Category: Sports News

The Dallas Mavericks had a miserable season by basically every metric. Right from the beginning, as the Mavs endured Anthony Davis injuries, point Cooper Flagg and countless clutch losses, you knew where this season was heading. The Mavericks themselves admitted this, firing Nico Harrison for his negligence in November, then promptly trading away the crowned jewel of his trade last year in Anthony Davis.

With all that in mind, the Mavericks organization had every reason to race to the bottom. This is a team that got just a handful of games out of their dream front court, with both Davis and Dereck Lively being out of commission for the majority of the year. They ran out Cooper Flagg at point because D’Angelo Russell simply can’t play. They had countless injuries the whole year. Unlike the Jazz and Grizzlies, who are artificially nuking somewhat decent basketball teams, the Mavericks stunk out loud.

So, surely the Mavericks will enter the draft with a great chance at a top four pick, right?

Unfortunately for fans who wanted to see Dallas pair Cooper Flagg with an elite co-star in this draft, the Mavericks played this season about as poorly as you could have. After the Davis trade, they had several veteran players who could’ve been useful for other teams in the playoffs. Guys like Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall, who could’ve been traded before the deadline for several second round picks. By the time Dallas is ready to compete again, those guys will likely be aged out of the rotation. Why keep them in the name of winning a few games you don’t really want  to win?

Then you have Khris Middleton, who was acquired in the trade with Washington. Middleton is very useful, as he showed when scoring 35 points in an eight-point win over the Grizzlies on March 12. You don’t think that loss could’ve been nice to have now? 

The Dallas Mavericks organization is aimless and lacks leadership. From ownership on down, this season was a damning indictment on how this organization failed on almost every level. The coach is snaking around, covering up his role in the Luka trade and potentially aiming for the open GM role. The interim GM’s were only able to take a half measure at the deadline because ownership wanted to wait and fire the previous GM mid-season. Led by Patrick Dumont, this ownership group of non-basketball people have only shown to be a hindrance on building a championship level team. Granted, things could change with the new general manager being brought in. But if how you do one thing is how you do everything, Patrick Dumont and his family will neuter Cooper Flagg for years to come.

In the here and now, this team exiting with the seventh or eighth best odds at the top selection in the draft is a huge middle finger to the fans. The Mavericks had their chance to build like the Spurs, with multiple high level lottery picks. Instead, this franchise has failed to maximize the chance they had to put a real, high level guard next to Flagg in this draft. From the top down, they failed not only to execute a plan, but they failed to even implement one. For all of this season’s suffering, the Mavericks didn’t get enough out of it to make it worthwhile. Now, they must rely on lady luck to bail them out of their own poor decisions once again.

This Minnesota Timberwolves season has felt like three different seasons combined. For fans, it probably felt more like 10. It’s been anything but smooth, however the good news is that we’ve finally come to the end. Wait, they’re telling me there’s more basketball to be played? Oh god, it’s not over yet?

Here we go.

Before we officially move into the postseason, let’s hear how you felt the first 82-games went. The Wolves finished the season 49-33 which weirdly feels just about right. What were your bright spots?

Welcome to Canis Pulsus Vol. 48!

For those of you who have been ignoring this series since the 2021 season — Canis Pulsus is designed to give our Canis Hoopus community a published voice.

A pulse, if you will.

We all know that if CH occupied all seats of the Minnesota Timberwolves front office, we would be celebrating our 36th consecutive championship this year. But for now, it’s time for us to exercise our right vote. How would you grade the performance of our pups?

It’s a simple concept, really. Just submit your vote as honestly or sarcastically as you would like. All individual submissions will remain anonymous so no one will know if you were the one voter who gave Enrique Freeman an A+. Once the polls close, the results as a whole will be published on Canis Hoopus and (in theory) be sent to The Athletic’s front page.

Canis Pulsus Vol. 48 – Final Report Card & Playoff Predictions

Vote link:
https://forms.gle/yLAziD5sX8NsoWh1A

*Voting ends Wednesday, 4/15*

1. Grade each player’s performance this regular season.
2. Grade the coaching staff’s performance this regular season.
3. Grade the front office’s performance this regular season.
4. Grade ownership’s performance this regular season.
5. The key for the Timberwolves to defeat the Nuggets is…
6. My hot take from the Wolves-Nuggets series is…
7. With the regular season over, my feelings on the direction of the Timberwolves are…

Link to previous Canis Pulsus results

Last Sunday evening, all 30 NBA teams played in an effort to unveil matchups as close to one another as possible.

At the postgame press conference, it was announced that the Spurs first game takes place this Sunday. Almost immediately, social media erupted with a schedule.

The Spurs play the last game on Sunday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. CST. Their opponent will either be the 7th seed Phoenix Suns or the 8th seed Portland Trail Blazers.

The play-in between them takes place Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. CST. The winner faces the Spurs, and the loser slugs it out against the winner of the 9th/10th play-in contest between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for the opportunity to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

In his postgame presser, Spurs forward Carter Bryant said he’d be glued to his TV, phone off, and taking notes as the Spurs await the results. The rookie is excited for the postseason. Last Wednesday, Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson confirmed Bryant will have minutes in the playoffs. Watching the former Arizona Wildcat come into his own late in the season, the decision was easy for Johnson.

If Bryant continues to posterize MVPs the way he did Nikola Jokic on Sunday night, his minutes are guaranteed.

Stephon Castle mirrored what Bryant shared that it doesn’t matter who they are facing, they must be ready for anything.

For the Spurs, many players are entering their first playoffs. But they are not without postseason exposure.

Mason Plumlee and Harrison Barnes (71 games), Kelly Olynyk (48 games), Luke Kornet (43 games), Bismack Biyombo (40 games), Jordan McLaughlin (13 games), De’Aaron Fix (7 games), Lindy Waters III (3 games) all have varied levels of playoff experience.

Unfortunately, with the exception of Fox and Barnes, the players with games under their belts are on the lower half of the roster for minutes.

Of course, Luke Kornet (2024) and Harrison Barnes (2015) have already won titles. They possess knowledge that will come in handy throughout the process.

Until then, the Spurs are watching and waiting.

Go Spurs Go!

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It was fitting, in a sense, that no one gave the Celtics a chance entering Sunday’s regular-season finale.

That’s how it was as soon as Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles. That’s how it was to start the season. That’s how it was after their 8-8 start. But each time, the Celtics simply shrugged their shoulders, ignored the critics and kept on hooping.

When they trotted out a starting five of Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza, some naively assumed the Magic would cruise to a stress-free victory. But those who have watched this team exceed expectations all season had a hunch that it would be anything from a cakewalk for Orlando.

The Celtics showed promise early, fell behind at halftime, surged ahead with a marvelous third quarter, then withstood a late Magic run to earn a 113-108 victory that encapsulated what has made this regular season so remarkable.

Here are 10 takeaways:

1) Look at Luka

Let’s start with the end. Garza hit arguably the most preposterous shot of the season, drilling a gutsy go-ahead 3 with a hand in his face and 31.7 seconds remaining.

With 21 seconds on the shot clock, Garza didn’t have to shoot it. Given the two-for-one opportunity, and the fact that he was feeling it, he decided to let it fly. The shot was a no-doubter, as it descended through the net with ease and vaulted the Celtics ahead.

Garza finished with 27 points and 12 boards in perhaps the best game of his career to this point. Against a team with limitless size, Garza helped the Celtics hold their own on the boards.

2) Baylor buckets

Scheierman was also electric, racking up 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a true masterpiece of a performance. Surprisingly, he never even scored 30 in college, so this one gets two major thumbs-up.

It’s a great reminder that NBA players are more than capable of producing at a high level when given a total green light and ample playing time. But not everyone can do it like Scheierman, who hit some wild contested 3’s and also found his teammates for easy 2’s.

He’s gained confidence throughout the season, and this could take it to another level in the postseason.

3) Even sharper Harper

Harper Jr. has been a pleasant surprise this season, and he, too, turned in his best game yet Sunday night. He set the tone early and gave the Celtics even more belief that they could really win it.

He isn’t good for a young guy, good for a reserve or good for an undrafted player. He’s just straight up good and should be in the rotation for years to come.

4) Free money

The Celtics went 17 of 17 from the free-throw line in the first half to stay within striking distance, down 61-52. It was their most makes in a first half since 2023, and they finished 22 of 22 for the game.

Don’t sleep on Walsh’s free throws in the final seconds to seal it. That’s a pressure-packed moment for a player who used to be very in his own head and is no only somewhat in his own head. Walsh looked calm and knocked them down with ease.

5) Battle of the boards

It would have been easy for the Celtics to lose this game because they lost the rebounding battle. While they ultimately did lose it, 50-46, a four-board differential is a win for Boston in this case.

Orlando’s size is its best asset, and the Celtics didn’t let the Magic bully or intimidate them. Garza was a catalyst in that realm, as usual, but Walsh, Scheierman and Harper Jr. also contributed.

6) Delightful Dalano

Remember Banton? Well, he’s back, and he’s the same long, rangy athlete who made his mark in Boston before. Banton is a fun player because he naturally pushes the pace just because of how he’s built and wired.

He doesn’t corral the rebound, think about what he’s having for dinner, glance up at the Jumbotron and go. He just gets it and goes. That sort of pace is contagious, and for a team that ranks last in pace (it’s a good thing; don’t get me wrong), this was a refreshing change of pace, so to speak.

He also had four blocks and remains a crazy leaper.

7) Whaddaya say, Tonje?

John Tonje also made his presence felt with 13 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes. Tonje had some impressive hustle plays, has a nose for the ball and is a capable shooter and playmaker.

He won’t crack the playoff rotation, but this was a promising audition to boost his long-term chances of remaining on the roster.

8) No Magic 3-ball

The Magic are a good basketball team, but in order to take the next step, they need to address their 3-point shooting. Desmond Bane helps, and Jalen Suggs was a bright spot Sunday, but they shot 28 percent as a team from distance on the night.

Whenever the Celtics and Magic play, regardless of who’s on the floor, the gap in shooting is obvious. The Celtics did the right thing by daring Orlando players not named Suggs or Bane to shoot. The Magic can wear you down with their physicality and toughness, but the Celtics can match that physicality and toughness and also burn you from deep.

9) Planting the seed

With the loss, the Magic fell to No. 8 in the East and could very well see the Celtics again in the first round. All they have to do is beat the 76ers, but even without Joel Embiid, that’s no easy task.

Professional athletes have a knack for putting their shortcomings behind them, but the Magic may second-guess themselves heading into a potential rematch. If they can’t beat the Scheierman-Harper Jr.-Garza Celtics (no disrespect to three Boston icons), how can they beat the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown-Derrick White and more Celtics? Time will tell, but it’s advantage Boston until further notice.

10) Legendary run

Jim Edmonds, the Director of Celtics Basketball for 45 years, is retiring.

NBC Sports Boston honored Edmonds – a TV professional for 67 years who chronicled five NBA championships and won 16 Emmy Awards – throughout Sunday’s broadcast. Edmonds downplayed his role and tried to deflect the attention, even while Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine sung his praises.

“I try to put them in a position to succeed,” Edmonds said.

He’s done exactly that for almost half a century, shining as behind-the-scenes glue for a powerhouse crew.

Mike Gorman even returned to the Garden to give Edmonds a proper farewell.

“I enjoyed every second of the 45 years I worked with Jim,” Gorman said.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This week’s question asked about the teams in Houston’s playoff tier — the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers — and which one Rockets fans would least like to play. Here are your results:

As you can see, two-thirds of Rockets fans picked the Denver Nuggets, and I agree that they are the worst first-round matchup for Houston. The Rockets instead drew the Los Angeles Lakers in round one, but they could still meet one of the other teams in later rounds.

According to our friends at FanDuel, the Rockets are the favorites versus L.A., opening up at a -220 in odds against the Lakers in Game 1, meaning you have to wager $220 to win 100. The Rockets are -900 to advance to the Western Conference Semis and a +6000 to make the NBA Finals.

Thanks for voting, we’ll be back soon with more Reacts!