of pressure, though. The Knicks will do everything they can to not go back to San Antonio for Game 7, but if the Spurs pull it off, I can still see them winning it all. Right now, they need to focus on a reset in familiar surroundings and take every positive thing they can out of an extremely embarrassing and public lesson. They’ve risen to the occasion before, so I think they can do it again. In fact, in spite of the loss, I’m more confident in their ability to beat the Knicks; it’s just going to come down to execution. The margin separating these two teams is razor-thin, and that bodes well for series extension. I give them 50/50 to get to Game 7, but if they do, I’m putting my money on them. At that point, they’ll know they can overcome anything, and that’s money in the bank(shot). 

Gomez: Can they bounce back and win Game 5? I’m not confident about it. The loss was too painful, and while the Spurs have been surprisingly resilient in the face of adversity, at some point, they will break. If we use the stonecutter’s credo to describe the situation, they might be the rock, and the OG Anunoby game-winner, the final blow. If they somehow manage to once again respond well to a tough loss, I think anything is possible. I expect the Knicks to be confident in Game 5, but if they lose, they might get anxious about trying to finish it all at home since they don’t exactly have much championship experience themselves. Is it likely we’ll get a Game 7? Not really, but I won’t call the series over until someone actually wins four.

One quick hand motion has some in San Antonio up in arms.

Some extra attention has been brought to Karl-Anthony Towns’ deflection on the final play of Wednesday’s miracle Knicks Game 4 Finals win after it appears he motioned to the fans sitting courtside to crowd Spurs rookie Dylan Harper for the critical inbounds pass.

With the Knicks leading 107-106 with 1.2 seconds remaining, Towns walked toward Harper — positioned on the left sidelines if looking straight at the basket from midcourt — and discretely motioned toward Harper with his left hand to a man in a suit and a man in an orange shirt.

As Harper took one step to his right, the two men also moved in that direction closer to the guard.

When Harper eventually received the ball to inbounds the ball for a potential game-winning shot, the two men could not have been more than two feet away with the fan in orange clapping.

X user @SpursReporter quote tweeted the clip with another frontward-showing angle that displayed the fan in orange getting rather close to Harper and pondered whether the referees did enough.

“Should the @nba and @OfficialNBARefs review this incident where Karl Anthony Towns asks Knicks fans to crowd Dylan Harper as he attempts to inbound the ball on the final play of Game 5? ,” the individual wrote.

“NBA rules explicitly state that fans are strictly prohibited from entering the playing area or intentionally interfering with players, whether the player is inbounds or out of bounds. Furthermore, rules state that fans must remain within the physical limits of their own seats.

“In an instance like this, Arena security staff is required to back the front row up, and offenders should be ejected. The second video in the tweet below also shows how egregious this violation was.”

The NBA rules on out-of-bounds and throw-in plays does not specifically state any stipulation about fans, although they are not allowed to interfere with play.

However, in these instances, there’s only so much the referees can do since the play happens right in front of those sitting courtside.

Whether the fans affected Harper or not, he and the Spurs missed a golden chance for a great look on their final play when Towns deflected his pass to Stephon Castle.

That tip led to Castle fumbling the ball, and he did not get a shot off in time as the Knicks rallied from a 29-point hole in the second half to grab a 3-1 series lead.

Jason Terry’s 26-footer rimmed out, and the clock hit triple zeros. Dwyane Wade caught the rebound and emphatically threw the ball towards the American Airlines Center rafters. The Miami Heat just won their first championship. The 20,000+ in attendance stood in awe as what seemed like a foregone conclusion a week before had turned into a brutal nightmare. Just nine days earlier, the Mavericks had taken a commanding 2-0 lead over the Heat. But then it all fell apart, and Dallas lost the series 4-2, letting their first real chance at a championship slip away.

How did we get here?

A total of 1,818 days passed between that day and when the Mavericks entered American Airlines Arena in Miami for Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals. Dressed in all black, taking only one outfit to South Beach, Dallas had a chance to flip the script from five years earlier. How fitting it was for the Mavs to have a chance to secure their first ring on the road, in a game six, against this Miami Heat team.

Remember, this Miami Heat team had no shortage of star power. The “Big 3” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh teamed up over the prior summer to win “not six…not seven…not eight…” championships, but also to cripple the league with its trio of stars for the foreseeable future. Miami started the season slowly, but found its rhythm, finishing the season 58-24, earning the East’s second seed. They coasted to the NBA Finals, beating the 76ers, Celtics, and Bulls each in five games. After dismantling the 62-20 Bulls in the Conference Finals, the Heat seemingly had all the momentum heading into the Finals. They looked unstoppable.

While everything felt so new and exciting in Miami, Dallas felt the exact opposite. It was the same old, same old Mavericks. At the beginning of the season, the only people who thought the Mavericks would be on the cusp of their first ring were the 15 players in the Dallas locker room. After a decade of disappointing playoff runs, questions began to swirl about whether Dirk Nowitzki could actually lead a team to a championship. “He’s European. He’s soft. He’s slow.” The criticism was higher than ever entering the finals for Nowitzki. After an early surge of deep playoff runs with co-stars Steve Nash and Michael Finley from 2000 to 2004, Dallas let Nash walk in 2004, and Finley left for the champion San Antonio Spurs in 2005. 

Dirk’s new co-star, Jason Terry, was the consolation prize of Nash’s leaving. But that duo just wasn’t enough to get the job done, losing in the 2006 NBA Finals and getting embarrassed by the Golden State Warriors in 2007, losing in the first round as the one seed. Dallas switched gears in 2008, trading for Jason Kidd, hoping he could solve some of the point guard issues. After a second-round exit in 2009 and a first-round exit in 2010, Dallas made big changes coming into the 2010-2011 season. Adding to its core of Nowitzki, Kidd, Marion, and Terry, Dallas signed heavily coveted center Tyson Chandler to bring protection in the middle. The Mavs also had a slew of other veterans to add depth, like DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, Caron Butler, and Brendan Haywood. 

The rematch

The season felt different as Dallas secured the third seed with a record of 57-25. But they’ve been there before. Good regular season, then playoff flameout. But this team truly was different. The Mavericks took out the young Portland Trailblazers in six, swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, and bullied the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. They entered the finals also feeling like they could finally get over the hump. But the juggernaut Heat awaited on the other side.

After the Heat opened the series with a convincing win, 92-84 over the Mavs, a miraculous comeback from Nowitzki and company evened the series at 1-1, as Dallas narrowly escaped 95-93. Miami bounced back in game three, taking a 2-1 series lead before the Mavs put them on the brink of elimination, notching two gritty wins, and coming within a game of basketball glory. And of course, all roads led back to Miami, the place where it all fell apart just five years earlier. And while all the noise continued whether Dallas could actually finish it off in Miami, no group seemed more poised to finish the job this time than these Mavericks.

Game 6: first half

Game six started nearly picture-perfect for Miami. LeBron James, who struggled the entire series with his jump shot, started 4-4 from the field, scoring nine quick points. His 20-foot step back jumper from the top of the key prompted a Dallas timeout, as Miami led 14-10 with 7:47 left in the first quarter.

As good as he’d been the entire series, Dirk Nowitzki struggled in the first half, going just 1-13 from the floor, with his only make being in the first quarter, a tough baseline jumper over Joel Anthony to cut the Miami lead to seven, 20-13 with 6:05 remaining. Unlike 2006, it was his partner in crime, Jason Terry, who took the reins for the Mavericks. Terry was 8-10 from the field in the first half, scoring 19 huge points. With Dirk starting ice cold, other Mavericks had to step up, too. DeShawn Stevenson hit a trio of threes spanning from the end of the first quarter to 9:42 left in the second, as Dallas surged to a 40-28 lead. Stevenson, the “3 and D” wing that brought toughness on the perimeter for the Mavs, shot a blistering 56.5% from three in the Finals, going 13 for 23.

The Heat responded. Eddie House was the spark plug for Miami, igniting a 14-0 run with a trio of his own on threes, giving Miami a 42-40 lead. The Mavericks called a timeout with 6:25 remaining in the second quarter, and a mid-court scuffle between the two teams, particularly Mario Chalmers and DeShawn Stevenson, caused a 15-minute delay in action while both teams caught their breath.

Miami pushed the lead to 47-43 before Jason Terry again steadied the ship, scoring the next 10 points for Dallas, as the Mavs held a narrow 53-51 lead at halftime. 

Game 6: second half

Twenty-four minutes away from their first ring, the Mavericks came out in the third quarter with something to prove. There was never a plan to play game seven. As the blue shirts read, “The Time is Now.” The first positive sign was Nowitzki hitting an elbow jumper 10 seconds into the 3rd quarter, equaling the number of baskets he had in the first half. But despite an uncharacteristic start from Nowitzki, the Mavs still led 55-51, and the supporting cast continued to rally around their leader.

The third quarter was all about the J’s: J.J. Barea, Jason Kidd, and lots of jumpers. The 5’10 Puerto Rican-born J.J. Barea upended the Heat defense in the third quarter. Barea got the start in the second half and scored six quick points to force the Heat defense to collapse in the middle. This opened free space on jump shots around the perimeter for Dallas. He assisted Nowitzi on another rhythm jumper from the elbow that gave Dallas a 61-56 lead with 9:27 remaining in the third.

Then Jason Kidd found his stroke. Kidd scored his first bucket, a three from the top of the arc, that pushed the Mavs’ lead to 68-62. Kidd did it again with under a minute left in the third quarter, hitting a step-back three to give the Mavs a 79-71 lead. The icing on the cake was when French native Ian Mahimni, who scored a total of nine points in the series, hit a free-throw line jumper at the buzzer, and gave Dallas an 81-72 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

After Miami scored the first five points in the fourth quarter, it was Jose Barea once again who came to life, hitting a three to get the Mavs’ lead back to seven, 84-77. In the game, Barea had 15 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Then it was time to hand the steering wheel to the man who the franchise starts and ends with – Dirk Nowiztki.

After the third quarter helped him get his shot rhythm back, Nowitzki took over. He hit an 18-foot jumper with 7:24 remaining to give the Mavs a 91-80 lead, and never looked back. He attacked Haslem on the baseline, going left, and finished at the rim, giving the Mavs a 94-84 lead. Another Nowitzki elbow jumper snapped the bottom of the net with 3:41 remaining, and Dallas still holding control 97-87. The biggest shot of the game came for Nowitzki with under 2:30 to play. With nowhere to go along the baseline and the shot clock winding down, Nowitzki hoisted up a heavily contested jumper that hit nothing but nylon. Miami called timeout and Dirk, tongue out at the Miami faithful pumped his fist all the way to the Maverick sideline.

Finishing the job

Fittingly, Jason Terry hit a dagger free throw line jumper with 1:55 remaining that gave the Mavs a 101-89 lead. Terry ended the game with 27 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. As the Mavericks bench celebrated downcourt and fans who made the trek to Miami cheering loud enough for the AAC to hear them back home, Dallas had one last play up its sleeve. With 35 seconds left, Nowitzki met Kidd at the top of the arc for a slip screen that caught LeBron James sleeping. Kidd found Nowitzki on the cut, and he finished with his left hand at the rim, putting the nail in the coffin for good.

After a Miami miss and foul to put Kidd at the free throw line, the camera found each veteran Maverick with a look of awe. Nowitzki and Chandler both with their hands behind their heads, Shawn Marion with his mouth wide open, Jason Terry with a blank stare of amazement. The jewelry was finally theirs.

The clock hit triple zeros. “And the Dallas Mavericks are NBA Champions, their first title in franchise history,” as Mike Breen called the final buzzer. Nowitzki, overcome with emotion, immediately left the court to take a moment for himself before celebrating with his teammates. “The Mavericks have scaled the NBA playoff mountain and planted their flag, they are the NBA Champions for 2010-2011,” Mavs radio voice Chuck Cooperstein sang over the airwaves.

Five years’ worth of waiting

The job was finally complete. After five long years from the brutal heartbreak of 2006, and 31 years since its inception, the Dallas Mavericks were NBA champions.

And finally, the awkward lanky kid from Germany found his way to what he always deserved – to raise a Finals MVP trophy and the long-coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. As he hoisted the championship trophy towards the rafters, Nowitzki yelled, “Yeah!” to a stunned Miami crowd. What felt like a painful ending five years earlier, was a path to something greater, as it was only a chapter to a storybook ending for one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

This time, it was Mavs in six.

Currently, a lot of names are being floated as possible Suns picks at 47. Most of the players I initially identified as bargains at 47 back in April have moved so far up the chart that they are now late first or early second round picks, including Tarris Reed, Henri Veesaar, and Zuby Ejiofor.

Only three or four players I have reviewed previously look like they might be available at 47: Jaden Bradley (12% chance of still being available at 47), Trevon Brazile (16%), Izaiyah Nelson (56%), and Bruce Thornton (58%). I’d be happy with any of them.

Unfortunately, there are nightmare scenarios where none of them are available (like the latest mock draft on The Athletic), and the Suns have to dig a bit deeper. I’ve gone and looked at all the mock drafts out there, plus the latest articles from The Arizona Republic and other reporting online to see who the Suns have been working out, or draft experts have flagged as guys who are “aligned” with Brian Gregory’s vision, and some who make no sense whatsoever.

I’ve broken them down into a few guys who make some sort of sense, those who are a definite maybe, and players I’d be VERY unhappy if we drafted them because I cannot envision a role for them on the team, or even in the NBA at all. I also look at a few players that will go undrafted, but have been mentioned as potential UFAs and summer league invites.

Makes Some Sort of Sense

These are players with some upside who fit the team’s vision and fill a team need. They’re guys whom I could see carving out a niche in the NBA with some skill that’s far above average, like rebounding or three-point shooting. They’re not going to be stars, but you could imagine a role for them on the team at some point.

Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia, Senior, C)

Ugonna Onyenso is a 7’0”, 245-pound center who emerged as an elite rim protector and efficient play-finisher during his senior season at Virginia. Possessing an impressive 7’5” wingspan and high-level athleticism, he projects as a low-mistake defensive anchor and rotational big man at the professional level.

Draft Range

Mid-30s to Mid-50s with an average of 44.9 and a median of 40.5.

Why He Makes Sense

Have you heard about second-Maluach? Onyenso, a native of Nigeria, seems like a 21-year-old carbon copy of the Suns’ big man, but with even better shot-blocking instincts. He averaged a ridiculous 5.7 blocks per 36 minutes and managed 57/28/73 shooting splits. That free-throw percentage suggests to me that his three-point shot and mid-range game might improve significantly as he gets older.

There’s only a 41% chance he will still be available when the Suns pick at 47, but if he’s still there, he should be the top target. Imagine Dikembe Mutombo with a three-point shot. The No Ceiling NBA Mock Draft V8 has the Suns picking him at 47.

Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA, Senior, PF)

Bilodeau is a 6’8”, 235-pound small/power forward high-IQ, three-level scorer who projects as an immediate floor-spacer at the professional level. Having started over 100 collegiate games, he brings significant experience, toughness, and a steady veteran presence. During his senior year, he shot 46.4% from three-point range.

Draft Range

Late 40’s to undrafted. Average: 54th; median: 56.5.

Why He Makes Sense

Bilodeau has been compared to Cameron Johnson, and it’s fair. He might be an even better shooter and might even be the best left in the draft. He averaged 17.6 points on 52/46/88 shooting splits, spitting distance from a 50/40/90 in college. He’s a below-average rebounder and defender, but he brings one elite skill to the table, and it’s the one that keeps people in the league. Combine with a better size than Brooks or O’Neale, and he could carve out a spot as an 11th or 12th man.

Pavle Backo (KK Mega Basket, 18.9 YO, C)

Pavle Backo, a skilled 18-year-old Serbian center for Mega Superbet, has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. Standing between 6’10” and 7’0” and weighing 262 pounds, Backo fits the classic mold of a highly fundamental, slow-paced Balkan “offensive hub” center. He built major draft momentum by winning back-to-back U19 Adriatic League MVP honors and dominating the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. He averaged 36.5% from three-point range in Euroleague play.

Draft Range

Anywhere from mid-30s to undrafted. The average is 52.8, but the variance is so high that it is very hard to predict where he’ll land.

Why He Makes Sense

There’s always a spot in the league for centers who are legit 3-point threats, and Backo projects to be one. He’s only 18.94 years old, according to Tankathon, so he has potential to grow. Probably not the net Nikola Jokic, but a big body who could hit threes and has a feel for the game would be an interesting change of pace from the slight Ighodaro and the developing Maluach.

The Suns could do worse than taking a flyer on him and stashing him in the G League to develop, or even leaving him overseas as a draft-and-stash. NBA comparisons might be Pat Burke or Aron Baynes.

Big Red Flags, but Maybe?

Maliq Brown (Duke, Senior, PF/C)

Maliq Brown (6’9.25”, 217 pounds) is an elite, positionless defensive prospect known for his active hands, elite quickness in pick-and-rolls, and the rare ability to defend all five positions. However, his limited offensive repertoire and lack of perimeter shooting have capped his draft stock, leading some to project him as a gritty, defensive-minded specialist.

Draft Range

High-30s to high-50s, with an average of 51 and a median of 53.5. There is an estimated 70% chance he will be available with the 47th pick.

Why He’s a Maybe

Maliq Brown is a defensive specialist with no offensive game to speak of. In the modern NBA, there’s really no place for players like this anymore. He does a lot of things really well on the defensive side of the ball, and he’s a willing passer, but does he have a place in the modern NBA game? He’s basically Ryan Dunn, but a couple of inches taller.

Given how Dunn struggled to stay on the court last year, it’s hard to envision Brown doing much better. NBA comparisons would be Ryan Dunn and maybe Draymond Green.  He was mentioned as a possible target by AZCentral and ThePhoenixSuns.com website.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee, Senior, PG)

Ja’Kobi Gillespie (6’1”, 188 pounds) is a highly skilled, veteran combo guard whose prolific scoring, deep shooting range, and competitive point-of-attack defense make him an intriguing prospect for professional levels. Following his senior year, he emerged as a late-round draft prospect, particularly after a strong NBA Combine performance.

Draft Range

Mid-40s to late-50s with an average of 48.2 and a median of 47. There’s an estimated 60% chance he’ll still be on the board when the Suns pick.

Why He’s a Maybe

Gillespie is a solid defender and projects to be a good three-point shooter at the NBA level (38.3%). He doesn’t do anything amazingly well, but there’s nothing horrible either.

It’s hard to see him surprising the league because he lacks an elite skill, but his combine measurements, times, and shooting all looked good enough for the big show. The Suns could do a lot worse if they’re looking for a point guard to develop in the G-League. Draft Room and Bleacher Report have the Suns drafting him at 47, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing. At the same time, he lacks an elite skill, and his ceiling seems low.

Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State, Senior, PG)

Tamin Lipsey (6’1”, 200 pounds) is a tough, defense-first lead guard known for his elite on-ball pressure, high basketball IQ, and excellent assist-to-turnover ratio. The four-year Iowa State standout projects as a prototypical backup point guard and energy spark plug, with physical play that allows him to box out and guard bigger wings.

Draft Range

Late 40s to undrafted, with an average of 58.6 and a median of 54. Due to the small sample size and high variance, it is difficult to say with precision what the odds are that he will be available at 47, but it is likely to be very high (95+%).

Why He’s a Maybe

Lipsey is an able floor general who’s “got that dawg in him” on defense. He fits the Suns’ archetype of defensive-minded high-motor players. Statistically, there are a lot of things he is very good at, and they outnumber the bad. However, his size and so-so shooting (46/32/66 splits) are giant warning flags about his viability as an NBA player.

There are a number of more interesting players available, and there is roughly a 50-50 chance that Lipsey will go undrafted if the Suns want a second chance to try him with the Summer League team. One NBA comparison might be Markelle Fultz, who is, to begin with, something of a cautionary tale. He was mentioned as a possible target by AZCentral and ThePhoenixSuns.com website.

Quadir Copeland (NC State, Senior, PG/SG)

After a collegiate journey with stops at Syracuse and McNeese State, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound jumbo guard breakout season came as a senior under Will Wade at NC State, where he averaged 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He established himself as an elite offensive engine and defensive disruptor, earning All-ACC Third Team honors.

Draft Range

Late 40s to undrafted, though most likely undrafted. The average is 53, the median is 51. There is an estimated 73% chance he is available at 47, though in reality, it is likely higher.

Why He’s a Maybe

Quadir Copeland is intriguing as a backup to Booker or as someone who could play alongside him as a second distributor. He has the size and skills to play three positions. He was not known as a three-point shooter until his senior year, and still doesn’t take them at a high rate. He’s not stellar in any one area, but his three-point percentage, size, and ability to run an offense make him at least interesting. He’s only a mediocre defender at best.

Still, there is a strong chance he will go undrafted and will be available as an unrestricted free agent if the Suns are that interested. The Suns also have more shooting guards than they could play, meaning he’d be spending his time in the G-League for a year at least.

Get Out the Pitchforks and Torches

All of these players are a hard “no” from me: they don’t address team needs (i.e., the Suns need another shooting guard or small forward like they need Bradley Beal back), the player has no future in the NBA, or some combination of both. If the Suns spend the 47th pick on any of these players, it will be a waste of a pick.

Dillon Mitchell (St. John’s, Senior, SG/SF)

Dillon Mitchell (6’8”, 202 pounds) is an explosive athlete and defensive specialist whose value lies in his transition scoring, high-motor rebounding, and defensive versatility. However, his lack of perimeter shooting and traditional size for a wing present clear developmental hurdles for his offensive fit at the next level.

Draft Range

Low-40s to high-50s, with an average of 47.9 and a median of 46.

Why He’s a “No”

Mitchell shot 6.7% from three-point range as a senior. There’s really no place in the current NBA meta for wings who cannot shoot. Ryan Dunn is a way better shooter, and he already looks like he’s on his way out. He also plays positions where the Suns already have too many players. He was mentioned as a possible target by AZCentral.

Kylan Boswell (Illinois, Senior, PG)

Measuring roughly 6’1” barefoot and weighing a sturdy 226 pounds at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, Boswell utilizes his unique “bully-ball” frame to disrupt opponents and absorb contact. After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Arizona, he transferred home to play his junior and senior years for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he anchored a 2026 Final Four run.

Draft Range

50s to undrafted.

Why He’s a “No”

He’s a point guard who doesn’t do the necessary point guard things: namely, generate assists or shoot threes effectively (30.7% from range). The combination of the two means I don’t see a future for him in the NBA. He is likely to go undrafted for a reason: scouts can read a stat sheet, too. He was mentioned as a possible target by AZCentral.

Tobi Lawal (Virginia Tech, Senior, PF)

Lawal is a 6’8.5” (in socks), 214 pound forward from London, England, who spent his first two collegiate seasons at VCU before transferring to the Virginia Tech Hokies, where he broke out during the 2025–26 season and wowed onlookers at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine with a 45.5” vertical.

Draft Range

Mid-40s to late-50s, with an average of 52.9 and a median of 53.5.

Why He’s a “No”

Lawal lacks any sort of shooting range (25% from three) and has a poor feel for the game. He’s more “bad at his job” than good, per Tankathon. At his age, I don’t think there’s much chance his basketball IQ and skills ever catch up with his athleticism. I don’t see a future for him in the NBA. Rookiescale.com projects the Suns taking him at 47.

Tyler Nickel (Vanderbilt, Senior, SG)

Tyler Nickel is a 6’6”, 217-pound wing prospect known for his movement shooting and high basketball IQ. After a standout collegiate career, he projects as a late-second-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent, with his ability to space the floor and play within a system making him a valuable offensive asset.

Draft Range

Mid-40s to undrafted. Average of 48.7 and median of 47.5.

Why He’s a “No”

Nickel isn’t a bad player: he’s a 3-point specialist SG when the Suns have too many SGs, and they already have Koby Brea at home who can’t find minutes on the team either. In fact, Koby Brea is probably the better player of the two. Sam Vecenie at The Athletic projects the Suns taking Nickel at 47 for some unfathomable reason.

Milos Uzan (Houston, Senior, PG)

Milos Uzan (6’4”, 185 pounds) high-IQ floor general with a rare combination of modern point guard size, exceptional pick-and-roll patience, and strong defensive capabilities. After a breakout junior year leading the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Championship game, he returned for his senior season, establishing himself as a second-round prospect.

Draft Range

Late-40s to undrafted. Average of 51.3 and median of 51.

Why He’s a “No”

Three major mock drafts (Tankathon, Sports Illustrated, HoopsHype) have the Suns picking Uzan at 47, and I cannot tell you how much I hate this pick. Uzan is bad at just about everything, and the one thing he’s “good” at mostly involves not trying to pass the ball (turnovers). He doesn’t generate assists, and shot a putrid 38% from the field. I look at his stat profile as a senior from Tankathon, and I cannot imagine him having any sort of future in the NBA: he’s bad at a lot of things, and what he’s good at doesn’t really matter.

Felix Okpara (Tennessee, Senior, C)

Felix Okpara is a highly athletic, defensive-minded center prospect with elite physical tools. At 6-foot-11 and roughly 237 pounds, he features a massive 7-foot-4 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-foot-4. Known for his rim protection and lob-catching.

Draft Range

Late-40s to undrafted. Average of 50.1 and median of 51.

Why He’s a “No”

Okpara is another one of those amazing athletes who isn’t a basketball player. He’s not good at much, but he’s bad at a lot of things. He doesn’t do the things you want a center to do (rebound, block shots). I do not see him as having a future in the league. CBS projects the Suns picking Okpara with the 47^th pick.

Otega Oweh (Kentucky, Senior, SG)

Otega Oweh is a prototypical two-way wing known for his relentless motor, physical toughness, and high-level perimeter defense. Measuring 6’4” barefoot with a near 6’9” wingspan and a chiseled 216-pound frame, he excels as a downhill slasher and a versatile, disruptive stopper who consistently guards the opposing team’s best scorer.

Draft Range

Late-30s to Undrafted. Average: 46.6; median: 46.

Why He’s a “No”

A lot of people like Oweh far more than I do, but he makes no sense on a Suns team with too many shooting guards already. His three-point shooting is mediocre at best (34.3%), and his defensive rating is not great. There’s nothing he does that’s elite, and there are a lot of things he’s below-average at. It’s hard to envision him having a role in the league, much less the Suns. Despite this, NBADraft.net projects the Suns taking him at 47.

Guys Who Will Go Undrafted

These are players that have been mentioned in connection with the Suns’ workouts, whom I 100% expect to be undrafted free agents. If the Suns bring them on, it’s mostly for the attitude they bring.

Derrian Ford (Temple, Senior, PG/SG)

Derrian Ford is a physical, tough-minded 6-foot-3, 200-pound combo guard who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft following an outstanding breakout senior season as Temple University’s leading scorer. He averaged 18.1 PPG on 42.7/37.9/85.2 shooting splits with 4.3 RPG and 1.9 APG.

Isaac McKneely (Louisville, Senior, SG)

Isaac McKneely is a highly efficient 6’4″, 195 lb shooting guard prospect noted for his elite three-point shooting, high basketball IQ, and steady playmaking. Following a successful three-year stint at Virginia, he finished his final college season at Louisville. He averaged 10.9 PPG on 41.6/39.5/86.0 shooting splits, with 3.0 RPG and 1.4 APG.

Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue, Senior, PF)

Trey Kaufman-Renn is a 6’9”, 241 lb, fundamentally sound, physical, and highly efficient inside scorer and rebounder entering the 2026 NBA Draft following a standout redshirt senior season at Purdue University. He is currently projected as a late second-round pick or high-priority undrafted free agent who recently boosted his draft stock with a standout performance at the G League Combine, earning a call-up to the official NBA Draft Combine. He averaged 14.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, with .6 stocks on 57.8/15.4/63.6 shooting splits in his senior year.

Conclusions

At this point, I have reviewed 18 players likely to go in the second round. Many of them were effectively me doing it at gunpoint: mock drafts by people who seem to have no understanding of how the Suns’ roster is constructed or what makes a viable NBA player.

Realistically, the Suns have a shot at 8 players of real interest to me with the 47th pick. My ranking of these, and the likelihood they will be available, are listed below. In effect, this would be my draft board for the Suns with the 47th pick.

1. Trevon Brazile (15.7%): Freaky tall and athletic 4/5 who shoots the three, but there are questions about his intensity.
2. Bruce Thornton (58.6%): My pick for the most underrated player in the draft. Does a lot of things very well, fantastic intangibles, but scouts are hung up on his speed and height.
3. Ugonna Onyenso (41.2%): Elite rim protector with three-point range. Might make Mark Williams expendable. Projects are a dangerous backup center.
4. Jaden Bradley (12.2%): Arizona product with a lot of nice intangibles, decent stats, and no giant red flags
5. Izaiyah Nelson (56.4%): Freaky athletic and long PF/C with a high motor, but no 3-point range
6. Tyler Bilodeau (86.2%): Ultimate low ceiling, low risk player with power forward size and great 3-point range, and not much else. Great fallback option.
7. Pavle Backo (59.4%): Great draft-and-stash candidate if the Suns don’t know what else they want to do. Young, skilled, 6’11” center with three-point range has some potential future value.
8. Maliq Brown (70%): Defensive specialist who might be worth a look as a Draymond Green-type player, but whose archetype generally no longer has a place in the NBA.

First of all, thanks to all of you who came out last night to see Bill Schoening & Friends, Jacob Tobey, and me perform at Sam’s Burger Joint. Jacob is a gifted singer-songwriter whose songs draw the listener in. Bill’s storytelling blends so well with his Philly-based rhythms, his band really takes his sound to the next level. It was a great evening, and the surprise appearance by Matt Bonner was a treat for all.

Bonner is in town because tonight he and Tobey and Jaren Jackson, Sr. are all guests on Inside the Green Room with Danny Green and Harrison Sanford. The podcast is recording a live episode in San Antonio at Bar 3 Oak from 6-9 PM. Admission is free, but you need to sign up to reserve your seat. The Eventbrite link is HERE.

At the same time, Bill Schoening is in New Braunfles at the Brauntex Theater participating in An Evening with the Spurs: Coyote Tales and Court Stories. Bill, along with Sean Elliott and Rob Wicall who was The Coyote from 2004-2016, share behind-the-scenes stories and nostalgia from their distinctive careers with the Spurs. If you have tickets from the original May date, those will be honored. Any available tickets can be found HERE.

Plenty of Spurs related events to keep you entertained until Game 5 on Saturday.

Go Spurs Go!

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There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe the impossibility of the Knicks’ 29-point comeback to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Or the euphoria that spread like wildfire from Madison Square Garden across the city and the surrounding areas, into the hearts of every Knicks fan on the planet.

It’s still something that, 36 hours later, doesn’t feel real. Even as this team has repeatedly shown that nothing is impossible, they continue to find a way to up the ante over and over again.

Just drilling into Wednesday night’s miracle. A 29-point comeback has only happened 17 times in the history of the sport, regardless of time of year. Of those 17, only nine saw the lead overcome in just one half of basketball. To cherry-pick, it’s the seventh-largest comeback of any kind in the final 21:30 of a game.

Only one of those games, a 2019 thriller between the Clippers and Warriors, happened in the playoffs. These larger comebacks, while more impressive in size, come nowhere close in terms of the leverage of the NBA Finals. It’s pound-for-pound the greatest comeback in NBA history, and likely, basketball history.

There will be time for historical, multi-sport comparisons, but the point of this article is to talk about the team that made said comeback. One-off comebacks happen all the time. Sometimes, a team pulls a rabbit out of the hat twice, or even three times.

This team has somehow done it a half dozen times over the last two postseasons. Since 2024, five of the eight 20-point comebacks in the playoffs belong to the Knicks. There aren’t enough stats I can easily find that encapsulates how ridiculous this is.

Here’s one. Two of the top-five largest comebacks in Finals history belong to the Knicks… this year.

This isn’t their only time this postseason with such an outlier comeback that makes no sense. Remember the 22-point comeback against Cleveland? Well, there’s only one other game in history where a team came back from that deficit with under eight minutes, and it happened 50 years ago, which is honestly extremely impressive given the lack of a three-point line.

Well, in Game 4, the Knicks trailed by 20 with 9:20 to go. They were eerily close to what they did against Cleveland in terms of a dead sprint, while additionally upping the raw numbers.

But unlikely comebacks have been engrained in this team’s DNA ever since Jalen Brunson became the head of the snake in New York.

The ridiculous narrative of continuous Knicks doubters as this series has progressed is that the Spurs have had firm control of this series, losing three games merely because of failed execution late. It was them blowing it, not the Knicks rallying back!

But these first-half 12-14 point leads are nothing in the modern NBA, and they’re child’s play to the Brunson-era Knicks. Observe.

2024 Game 1 against the Sixers. Philly led 32-19 in the first quarter and 78-72 in the third quarter after rallying back from a valiant Knicks charge. Guess who out-executed whom in the end?

2024 Game 2 against the Sixers. This time, they effectively maintained a 9-10 point lead for the first 22 minutes of the game, and ultimately seemed to be evening up the series with a 101-96 lead with 30 seconds left. We all know what happened next.

2024 Game 4 against the Sixers. Again, a 10-point lead in both the first and third quarters. Again, they blew it. Is this sounding familiar?

2024 Game 6 against the Sixers. The Knicks blew a 22-point lead in an eyeblink, and soon trailed 71-61 in the third quarter. About 12 minutes later, the Sixers lost their final lead of the season and endured a slow death after a fourth consecutive blown double-digit lead.

2024 Game 2 against Indiana. The Pacers led 75-63 in the first minute of the second half. While the series, as we know, didn’t go our way, it was another sign of resiliency.

2025 Game 1 against Detroit. The first 15 minutes of the second half were all Pistons, to the point where they led 98-90 with 9:10 to go. How’s a 21-0 run sound to you? Shoutout Turbo.

2025 Game 4 against Detroit. The Knicks were down 11 in the third, 10 in the fourth, and four with just 90 seconds to go. Karl-Anthony Towns to the rescue.

2025 Game 6 against Detroit. After going up 11 early in the fourth in a closeout game, the Pistons went on a 20-2 run to go up seven with under 2:30 to go. Somehow, the Knicks found a way… again.

Now it’s time for the good stuff.

2025 Game 1 against Boston. The Celtics led 75-55 midway through the third quarter. The Knicks won in overtime.

2025 Game 2 against Boston. The Celtics led 73-53 with 2:20 left in the third quarter. The Knicks won in regulation.

2025 Game 4 against Boston. At the World’s Most Famous Arena, the Knicks responded to a dominant first half by the Celtics and found themselves down 14 with 9 minutes left in the third. They won again.

2025 Game 3 against Indiana. In the only bright spot of a miserable return to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks somehow found their way back down 20 from late in the first half and as many as 15 with 2:15 to go in the third.

2026 Game 3 against Philly. The desperate Sixers sprinted out to a 20-8 lead in the first six minutes. The Knicks took the lead for good just nine minutes later.

2026 Game 1 against Cleveland. The Knicks are down 22 with under eight minutes to go. Cue Harden-flavored BBQ chicken.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks are down 29 early in the third. They’re down 20 with 9:20 to go. They win… again.

In the last three playoff runs, the Knicks have made five 20-point comebacks, 13 double-digit comebacks, and three additional unlikely comebacks given big momentum shifts.

The defining trait of the Brunson era has been to never give up. To never let go of the rope. Sure, they’ve still been blown out a few times over the years, but there’s a reason the team somehow has a winning record when they trail by 20 the last two years.

They don’t point fingers. They don’t sulk. They don’t look at a deficit and say, “We’ll get ‘em next time.” No lead is impossible to overcome for them.

This is what has the Knicks one game from the ultimate dream. A ridiculous level of buy-in and belief in one another that breaks the scale of what should be possible in the NBA.

No matter how discouraged, no matter how depressive, no matter how bad the intrusive thoughts get, they never give up.

They stared down the barrel of being forced into a Game 7 against Philly in 2024 and Detroit in 2025. They stared down a 3-0 deficit against Indiana in 2025. They risked completely bottling the 2-0 road leads against Boston in 2025 and the Spurs this year. They risked losing home-court advantage against Indiana in 2024 and Cleveland this year.

All the times the vibes have been utterly rancid, they refuse to let the noise impact them. When adversity hits, they pick each other up.

Their mentality is as tough as a diamond. It’s unfathomable, but it starts at the top with their captain.

So as the Knicks embark on the quest to win the toughest closeout game ever, as they wake up on Saturday to be the first to wear the orange and blue with a chance to win a championship with one more win in 32 years, here’s one more note to leave you with.

The Knicks have never lost three consecutive playoff games in the Brunson era. They’ve played 60 of them. The last three-game playoff skid was in 2021, when not a single player on this roster played (Mitch was hurt!).

The only way this season ends without the euphoria of a championship is a historic aberration. A team that has shown time and time again that their will is unbreakable and that they will never spiral into the despair that has plagued multiple teams this postseason alone will have to be driven to that point by the youngest NBA Finals team in history, who’ve consistently failed to execute late in games, have a star running on fumes, and won’t have a real home-court advantage.

Good luck.

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Can the San Antonio Spurs actually recover from the most devastating collapse in NBA Finals history? While the odds are heavily stacked against them, the New York Knicks still have to cross the finish line to secure that elusive fourth victory. 

Our featured Knicks vs. Spurs props and NBA picks expect the regular-season champs to dig deep and put up a ferocious fight on their home floor for Game 5 this Saturday, June 13.

Best Knicks vs Spurs props for Game 5

Player	Pick
Victor Wembanyama	Over 27.5 points	-120
Karl-Anthony Towns	Over 11.5 rebounds	+110
Dylan Harper	Over 3.5 assists	+125

Game 5 Prop #1: Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points

Victor Wembanyama played all 12 minutes of Wednesday’s fourth quarter, yet he scored only five points, going 2-of-9 from the field and not taking a 3-pointer. Consider that to be the latest evidence of the San Antonio Spurs’ superstar’s exhaustion.

This is his first playoff run. He has never played into late April before, let alone mid-June. And the intensity of these games adds up. Fatigue is understandable even if also becoming a liability.

But with an added day off, Wembanyama should be ready to charge forward in Game 5, and he has always preferred shooting at home. Some consideration could be put into betting the Over on his 3-pointers prop, set at 1.5 but juiced to -200.

An extra day off before Game 3 helped Wembanyama to an 11-of-21 showing for 32 points, despite shooting only four 3-pointers. Expect a 3-of-7 or 3-of-8 showing from long range as Wembanyama again reaches 30 points in Game 5.

Game 5 Prop #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds

The Spurs could not have started Game 4 in a better way than notching two fouls on Karl-Anthony Towns within the first minute of the game. Failing to find a win when granted that break is nearly as damning as blowing a 29-point lead was.

Once Towns was back on the court in full, he returned to his effectiveness. He finished with 10 rebounds despite playing less than 26 minutes. He snagged seven boards once free of his shackles in the second half.

He is effectively the New York Knicks’ only quality big man in this series; obviously that drastically understates Towns’s role. Every Mitchell Robinson minute risks Hack-A-Mitch, but when facing Wembanyama, New York needs size.

Expect at least 35 minutes from Towns in Game 5, if not 40.

This prop is set at the right number, but the plus-money is foolish. Towns cleared this in the first two games of this series, and he fell short in Game 4 only because of the opening minute’s whistles.

Game 5 Prop #3: Dylan Harper Over 3.5 assists

Obviously and memorably De’Aaron Fox had an ugly closing few minutes in Game 4 that likely cost the Spurs a win. But San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson should already have been playing Fox fewer minutes and turning to Dylan Harper more often.

Harper is clearly the Spurs’ best guard in this series, outplaying both Fox and Stephon Castle. He has notched at least three assists in each of the last three games, playing 32 minutes in each and with a usage rate of at least 22.1% in them after playing only 28 minutes in Game 1 with a usage rate of 19.0%.

San Antonio’s best chance at shocking everyone in these Finals includes elevating Harper to the No. 2 role behind Wembanyama. The headlines will say that comes at Fox’s expense, but it was an obvious need long before Fox missed a layup and failed to box out OG Anunoby.

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

Sixers draft profile: Will Chris Cenac Jr. put it all together in the NBA?  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

A scouting report on NBA draft prospect Chris Cenac Jr.: 

• Position: Power forward/Center 
• Height:  6-foot-10.25 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 240 pounds 
• College: Houston 

Strengths

Cenac clearly possesses NBA size and athleticism. He has a 7-5 wingspan and performed well on the draft combine’s athletic testing, including a 37-inch maximum vertical leap. 

In his lone college season, Cenac used those tools to consistently rebound at a good rate. He had 14 double-digit rebounding games. Over 37 outings, Cenac posted at least one offensive rebound on 33 occasions. 

Cenac is a fluid mover for his size defensively and showed skills at Houston beyond the big man basics. At 19 years old, it’s doesn’t appear outlandish to think Cenac could get much better in the right developmental situation and provide considerable versatility on both ends of the floor in the NBA.

While Cenac didn’t have the production of many other first-round prospects, he was a helpful role player on a strong college team. He played 24.8 minutes per game for the 30-7 Cougars and averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks. Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson admired his day-to-day approach. 

“I love that kid,” Sampson told reporters in January. “I love him. He never has a bad day and I have worn him out. … He’s never, ever not looked me in the eye. He’s never had one ounce of bad body language. He’s never, ever been late. He’s always one of the first ones in, one of the last to leave.

“He is like a huge sponge. Wherever he’s playing in the NBA down the road, that team is going to be lucky to get him. He is an awesome, awesome young man.” 

Weaknesses

Though Cenac flashed shooting ability in college from both three-point territory and the mid-range, he wasn’t particularly efficient. 

He made 30 of 90 threes (33.3 percent) and 36 of 58 free throws (62.1 percent). As far as form, it’s noticeable that Cenac seems to lean back a bit during his shooting motion. The jumper is not currently a positive, dependable part of his game. 

What position will suit Cenac as a professional? He doesn’t need to be exclusively a power forward or a center, but it’s worth asking whether his NBA team will be able to find a sweet spot in terms of positional usage. 

Perhaps Cenac will put it all together in the NBA, but he comes across as a prospect still figuring out where he’s best and what he should focus on. It’s fine if he needs time to adapt to the NBA and hone specific skills like his jumper and his post defense, but there’s plenty of projection required for any team that believes in Cenac as a future starter. 

Fit 

The Sixers have drafted several second-round big men in recent years, including Johni Broome (35th overall pick in 2025) and Adem Bona (41st in 2024).

If new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey took Cenac at No. 22, we imagine he’d mainly be investing in the Sixers’ frontcourt future. Even if Joel Embiid’s health fortunes improve, he’s 32 years old and won’t play at an All-Star level forever. 

Dalton and Tristi's NBA mock draft 3.0: Who Warriors, Kings pick in first round originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

And just like that, the 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner.

Yes, the Finals still are underway. Everybody has been locked in watching the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, and they should be. But for the other 28 teams, their eyes are on the draft.

Can the Kings find a franchise savior with the No. 7 pick? Will the Warriors add a rookie who can help Steph Curry right away with the 11th pick?

The draft now is less than two weeks away, so it’s time for another guessing game. Dalton Johnson and Tristi Rodriguez predict all 30 first-round picks with plenty of changes in our mock draft 3.0.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

Dybantsa makes it through three rounds as the first pick in our mock drafts. From high school to his one season at BYU, Dybantsa has shown he has the makings to be a star. We’ll see if he keeps the top spot. –Dalton Johnson

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

A superstar will soon be born again in Utah since Donovan Mitchell’s departure. Peterson’s services will give the Jazz a nightmare backcourt duo alongside Keyonte George. –Tristi Rodriguez

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Boozer, PF, Duke

In the end, Boozer might be the most ready-now prospect, and the best in the long run. The Grizzlies still are big winners with the third pick. –DJ

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina

Wilson’s infectious smile will soon grace Chi-Town, and so will his athletic, 6-foot-10 two-way abilities. –TR

5. LA Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

The Clippers get their pick of point guards as the draft starts to really get interesting. They could also go super-sized and take Michigan center Adaya Mara. Instead, they land on Keaton Wagler, at 6-foot-6 with an exceptional feel for the game, to pair next to Darius Garland. –DJ

6. Brooklyn Nets: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

It was revealed earlier this week that Ament and fellow draft prospect Karim Lopez were going head-to-head in a workout with the Nets. Ament has been heavily linked to Brooklyn in recent weeks, and it appears they could roll the dice on him. –TR

7. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

With the Nets’ reported interest in Nate Ament increasing, that could change everything for the Kings – in the best way possible.

The Kings have had their eye on Acuff Jr., but there is concern that he won’t still be on the board by the seventh selection. Some reports have even indicated that Scott Perry could opt to trade up just to secure Acuff Jr., but with this route, that wouldn’t be necessary.

The connections between Acuff Jr. and the Kings date back to when Perry coached his dad, Darius Acuff Sr., at Eastern Kentucky in 1997.

The two are both Detroit natives.

In one season at Arkansas, Acuff Jr. averaged 23.5 points on 48.4-percent shooting, with 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers in 35.1 minutes through 36 games. He also shot an impressive 44.0 percent from beyond the arc on 5.8 3-point attempts per game.

It is no secret that the Kings need a starting point guard. Not only does Acuff Jr. fill that void, but he also checks several boxes Sacramento needs as a pure three-level scorer who can get a bucket when he needs to.

And perhaps most importantly, the star potential is there, something needed for a team like the Kings, who finished 22-60 last season. –TR

8. Atlanta Hawks (via NO): Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville 

CJ McCollum did what he needed to do to lead the Hawks to a first-round playoff appearance, but his lack of consistent help is why the Hawks got the first-round boot. Brown Jr. gives Atlanta at least another consistent shot creator to pair with McCollum. –TR

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

When there’s smoke, there’s fire, and these two sides keep getting connected to one another. Burries does a bit of everything well and is a strong 6-foot-4 combo guard at 215 pounds who can get downhill and can help on both sides of the ball. –DJ

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

The Bucks can go a number of ways. They also might be operating under the assumption they’ll have another first-round pick from a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Here, the Bucks bring in a point guard who can guide them into the future and has star potential.  –DJ

11. Golden State Warriors: Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan

What order Michigan’s Big Three goes will be as interesting as who the Warriors wind up selecting here. The Warriors have multiple areas to address, and Johnson’s athleticism and defensive versatility would be an instant spark for a team looking to get back on the right path. 

Johnson already impressed as Mr. Dirty Work in his two years at Michigan and now has been rising up boards throughout the pre-draft process. He came in at 6-foot-9 barefoot and an extremely strong 251 pounds at the combine as a tweener who can play the 4 and the 5 with an elite profile of a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 8-foot-11 standing reach before owning athletic drills. Johnson can guard out on the wings and be an absolute two-way difference-maker down low. 

Though his shot is questioned, he has shown feel and touch, shooting 78.2 percent from the free-throw line last season. In Big Ten play, Johnson went 10 of 25 from 3-point range (40 percent). The Warriors will be working Johnson out, per sources, and he could solidify himself as a true option here for them. –DJ

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Michigan

OKC’s offseason began slightly earlier than anticipated after falling just short of defending its 2024-25 NBA title, which means Isaiah Hartenstein could enter unrestricted free agency. Mara would be the best option to back up Chet Holmgren. –TR

13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

A team like the Heat feels like they’d love to see the Warriors and Thunder pass on Lendeborg. He’s a plug-and-play pick who can play the 3, 4 and even small-ball 5 with his 7-foot-3 wingspan. The Heat don’t waste time here. –DJ

14. Charlotte Hornets: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers 

Lopez’s draft value has gone up and down over the weeks, but his physique at 19 years old has been enticing for NBA owners and front offices. –TR

15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor

Adding Wilson and Carr in the first round gives the Bulls a nightmare in transition for opposing defenses. Carr is a long athlete who has a smooth shot from deep. He won the combine, and the Bulls could win the first round with these two picks. –DJ

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX): Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama

Ja Morant’s time in Memphis appears to be nearing an end, so the focus is on the future. Philon Jr. is a shifty combo guard who can both handle the ball but also get a bucket when he needs to as a creative three-level scorer. –TR

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston

If the Thunder do keep this pick, Cenac is worth the swing. He’ll need time to develop and the Thunder might be the perfect home for him. –DJ

18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL): Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington

The Hornets need to bolster their frontcourt, and through the combine, Steinbach climbed the rankings and solidified his status as a first-round draft prospect. –TR

19. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

Look past Anderson’s height at just under 6-foot-1 barefoot and put on the tape. Anderson can put the ball on a string and be lights out from three. In an early-season win against Duke, Anderson scored 27 points and had five assists and made five 3-pointers. –DJ

20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

Despite showcasing one of the most embarrassing defeats in NBA history in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, it’s no secret that the young Spurs will be a problem in the West for a while. Quintance could be a welcome addition to something special brewing in San Antonio. –TR

21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Bennett Stirt, PG, Iowa

The new-age Grit and Grind Pistons need to get Cade Cunningham some more help in the backcourt. Stirtz checks the boxes as a playmaker and deep threat who can help get Cunningham off the ball more. He’s not an overwhelming athlete, but he is a highly skilled player. –DJ

22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Koa Peat, F, Arizona 

Philly needs reliable frontcourt depth – emphasis on reliable. Peat is a well-rounded player who’s capable of doing a little bit of everything on the floor. –TR

23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

After taking Brown with their first pick, the Hawks bring in frontcourt help with their second. Veesaar is a 7-foot senior who also shot 42.7 percent beyond the arc. He can be a great complement for Onyeka Okongwu. –DJ

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

The Knicks are one win away from their first NBA championship in five long decades. Graves could be an intriguing option for Mike Brown and the Knicks. –TR

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn

With Doncic leading the Lakers, they need more talent at center. In comes Reed, who does not miss around the rim, is a lob threat and averaged 19.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game in the NCAA tournament. –DJ

26. Denver Nuggets: Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound athletic forward/wing will offer frontcourt support to complement Nikola Jokíc and Jamal Murray. –TR

27. Boston Celtics: Isaiah Evans, Wing, Duke

Given a bigger role as a sophomore, Evans was a major reason for Duke’s success. He can space the floor and instantly take part in the Celtics’ 3-point contest. –DJ

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

Okorie is a lightning-quick point guard who emerged as a standout freshman at Stanford. His presence would allow Anthony Edwards to play more off the ball and more to his original position as a true shooting guard. –TR

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SA) – Meleek Thomas, SG, Arkansas

Instant offense. That’s what Meleek Thomas brings and who he can be right away in the NBA. Thomas shared a backcourt with Acuff and averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 41.6 percent beyond the arc in his one season at Arkansas. –DJ

30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

Jefferson’s draft stock has increased in recent weeks. He’s a highly versatile, playmaking forward, often referred to as a “point-forward.” –TR

Long before OG Anunoby was rescuing the Knicks in the NBA Finals, he was the quiet kid wandering the halls of Indiana University and showing up at frat parties in Bloomington, Ind.

Now, as the 27-year-old forward powers New York’s championship chase, Hoosier alumni say they’re watching one of their own become a Knicks legend.

To Indiana University grads living in the city, he’s still the soft-spoken but hilarious, Young Thug-loving student who hung out at tailgates long before he became one of the NBA’s premier two-way players.

Anunoby, who starred under then-coach Tom Crean at Indiana from 2015-17 before launching an NBA career, has become an unlikely crossover hero for New Yorkers with Hoosier roots. For alumni who also happen to be lifelong Knicks fans, watching a Bloomington favorite thrive at Madison Square Garden feels almost too perfect.

“OG was one of the first people I ever met on the Bloomington campus in 2015,” said Jason Morrin, a 28-year-old former student who recalls meeting the basketball star during orientation, saying he was extremely friendly.

Morrin told The Post that at the time, Anunoby was close with current Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant.

“The two of them together made for quite the party. TB really brought OG out of his shell,” Morrin said.

Even as a freshman playing in Assembly Hall, his potential was evident to students who regarded him as one of the most athletically gifted players on the hardwood.

“It is surreal to watch him put everything together now for my beloved Knicks,” the New Yorker said. “He is forever a New York and Bloomington legend.”

Josh Lomita remembers Anunoby from the freshman dorms and says he was always a fan favorite.

The 29-year-old New Yorker, who got to watch him play for a year in Bloomington, said his trade to the Knicks was “the best reunion.”

“It’s a full-circle storybook moment,” Lomita told The Post. “We are Knicks season ticket holders for 14 years, but lifelong fans. We lived through the darkest days of sports fandom.

“To have a player as special on both sides of the floor as OG is indescribable. Watching his tip shot fall produced an out-of-body experience. Whatever he wants in this city is his for life. Quite frankly, we should give him the key to the city and make him mayor.”

Off the court, Anunoby had a reputation for being just as approachable as he was talented, especially when he showed up at Zeta Beta Tau fraternity parties — and never turned down a photo with anyone who asked.

“Watching him party at the frat and seeing the other side of him was amazing,” said Dylan Leist. “He used to put girls on his shoulders in the middle of the mosh pits during tailgates.”

There is something special about being both a Hoosier basketball fan and a Knicks fan, two teams that experienced historic greatness followed by a long period of struggle, only to find greatness again in recent years.

For Leist, 29, Anunoby’s rise has linked two fan bases that know plenty about long waits for championships.

“Watching OG from college to the pros has been nothing short of incredible. From the Tom Crean days to now, his special talent has transformed the Knicks in a way that I have never seen,” said former Hoosier Leist. “OG’s journey as a fan of both the Hoosiers and the Knicks has been an honor to witness.”

Even after reaching the NBA, former classmates say Anunoby never changed.

Morrin said the pair stayed in touch after graduation and even reunited after a 2017 Knicks-Raptors game.

“OG always had the ability to make everyone feel special,” Lomita said.

“He never thought he was better than anyone else. He was just OG.”

New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference)

San Antonio; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Spurs -5.5; over/under is 216.5

NBA FINALS: Knicks lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks look to clinch the series over the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the NBA Finals. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 107-106 in the last matchup on Thursday. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 36 points, and Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24.

The Spurs have gone 32-8 in home games. San Antonio ranks ninth in the league with 28.1 assists per game. Stephon Castle leads the Spurs averaging 7.4.

The Knicks are 23-19 on the road. New York is eighth in the Eastern Conference with 27.4 assists per game led by Brunson averaging 6.8.

The Spurs make 48.3% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.3 percentage points higher than the Knicks have allowed to their opponents (46.0%). The Knicks average 5.0 more points per game (116.5) than the Spurs give up (111.5).

TOP PERFORMERS: Wembanyama is shooting 51.2% and averaging 25.0 points for the Spurs. Devin Vassell is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Brunson is scoring 26.0 points per game with 3.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists for the Knicks. OG Anunoby is averaging 16.0 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 53.3% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 4-6, averaging 108.7 points, 44.2 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points per game.

Knicks: 9-1, averaging 115.5 points, 45.8 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 102.6 points.

INJURIES: Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).

Knicks: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

SAN ANTONIO — OG Anunoby was the star, his flying tip-in of a Jalen Brunson missed 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left capping a comeback for the ages. But there were so many pivotal moments and unsung stars in the Knicks rally from 29 points down in their pulsating Game 4 victory. 

The Post takes a look back at how it all went down: 

KAT’s timely deflection 

The Garden was abuzz, thinking Anunoby had just brought the Knicks to within one win of their first championship in 53 years. But the Spurs still had a chance, inbounding the ball with 1.2 seconds to go. Stephon Castle shook free for a potential alley-oop, but Dylan Harper’s inbounds pass was deflected by Towns, and Castle couldn’t get off a shot. After being limited by foul trouble in the first half, Towns was solid over the final 24 minutes, producing seven points, seven rebounds and two assists. 

MSG Rims 

The Garden rims were kind to the Knicks on two specific occasions. The first instance involved Anunoby. His stepback 3 hit off the front rim, the backboard and dropped, cutting the deficit to 15 with just under a minute left in the third quarter. The second one came with 9:15 to go and the Knicks down 20. Jose Alvarado’s left corner 3 rolled around the rim, off the glass and fell. 

Backup’s star turn 

Knicks coach Mike Brown closed with Alvarado, and the reserve point guard excelled. He scored five consecutive Knicks points in the fourth quarter — a driving layup and a 3-pointer — that made it a four-point game with 3:07 remaining. Both baskets followed field goals by the Spurs, which kept momentum on the Knicks’ side. 

Fox’s blunder 

De’Aaron Fox’s decision to attack the basket rather than eat up precious seconds of the clock and wait to be fouled was a boneheaded mistake. After a Brunson miss with the Spurs up one point, there was a scramble for the rebound. Fox got to it first in the backcourt with roughly 12 seconds left. He went in for the layup, but was rejected by Anunoby. Fox had a terrible second half, shooting 2-for-8 from the field and committing four turnovers. 

Johnson’s costly decisions 

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson made two moves he likely regrets. The first one was playing Victor Wembanyama all but 50 seconds of the second half. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman was clearly fatigued late and not only missed 11 of 14 shots over the final two quarters, but also missed two critical free throws with 1:47 remaining. The second was not guarding the inbounder on the Knicks’ final possession. Anunoby threw the ball in to Brunson, and nobody was there to block him out on the game-winning tip-in. 

A key successful challenge 

Early in the fourth quarter, the Spurs inbounded the ball to Wembanyama. He was stripped, and the initial ruling gave San Antonio possession. Coach Mike Brown, advised by assistant coach Jordan Brink, challenged the call and won.

In a split second, De’Aaron Fox became the basketball world’s object of consternation. The foil. The antihero. 

It happened with less than 15 seconds left and the Spurs up 106-105. Victor Wembanyama got a defensive stop against Jalen Brunson, and Fox tipped the rebound to himself. 

What he did next will surely haunt him. 

After chasing the ball downcourt, Fox had a decision to make. Use the clock. Or go for a layup. 

He’s fast. He believed in himself. He decided to go for what he thought would be a sure-fire way to give the Spurs a three-point lead. A layup is easier to make than two free throws, after all. 

Except he miscalculated things. 

OG Anunoby met him in the paint. As Fox elevated with 11 seconds left, Anunoby made the block of his life. 

That mistake kicked open the door for the Knicks to complete the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, storming back from a 29-point deficit to win Game 4 on Wednesday, 107-106. 

The Knicks found themselves with possession of the ball. They had a relative eternity on the clock. They had a chance to clinch the game. 

Brunson attempted a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left that rimmed out. Fox, who had left Anunoby to double-team the Knicks star, then watched his man cut through the lane, elevate and tip in the ball with 1.2 seconds remaining. 

So many things went wrong for the Spurs in a hellish fourth quarter. It takes all five guys on the court to blow a 29-point lead, as well as the guy at the helm. But in a collapse so big, on this stage, the world needs to blame someone. 

If Fox had made the layup, he would’ve been the hero. 

But the gamble didn’t go his way. 

So instead, that play has landed him in the eye of the storm. He’s now the face of a collapse so large that it will be talked about for generations. It might not be fair. But that’s basketball. Just ask JR Smith.

The 28-year-old Fox is a veteran point guard. The Spurs traded for him in February 2025 because they trusted him to shepherd the team in clutch moments. He signed a four-year, $229 million extension with the team in August. 

Fox had a fraction of a second to make a decision. In this case, with the world watching, he happened to make the wrong one. 

“I just thought I’d be able to outrun him,” Fox said of Anunoby. “That’s it.”

For the Spurs, this series has been defined by a series of little mistakes that have had monumental consequences. 

In Game 2, Wembanyama was the fall guy after he committed a turnover with 12.7 seconds left in the Spurs’ 105-104 loss. 

On Wednesday, it was Fox’s turn to have the world point its finger at him, ring bells and chant “shame.”

Sure, Wembanyama missed two free throws with 1:47 left and the Spurs up 104-103. Sure, the Spurs went cold in the second half, shooting just 20.5 percent from the field. Fox was just a piece of the puzzle.

But his mistake was the most memorable. It was the most egregious.

The funny thing is, Fox was a hero of sorts in Game 3 after he made a jumper with 12 seconds left to help lift the Spurs to a 115-111 win. He came through when it mattered most. 

But two days later, the opposite was true. 

Overall, Fox has had a rough series. The two-time All-Star is averaging just 14.3 points over the last four games, less than half as much as his Knicks counterpart Brunson, who’s averaging 29.5 points. 

In Game 4, Fox had 18 points (but it took him 16 shots to get them), seven assists and five rebounds. He also had four turnovers, including a glaring one with two minutes left and the Spurs up 104-103 when he essentially threw the ball to Josh Hart.

You want to root for Fox. It was tough to watch. He’s sacrificing his own stats while playing alongside Wembanyama. He’s a guy who truly cares about winning above all else. 

But Fox is now firmly in the bullseye of a catastrophe that has transfixed the sports world. This game will be talked about forever. It instantly became a classic.

The Knicks are now one win away from their first championship since 1973. Meanwhile, the Spurs have squandered two games by final-second errors, most recently at the hands of their point guard who was supposed to steady them in these moments.

Fox isn’t the reason the Spurs lost Game 4. This collapse was so much bigger than him. San Antonio was outscored in the fourth quarter, 32-16. Everyone is at fault for this disaster. 

But Fox’s blunder was the most stunning. 

It’s universally accepted that with such little time on the clock and such a paper-thin lead, the best thing to do is dribble. Let time pass. Incite panic. Draw the foul. Steal time from the opponent. Close their window to score. 

But Fox took a risk on the league’s biggest stage.

And it really didn’t work out.