When the Yankees faced a Red Sox lefty in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series last year, Aaron Boone sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the bench, much to his chagrin.
History could repeat itself Tuesday night, with Boone having to decide whether to start the left-handed hitting Chisholm or the right-handed hitting Anthony Volpe at second base against southpaw Payton Tolle.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Chisholm said Monday he expected to be in the lineup Tuesday, but had not yet heard anything from Boone. Asked if he would be “angry” not to be in the lineup to face Tolle — against whom he is 1-for-5 with a home run and two strikeouts — Chisholm indicated he would.
“As a competitor, who wouldn’t be?” said Chisholm, who was upset last year when he was not in the Game 1 lineup against lefty Garrett Crochet. “It’s the playoffs, you want to play.”
Chisholm started both games against Tolle during the regular season, though the Yankees roster composition will be different this time around, including having Volpe (0-for-2 against Tolle) as a utility player. Chisholm also only got 12 plate appearances under his belt after returning from the IL last week for a right thumb sprain.
Boone brought up Chisholm’s recent injury when acknowledging he was considering platooning him and Volpe at second base.
“Volpe is very much in play,” Boone said. “The platoon stuff is in play there. Obviously Jazz is just coming back from the thumb. He was able to get a couple games in, would have liked another one or two, but the weather didn’t really cooperate this weekend. Anthony’s put himself very much in the mix to be a part of the equation.”
Chisholm, a pending free agent, had a mostly brutal contract year in the regular season but had been playing his best baseball when he got hurt earlier this month. He was asked if he would understand why Boone would play the platoon matchups in this series.
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. runs off the field in the sixth inning during the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Adam Hunger
Ryan Weathers threw an inning of live batting practice Monday, which the Yankees will have to take into account when deciding whether the left-hander will be on their roster. Because he is coming back from a left forearm flexor strain, the live session Monday will likely make him unavailable to pitch in Game 1 on Tuesday, but would he be recovered in time to pitch either Wednesday or Thursday?
Weathers’ first live session was Friday, and he threw again Monday on two days’ rest. If he makes the roster, the Yankees will essentially have him for one inning versus another lefty like Tim Hill, who would probably be available to pitch in all three games.
Crochet, who has been out since April with a shoulder injury, threw a second live batting practice Saturday as he attempts to rush through an expedited rehab that could land him on the Red Sox wild-card roster.
“I guess now it’s just a matter of if anybody agrees with me,” said Crochet, who was pleased with his stuff and his health. “I’ve been busting my tail just to give myself a fighting chance, and I feel like I did that. … Now just waiting for the roster to come out.”
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said he did not know yet whether Crochet would crack the roster. He felt more optimistic about Willson Contreras, who returned to the lineup Sunday after missing eight games with a bruised hand.
“We’ll make sure we get everybody through [the workout] and see where we’re at, but I think he’s ready to go,” Tracy said.
One other roster curiosity for the Red Sox: Triple-A outfielder Braiden Ward traveled with the team to The Bronx because he stole 61 bases in the minors this season and could be added as a pinch runner.
If so, the 27-year-old would be making his major league debut.
“It’s like a dream — it’s a fever dream,” Ward said. “One day I’m in Worcester, the next day I’m in Florida, the next day I’m at the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at in New York City, the greatest view, the greatest team, getting to hopefully play in the greatest rivalry.”
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks speaks to the media during New York Knicks Media Day at the Knicks Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
Jalen Brunson sat at the podium during Knicks Media Day on Monday with no cast, brace or any type of protection on his left wrist.
The captain is ready to go.
Brunson underwent offseason surgery on that wrist to repair a tendon issue. He notably played through the injury during the end of the playoffs en route to winning Finals MVP in spite of it.
“It was painful, but I clearly could play through it,” Brunson said Monday. “Did what I had to do every single day just to make sure I was right.”
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks speaks to the media during New York Knicks Media Day at the Knicks Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Getty Images
Brunson didn’t fully realize the severity of the injury at first, waiting until early July for surgery rather than immediately after leading the Knicks to the NBA championship a few weeks earlier in June. He spent most of the summer in a cast.
“Didn’t think I necessarily needed surgery, so if that was the case, maybe I would have gotten it done sooner,” Brunson said. “So yeah, I was just playing through it, didn’t think anything of it, and I feel good. And we’ll see.”
During Thursday’s “Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart” block party, the All-NBA point guard said that he is “fully cleared” for training camp, which begins this week.
Speaking with The Post last month, Brunson opened up about the injury and his determination to play through it.
“I just knew that the opportunity rarely presents itself to be in a position like that,” Brunson said at the time. “So I just wasn’t going to let something that seemed minor take me out. Just [do] whatever needed to be done, [then] focus on it afterwards.”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks to the media during media day at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, September 28, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
For a well-known workaholic who loves grinding away hours in the gym, the injury affected his offseason routine.
“It’s reminded me a lot about patience, for sure,” Brunson said.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Dylan Cease #84 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on September 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Each year, I look at how each Jays player performed during the season.
We signed Dylan Cease on December 2nd last year. He got a seven-year, $210 million contract. I read a few baseball commentators call it the worst free-agent signing of the off-season. Right now, they appear very wrong.
We disagreed. 42.9% of us were ‘Kind of Happy’, 41.8% were Very Happy. Only 5.1% were Kind of or Very Unhappy.
Cease spent the previous two seasons with the Padres. He had a very good season in 2024, a 3.47 ERA and a 4.0 bWAR and a less good 2025 season, with a 4.55 ERA and a 1.0 bWAR.
The Jays thought they saw something in him that they could ‘fix’. I’m always dubious of teams thinking that. But it seems like the Jays were right.
Baseball Reference has him at 5.7 WAR, and Fangraphs has him at 5.5, valuing him at $43.9 million to the Blue Jays.
Dylan had a 2.56 FIP and 2.93 xFIP.
He had a .274 BABIP (down from .320 last year). 77.8% of the base runners he allowed were stranded (up from 69.0% last year).
Cease’s line drive rate was 20.4% (down from 21.8% last year). His ground ball rate was 42.1% (up from 36.6). And the fly ball rate was 37.5% (down from 41.5). 8.1% of his fly balls left the park (down from 11.9).
His strikeout rate was 34.9% (up from 29.8), while his walk rate was up 11.4% from 9.8.
Dylan’s soft contact rate was up (21.6% from 17.2). Hard contact was down (29.0% from 33.8).
He was slightly better vs. LHB (.167/.267/.271) than RHB (.198/.289/.270). Career, he has been a fair bit better vs. right-handed batters.
Cease was better on the road (batters hit.162/.257/.234, with a 1.94 ERA) than at home (.198/.295/.305 with a 2.85 ERA).
He was slightly better in the second half (2.17, .167/.265/.285) than in the first half (2.56, .190/.284/.261).
Cease by month:
April: 6 starts, 1-1, 2.87. Batters hit .220/.326/.246 with 0 home runs, 17 walks and 49 strikeouts.
May: 5 starts, 2-2, 3.23. Batters hit .209/.275/.373 with 5 home runs, 9 walks and 43 strikeouts.
June: 4 starts, 1-1, 2.95. Batters hit .182/.308/.221 with 0 home runs, 14 walks and 36 strikeouts..
July: 5 starts, 3-1, 1.00. Batters hit .125/.198/.217 with 2 home runs, 11 walks and 46 strikeouts.
August: 5 starts, 2-0, 2.03. Batters hit .144/.242/.260 with 3 home runs, 14 walks and 43 strikeouts.
September: 4 starts, 2-1, 2.89. Batters hit .214/.333/.314 with 1 home run, 13 walks and 22 strikeouts.
The Jays were 18-11 in his starts. They averaged 4.56 runs per game in his starts. They scored 3 or fewer runs in 11 of his starts.
Days of rest:
4 days, 13 starts: 5-3, 2.75 ERA, batters hit .178/.280/.280.
5 days, 10 starts: 5-1, 1.96 ERA, batters hit .167/.263/.234.
6 or more days: 6 starts, 1-2, 2.38 ERA, batters hit .206/.291/.310.
By Catcher:
Tyler Heineman: 5 games, 4.23 ERA, batters hit .230/.350/.310.
Alejandro Kirk: 15 games, 2.44 ERA, batters hit .173/.276/.256.
Brandon Valenzuela: 9 games, 1.43 ERA, batters hit .167/.236/.273.
Times through the order:
1st: Batters hit .160/.257/.255.
2nd: Batters hit .174/.251/.230.
3rd: Batters hit .224/.346/.366.
4th: Batters hit ..250/.400/.250 in just 5 PA.
Dylan was good with RISP, holding batters to a .200/.255/.255 line.
In high-leverage spots, batters hit .233/.284/.291. Low leverage .157/.259/.252.
His best start, according to GameScore, was a 94 on July 25th, in Boston. He went 9 innings, allowing 1 hit, 3 walks, and 12 strikeouts. He also posted an 88 on July 8th in San Francisco, allowing 1 hit in 8 innings, with 3 walks and 11 strikeouts.
The worst start was a 38 GameScore. September 18th, going 2.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, 4 runs, 1 earned run, 6 walks and 6 strikeouts against the Rangers. You likely remember it.
José averaged 5.8 innings per start.
Cease had a super season. He tired a bit near the end. I didn’t think the Jays really worked him all that hard; he threw 169 innings. In 2024, he threw 189 innings. But then different innings cause different stresses.
It was a nice way to start a seven-year contract. Odds are his last couple of seasons won’t be as good, but we have a while until then. He’s clearly our opening-day starter next year. When 77% of your outs are strikeouts or groundouts, it is a good season.
I’m not going to worry (much) about his ‘tired arm’ at the end of the season. If they suddenly schedule surgery, then I’ll worry, but a tired arm does happen.
Before the season, Steamer projected him to make 32 starts, throw 185 innings with a 3.61 ERA, a 12-10 record, and a 3.8 fWAR. The 185 innings was overly hopeful, but the rest they undershot the target.
By Baseball Savant, his fastball was a little slower than last year: 96.8 mph this year, 97.1 last year, but it got hit harder last year: .204 this year, .241 last. His slider was also harder, 89.1 to 88.7 this year. Batters hit his slider at .145 this year, .228 last year.
We changed his pitch usage some:
Four Seamer: 37.0% this year, 42.1% last year.
Slider: 30.1% this year, 40.8 last year.
Change-up: 11.5% this year, 1.2 last.
Knuckle Curve: 10.1% this year, 8.3 last.
Sinker: 7.9% this year, 3.9 last.
Sweeper: 3.5% this year, 3.5 last.
Before the season we asked:
If the over/under on Dylan’s innings is 180, I’d take the…..33.81% of us were right. If he hadn’t tired at the end, it would have been very close.
We also asked, “If the over/under on Dylan’s wins in his seven-year contract was 77”. 52.9% of us picked the over. We also asked who would be the opening-day starter. 9.3 said, Cease. Most were right in picking Gausman.tarter. 9.3 said Cease. Most were right picking Gausman.
Brooklyn Nets Michael Porter, Jr. speaks to members of the media during Media Day at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
Extension talks between the Nets and Michael Porter Jr. are ongoing. But they don’t sound urgent or anywhere close to bearing fruit.
Porter was Brooklyn’s leading scorer last season amid a career year. But he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and despite being extension-eligible since July 6, neither side seems to be in a hurry to hammer out a deal.
“Yeah, I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” Nets GM Sean Marks said. “That’s obviously between the Nets and Mike and his agent. But they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.
“If there’s a meeting point that we feel like, ‘Hey, this works for both sides,’ then that’ll happen. But as we’ve mentioned before, this is not something that there’s an expiry date on it in the next couple of months either. So we both have time. Both sides have time to figure this one out.”
Porter, 28, will surely have his name come up in rumors before the trade deadline.
Brooklyn Nets Michael Porter, Jr. speaks to members of the media during Media Day at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
But the forward — on a $40.8 million expiring deal — can extend at any point this season.
While Porter was never going to get the full four years, $234 million he’s eligible for, how much will he and agent Mark Bartelstein demand?
“I have a great agent and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking some. But for me, I’m just excited to play basketball,” Porter said. “I never was a dude who played for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys and be in Brooklyn and build this organization as one of the leaders.
“I’ve voiced that I’d love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys. And I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously. … The way these young guys have gotten better just in one year, I’m excited to see what we can do. So that’s where my mind is at and I’m not even thinking about anything else.”
Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. is photographed during Media Day at the HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Porter averaged 25.6 points on 48.2 percent shooting and 39.8 percent from deep through January, but took his foot off the gas after getting snubbed for the All-Star Game and fell off to 20.5 points on 40.9 percent shooting (including 25.6 from 3) in his last 14 appearances.
For him, consistency is the key.
“For Mike to come in here, to own that opportunity that he had, have a great year, for us we’re looking for consistency from him,” Marks said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, rebounding. So just become more of a complete player on the court. The other one is what can you do [with] the intangibles. That’s important for us in the locker room.
“Not just Mike — this goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little older, who’ve seen it, been around. What’s their leadership look like? Can they take another step in that category? And Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only himself and Moe [Wagner], and Keon [Ellis] and Julius [Randle]. … We’re asking them to lead by example, both o
The overwhelming trajectory of the NBA is working against the Knicks.
They’re out to buck an era-defining trend.
None of the past eight champions have repeated the following season; the Warriors in 2017 and ’18 were the last teams to do it, having lost in the 2019 Finals. Almost a decade of parity followed in a league that previously was ruled mainly by dynasties.
Why should these defending champion Knicks be any different?
“We write,” Josh Hart said during the team’s Media Day on Monday, “our own history.”
It’s more than just that none of those teams repeated. It’s how much — and how quickly — most fell off.
“Obviously, it probably shows the significance of the [collective bargaining agreement], the second apron, all those kinds of things,” Hart said. “At the end of the day, that’s the past. It has no precedent on what the future is going to hold. For us, we’re not really worried about it. We’re worried about etching our own stories and our own legacies.”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks to the media during media day at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, September 28, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The current CBA, particularly with that second apron, makes it difficult for champions to keep their roster together without facing harsh penalties. It’s the main reason the Knicks had to let Mitchell Robinson walk in free agency.
Talent has become increasingly spread out across the league rather than condensed on a select few teams.
But the Knicks return the rest of their core beyond Robinson, and all still are in their respective primes.
“I think we have the confidence knowing that we did do it,” Jalen Brunson said. “That’s going to help us, but that can also hurt us. So it’s all about how we go into training camp and how we go into these first few weeks to see where we are as a team, and then we’ll be able to adjust or continue to grow.”
There is some experience with the situation among the core. The trio of Brunson, Hart and Mikal Bridges won an NCAA championship together at Villanova. Brunson and Bridges, in particular, experienced the thrill of that championship and won it again two years later.
They will lean on the knowledge gained from that experience.
“Just about not being satisfied, I think, is the biggest takeaway moving forward,” Brunson said. “You still wanna figure out how you can grow as a person, as a player. So I’ll use that experience.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart speaks to the media during media day at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, September 28, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“You just have to find a way to turn the page and move on, and I think it starts with the people who surround you. How quickly can they move on to the next thing?”
The Eastern Conference was shaken up around the Knicks over the offseason. A looming rivalry with the 76ers — now with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown — will be something they will have to hear about all year. The Pacers welcome back a healthy Tyrese Haliburton — the Knicks’ nemesis. The Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the Raptors brought back their 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
And, as the defending champions, the Knicks — particularly with 34 prime-time games (tied for most in the league) — will be the matchup opponents have circled on their calendars.
“We’ll be hunted,” OG Anunoby said, “but we’re going to be hunting other teams as well.”
“To repeat is gonna take an even higher sense of discipline and execution,” added Karl-Anthony Towns. “And we’re gonna have to be even better than what we showed in the playoffs. All of us are aware that we’re gonna have to bring a whole other level to the table if we expect to have a chance to repeat.”
There are also potential off-the-court pitfalls — what coach Mike Brown called “elephants in the room.” The futures of Towns, Hart and Miles McBride are all uncertain, with each yet to sign a contract extension for which they are eligible. Towns and Hart on Monday didn’t shy away from letting it be known that they’re not exactly thrilled with the situation.
It has the potential to be a distraction that hovers over their effort to repeat.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown speaks to the media during media day at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, New York, Monday, September 28, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“We can’t afford to have any slippage in our process,” Brown said. “We can’t afford to decline with our focus and our energy and our daily habits, to what our standard is.”
Added Brunson: “The first couple of weeks or whatever of the season is going to show us who we are and where we are.”
This group undid 53 years of Knicks history. Undoing eight years of NBA history — and etching their place in that special echelon of champions — is the new mountain to climb.
“I think we’re all excited for the opportunity to do it again,” Hart said. “I think you guys will see that with how we conduct ourselves, with how we play, that we’re not satisfied with getting one and that hungriness that we’re gonna have.”
For all the drama that surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, you wouldn't have known it judging by all the smiles at the podium during media day on Monday, Sept. 28.
The Lakers are coming off a second consecutive 50-win season under head coach JJ Redick and went with a complete roster overhaul in the wake of LeBron James' exit. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka swung big, landing Walker Kessler to be their center of the future in a trade that sent two first-round draft picks and two unprotected first-round pick swaps back to the Utah Jazz. That move was followed up by filling out the roster around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves with supporting players who can dribble, pass and shoot. And after an offseason trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia, the new-look Lakers feel bought in.
USA TODAY Sports predicts the Lakers record in 2026-27 at 48-34, in large part due to the uncertainty surrounding so many new faces and the growing pains that are sure to come up at some point. Reaves acknowledged that on Monday.
"We're a very new team to one another," Reaves told reporters. "And there's gonna be some growing periods where things aren't going the way that we want them to go. But that doesn't change the goal at the end of the day, and that's to be as competitive as we can every single night."
"I think we're all underrated, if that makes sense, in different aspects," Collin Sexton added. "We're competitors. I feel like we added people that are willing to compete and we added guys that don't back down to anyone. I know for myself, I'm somebody that's not gonna back down to any challenge. I'm not gonna back down to anyone.
"... We're here."
Ziaire Williams took it one step further.
"We have a bunch of great passers on this team, great shooters, great defensive versatility," he told reporters. "I think we have everything we need to win an NBA championship."
Here are the five biggest takeaways from Lakers media day on Monday Sept. 28:
Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves ready to take on leadership role
While Dončić pointed out that he's been in leadership positions for most of his life and career, that role is a new one for Reaves. But as the longest tenured Laker and the unquestioned No. 2 option, the former undrafted free agent from Newark, Arkansas, is embracing the added responsibility. More importantly, Reaves is leading in his own way.
"I'm not someone that's gonna sit out here and scream at people," he told reporters. "I like to talk to people one-on-one, have real conversation. That way, people never feel like I'm trying to embarrass them in front of people."
Instead, Reaves pulls a teammate off to the side whenever there's a down period in practice to offer his input. He's a conversationalist, not a drill sergeant.
" …There will be times I need to speak up in group settings, and I'll do that when the time comes," he continued. "But I think you just got to be true to yourself and do what's comfortable for you."
Reaves is following the challenge JJ Redick laid out for him and Dončić. This is now their team, and they need to find their own way to show leadership.
Dončić has been impressed with Reaves' growth both in the two years he's played alongside him. Stepping into the No. 1 role isn't new for Dončić, but he's now the guy on the Lakers now that LeBron James is gone. Hearing his name alongside franchise greats like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar does add something, he admitted.
"You obviously have all-time great names," Dončić said. "But it's like a new challenge. I like challenges. I wouldn't it feels different, but I would say I feel honored."
Defense, versatility are priorities
When LeBron James decided to leave the Lakers in free agency this summer, Pelinka and Redick outlined three priorities for the offseason: 1. Re-sign Reaves. 2. Find a franchise-caliber center. 3. Get guys who can dribble, pass and shoot.
They checked all three of those boxes. Reaves was brought back on a five-year, $184 million deal. Walker Kessler has been described as the "perfect fit" next to Dončić and Reaves; he steps in as the Lakers' best rim protector since Anthony Davis. And they brought in an almost entirely new supporting cast. Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams can defend and space the floor, Matisse Thybulle is a lockdown defender who can't wait to play next to Kessler. The second unit looks solid too, with Collin Sexton expected to run the offense when Dončić and Reaves aren't on the floor. He'll pair up nicely with Sandro Mamukelashvili if the latter doesn't crack the starting five.
Grimes, the Lakers' second biggest signing, told reporters on Monday that he's already discussed his role with Redick.
"Being a point-of-attack defender, bringing that intensity, bringing that nastiness," he said. "OKC and San Antonio, they play really hard defensively. You can get away with a lot more, so we're really trying to set that tone."
Thybulle can't wait to play next to Kessler.
"Just to have someone who can command the paint and protect the rim, it allows me to be more aggressive. And I think a lot of the other guys would speak to that as well," Thybulle told reporters. "... I just feel like I can fully live up to my defensive potential because of having a rim protector like Walker."
Redick said last week that two starting spots are up for grabs. It's clear that they want guys who can space the floor and be aggressive on both sides of the ball.
For the first time in his short career, Bronny James won't be teammates with his dad. He spent much of his availability on Monday addressing that elephant in the room, but the 21-year-old guard said he's ready to chart his own path in the NBA.
"Feels like he's not here," James said matter of factly. "I don't really have an opinion on that. That's my dad, I spent 22 years, almost, with him. Just another experience that I'm gonna be a part of, and I'm excited to see how it's gonna feel during the season, too. Looking forward to it."
James has been locked in on becoming the most consistent version of himself this summer, getting in the weight room every day and working on his ballhandling, playmaking and becoming a point-of-attack defender. With an almost entirely new cast of teammates, he's had to speedrun getting to know them but can already feel that they'll be a more free-flowing, high-energy offense than they've been in his two previous years.
But more than anything, Bronny is just excited for the chance to make his own name.
"It's just something that I've followed my entire life," James said. "You guys know me as Bronny, my real name is LeBron. I've been doing this for however long, so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron."
Slovenia trip helped kickstart chemistry
Kessler got his first lob from Dončić during a pickup game in Slovenia.
"I don't even think he was looking at me," he told reporters Monday.
But surely enough, Luka threw the ball up and placed it perfectly over Kessler's head. He went up, caught it, dunked it and high-fived Dončić back on the other end of the floor.
"Yup," he thought to himself. "I can get used to this."
The Lakers' offseason trip to Ljubljana was born out of necessity; Dončić was spending time with his daughters and couldn't leave the country, so he brought the team to him instead. They played each other not just in pickup games, but also in rowing, golf and bowling, getting to know each other while also building up a healthy competitiveness heading into training camp.
According to Austin Reaves, his team beat Dončić's in every game.
"But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once," Reaves said.
"I beat him in golf two days ago," Dončić later retorted. "He didn't say that, huh?"
The trip was also an opportunity for Dončić to share his home with his teammates. He meticulously planned out everything, showing the Lakers around all his go-to spots from childhood all the way up until now.
"It was an amazing trip," Luka said. "It was very important for me to show them where I'm from. I think everybody liked it. We had some great time and it was very nice that all of them came, which I know is not easy. But that just shows what kind of group we are."
The Lakers are healthy
The Lakers limped towards the end of last season, but a full offseason of rest seems to have done the trick.
One of the lowest points for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season was that month-long stretch in January where they were without Austin Reaves due to a grade 2 calf strain. Not only is Reaves feeling 100%, he's applying what he learned from LeBron James over the past five years on injury prevention and taking care of his body to help him stay on the court for as many games as possible.
"There's a lot more that goes into it than the casual fan sees," Reaves told reporters. "You have to do more every single day, especially the older that you get. He's a perfect example of that. We've had a really good summer and put myself in a really good spot going into this year."
Dončić suffered a grade 2 hamstring at the beginning of April, delivering a huge blow to the Lakers just weeks ahead of the playoffs. He missed the final 15 games of the season, including the entire postseason despite making a trip to Spain to undergo a series of injections in hopes of speeding up his recovery timeline.
But now, Dončić says he's fully healthy and will have no restrictions going into the season.
"Right now, I feel great," he told reporters. "I feel rested mentally. I feel great, so I can't wait for this to start."
Two of the Lakers' additions this summer also dealt with significant injuries last season. Kessler played in just five games after undergoing left shoulder surgery. He says his shoulder feels better than it ever has now and is counting on that added confidence to help him play looser once the season starts.
Matisse Thybulle missed 52 games in 2025-26 after he developed tendinopathy in his right knee while rehabbing from surgery on a torn UCL in his left thumb. The year before that, he underwent surgery on his right knee to address inflammation and suffered a severe grade 2 right ankle sprain that included a torn ligament before he could make his return.
He, too, feels ready to go.
"I feel great now," Thybulle told reporters. "I think this year, from the coaches to the training staff to RP, they all have a good sense of what it is I need to be healthy and available, and I really think that was just the missing piece. Just having the plan around what's needed for my return to play and just to stay on the court.
"Once we got that going almost immediately when I got here, and things have just been moving in the right direction ever since."
For all the drama that surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, you wouldn't have known it judging by all the smiles at the podium during media day on Monday, Sept. 28.
The Lakers are coming off a second consecutive 50-win season under head coach JJ Redick and went with a complete roster overhaul in the wake of LeBron James' exit. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka swung big, landing Walker Kessler to be their center of the future in a trade that sent two first-round draft picks and two unprotected first-round pick swaps back to the Utah Jazz. That move was followed up by filling out the roster around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves with supporting players who can dribble, pass and shoot. And after an offseason trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia, the new-look Lakers feel bought in.
USA TODAY Sports predicts the Lakers record in 2026-27 at 48-34, in large part due to the uncertainty surrounding so many new faces and the growing pains that are sure to come up at some point. Reaves acknowledged that on Monday.
"We're a very new team to one another," Reaves told reporters. "And there's gonna be some growing periods where things aren't going the way that we want them to go. But that doesn't change the goal at the end of the day, and that's to be as competitive as we can every single night."
"I think we're all underrated, if that makes sense, in different aspects," Collin Sexton added. "We're competitors. I feel like we added people that are willing to compete and we added guys that don't back down to anyone. I know for myself, I'm somebody that's not gonna back down to any challenge. I'm not gonna back down to anyone.
"... We're here."
Ziaire Williams took it one step further.
"We have a bunch of great passers on this team, great shooters, great defensive versatility," he told reporters. "I think we have everything we need to win an NBA championship."
Here are the five biggest takeaways from Lakers media day on Monday Sept. 28:
Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves ready to take on leadership role
While Dončić pointed out that he's been in leadership positions for most of his life and career, that role is a new one for Reaves. But as the longest tenured Laker and the unquestioned No. 2 option, the former undrafted free agent from Newark, Arkansas, is embracing the added responsibility. More importantly, Reaves is leading in his own way.
"I'm not someone that's gonna sit out here and scream at people," he told reporters. "I like to talk to people one-on-one, have real conversation. That way, people never feel like I'm trying to embarrass them in front of people."
Instead, Reaves pulls a teammate off to the side whenever there's a down period in practice to offer his input. He's a conversationalist, not a drill sergeant.
" …There will be times I need to speak up in group settings, and I'll do that when the time comes," he continued. "But I think you just got to be true to yourself and do what's comfortable for you."
Reaves is following the challenge JJ Redick laid out for him and Dončić. This is now their team, and they need to find their own way to show leadership.
Dončić has been impressed with Reaves' growth both in the two years he's played alongside him. Stepping into the No. 1 role isn't new for Dončić, but he's now the guy on the Lakers now that LeBron James is gone. Hearing his name alongside franchise greats like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar does add something, he admitted.
"You obviously have all-time great names," Dončić said. "But it's like a new challenge. I like challenges. I wouldn't it feels different, but I would say I feel honored."
Defense, versatility are priorities
When LeBron James decided to leave the Lakers in free agency this summer, Pelinka and Redick outlined three priorities for the offseason: 1. Re-sign Reaves. 2. Find a franchise-caliber center. 3. Get guys who can dribble, pass and shoot.
They checked all three of those boxes. Reaves was brought back on a five-year, $184 million deal. Walker Kessler has been described as the "perfect fit" next to Dončić and Reaves; he steps in as the Lakers' best rim protector since Anthony Davis. And they brought in an almost entirely new supporting cast. Quentin Grimes and Ziaire Williams can defend and space the floor, Matisse Thybulle is a lockdown defender who can't wait to play next to Kessler. The second unit looks solid too, with Collin Sexton expected to run the offense when Dončić and Reaves aren't on the floor. He'll pair up nicely with Sandro Mamukelashvili if the latter doesn't crack the starting five.
Grimes, the Lakers' second biggest signing, told reporters on Monday that he's already discussed his role with Redick.
"Being a point-of-attack defender, bringing that intensity, bringing that nastiness," he said. "OKC and San Antonio, they play really hard defensively. You can get away with a lot more, so we're really trying to set that tone."
Thybulle can't wait to play next to Kessler.
"Just to have someone who can command the paint and protect the rim, it allows me to be more aggressive. And I think a lot of the other guys would speak to that as well," Thybulle told reporters. "... I just feel like I can fully live up to my defensive potential because of having a rim protector like Walker."
Redick said last week that two starting spots are up for grabs. It's clear that they want guys who can space the floor and be aggressive on both sides of the ball.
For the first time in his short career, Bronny James won't be teammates with his dad. He spent much of his availability on Monday addressing that elephant in the room, but the 21-year-old guard said he's ready to chart his own path in the NBA.
"Feels like he's not here," James said matter of factly. "I don't really have an opinion on that. That's my dad, I spent 22 years, almost, with him. Just another experience that I'm gonna be a part of, and I'm excited to see how it's gonna feel during the season, too. Looking forward to it."
James has been locked in on becoming the most consistent version of himself this summer, getting in the weight room every day and working on his ballhandling, playmaking and becoming a point-of-attack defender. With an almost entirely new cast of teammates, he's had to speedrun getting to know them but can already feel that they'll be a more free-flowing, high-energy offense than they've been in his two previous years.
But more than anything, Bronny is just excited for the chance to make his own name.
"It's just something that I've followed my entire life," James said. "You guys know me as Bronny, my real name is LeBron. I've been doing this for however long, so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron."
Slovenia trip helped kickstart chemistry
Kessler got his first lob from Dončić during a pickup game in Slovenia.
"I don't even think he was looking at me," he told reporters Monday.
But surely enough, Luka threw the ball up and placed it perfectly over Kessler's head. He went up, caught it, dunked it and high-fived Dončić back on the other end of the floor.
"Yup," he thought to himself. "I can get used to this."
The Lakers' offseason trip to Ljubljana was born out of necessity; Dončić was spending time with his daughters and couldn't leave the country, so he brought the team to him instead. They played each other not just in pickup games, but also in rowing, golf and bowling, getting to know each other while also building up a healthy competitiveness heading into training camp.
According to Austin Reaves, his team beat Dončić's in every game.
"But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once," Reaves said.
"I beat him in golf two days ago," Dončić later retorted. "He didn't say that, huh?"
The trip was also an opportunity for Dončić to share his home with his teammates. He meticulously planned out everything, showing the Lakers around all his go-to spots from childhood all the way up until now.
"It was an amazing trip," Luka said. "It was very important for me to show them where I'm from. I think everybody liked it. We had some great time and it was very nice that all of them came, which I know is not easy. But that just shows what kind of group we are."
The Lakers are healthy
The Lakers limped towards the end of last season, but a full offseason of rest seems to have done the trick.
One of the lowest points for the Lakers during the 2025-26 season was that month-long stretch in January where they were without Austin Reaves due to a grade 2 calf strain. Not only is Reaves feeling 100%, he's applying what he learned from LeBron James over the past five years on injury prevention and taking care of his body to help him stay on the court for as many games as possible.
"There's a lot more that goes into it than the casual fan sees," Reaves told reporters. "You have to do more every single day, especially the older that you get. He's a perfect example of that. We've had a really good summer and put myself in a really good spot going into this year."
Dončić suffered a grade 2 hamstring at the beginning of April, delivering a huge blow to the Lakers just weeks ahead of the playoffs. He missed the final 15 games of the season, including the entire postseason despite making a trip to Spain to undergo a series of injections in hopes of speeding up his recovery timeline.
But now, Dončić says he's fully healthy and will have no restrictions going into the season.
"Right now, I feel great," he told reporters. "I feel rested mentally. I feel great, so I can't wait for this to start."
Two of the Lakers' additions this summer also dealt with significant injuries last season. Kessler played in just five games after undergoing left shoulder surgery. He says his shoulder feels better than it ever has now and is counting on that added confidence to help him play looser once the season starts.
Matisse Thybulle missed 52 games in 2025-26 after he developed tendinopathy in his right knee while rehabbing from surgery on a torn UCL in his left thumb. The year before that, he underwent surgery on his right knee to address inflammation and suffered a severe grade 2 right ankle sprain that included a torn ligament before he could make his return.
He, too, feels ready to go.
"I feel great now," Thybulle told reporters. "I think this year, from the coaches to the training staff to RP, they all have a good sense of what it is I need to be healthy and available, and I really think that was just the missing piece. Just having the plan around what's needed for my return to play and just to stay on the court.
"Once we got that going almost immediately when I got here, and things have just been moving in the right direction ever since."
There are several Yankees roster questions whose answers will dictate the outfield alignment for the Game 1 lineup. Will Aaron Judge play? And if so, would he be mobile enough to play right field? How about Trent Grisham? Can Heliot Ramos be trusted in right field?
The only certainty, really, is Cody Bellinger’s presence in left field. But Spencer Jones has made a charge that gives him a strong argument to be 1) in center field and 2) in the middle of the lineup even against a strong lefty in Boston’s Payton Tolle.
Among the more impressive, and surprising, aspects of Jones’ emergence is how he has done it: A mighty lefty slugger with a notorious whiffing problem in the minors has done the bulk of his major league damage against fellow lefties.
New York Yankees left fielder Jose Caballero (72), center fielder Spencer Jones (78) and right fielder Heliot Ramos (34) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
An outlier of a talent, he has also been an outlier among young lefty hitters in slashing .389/.441/.667 in 59 plate appearances against southpaws.
“I think we get a lot of times caught up in a smaller sample, but from my watching him, I feel like he’s been really impressive against left-handed [pitching],” manager Aaron Boone said during Monday’s workout day in The Bronx ahead of Tuesday’s wild-card series opener against the Red Sox. “It’s not just, ‘Yeah, he’s gotten hits,’ but he’s faced a lot of tough lefties and not only held his own but kind of thrived.”
Many young lefty hitters require a platoon complement at least early in their careers. In explaining his success against lefty pitching, Jones mentioned conversations with other “really good left-handed hitters on this team,” with Bellinger among the best in the game at hitting lefty-on-lefty.
“It’s just about I think making tight turns,” Jones said, “and being ready and preparing yourself for left-handed arms. Kind of just having an idea, visualizing, what you want to do and where you want to hit the ball. It’s a combination of a lot of things.”
The biggest threat to Jones’ lineup spot is Grisham, who has been sidelined since Sept. 4 with a hamstring strain but has felt healthy enough to be activated for several days, a process delayed by the complications of optioning another player so close to the postseason.
Boone said Grisham, who was set to take live batting practice Monday, is “very much in play” to be a part of the wild-card roster.
If Grisham is cleared, it would set up Boone with a decision between a rookie’s potential and a veteran’s experience. Grisham is more sure-handed in center but does not have Jones’ legs. Jones, who has been spotty defensively, does not have Grisham’s years of reps and is probably a bigger risk to misplay a routine ball, even if he has a better chance at making a spectacular play.
Regardless, Jones — who struck out 200 times at Double-A Somerset in 2024 and who in 2025 could not fight his way to the majors — has positioned himself well for not just a roster spot but playing time.
New York Yankees’ Trent Grisham (12) takes batting practice before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Which is starkly different from his status at this time last year, when he and his girlfriend drove from Triple-A Scranton back home to Nashville, Tenn. They watched Cam Schlittler dominate in Game 3 of the wild-card series on an iPad in the car and during a stop at a Chipotle.
“What I was thinking about [then] was: being on the team, being in that lineup and being able to play in these games,” Jones said. “Now we get to come in here this week, and I’m excited about it.”
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler throws a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Cam Schlittler had made 14 major league starts before taking the ball in Game 3 of last year’s wild-card series against the Red Sox in The Bronx.
“I thought [the Yankees] were in trouble when they lost the first game of that series,’’ an American League scout said Monday. “I didn’t know yet that Cam Schlittler was Cam Schlittler.”
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
And instead of asking the right-hander to save their season, as they did in 2025, the Yankees are looking for Schlittler to get them out of the gate fast.
It’s why the 25-year-old, who is certain to win his first AL Cy Young Award this offseason, was tabbed to pitch Tuesday night’s opener at the Stadium by Aaron Boone and the pitching department.
“For him to put faith in me to go out there and put a good performance in in Game 1, that’s definitely a great feeling,’’ Schlittler said before the Yankees worked out in The Bronx on Monday.
In that decisive Game 3 against Boston, Schlittler tossed eight shutout innings — striking out 12 and walking none — to knock off the Red Sox.
He wasn’t as dominant against the Blue Jays in the ALDS, but that was before Schlittler established himself as one of the top pitchers in the game.
And the Walpole, Mass., native will be facing his hometown Red Sox, a franchise — and fanbase — he’s developed a long history with.
He hasn’t shied away from all aspects of the rivalry — both good and bad — in this age of social media.
Last year, Schlittler said he was disappointed by how some Red Sox fans went after not only him but his family during the postseason, calling it “personal.”
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler throws a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
This time around, Schlittler said he knows what to expect.
“I wouldn’t say I’m always on my phone looking for that stuff,’’ Schlittler said. “At the same time, I don’t really live under a rock. I’ve found ways to use that to my advantage. I think I’m good at keeping receipts. At the end of the day, I’m locked into going in there [Tuesday] and doing my job.”
He’s done that better than just about anyone in the American League in his first full season in the majors, finishing with an AL-best 1.95 ERA, as well as 239 strikeouts over 33 starts.
While that won’t be forgotten if Tuesday night doesn’t go Schlittler’s way, those accomplishments will certainly look less impressive.
And he knows that what happens in these playoffs will go a long way in defining his legacy.
Still, in a rotation that includes high-priced free agents like Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, Schlittler has clearly stood apart.
But he’s not ready to put himself in their category — yet.
“I think an ace is someone that has longevity [and] success in their career over a handful of seasons and they’ve shown consistency,’’ Schlittler said. “I think I’ve shown consistency over a year and a half, but I still think we’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of guys in this rotation that have a lot of experience and have proven to be an ace. I have confidence in myself to kind of treat myself like an ace, but I wouldn’t really define that yet.’’
Boone is ready to take that leap.
“He’s turned into an ace in the sport,’’ the manager said. “He’s obviously super talented and really skilled, but he’s also really tough and able to focus. And it seems like the bigger the game, the better he seems to be here in his young career.’’
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 28: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz media day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on September 28, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Are you familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? It’s a concept that the needs of a human being fall into five distinct layers, typically visualized in the shape of a pyramid, with the most fundamental items required for survival at the bottom (air, food, water, shelter, etc.), and the least essential items (respect, status, and reaching one’s potential) near the top. It’s essentially the scale between a person’s wants and needs, and it illustrates that one cannot reach self-actualization without first supporting that ideal with a foundation of the needs below.
NBA basketball teams are built in mostly the same way.
At the base are the things a team needs to exist: players, a court, goals, equipment, rules, etc.
Then you have items like uniforms, coaches, and referees.
Closer to the top come the flashier things. An adoring fanbase, endorsements, fame, success, stardom, etc.
But in the case of the Utah Jazz, historical failure to win an NBA championship means that Utah has never reached basketball self-actualization — consistently falling short of their ultimate potential. This is why Ryan Smith’s first course of action with the franchise was to tear it down to its most fundamental level. The star players were the first to go. Then the veteran coach. Then the supporting cast of talent. He even sucked the life and color from Utah’s uniforms, leaving them with a bare-bones and hideous appearance as a visual representation of the team’s self-inflicted serfdom.
In order to climb the ladder to self-actualization, the Jazz first had to fortify their most fundamental needs.
And they’ve done exactly that, drafting and nurturing young players who could develop into future stars, adding established talent to blaze the trail to a brighter tomorrow, and replacing the team’s neon rags with robes of purple.
We’re witnessing the twilight of a revolution, but ushering in a new age of greater competition is the easy part — converting potential into wins is harder.
Thankfully, we got a glimpse into the Utah Jazz’s organizational direction at media day, and using what I’ve learned, I proudly present to you Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Much like the work of Maslow, Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs outlines the biggest developments of Utah’s offseason and how crucial they are to reach the team’s ultimate goal.
And best of all, I’ve illustrated Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs by my own hand, for your scientific reference. Would you believe me if I told you that zero artificial intelligence was involved in the creation of the image below?
Base: Hard work and character
When asked what he’s looking for in the starting lineup, Will Hardy didn’t talk about ability, positions, or even mention any player names. Instead, he put an emphasis on players’ mindsets; he focused on character.
“I’m looking for competitors,” Hardy explained.
“I’m looking for people that want to win. I’m looking for people that are willing to give themselves to the group. If everybody on our team can take ten percent of their self and put it in the middle, we’ll have the ability to have those learnings happen faster. If we have to navigate through the choppy waters of big ego, it can be harder.”
Then instead of issuing a warning to his players, or tempering the expectations of those in attendance, he took a moment to vouch for the roster Utah had meticulously constructed over the offseason.
“If there’s one thing I am sure of today, it’s the character of the guys we have on the team.”
Will Hardy on what he is looking for in his starters:
"I'm looking for people that want to win. I'm looking for people that are willing to give themselves to the group. You know, if everybody on our team can take 10% of their self and put it in the middle." pic.twitter.com/GYt2bAOLiE
Josh Okogie, who arrived in Utah via free agency this Summer, really likes what he’s seen in the Jazz’s approach. There is a lot of space for mediocrity in the National Basketball Association, but with his experience, Okogie sees potential embodied through action when he observes his teammates, his coaches, and the direction of the organization as a whole.
In every controllable metric, the Jazz are doing what is necessary to win at a high level.
“This is a very unique team,” Okogie began. “I’ve played on a lot of different teams, and I’ve seen the habits of good teams and the habits of bad teams. … I would say this team is unique because their style of play is different than what you would see in the modern game today.”
Okogie chose to sign with Utah despite a comparable offer from the Denver Nuggets because the trajectory of the Jazz is incredibly attractive. This is no longer a start-up building from the ground floor; Utah is already on the ascent.
“I think we have all the tools and ingredients to be a pretty good team.”
Josh Okogie: This team is just unique in the sense that the style of play is different then what you would see in the modern game today. And it's something that I'm excited for…I think that we have all the tools and ingredients to be a pretty good team. pic.twitter.com/rs1c3uzcA1
Jaren Jackson Jr. doubled down on the endorsement of his coach and veteran teammate, highlighting the hard work and positive attitude of his younger peers and the approach they took during the offseason.
“These guys work! That’s what stands out for sure — they work all the time,” Jackson excitedly shared when asked his observations of the youngsters in Utah. “Darryn, Key, Ace, they’re always shooting right here after we’re done playing. They’re always working out together, they’re always going over stuff — they just never want to stop working.”
“They should be proud of themselves for the work they’ve put in. I don’t ever have to say that to them, because they always want so much more for themselves.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. on his impressions of the young guys:
"They're always working out together and going over stuff. They never complain about anything. They should be proud of themselves for the work they've put in… They always want more for themselves." pic.twitter.com/bMTMp7afv9
Which leads us perfectly to the next level of Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and it’s all about the improvements made in Utah’s young core.
Center: Self-Improvement
Utah took a very traditional approach when it came to rebuilding. Tearing the team down to nothing and rebuilding through the draft is textbook for a small-market franchise, and the Jazz did just that.
And the reward for their labors is one of the more intriguing batches of young talent in basketball.
Keyonte George, obviously, took a massive leap in his third year, turning himself from a mid-first-round draft pick into a fundamental piece of Utah’s future. Look no further than his freshly inked 5-year, $157.5 million extension for evidence of the organization’s faith in him.
But to shift the prevailing narrative and turn the page of his career from that of a promising up-and-comer to a certifiable star, his defense needs to improve. He knows it, and he wasn’t shy when acknowledging the focus he’s put into growing as a defender.
“Whether it’s learning personnel, being a good help-side defender, being a good one-on-one defender, being one of the guys that you don’t really want to hunt towards the end of the game, that’s what I’ve been focused on. So that’s the strength, different footwork, and different technical stuff.”
Keyonte’s development isn’t all hypothetical, either. He made it clear that he’s made observable improvement in two specific facets of the game.
“I’m able to move better — stay in front. This year, the main thing for me is really focusing on personnel, because once you start to pick up on players’ go-to moves and you figure out how teams want to play, you can play the game within the game on that side, so that’s what I’ve been focusing on.”
Keyonte on what he expects from himself defensively:
"Being a good health side defender, being a good one-on-one defender, being one of those guys that you don't really want to hunt towards the end of the game, that's what I've been focused on."
Ace Bailey possesses clear potential to bloom into stardom, and is building muscle onto his slender frame — a much-needed development for a player whose height will likely match him up against the full-grown men who terrorize the NBA from their perch on the wings.
Ace Bailey said he’s put on 10-12 pounds this summer and also thinks he got a little taller.
The rest of the original young core, Filipowski, Sensabaugh, and Collier, are all pursuing internal improvement to earn a permanent place with this team before the winning train is soaring down the tracks.
Filipowski revealed a lingering injury — a herniated disc — that had been hindering his performance a season ago but has since fully recovered.
"My back was restricting me a lot in regards to my explosiveness, my conditioning even."
Kyle Filipowski had a herniated disc that required surgery after last season, but said he feels better today than he did last year. #TakeNotepic.twitter.com/yPaOypTFIu
Brice Sensabaugh understands that he may have to wait until restricted free agency to re-sign with the Jazz, but plans to utilize this season as a method to cement his place on the roster.
“I’m just keeping my head on straight,” Sensabaugh resolved. “And you know, whatever happens happens.”
Brice Sensabaugh on not signing a contract yet this summer:
"I'm just keeping my head on straight, and you know, whatever happens happens."
Development of the young core is essential to raising the ceiling of this team, but there’s one figure who stands atop it all. His performance, his growth, and his rise will be the biggest difference-maker for a franchise anxious to become an undeniable threat to those who sit atop the NBA.
Peak: DP
No, that DP doesn’t stand for Dr Pepper (which coincidentally is at the top of my personal hierarchy of needs); I’m referring to Darryn Peterson. The final draftee of Utah’s tanking era. The prize for the Jazz’s years of anguish. The player whose arrival marks a great shift in the Jazz’s future.
He needs no further introduction — Darryn Peterson is practically all that Jazz fans have talked about since June — but a few quotes from media day are drenching Peterson’s already blazing flame of hype and converting it into a fireball monstrous enough to send Smokey Bear into retirement on sight.
And the most notable quote of all belongs to Mo Bamba, of all people.
Having played for 7 different NBA franchises in his 8-year career, Bamba has shared the court with many exceptional players. When asked if Peterson reminds him of any players across the league, Bamba laughed as he drew a gargantuan comparison.
“This is going to sound crazy, but I see a lot of Kawhi in him,” said Bamba. “Quiet, bucket-getter, mid-range… Obviously two very different positions, but I see a lot of Kawhi.”
“I was talking to Nurk a couple of weeks ago, and he sees a lot of Dame, and I think that one is a little more comparable, because position-wise, scoring-wise, pull-up game, offensive talent-wise, and capability-wise.”
“I hate that Darryn is going to see this,” he laughed.
Here is Mo Bamba's full answer on the player comp he has for Darryn Peterson.
But if the Kawhi comparisons make you concerned about Peterson’s personality, Keyonte George’s declaration of friendship should put any anti-social allegations to bed.
“We sit next to each other in the locker room. We hang out with each other off the court. I go to his house and he comes to my house. We got the same dog. So, like, I mean… that’s my dog!”
Keyonte on his relationship with Darryn Peterson:
"We sit next to each other in the locker room. We hang out with each other off the court. I go to his house and he come to my house. We got the same dog. So, like, I mean… that's my dog.
It may take Darryn Peterson a few years to truly become a star for the Utah Jazz, but if you direct your attention to Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a clear and reliable foundation sits beneath him.
Utah’s path to self-actualization is not hypothetical — this is a team built to reach that peak.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - SEPTEMBER 28: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz media day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on September 28, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Are you familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? It’s a concept that the needs of a human being fall into five distinct layers, typically visualized in the shape of a pyramid, with the most fundamental items required for survival at the bottom (air, food, water, shelter, etc.), and the least essential items (respect, status, and reaching one’s potential) near the top. It’s essentially the scale between a person’s wants and needs, and it illustrates that one cannot reach self-actualization without first supporting that ideal with a foundation of the needs below.
NBA basketball teams are built in mostly the same way.
At the base are the things a team needs to exist: players, a court, goals, equipment, rules, etc.
Then you have items like uniforms, coaches, and referees.
Closer to the top come the flashier things. An adoring fanbase, endorsements, fame, success, stardom, etc.
But in the case of the Utah Jazz, historical failure to win an NBA championship means that Utah has never reached basketball self-actualization — consistently falling short of their ultimate potential. This is why Ryan Smith’s first course of action with the franchise was to tear it down to its most fundamental level. The star players were the first to go. Then the veteran coach. Then the supporting cast of talent. He even sucked the life and color from Utah’s uniforms, leaving them with a bare-bones and hideous appearance as a visual representation of the team’s self-inflicted serfdom.
In order to climb the ladder to self-actualization, the Jazz first had to fortify their most fundamental needs.
And they’ve done exactly that, drafting and nurturing young players who could develop into future stars, adding established talent to blaze the trail to a brighter tomorrow, and replacing the team’s neon rags with robes of purple.
We’re witnessing the twilight of a revolution, but ushering in a new age of greater competition is the easy part — converting potential into wins is harder.
Thankfully, we got a glimpse into the Utah Jazz’s organizational direction at media day, and using what I’ve learned, I proudly present to you Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Much like the work of Maslow, Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs outlines the biggest developments of Utah’s offseason and how crucial they are to reach the team’s ultimate goal.
And best of all, I’ve illustrated Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs by my own hand, for your scientific reference. Would you believe me if I told you that zero artificial intelligence was involved in the creation of the image below?
Base: Hard work and character
When asked what he’s looking for in the starting lineup, Will Hardy didn’t talk about ability, positions, or even mention any player names. Instead, he put an emphasis on players’ mindsets; he focused on character.
“I’m looking for competitors,” Hardy explained.
“I’m looking for people that want to win. I’m looking for people that are willing to give themselves to the group. If everybody on our team can take ten percent of their self and put it in the middle, we’ll have the ability to have those learnings happen faster. If we have to navigate through the choppy waters of big ego, it can be harder.”
Then instead of issuing a warning to his players, or tempering the expectations of those in attendance, he took a moment to vouch for the roster Utah had meticulously constructed over the offseason.
“If there’s one thing I am sure of today, it’s the character of the guys we have on the team.”
Will Hardy on what he is looking for in his starters:
"I'm looking for people that want to win. I'm looking for people that are willing to give themselves to the group. You know, if everybody on our team can take 10% of their self and put it in the middle." pic.twitter.com/GYt2bAOLiE
Josh Okogie, who arrived in Utah via free agency this Summer, really likes what he’s seen in the Jazz’s approach. There is a lot of space for mediocrity in the National Basketball Association, but with his experience, Okogie sees potential embodied through action when he observes his teammates, his coaches, and the direction of the organization as a whole.
In every controllable metric, the Jazz are doing what is necessary to win at a high level.
“This is a very unique team,” Okogie began. “I’ve played on a lot of different teams, and I’ve seen the habits of good teams and the habits of bad teams. … I would say this team is unique because their style of play is different than what you would see in the modern game today.”
Okogie chose to sign with Utah despite a comparable offer from the Denver Nuggets because the trajectory of the Jazz is incredibly attractive. This is no longer a start-up building from the ground floor; Utah is already on the ascent.
“I think we have all the tools and ingredients to be a pretty good team.”
Josh Okogie: This team is just unique in the sense that the style of play is different then what you would see in the modern game today. And it's something that I'm excited for…I think that we have all the tools and ingredients to be a pretty good team. pic.twitter.com/rs1c3uzcA1
Jaren Jackson Jr. doubled down on the endorsement of his coach and veteran teammate, highlighting the hard work and positive attitude of his younger peers and the approach they took during the offseason.
“These guys work! That’s what stands out for sure — they work all the time,” Jackson excitedly shared when asked his observations of the youngsters in Utah. “Darryn, Key, Ace, they’re always shooting right here after we’re done playing. They’re always working out together, they’re always going over stuff — they just never want to stop working.”
“They should be proud of themselves for the work they’ve put in. I don’t ever have to say that to them, because they always want so much more for themselves.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. on his impressions of the young guys:
"They're always working out together and going over stuff. They never complain about anything. They should be proud of themselves for the work they've put in… They always want more for themselves." pic.twitter.com/bMTMp7afv9
Which leads us perfectly to the next level of Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and it’s all about the improvements made in Utah’s young core.
Center: Self-Improvement
Utah took a very traditional approach when it came to rebuilding. Tearing the team down to nothing and rebuilding through the draft is textbook for a small-market franchise, and the Jazz did just that.
And the reward for their labors is one of the more intriguing batches of young talent in basketball.
Keyonte George, obviously, took a massive leap in his third year, turning himself from a mid-first-round draft pick into a fundamental piece of Utah’s future. Look no further than his freshly inked 5-year, $157.5 million extension for evidence of the organization’s faith in him.
But to shift the prevailing narrative and turn the page of his career from that of a promising up-and-comer to a certifiable star, his defense needs to improve. He knows it, and he wasn’t shy when acknowledging the focus he’s put into growing as a defender.
“Whether it’s learning personnel, being a good help-side defender, being a good one-on-one defender, being one of the guys that you don’t really want to hunt towards the end of the game, that’s what I’ve been focused on. So that’s the strength, different footwork, and different technical stuff.”
Keyonte’s development isn’t all hypothetical, either. He made it clear that he’s made observable improvement in two specific facets of the game.
“I’m able to move better — stay in front. This year, the main thing for me is really focusing on personnel, because once you start to pick up on players’ go-to moves and you figure out how teams want to play, you can play the game within the game on that side, so that’s what I’ve been focusing on.”
Keyonte on what he expects from himself defensively:
"Being a good health side defender, being a good one-on-one defender, being one of those guys that you don't really want to hunt towards the end of the game, that's what I've been focused on."
Ace Bailey possesses clear potential to bloom into stardom, and is building muscle onto his slender frame — a much-needed development for a player whose height will likely match him up against the full-grown men who terrorize the NBA from their perch on the wings.
Ace Bailey said he’s put on 10-12 pounds this summer and also thinks he got a little taller.
The rest of the original young core, Filipowski, Sensabaugh, and Collier, are all pursuing internal improvement to earn a permanent place with this team before the winning train is soaring down the tracks.
Filipowski revealed a lingering injury — a herniated disc — that had been hindering his performance a season ago but has since fully recovered.
"My back was restricting me a lot in regards to my explosiveness, my conditioning even."
Kyle Filipowski had a herniated disc that required surgery after last season, but said he feels better today than he did last year. #TakeNotepic.twitter.com/yPaOypTFIu
Brice Sensabaugh understands that he may have to wait until restricted free agency to re-sign with the Jazz, but plans to utilize this season as a method to cement his place on the roster.
“I’m just keeping my head on straight,” Sensabaugh resolved. “And you know, whatever happens happens.”
Brice Sensabaugh on not signing a contract yet this summer:
"I'm just keeping my head on straight, and you know, whatever happens happens."
Development of the young core is essential to raising the ceiling of this team, but there’s one figure who stands atop it all. His performance, his growth, and his rise will be the biggest difference-maker for a franchise anxious to become an undeniable threat to those who sit atop the NBA.
Peak: DP
No, that DP doesn’t stand for Dr Pepper (which coincidentally is at the top of my personal hierarchy of needs); I’m referring to Darryn Peterson. The final draftee of Utah’s tanking era. The prize for the Jazz’s years of anguish. The player whose arrival marks a great shift in the Jazz’s future.
He needs no further introduction — Darryn Peterson is practically all that Jazz fans have talked about since June — but a few quotes from media day are drenching Peterson’s already blazing flame of hype and converting it into a fireball monstrous enough to send Smokey Bear into retirement on sight.
And the most notable quote of all belongs to Mo Bamba, of all people.
Having played for 7 different NBA franchises in his 8-year career, Bamba has shared the court with many exceptional players. When asked if Peterson reminds him of any players across the league, Bamba laughed as he drew a gargantuan comparison.
“This is going to sound crazy, but I see a lot of Kawhi in him,” said Bamba. “Quiet, bucket-getter, mid-range… Obviously two very different positions, but I see a lot of Kawhi.”
“I was talking to Nurk a couple of weeks ago, and he sees a lot of Dame, and I think that one is a little more comparable, because position-wise, scoring-wise, pull-up game, offensive talent-wise, and capability-wise.”
“I hate that Darryn is going to see this,” he laughed.
Here is Mo Bamba's full answer on the player comp he has for Darryn Peterson.
But if the Kawhi comparisons make you concerned about Peterson’s personality, Keyonte George’s declaration of friendship should put any anti-social allegations to bed.
“We sit next to each other in the locker room. We hang out with each other off the court. I go to his house and he comes to my house. We got the same dog. So, like, I mean… that’s my dog!”
Keyonte on his relationship with Darryn Peterson:
"We sit next to each other in the locker room. We hang out with each other off the court. I go to his house and he come to my house. We got the same dog. So, like, I mean… that's my dog.
It may take Darryn Peterson a few years to truly become a star for the Utah Jazz, but if you direct your attention to Jazzlow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a clear and reliable foundation sits beneath him.
Utah’s path to self-actualization is not hypothetical — this is a team built to reach that peak.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
What the Blueshirts are hoping to establish is not so much a message as it is a mutual understanding. It can be found in the little habits of the day-to-day, the dedication to building a team game and the club’s push to adopt a collective mentality as one cohesive unit.
No cutesy phrase or inspirational rallying cry is going to be the difference for this team as it embarks on a consequential season.
After all, “There Was Some Quit In New York.”
The Rangers tried to implement an “It Takes Everyone” mentality. It turned out that “Everyone Was Pissed.”
And when the team donned “No BS” as its formal proclamation last year, quite a bit of BS followed.
“We can put slogans and signs on T-shirts and hang things on the wall — which is great — but we have to believe it, and we have to live it every second of every day,” head coach Mike Sullivan said on the eve of the opening night matchup Tuesday in Boston. “If we do that, we’ve got something. We’re trying to build a belief in a process that we’re applying every day, where our players and coaches and everyone buys into it. We’ll see where that takes us.”
Sullivan cited attitude and effort — two controllables — as key factors in the Rangers reaching their potential this season.
Captain J.T. Miller won’t dwell on last season and won’t look past the first period of the first game against the Bruins.
New York Rangers forward JT Miller is seen on the ice against the New York Islanders in the third period at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, September 22, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR NEW YORK POST
The usual pomp and circumstance at the start of a season is noticeably missing in New York, but it feels by design. It’s all business. Nothing can be said that hasn’t already been said a million times before.
“We know what to expect of each other,” Miller told The Post.
The Rangers were fortunate to have both rookie goalie Dylan Garand and veteran forward Taylor Raddysh clear waivers on their way to AHL Hartford to start the season. It fortified the organization’s depth, particularly at the goaltending position, which has been a hot commodity on the waiver wire this preseason.
Alberts Smits bulldozing his way into the Rangers’ Opening Night lineup was beneficial for defensive depth as well.
The Latvian blueliner looked poised to start the season with the Blueshirts very early on in training camp, but he proved his NHL-ready projection right with every exhibition game he played.
New York Islanders’ Pierre Engvall pursues New York Rangers’ Alberts Smits during the second period at UBS Arena, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Like he’s been since the start of preseason, Smits was nonchalant about becoming the first 18-year-old defenseman on the Rangers since Dave Maloney 52 years ago. Asked if he expected to make the team, the new No. 12 said it’s the reason he came to New York.
“I don’t really care if you’re 18 or 30 or 60, job’s going to stay the same,” he said. “So yeah, I’m just trying to focus on the instructions that the coaches are giving us and trying to execute as best as I can.”
The last time the Rangers carried eight defensemen out of training camp was the 2021-22 season, when they didn’t want to waive Nils Lundkvist and/or Libor Hajek out of fear of them being claimed. To give an idea of how much has changed since then, Adam Fox is the only holdover from that defense corps.
It was a similar situation on defense this training camp. The Rangers opted to keep Scott Morrow around instead of exposing him on the waiver wire and potentially losing him for nothing.
“We think Scott [Morrow] had a strong camp also,” Sullivan said. “Right now … our roster is the way it is. We feel like the guys that are here are deserving to be here, and that’s why they’re here. Both Scott and [Matthew Robertson], we feel have had pretty good training camps also, and so based on what we have — the roster, the business side of the game, all those things — the decisions were made accordingly.”
That was not all that happened, here is more news from around the NBA as most teams had their media days.
Nikola Jokic not going anywhere
When Nikola Jokic chose not to sign an extension with the Nuggets this summer — which was a smart financial move if he wants to sign for more next summer — it raised a few eyebrows around the league, and teams decided to monitor the situation. Then the league's rumor mongers jumped in and ran with it.
Jokic shot all that down at media day in Denver. As he does every time he is asked about this.
This summer, Jokic could have extended for four years, $276 million. Next summer, Jokic can sign for five years and a projected $357 million, with a no-trade clause. This new contract would take him through age 36.
Ben Simmons has chip on shoulder
One might have thought star rookie Darius Acuff would have been the talk of Sacramento Kings media day, but much of the attention was on a guy on a non-guaranteed minimum contract: Ben Simmons.
"I think that was more so my body. It wasn't about if I wanted to play. All these people talk about, I don't love the game. That's bulls***. I love this game. If I didn't, I wouldn't have taken that year to focus on myself and get back to where I'm at...
"I miss playing the game a lot, but it's hard to do when you're not physically right. I'm healthy, and I'm able to compete every day."
Sacramento is looking for a reliable veteran backup to play behind Acuff. Can Simmons be that guy? He is going to get a chance.
Other news, notes from media days
• San Antonio's Dylan Harper is one of the pre-season favorites to win Sixth Man of the Year (he has the second shortest odds at DraftKings, behind OKC's Ajay Mitchell). Harper told GQ’s Cam Wolf he wants no part of that.
"What's the political answer here? I'm going to do whatever the team needs me to do, man. If that's come off the bench…. That's crazy. F*** no. I ain't coming off no bench."
• Telling Stephen Curry that many pundits do not expect the Warriors to make the playoffs had him leaving the podium.
• Anthony Davis said he is going to play out this season in Washington on his current ($58.5 million) contract, and "when the season is over. I'm going to go through the season, and kind of do what I do at a high level, and then, when it's over, you know, sit down and have those key conversations again with the front office." Davis has a player option for next season of $62.8 million,
"I think winning is the most important thing for me. So whatever role I have to play to get that done, I don't think anybody would be mad after a win. As a starter, if I'm starting, if I'm not, it's the same thing. It's day one right now, I feel like that's coach's questions, but for me I have no problem with either."
• As expected, the Charlotte Hornets waived former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham, who is now a free agent.
That was not all that happened, here is more news from around the NBA as most teams had their media days.
Nikola Jokic not going anywhere
When Nikola Jokic chose not to sign an extension with the Nuggets this summer — which was a smart financial move if he wants to sign for more next summer — it raised a few eyebrows around the league, and teams decided to monitor the situation. Then the league's rumor mongers jumped in and ran with it.
Jokic shot all that down at media day in Denver. As he does every time he is asked about this.
This summer, Jokic could have extended for four years, $276 million. Next summer, Jokic can sign for five years and a projected $357 million, with a no-trade clause. This new contract would take him through age 36.
Ben Simmons has chip on shoulder
One might have thought star rookie Darius Acuff would have been the talk of Sacramento Kings media day, but much of the attention was on a guy on a non-guaranteed minimum contract: Ben Simmons.
"I think that was more so my body. It wasn't about if I wanted to play. All these people talk about, I don't love the game. That's bulls***. I love this game. If I didn't, I wouldn't have taken that year to focus on myself and get back to where I'm at...
"I miss playing the game a lot, but it's hard to do when you're not physically right. I'm healthy, and I'm able to compete every day."
Sacramento is looking for a reliable veteran backup to play behind Acuff. Can Simmons be that guy? He is going to get a chance.
Other news, notes from media days
• San Antonio's Dylan Harper is one of the pre-season favorites to win Sixth Man of the Year (he has the second shortest odds at DraftKings, behind OKC's Ajay Mitchell). Harper told GQ’s Cam Wolf he wants no part of that.
"What's the political answer here? I'm going to do whatever the team needs me to do, man. If that's come off the bench…. That's crazy. F*** no. I ain't coming off no bench."
• Telling Stephen Curry that many pundits do not expect the Warriors to make the playoffs had him leaving the podium.
• Anthony Davis said he is going to play out this season in Washington on his current ($58.5 million) contract, and "when the season is over. I'm going to go through the season, and kind of do what I do at a high level, and then, when it's over, you know, sit down and have those key conversations again with the front office." Davis has a player option for next season of $62.8 million,
"I think winning is the most important thing for me. So whatever role I have to play to get that done, I don't think anybody would be mad after a win. As a starter, if I'm starting, if I'm not, it's the same thing. It's day one right now, I feel like that's coach's questions, but for me I have no problem with either."
• As expected, the Charlotte Hornets waived former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham, who is now a free agent.
