Wolves

The Boston Celtics were not supposed to be here.
Not after the night everything changed. Not after Jayson Tatum went down with a devastating Achilles tear in the second round against the New York Knicks. Not after watching their season unravel in real time, their title aspirations slipping away with each step he could no longer take.
They lost that series. More than that, they lost their centerpiece, their identity, and what many believed was their window.
For a franchise that has built itself on championship expectations, anything short of contention feels like failure. In that moment, the Celtics were staring at a future filled with uncertainty, questions that stretched far beyond a single postseason exit. How do you recover from losing a player who defines everything you do? How do you rebuild belief when the foundation itself has been shaken?
And yet, months later, Boston finds itself back in the conversation.
Not as the overwhelming favorite. Not as the juggernaut they once looked like. But as something perhaps more dangerous. A team that has endured, adapted, and discovered layers of itself that may not have surfaced otherwise.
Now, with Tatum on the verge of returning, the question shifts from survival to possibility.
Can the Celtics conquer the East once more?
<h3>A season that could have collapsed but did not</h3>
The expectation after Tatum&rsquo;s injury was simple. Boston would fall back.
It made sense. Tatum is not just an All-NBA talent. He is the system&rsquo;s gravitational force, the player who bends defenses, dictates matchups, and gives structure to everything the Celtics do on both ends. His presence alone simplifies decisions for everyone else on the floor. His absence complicates everything.
Remove that, and most teams crumble.
Boston did not.
Instead, Joe Mazzulla and his group leaned into what they had built over the years. The principles stayed intact. The spacing remained deliberate. The ball continued to move. The identity did not disappear, it evolved into something more collective and less predictable.
&ldquo;Mazzulla Ball&rdquo; lived on, not as a dependency on one star, but as a philosophy rooted in pace, decision-making, and trust. The Celtics doubled down on their spacing, leaned into quick reads, and emphasized shot quality over individual creation. In doing so, they forced opponents to guard actions rather than just players.
The Celtics became less predictable, more collective. They shifted from a top-heavy contender to a deep, resilient group that could win in different ways on different nights. Some nights it was their shooting. Other nights it was their defense. At times, it was simply their ability to execute late.
That shift did not just keep them afloat. It made them relevant again.
<h3>Jaylen Brown&rsquo;s ascent into superstardom</h3>
At the center of that transformation was Jaylen Brown.
There are moments in every franchise&rsquo;s timeline when a player is asked to step into something bigger than themselves. Brown did not just answer that call, he redefined his ceiling.
This was not simply a case of increased usage. This was evolution. Brown operated with control, patience, and purpose. His scoring expanded across all three levels. He attacked the rim with force, punished mismatches in the midrange, and improved his decision-making when defenses collapsed.
Just as important, his playmaking took a noticeable leap. Brown became more comfortable reading help defenders, making the extra pass, and keeping the offense flowing. That growth allowed Boston to maintain its structure even without its primary initiator.
Night after night, he carried the offensive burden. He embraced the defensive responsibility. He became the tone-setter for a team that needed stability.
What stood out most was not the numbers, although they were impressive enough to warrant MVP and All-NBA conversations. It was the consistency. The Celtics did not have the luxury of off nights from their primary option, and Brown rarely gave them one.
He also embraced the leadership aspect of the role. In huddles, in late-game situations, and in moments of adversity, Brown&rsquo;s voice carried weight. That intangible shift matters just as much as any statistical leap.
In many ways, this season forced Boston to answer a long-standing question. Could Brown be the guy?
For stretches, he already has been.
<h3>The system holds, the depth emerges</h3>
Beyond Brown, Boston&rsquo;s ability to stay competitive came from its depth and continuity.
Derrick White became the connective tissue. His versatility allowed the Celtics to maintain structure on both ends. He defended across positions, facilitated the offense, and provided timely scoring without disrupting flow. White&rsquo;s ability to make the right play, regardless of role, made him indispensable.
Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser remained steady. Their shooting and floor spacing ensured that Boston&rsquo;s offensive identity did not collapse without Tatum. They played within their roles, understood their value, and delivered consistently.
Then came the emergence of youth.
Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonz&aacute;lez brought energy, length, and a willingness to contribute. They were not expected to be difference-makers this early, yet they carved out meaningful roles through effort and adaptability. Their development added another layer to Boston&rsquo;s identity, one built on internal growth rather than external dependence.
In the frontcourt, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza stepped into a difficult situation. Replacing the production and presence of departed veterans is never simple, but they provided size, rebounding, and interior presence when needed. They played with physicality and energy, which often set the tone early in games.
Boston also made a calculated move by bringing in Nikola Vučević. His skillset fit seamlessly into the system. A big who can space the floor, facilitate from the high post, and provide scoring in structured sets, Vučević gave the Celtics a different dimension offensively. His presence allowed Boston to maintain spacing while still having a reliable option inside.
All of it added up to something greater than expected.
A team that, on paper, lost too much. A team that, in reality, found enough.
<h3>The cost of change and the value of continuity</h3>
It is important to acknowledge what Boston no longer has.
Veteran anchors like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis are no longer part of the equation. Their absence removed a layer of experience, defense, and versatility that once defined Boston&rsquo;s championship aspirations.
Holiday&rsquo;s point-of-attack defense, Horford&rsquo;s leadership and positional intelligence, and Porziņģis&rsquo; unique blend of size and shooting once gave Boston one of the most complete starting groups in the league.
In a different context, those losses would have been crippling.
But this season reframed the Celtics&rsquo; identity. It forced them to rely less on established names and more on internal growth. It tested their system, their culture, and their ability to adapt.
What remains is a group that understands how to play together, regardless of who is on the floor. There is a level of cohesion that comes from shared adversity, from navigating uncertainty together.
That may not show up in headlines, but it matters in the postseason, where execution and trust often decide outcomes.
<h3>The looming question at center</h3>
For all the positives, there are still questions. The most pressing one lies in the frontcourt.
Is Boston&rsquo;s center rotation enough to compete with the best in the East?
The conference still runs through teams with size, physicality, and interior dominance. Whether it is rebounding battles, rim protection, or half-court execution, the Celtics will be tested in ways they have not consistently faced during the regular season.
Queta and Garza have provided effort and production, while Vučević adds skill and spacing. But playoff basketball is about matchups and margins.
Against elite frontcourts, every possession matters. Defensive breakdowns are magnified. Second-chance opportunities become backbreaking. The ability to protect the rim without overhelping on the perimeter becomes critical.
Can they hold their ground against elite bigs? Can they protect the paint without compromising their perimeter defense? Can they rebound at a level that prevents second-chance opportunities?
These are not small questions. They are defining ones.
<h3>The return of Jayson Tatum</h3>
And then there is Tatum.
Everything Boston has done this season has been without him. Everything they hope to accomplish moving forward depends on him.
Returning from an Achilles injury is not just about availability. It is about trust. Trust in the body. Trust in movement. Trust in the ability to be the same player, or close enough to it, when it matters most.
There will be moments of adjustment. Timing will need to be rediscovered. Rhythm will need to be rebuilt. That is the natural process of returning from such an injury.
The Celtics do not need Tatum to be perfect immediately. They need him to be impactful. They need his presence, his scoring gravity, his defensive versatility, and his ability to elevate those around him.
His return changes the geometry of the floor. It shifts defensive priorities. It creates space for Brown, for White, for everyone else who has carried the load in his absence.
But it also introduces a new dynamic.
This is no longer solely Tatum&rsquo;s team in the way it once was. Brown has grown. The system has evolved. Roles have been established. Confidence has been built across the roster.
The challenge is not just reintegration. It is balance.
Can Tatum step back in without disrupting what has been built? Can the Celtics blend their pre-injury identity with the version that emerged in his absence? Can they find a rhythm where both Tatum and Brown operate at their best without sacrificing the collective flow?
If they can, Boston becomes something more than what it was before.
<h3>The psychological edge of survival</h3>
One aspect that cannot be ignored is the psychological impact of what Boston has endured.
This is a team that has already faced its breaking point. It has already experienced the loss of its best player and found a way to respond. That kind of experience builds a different level of confidence, one rooted in proof rather than belief.
When adversity hits in the playoffs, and it always does, the Celtics will not be navigating unfamiliar territory. They have already lived through it.
That matters in close games. It matters in hostile environments. It matters when momentum swings and pressure builds.
Teams that have been tested often respond differently than those that have not. Boston falls firmly into the former category.
<h3>A different kind of contender</h3>
The Celtics that could enter the playoffs are not the same team that started the season.
They are deeper in experience, even if younger in personnel. They are more adaptable, more resilient, and more aware of what it takes to win without relying on one player.
They have seen multiple versions of themselves. A team led by Brown. A team defined by its depth. A team built on system execution.
Now, they have the opportunity to add another version. One that includes Tatum.
That matters.
Playoff runs are rarely linear. They demand adjustments, resilience, and the ability to respond to adversity. Boston has already faced its adversity. It has already been forced to adjust.
Now, it has the chance to combine that experience with elite talent.
That combination is dangerous.
<h3>Can they conquer the East?</h3>
The Eastern Conference remains competitive. There are teams with continuity, teams with star power, and teams with fewer question marks.
Boston is not the cleanest contender. There are uncertainties around Tatum&rsquo;s form, the center rotation, and how everything fits together at the highest level.
But there is also upside.
If Tatum returns close to his peak, if Brown sustains his level, and if the supporting cast continues to play within the system, the Celtics have a pathway.
Not an easy one. Not a guaranteed one. But a real one.
What makes this version of Boston intriguing is not just its talent. It is its story.
This is a team that was supposed to fade. A team that lost its best player and kept going. A team that discovered its depth, redefined its identity, and stayed relevant when it had every reason not to.
Now, it stands at a different kind of crossroads.
The foundation is there. The momentum is real. The belief has been rebuilt.
All that remains is the final piece.
Jayson Tatum is coming back.
And with him, so are the Celtics&rsquo; biggest ambitions.

With Jayson Tatum coming back, can the Celtics win the East once more?

With Tatum back, can Celtics conquer the East once more?

For years, the Toronto Raptors have prided themselves on culture. It was never just about talent or star power. It was about identity, accountability, and a belief that development could bridge the gap between good and great. That formula delivered the ultimate prize once, and even through the inevitable transitions that followed, the foundation never truly disappeared.
Now, after seasons of inconsistency and questions about direction, Toronto is starting to look like itself again.
This current stretch has not been about headlines or blockbuster moves, but instead it has been about rediscovery. The Raptors are playing with purpose, with connectivity, and most importantly, with a clear identity that has carried them back into relevance. Defense has become their calling card, and in a league increasingly dominated by offensive firepower, that commitment has given them a chance every night.
Under head coach Darko Rajakovic, Toronto has leaned fully into its defensive principles. The schemes are sharp, the rotations are disciplined, and the effort level has been consistent. It is not just about individual stops but about collective buy-in. Every possession feels intentional, and that has translated into one of the league&rsquo;s better defensive units this season.
At the center of it all is Scottie Barnes, who continues to evolve into the face of the franchise. Barnes has taken on the challenge of anchoring the defense while expanding his offensive game in meaningful ways. He is among the league leaders in combined steals and blocks, a reflection of both his instincts and activity level. More importantly, his offensive approach has matured. His shot selection has improved, his reads are sharper, and his overall scoring efficiency reflects a player beginning to understand how to control the game on both ends.
Barnes represents what the Raptors want to be: Versatile, unselfish, and relentless.
And around him, the roster is starting to make sense.
Brandon Ingram provides a steady scoring presence, someone who can create offense when possessions break down. His ability to operate in the midrange and command defensive attention gives Toronto a different dimension, especially in tight games where execution matters most.
Meanwhile, the returns from the OG Anunoby trade continue to define the team&rsquo;s present and future. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have not just filled roles, they have become foundational pieces. Quickley&rsquo;s pace and shot creation bring life to the offense, while Barrett has embraced the opportunity to contribute across the board, attacking the rim and using his physicality to impact the game.
Inside the paint, Poeltl remains a stabilizing force. He does the work that often goes unnoticed. Screening, rebounding, protecting the paint, and providing a reliable interior presence. His role may not generate headlines, but it is essential to everything Toronto wants to do defensively.
The depth of the roster has also started to show real value.
Jamal Shead has stepped into a playmaking role off the bench and provided composure, organizing the offense and keeping the team structured. Ja'Kobe Walter adds scoring punch, someone who can change the tempo with his aggressiveness. Gradey Dick continues to stretch the floor, offering much-needed spacing that allows the rest of the offense to function more fluidly.
Then there is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who brings a different dimension to the frontcourt. His ability to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter creates mismatches and forces defenses to adjust. It is a contrast to Poeltl&rsquo;s interior presence, and that versatility gives Rajakovic more options depending on the situation.
Perhaps one of the more encouraging developments has been the emergence of Collin Murray-Boyles. The rookie has exceeded expectations early, showing that he is physically ready for the NBA level. He has embraced the physicality, competed defensively, and found ways to contribute without needing the offense to run through him. For a young team still building its identity, that kind of readiness matters.
All of these pieces together have started to form something tangible. The Raptors are no longer searching aimlessly. They are building, and more importantly, they are building with clarity.
The question now becomes what comes next. There are multiple paths in front of Toronto, and each one carries its own level of risk and reward.
They could continue to build organically, trusting the development of Barnes and the rest of the core. This approach requires patience, something that is often difficult in a results-driven league. However, it also aligns most closely with the culture the organization has always valued.
Another option is to make a significant move, a splashy trade that could accelerate their timeline and push them back into contention. It is a tempting idea, especially when a team begins to show signs of cohesion. The challenge is ensuring that such a move does not disrupt the very identity that is starting to take shape.
Then there is the middle ground. Incremental improvement through smart trades, disciplined drafting, and targeted free agent signings. This path may not generate immediate headlines, but it can often produce the most sustainable success. It allows the team to grow while maintaining flexibility, something that becomes crucial as young players develop and expectations rise.
What makes this moment compelling is that none of these options feel out of reach. Toronto is not stuck. They are not rebuilding without direction. They are a team that has begun to rediscover itself, anchored by defense and fueled by a young core that is starting to understand how to win together.
There is also a growing sense that this could be the season where it all starts to translate into results. After struggling through the past few years, the Raptors are showing signs of a team ready to compete for a playoff spot again. The energy is different. The connectivity is evident. They are playing like a group that believes in what it is building. That belief matters.
Culture is often an abstract concept, something that is easier to talk about than to define. For the Raptors, it has always been about consistency in effort, trust in development, and a willingness to adapt without losing identity. This season, those elements are beginning to resurface in a meaningful way.
The road ahead will not be simple. There will be decisions to make, challenges to navigate, and expectations to manage. However, for the first time in a while, the direction feels clear. The Raptors have found their footing again. Now, it is about deciding how far and how fast they want to go.

The Toronto Raptors are rediscovering their identity through defense and a rising young core led by Scottie Barnes.

Raptors built on culture. What comes next?

The San Antonio Spurs have been playing one of their best basketball stretches this season, winning 18 of their last 20 games, and they are now back in familiar territory. The Spurs have won 50 games or more again for the first time since the 2016-17 season, and the conversation for the team has shifted into something far more serious.
The San Antonio Spurs are no longer a feel-good story. They are no longer just a young team figuring things out or a rebuilding group showing flashes. That last 50-win team was elite, built around Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge while still anchored by the championship DNA of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. That group knew how to win, knew how to execute, and most importantly, knew how to close games when everything slowed down.
This current Spurs team has been reincarnated from the same success. But this time, only younger, and still evolving. Yet somehow, the results are starting to look familiar.
The ball is moving and the defense is connected, just the way Spurs basketball is supposed to be played. The confidence is growing with every win. There is a rhythm to how they play, a sense of control that does not always show up in the standings but becomes obvious when you watch them over a stretch of games.
So the question now becomes unavoidable. Can the Spurs actually go out and win it all this season?
<h3>A foundation built on something rare</h3>
There are flashes of greatness with this team that go beyond typical rebuilding success. This is not just about stacking wins or overachieving expectations but rather about identity, and more importantly, sustainability.
San Antonio is playing a brand of basketball that feels both modern and timeless. They prioritize ball movement, spacing, and trust. They currently rank near the top of the league in assists per game, a clear reflection of their commitment to finding the best shot rather than forcing one.
Even with a generational talent leading the way, they are actively avoiding hero ball by design. Possessions rarely end with isolation-heavy sets unless absolutely necessary. Instead, the ball swings, players cut, and defenses are forced to rotate until something breaks.
That balance is what makes this team dangerous, and it is also what makes them historically unique.
The Spurs are on the verge of something rarely seen in NBA history. <a href="https://x.com/SpursReporter/status/2033475088729706608?s=20">They are close to becoming the only team to sustain eight players averaging double figures over a full season since the 1981-82 Denver Nuggets.</a> That Nuggets team became the gold standard for high-powered offense, averaging a league-record 126.5 points per game while embodying the idea that everybody eats.
San Antonio is knocking on that door. That kind of depth changes everything when the playoffs arrive. It gives them multiple counters, gives them flexibility, and it allows them to survive off nights from their stars because someone else can step up and carry the load. That is not common for a team this young, and what makes them a contender heading into the playoffs.
<h3>Victor Wembanyama is already that guy</h3>
At the center of it all is Victor Wembanyama.
There is no longer a need to temper expectations or speak in hypotheticals. He is a once-in-a-generation player, and more importantly, he is already playing like someone capable of leading a championship team.
At just 22 years old, Wembanyama is putting up numbers that place him firmly in the MVP conversation. He scores efficiently, protects the rim at an elite level, and continues to expand his offensive arsenal with every passing month.
His impact goes beyond scoring or defense. He alters games in ways that cannot always be captured in the box score. Opponents change their shot selection because he is on the floor. Guards hesitate on drives, and bigs are forced away from their comfort zones.
He is the type of player every contender wants. A player who can take over when necessary, but also elevate everyone around him.
That is the key difference, because Wembanyama does not just dominate. He fits within a system that empowers others, which makes the Spurs far less predictable and far more difficult to scheme against in a playoff setting.
And when the game slows down, when possessions tighten and defenses lock in, having a player who can create something out of nothing becomes invaluable. Wembanyama is already that kind of player.
<h3>A supporting cast that fits perfectly</h3>
Championship teams are never built on one player alone. What makes this Spurs team intriguing is how well the pieces around Wembanyama complement his strengths, both stylistically and mentally.
De&rsquo;Aaron Fox gives them a legitimate second star. His speed, shot creation, and ability to collapse defenses provide a different dimension to the offense. He can push the pace, create advantages early in possessions, and attack gaps before defenses are set.
More importantly, Fox knows how to handle pressure. He has been through playoff battles. He understands what it takes to execute late in games when every possession matters.
Devin Vassell continues to be one of the most reliable scorers on the roster. His midrange game is automatic, and his ability to space the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat makes him an ideal fit alongside both Fox and Wembanyama. He thrives in the gaps created by their gravity.
Stephon Castle has quickly established himself as a defensive anchor on the perimeter. He takes on the toughest assignments nightly and continues to grow offensively, showing more confidence as a slasher while steadily improving his jump shot.
Dylan Harper has been impactful from day one. As a rookie, his ability to attack the rim adds pressure to opposing defenses, and his development trajectory suggests he will be a key piece not just now, but for years to come.
Around them, the Spurs have built a roster filled with purpose.
Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes provide consistent shooting from the wings and corners, giving the offense the spacing it needs to operate at a high level. Their presence forces defenses to stay honest, opening driving lanes for Castle, Fox and Harper.
Keldon Johnson brings relentless energy off the bench. He plays with urgency, attacks the rim with force, and serves as the emotional heartbeat of the team. His willingness to embrace a bench role speaks volumes about the culture being built in San Antonio.
Luke Kornet offers stability as a backup big. He understands his role, plays within the system, and brings the experience of a champion, which can be valuable in moments when composure is needed.
Carter Bryant has quietly emerged as a hidden gem. He can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots, giving the Spurs another versatile piece in their rotation.
This is functional depth for the Spurs where every player has a role, and every role has value. More importantly, every player understands where they fit within the bigger picture, a usual recipe of success for a championship team.
<h3>The numbers are starting to align</h3>
For years, there has been a simple benchmark used to identify true contenders. The 40-20 rule.
Teams that reach 40 wins before 20 losses historically have a strong chance of competing for a championship. The Spurs have met that criteria, placing them firmly in the conversation with the league&rsquo;s elite.
As mentioned, they have also secured their first 50-win season since 2016-17, a reminder of the franchise&rsquo;s sustained excellence during its peak years. That stretch of 18 consecutive 50-win seasons remains one of the most remarkable runs in NBA history, and it set a standard that this new group is now trying to live up to.
After years of losing after their golden age, this season feels like the beginning of something new, yet strangely familiar. It speaks to the growth of their young core, and it reflects the internal development of players who have embraced their roles and elevated their games.
It also highlights the impact of head coach Mitch Johnson. Taking over in a post-Gregg Popovich era is no easy task. The expectations are different, the pressure is constant, and the comparisons are inevitable. Yet Johnson has managed to guide this group with clarity and confidence, maintaining the Spurs&rsquo; identity while adapting to the strengths of a new generation. He has done more than just keep the system intact &ndash; he has evolved it and fine tuned it for the foreseeable future.
<h3>The upcoming playoff reality check</h3>
However, even for all the reasons to believe, there are still questions that cannot be ignored.&nbsp;
The playoffs are a different environment. The pace slows down. Possessions become more valuable. Execution becomes everything.
And that is where experience often separates contenders from champions.
The Spurs are still young. Wembanyama may be playing at an MVP level, but this will be his first true playoff run with real expectations. The same goes for much of the roster. Fox and Kornet bring experience, but beyond them, this group has not been tested deep into the postseason.
That raises an important question. How will their inexperience show up when the stakes are at their highest?
Will their ball movement hold up against elite defenses that are specifically game-planning to take away their strengths? Playoff opponents will scout every action, every tendency, every preferred spot on the floor.
Will the Spurs be able to adjust on the fly when their first option is taken away? Or will they struggle when forced into late-clock situations where individual shot creation becomes necessary?
There is also the matter of their role players. During the regular season, depth wins games. Over an 82-game stretch, having multiple contributors averaging double figures is a luxury. But in the playoffs, rotations tighten, and the margin for error shrinks.
Will those same role players continue to produce when minutes become more defined and defensive intensity rises? Or will the Spurs find themselves needing more from their top-end talent than they have relied on so far? These are the questions that only the postseason can answer.
<h3>The narrative question that could define them</h3>
Beyond the X&rsquo;s and O&rsquo;s, there is another layer to this conversation. Every championship team has a defining narrative. Some teams are built through adversity. Others are driven by redemption. Some rise through experience after repeated failures.
The Spurs are still writing their story.&nbsp;
Are they a team that is arriving ahead of schedule, simply enjoying a breakthrough season before taking the next step in the coming years? Or are they a group that is ready right now, capable of skipping the usual timeline and capturing a title earlier than expected?
Then, there is also the pressure of expectation. At the start of the season, there was no burden. Every win felt like progress. Every loss was part of the process.
That has changed since then. Now, there is something at stake. Now, there is something to lose. How they handle that shift could define their postseason, because belief can shift a series. Confidence can change outcomes, and sometimes, a team that does not know it is supposed to wait ends up winning sooner than anyone predicted.
<h3>Can they actually do it and win it all?</h3>
On paper, the Spurs have the ingredients. They have a generational superstar playing at an MVP level. They have a second star who complements him. They have depth, shooting, defense, and a system that emphasizes trust and unselfishness.
They have momentum, they have belief, but championships are not won on paper. They are earned through experience, execution, and resilience under pressure.
The Spurs are close &ndash; closer than anyone expected this early in their timeline. Whether they are ready to take that final step this season remains the biggest question in the league. And that is what makes them one of the most fascinating teams to watch as the playoffs approach.
Because if everything clicks, if their identity holds, and if their young core rises to the moment, this may not just be the start of something special: it could be the moment it all comes through and arrives, and it is theirs for the taking.

The San Antonio Spurs are surging behind Victor Wembanyama and elite depth, but are they truly ready to win an NBA title this season?

Can the Spurs go out and win it all?

Some stories from the golden era of the NBA exist in that fascinating space between confirmed history and beloved lore,&nbsp; too detailed to be invented, too strange to be mundane. The tale of what happened in an elevator at the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City sits squarely in that territory. It involves a teenager named <a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/phil-handy-jordan-kobe-lebron-goat-debate">Kobe Bryant</a>, a 270-pound veteran named Jayson Williams, a near-brawl in an enclosed space, and the intervention of a man who would eventually become the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
The confined space of an elevator is the last place you want to be when a 270-pound professional athlete decides he has been disrespected enough. According to Williams's account, one he has told many times over the years with the kind of vivid detail that only a born storyteller can summon, that is exactly where things stood between him and a young Kobe Bryant during All-Star Weekend at Madison Square Garden.
A Future President Steps Between Two Giants
Williams reportedly swung at Bryant, and what started as a locker room tension between a veteran who felt disrespected and a teenager who refused to back down threatened to become something far worse. This is where the story takes its most improbable turn. Donald Trump, then a New York fixture and real estate mogul who had turned celebrity into its own kind of currency, did not step back. He stepped in.
Trump later confirmed the incident during an interview with Jake Paul, offering a characteristically direct account of what happened. "That was a long time ago. Yeah, well I was breaking up a fight, which sometimes is more dangerous than being in a fight," Trump said. "But I like Kobe. Kobe was having a hard time with somebody, and it worked out fine. But yeah, I broke it up,&nbsp; probably not a smart thing to do. Historically, it's never good to break up fights."
According to the account that has circulated since, Trump physically grabbed Williams and told Bryant to get out. The elevator doors opened. Kobe walked. A potential disaster for the NBA's rising star, a teenager still finding his footing in the league, was averted in one of the most unlikely moments in sports history.
"I was breaking up a fight, which sometimes is more dangerous than being in a fight... I like Kobe. Kobe was having a hard time with somebody, and it worked out fine." <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/14/sports/donald-trump-confirms-breaking-up-fight-involving-kobe-bryant/">said Donald Trump</a>
<h2>Charles Oakley, the Witness Who Doesn't Quite Remember</h2>
Every great piece of basketball lore needs a credible voice to place it in context, and Charles Oakley, one of the toughest and most respected players of that era, provides exactly that, even if his account comes with a caveat. Oakley, speaking with Yahoo Sports, was measured: he doesn't personally recall being in the elevator that day, but he has absolutely heard the story, told by Williams himself, on multiple occasions to multiple people.
"He had told it to some people that I was around," <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/03/exclusive-the-night-trump-saved-kobe-inside-the-1998-elevator-brawl-with-untold-accounts-from-jayson-williams-and-charles-oakley/">Oakley said to Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson</a>&nbsp;"Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.'" When I spoke with Oakley separately, he echoed that sentiment. While he couldn't personally account for the specifics of the elevator incident, he was quick to note that Williams tells it with extraordinary conviction and color. "Jayson is an awesome storyteller who brings these moments to life with incredible detail," Oakley said. That endorsement, from a man who has no incentive to embellish, carries its own weight.
<h2>Jayson Williams and the Locker Room That Made History</h2>
Williams's connection to the 1998 All-Star Game runs deeper than one elevator encounter. He has vivid memories of walking into the locker room at Madison Square Garden and locking eyes with Larry Bird, who was coaching the Eastern Conference that weekend. The history between them stretched back to Williams's second game in the league, when Bird, still active and relentless, had torched him for 45 points while repeatedly demanding that the coach put the rookie back in so he could keep going.
"He just looked at me and said 'Your minutes are on the board'... And I said 'Thanks Coach' and he goes 'You f---n' rookie!' This is Larry Bird and he remembered that for 25 years!" Williams said. "He's one of the biggest and best smack talkers but he can back it up. All the time though!"
And then there was Michael Jordan, the loudest presence in a room full of legends. Williams describes Jordan's energy that day as laser-focused and entirely intentional: MJ was announcing to anyone who would listen that he wanted the ball every single possession. "He was coming in there letting us all know that he wasn't going to take the ball out because you know in the All-Star Game when you take the ball out you don't get it back," Williams explained. "He's MJ baby! He's the best who ever did it."
<h2>Why This Story Still Matters</h2>
The 1998 NBA All-Star Game produced a box score and a winner. But the stories that live from that weekend, a future president breaking up a fight in an elevator, Larry Bird's long memory for a rookie he once torched, Michael Jordan manufacturing motivation in real time, are the ones that remind you why the human element of professional basketball is as compelling as anything that happens between the lines.
Jayson Williams may have told the elevator story fifty times. But fifty tellings of a story this strange, this specific, and this perfectly placed at the intersection of basketball and American history is not repetition. It is preservation. And now it belongs to the record.

A veteran who felt disrespected. A teenager who refused to back down. A future president who stepped into the middle of it. The story of one of the NBA's most surreal untold moments — set against the electric backdrop of Madison Square Garden in 1998.

Donald Trump Stopped Kobe Bryant–Jayson Williams Elevator Fight (1998 NBA All-Star)

Championship windows in the NBA are fragile. They open quietly, they close abruptly, and often, they hinge on one bold decision. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, that decision came at the trade deadline when they swapped Darius Garland for James Harden in a star-for-star deal that immediately reshaped the Eastern Conference landscape.
It was not simply a talent upgrade. It was a philosophical shift from what they thought was going to work and best for the franchise moving forward. 
Through his first three games in a Cavaliers uniform, Harden has fit seamlessly into Cleveland&rsquo;s system. The early returns are striking: the Cavaliers are 3-0 with Harden in the lineup, and more importantly, they look structurally different. The offense has more clarity, more control, and more inevitability in late-game situations.
Harden has not just joined a contender, but instead he has raised their championship ceiling in a way Garland never did.
<h3>From good to inevitable</h3>
Darius Garland is an All-Star caliber guard, dynamic with the ball and capable of playmaking and scoring for stretches. However, Cleveland did not need more talent. They needed veteran orchestration, playoff gravity, and someone who could dictate terms in a seven-game series.
That is where James Harden separates himself. Over the course of his career, Harden has established himself as one of the most gifted playmakers the league has seen. His command of tempo, his manipulation of defenses, and his ability to generate efficient offense in the half court are traits that translate directly to postseason basketball. Albeit his notable playoff struggles, Harden has proven to thrive in moments when games slow down and every possession becomes magnified.
The Cavaliers already had scoring potential, but what they lacked was a master conductor. Now they have one with James Harden.
<h3>Unlocking Jarrett Allen once again and empowering the next wave</h3>
Perhaps the most immediate impact has been Harden&rsquo;s chemistry with Jarrett Allen.
Harden&rsquo;s history with rim-running big men is well documented. From his days with Clint Capela in Houston to Ivica Zubac in LA and various productive partnerships throughout his career, Harden has consistently elevated centers who can sprint to the rim, finish above it, and operate in space. His pick-and-roll mastery forces defenses into impossible decisions. Help too much, and shooters are left open or he calls his own number and just scores the rock. Stay home, and the lob becomes automatic.
Jarrett Allen is built for this Harden ecosystem. Through three games, the synergy has been evident. Allen is receiving the ball in rhythm, in stride, and in positions where he does not have to create. Harden&rsquo;s pocket passes and lobs are calculated manipulations of defensive coverage that put Allen in advantageous spots before the defense even realizes it is compromised. Cleveland&rsquo;s offense feels more vertical now. It feels more punishing inside, and that matters in the playoffs.
Beyond the stars, Harden&rsquo;s presence has created ripple effects throughout the roster, particularly for rising wing Jaylon Tyson.
Tyson has been one of the quiet developmental wins for Cleveland this season. His two-way activity, energetic scoring, and willingness to defend have earned him increased trust within the rotation. Recently, he has even been rewarded with starting opportunities.
With Harden orchestrating, Tyson&rsquo;s responsibilities become clearer. He is not forced to overcreate. Instead, he can attack closeouts, shoot the three ball, run the floor, and capitalize on defensive attention directed elsewhere. Harden&rsquo;s gravity bends coverage toward the ball, freeing Tyson to operate against tilted defenses.
The result is synergy. The young wing is thriving within structure rather than fighting through chaos. Championship teams often need internal growth to align with external additions. Cleveland is seeing both happen simultaneously.
<h3>The Harden-Mitchell equation</h3>
The headline, however, remains the backcourt.
James Harden teaming up with Donovan Mitchell instantly forms one of the best, if not the best, backcourts in the NBA. Two All-NBA caliber players whose skill sets complement rather than conflict.
Mitchell is averaging 29 points per game this season, good for fifth in the league. He is one of the most explosive scorers in basketball, capable of detonating for 40 on any given night. What he has not always had is a backcourt partner who can consistently relieve him of primary creation duties without diminishing offensive pressure. Harden provides that balance for him.
Unlike previous guard pairings, this partnership does not require compromise. Harden can initiate offense, manipulate the defense, and deliver Mitchell the ball in scoring positions rather than forcing him to self-generate every possession. Meanwhile, when Mitchell takes over scoring stretches, Harden can shift into a secondary role, spacing the floor and attacking mismatches.
This dynamic is built for playoff basketball. In tight games, Cleveland now has two players who can close. Two players who command double teams. Two players who understand the geometry of postseason defense.
Depth and defense matters. But in May and June, elite shot creation wins playoff series deep into the postseason. Cleveland now has it in abundance and full effect.
<h3>Raising the ceiling, not just the floor</h3>
There is an important distinction between raising a team&rsquo;s floor and raising its ceiling.
Garland ensured Cleveland remained competitive. But Harden elevates the possibility of something greater.
The Eastern Conference is unforgiving. Established powers demand not only talent but experience and composure under pressure. Harden, despite the scrutiny that has followed parts of his postseason career, has consistently been at the center of high-stakes basketball for over a decade. He understands defensive adjustments. He understands how to exploit mismatches repeatedly until a team has no counters left.
That experience cannot be replicated internally. By making this move, Cleveland signaled urgency. It signaled belief that its championship window is open now, not just over the next few years. It signaled that incremental improvement was no longer sufficient.
The Cavaliers were already good enough to win a playoff series. With Harden, they are built to win four.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
But even beyond tactics and numbers, there is an emotional undertone to this shift.
Championship aspirations require courage from the front office and buy-in from the locker room. Swapping a homegrown star for a veteran with a polarizing narrative is not a safe decision, rather it is a decisive one. Early signs suggest the locker room understands the stakes.
Harden has embraced his role without disrupting hierarchy. Mitchell remains the main&nbsp; engine. Allen continues anchoring the interior. Tyson and the young core are stepping into opportunity rather than shrinking from it. This alignment has felt intentional, and this is what&rsquo;s needed from the team to take the next step.
These first three Harden games do not define a season, and they do not guarantee banners. But they do reveal direction. Right now, Cleveland looks like a team that understands its moment.
If the early chemistry is any indication, the Cavaliers did more than shuffle their roster at the deadline. They altered their trajectory, and who knows where they go from here.
They certainly hope it&rsquo;s at the mountaintop of the NBA.

James Harden’s arrival in has transformed the Cavaliers into legitimate title contenders, raising the team’s championship ceiling.

James Harden raises the Cavaliers’ championship ceiling

Anthony Edwards was part of Team USA&rsquo;s gold medal squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, gaining valuable experience on the international stage while sharing the spotlight with some of the league&rsquo;s biggest names. But if Paris was about learning and contributing, Los Angeles in 2028 could be about leading.
With the trajectory his career is on, Edwards is poised to be one of, if not the face of Team USA heading into the next Olympic cycle. And this time, it will be on home soil.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles already feel different. The stage will be bigger, the spotlight brighter, and the expectations even higher. Hosting the Games in the United States automatically adds another layer of energy and pride, especially with basketball likely being played at the Intuit Dome in front of a packed American crowd.
This year&rsquo;s NBA All-Star Game added even more intrigue to what LA 2028 could look like. With USA Stars facing off against the World&rsquo;s best, fans got a small but fascinating preview of what global basketball dominance looks like when the talent is split along national lines. The international game has never been stronger, and the gap between Team USA and the rest of the world continues to shrink. This is what makes the buildup toward 2028 even more compelling for Team USA and the rest of the world.
When asked about the possibility of Team USA facing this wave of international stars in Los Angeles two years from now, Edwards gave a short but telling response:
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what it&rsquo;s gonna build up to but I know it&rsquo;s going to be packed, I know it&rsquo;s going to be a lot of people, and it&rsquo;s going to be fun.&rdquo;
That answer feels very on-brand for Edwards: confident, relaxed, and unfazed by the magnitude of the moment. But underneath that simplicity is a clear understanding: the atmosphere is going to be electric.
<h3>2026 NBA All-Star Team USA Stars squad could be a preview of Team USA&rsquo;s LA2028 Olympic team</h3>
This current crop of young American stars that are in Team USA Stars could very well be a preview of Team USA&rsquo;s LA 2028 roster. Cade Cunningham. Anthony Edwards. Devin Booker. Chet Holmgren. Jalen Duren. Tyrese Maxey. Scottie Barnes. Jalen Johnson.
These are not just promising names, they&rsquo;re All-Stars who are continuously improving year by year. They are the next wave, and they represent the future of USA Basketball.
Edwards, in particular, feels like the natural centerpiece of that group. He has the charisma, the fearlessness, and the scoring ability to thrive in Olympic play. His game translates internationally: explosive drives, shot-making from deep, and the confidence to take and make big shots when it matters most.
Cade Cunningham brings size and playmaking at the guard position. Devin Booker already has Olympic experience and understands the balance between scoring and sacrificing within a stacked roster. Chet Holmgren offers rim protection and floor spacing. Tyrese Maxey brings speed and energy. Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson add versatility and two-way impact. Jalen Duren gives Team USA interior strength and physicality.
That&rsquo;s what makes the thought of LA 2028 so intriguing. These players are already elite at a young age. Two more years of development, playoff battles, and growth could elevate them to an entirely different level. International competition demands cohesion and adaptability, but it also rewards talent and depth: which are two things this group won&rsquo;t lack.
Add in a couple more names in there like Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Paolo Banchero, and Cooper Flagg, and it looks like Team USA will bring yet another star-studded lineup in the quadriennial global meet.
The global challenge will be real as the World team continues to produce MVPs and superstars. International programs are deeper, more disciplined, and more confident than ever before. The days of Team USA simply overwhelming opponents with athleticism alone are long gone.
But if this young core continues on its current path, Team USA will be bannered by young and hungry stars ready to bring home yet another gold for the stars and stripes.
LA 2028 will be a statement opportunity, a chance for the next generation to take ownership of the red, white, and blue. A chance for Anthony Edwards to go from rising star to unquestioned leader on the biggest international stage.
And if Edwards said proves to be right, then Los Angeles might deliver one of the most memorable Olympic basketball tournaments we&rsquo;ve ever seen.
The preview is already here, and the buildup has already started. Now it&rsquo;s just a matter of time, two years from now.

Anthony Edwards could lead Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for the new generation of American stars.

Anthony Edwards on Team USA and the LA 2028 Olympics: “It’s gonna be fun”

The New York Knicks are poised to add versatile forward Jeremy Sochan to their roster after he cleared waivers following his release from the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.&nbsp;
The 22-year-old &ndash; the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft &ndash; agreed to part ways with San Antonio earlier this week and is expected to sign with New York for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Sochan&rsquo;s departure from the Spurs came after an extended stretch out of the rotation; he played just 12.8 minutes per game in 28 appearances this season and logged a total of eight minutes across San Antonio&rsquo;s last 12 outings. The Spurs explored trade opportunities for him before the Feb. 5 deadline but ultimately waived him after no deal materialized, allowing him to seek a fresh start with a contender.&nbsp;
Once he officially clears waivers, Sochan is set to join a Knicks club with championship aspirations, bolstering their wing and forward depth with his size, athleticism and defensive versatility. New York had reportedly shown interest in Sochan even before the deadline and now capitalized on his availability without giving up assets in a trade, adding him on a veteran&rsquo;s minimum deal for the rest of the season.&nbsp;
Across four seasons in San Antonio, Sochan averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.3 minutes per game over 212 games (149 starts), showing flashes of two-way impact and earning a spot on the 2022-23 All-Rookie Team as well as two Rising Stars appearances early in his career.&nbsp;
San Antonio&rsquo;s decision to waive Sochan marks the end of his four-plus-year tenure with the franchise, during which he developed from a lottery pick into a reliable starter and team contributor. While his role diminished this season, teammates and coaches openly praised his professionalism and locker-room presence.&nbsp;
Now unrestricted, Sochan lands in one of the Eastern Conference&rsquo;s most competitive rotations, joining a Knicks core led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and adding to a frontcourt that&rsquo;s seeking consistent depth and defensive versatility as the playoff race intensifies.

Jeremy Sochan plans to sign with the New York Knicks after clearing waivers from the San Antonio Spurs.

Knicks set to sign Jeremy Sochan after Spurs waive forward

<div>Every February, LeBron James has been wondering why he didn't participate in the Slam Dunk Contest for more than two decades, one of the NBA's great what-ifs. Fans have debated the topic in barbershops, on sports radio, and across social media.</div>
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<div>Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson's recent interview with former <a href="https://bookmaker-ratings.ru/tip/sport-types/tip-nba-tips/">NBA </a>forward and 1992 dunk champion Cedric Ceballos has given new life to the conversation, even though some parts of the past need to be addressed.</div>
<div>Ceballos didn't just suggest that LeBron skipped the contest because he wasn't interested.</div>
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<div>He defined it as something deeper: the preservation of the brand.</div>
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<div>&ldquo;He had a chance his rookie year and he didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; <a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/02/cedric-ceballos-talks-vince-carters-springs-anthony-edwards-rise-and-why-lebron-james-skipped-the-dunk-contest/">Ceballos told Robinson</a>. &ldquo;After that rookie year, anything after that would damage his credibility and his career. It&rsquo;s not really if he wins it &mdash; because he&rsquo;s supposed to win it &mdash; it&rsquo;s that if he loses it.&rdquo;</div>
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<div>According to Ceballos, the risk outweighed the reward. LeBron had already become too big, too famous, and too accustomed to dominating. Winning would be the standard operating procedure.</div>
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<div>Losing would be a headline that would follow him forever.</div>
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<div>To reinforce his point, Ceballos referenced LeBron's high school years.</div>
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&ldquo;He lost in the McDonald&rsquo;s All-American Game,&rdquo; Ceballos said, claiming that a then lesser-known Shannon Brown outshined LeBron in the dunk contest. &ldquo;Shannon Brown beat him, but he was a little bit not as famous as LeBron and they gave it to LeBron.&rdquo;
The story fits neatly into Ceballos&rsquo; narrative: LeBron experiencing early proof that even one loss could dent his aura.
The problem? It didn&rsquo;t quite happen that way.
&nbsp;
<h2 data-start="1601" data-end="1646">What Ceballos Was Really Arguing</h2>
Ceballos' fundamental basketball critique was evident, even though his memory was spotty. According to him, LeBron is a powerful power dunker - one of the best in live action - but not a specialist in dunk contests.
&ldquo;LeBron dunks on a lot of people,&rdquo; Ceballos implied, &ldquo;but trickery, suaveness &mdash; no.&rdquo;
<div>LeBron's remarkable abilities are attributed to his speed, strength, timing, and rim violence, not to his choreographed creativity. In the past, the Dunk Contest has awarded both flair and force equally.</div>
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<div>The basketball argument is fair. Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and Zach LaVine were legends of the contest, blending athleticism and innovation.</div>
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<div>Windmills, free-throw line glides, props, timing, and theatrical moments all play significant roles.LeBron's game has always been about efficiency and dominance, not pre-planned artistry.</div>
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<h2>The McDonald&rsquo;s Contest Reality</h2>
Officially, LeBron James won the 2003 McDonald&rsquo;s All-American Slam Dunk Contest in Cleveland. The other finalists were Shannon Brown and J.R. Giddens.
However, the nuance matters.
Many recaps from that night noted that LeBron&rsquo;s dunks were solid but relatively basic &mdash; powerful, clean, but not jaw-dropping. Brown, on the other hand, pulled off one of the most impressive single dunks of the event but missed multiple attempts afterward, hurting his overall score.
LeBron benefitted from consistency, hometown energy, and others&rsquo; miscues.
So while Ceballos is wrong that LeBron &ldquo;lost,&rdquo; he&rsquo;s not wrong that the perception afterward was more complicated than a dominant victory.
Even as a teenager, LeBron was learning something crucial: when you&rsquo;re the most famous player in the building, expectations distort everything.
<h2 data-start="3213" data-end="3356">The Real Risk for Superstars</h2>
This is where Ceballos&rsquo; brand argument actually lines up with reality.
For a player like LeBron James, the Dunk Contest was always a high-risk, low-reward proposition.
If he won? Fans would shrug and say he was supposed to.
If he lost &mdash; especially to a smaller, less famous, more creative dunker like Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, or Zach LaVine &mdash; it would instantly become a meme, a punchline, a permanent footnote.
History backs this up. Dwight Howard&rsquo;s loss to Nate Robinson still gets referenced. Aaron Gordon losing twice despite incredible dunks became a running joke about being &ldquo;robbed.&rdquo; The contest doesn&rsquo;t forget.
And LeBron has essentially acknowledged this dynamic himself over the years.
He&rsquo;s said repeatedly that if he ever did the Dunk Contest, he&rsquo;d &ldquo;have to win&rdquo; &mdash; otherwise it wouldn&rsquo;t be worth it. That mindset alone shows how much pressure and perception factored into the decision.
<h2 data-start="4098" data-end="4298">LeBron&rsquo;s Own Explanation</h2>
Publicly, LeBron has always framed his absence in basketball terms rather than branding ones.
He&rsquo;s emphasized that his goals <a href="https://x.com/ScoopB/status/1668247108309118977">were championships</a>, MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year awards &mdash; not dunk trophies.
He&rsquo;s also consistently called himself an &ldquo;in-game dunker,&rdquo; explaining that he doesn&rsquo;t enjoy planning or practicing set-piece dunks. For him, dunking is about reacting in real time, attacking defenders, and finishing with force &mdash; not choreography.
That explanation fits his personality and play style perfectly.
But it doesn&rsquo;t exclude the brand reality either.
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<h2 data-start="5066" data-end="5370">So Was Ceballos Right?</h2>
Factually, no &mdash; LeBron didn&rsquo;t lose that high-school contest to Shannon Brown.
Conceptually? He was tapping into something very real.
From the moment LeBron entered the league as &ldquo;<a href="https://rg.org/news/basketball/phil-handy-jordan-kobe-lebron-goat-debate">The Chosen One</a>,&rdquo; every appearance became a referendum on greatness. The Dunk Contest, meant to be fun and experimental, would&rsquo;ve placed him in a situation where creativity mattered more than dominance &mdash; and where a single off night could live forever online.
For a generational superstar with nothing to gain and everything to lose, skipping it made strategic sense.
In that light, LeBron&rsquo;s absence doesn&rsquo;t look like fear or lack of interest alone. It looks like a calculated understanding of modern sports culture, expectations, and reputation.
<h2 data-start="5481" data-end="5659">The Middle Ground</h2>
<div>LeBron James' Dunk Contest absence was not only framed as a branding decision by Cedric Ceballos, but also by an associate of James' <a href="https://landonbuford-com-488060.hostingersite.com/lakers-lebron-james-associate-reveals-real-reason-he-skipped-dunk-contest/">Rob MC in the Walklikeus room</a> a few years back.</div>
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<div>They said it did not fit LeBron's image at the time and pointed out that the contest was less exciting after the best players stopped participating in the early 2000s.</div>
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<div>He answered those who questioned LeBron's drive by citing his famous 3-1 Finals comeback, and also reminded everyone that many great players skipped the contest.</div>
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<div>LeBron stayed out of the Dunk Contest, not because he was scared, but because he thought it could hurt his reputation more than it could help, choosing his long-term legacy over a show, according to their comments.</div>
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Cedric Ceballos explains how branding, risk, and legacy factored into LeBron James's decision not to enter the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Ex-Laker Cedric Ceballos Weighs-In on Why LeBron Skipped the Dunk Contest

<div>Cole Anthony&rsquo;s introduction to New York City basketball was anything but gradual.<a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/01/the-mecca-and-the-legacy-a-conversation-with-cole-anthony/"> In an interview with Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson,</a> he talked about the first time he felt the intensity and pressure that make the city&rsquo;s hoops scene unique.</div>
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<div>His friend Joe Toussaint, who played at Cardinal Hayes before going on to Iowa and West Virginia, took him to Dyckman Park when he was in seventh or eighth grade.</div>
<div>Playing against older and stronger players in a group where anyone could join, Anthony felt like he was not as good as the others.</div>
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<div>He said he did not play well that day, but the experience mattered more than his numbers. It was the first time he really felt like he did not belong, stepping into the tough place that has shaped many New York guards. That moment was when he started to understand what NYC basketball is really about.</div>
<h2>Why New York Point Guards Are Different</h2>
&nbsp;
<div>Anthony didn't hesitate when asked about point guards from the city. He made it clear that New York breeds a special type of floor general. According to him, NYC point guards have an advantage that sets them apart from everyone else.</div>
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<div>Sebastian Telfair and Kemba Walker were the top picks when it came to naming his favorites. Anthony praised Walker, calling him a 'big Kemba believer' and expressing deep respect for what he accomplished.</div>
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<div>He also expressed love for Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson, two legendary Archbishop Molloy alumni, noting that the list of elite New York guards could go on forever.</div>
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<div>Anthony believes that the city's unforgiving basketball scene demands toughness, confidence, and the ability to command the game.</div>
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<h2>Lessons From His Father and Finding His Own Path</h2>
Cole Anthony is known for his association with New York basketball, but his father, Greg Anthony, provided a different perspective. Greg Anthony, a Las Vegas native and West Coast guard by nature, was not a typical 'New York PG' despite his time playing for the Knicks in the NBA.
&nbsp;
Cole stated that his father didn't give him much advice about New York when he decided to go to North Carolina. Instead of telling him what to do, he gave him space to make his own decisions, form his own support network, and define himself as a player.
&nbsp;
Anthony's development was heavily influenced by the freedom he had with his mother. Anthony continues to make an effort to reconnect with kids in the city, as he says. He acknowledges that New York may not be producing as many stars as in past eras, but he remains confident that the talent is still there. He still sees New York as the basketball Mecca, but it needs to invest more in and believe in its basketball players.
<h2>Growing Up a Knicks Fan&mdash;Until Reality Hit</h2>
<div>
<div>Anthony was born in Portland, but he really got into basketball in New York. Like a lot of kids there, he became a big Knicks fan. That loyalty did not last long. When he was about seven or eight, Anthony watched the Knicks lose to the Pistons by almost 40 points.</div>
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<div>That tough loss stayed with him. He remembers feeling upset and 'tight,' as he put it, and that was the end of his time as a Knicks fan. It was an early lesson in how hard it can be to be a basketball fan, and a reminder that even future NBA players go through the same highs and lows as everyone else.</div>
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<h2>A Reflection of New York&rsquo;s Basketball Spirit</h2>
Cole Anthony's stories were a vivid depiction of New York basketball: intimidating, proud, demanding, and deeply personal.
Anthony's journey, which includes feeling overwhelmed at Dyckman and idolizing city legends, depicts the complex relationship many players have with the game in New York. The culture is challenging from the start, but if you manage to survive it, it will stay with you forever.
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Cole Anthony reflects on New York City basketball culture, Dyckman Park, and legendary NYC point guards in an interview with Scoop B Radio.

Cole Anthony on His First Taste of New York City Basketball

The Indiana Pacers made one of the biggest moves of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, addressing their long-standing need in the middle by acquiring veteran center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster deal that reshapes both franchises.
Indiana, which has been without a true starting center since Myles Turner left in free agency last summer, now brings in one of the league&rsquo;s most consistent big men to pair with rising star Tyrese Haliburton and All-Star forward Pascal Siakam.
ANALYSIS: The Pacers will receive Ivica Zubac, a young yet seasoned center who is averaging about 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds this season and Kobe Brown, for young wing depth.
Zubac gives the Pacers a legitimate starting center &ndash; something they&rsquo;ve lacked this year after Turner&rsquo;s departure. Standing 7-foot-1 and consistently efficient inside the paint, Zubac provides rim protection, rebounding and pick-and-roll value that can help elevate Indiana&rsquo;s defense and complement Haliburton&rsquo;s playmaking. He&rsquo;s also under contract through 2027-28, aligning with Indiana&rsquo;s timeline as Haliburton returns from injury.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will receive Bennedict Mathurin, a 23-year-old wing who is averaging a career high 17.8 PPG this season; Isaiah Jackson, a young, athletic big man and three draft picks (2026 first-round pick (protected: 1&ndash;4 &amp; 10&ndash;30), 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and a second-round pick).
For the Clippers, the trade further accelerates a roster refresh that has seen several key moves around the deadline &ndash; including the earlier trade of James Harden and the acquisition of Darius Garland. By bringing in Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and draft capital, L.A. builds for the future while staying competitive around superstar Kawhi Leonard.
Mathurin, a former No. 6 overall pick, has been one of the NBA&rsquo;s better young wings this season and offers the Clippers scoring punch and youth.
<h3>&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;</h3>
The Pacers&rsquo; addition of Ivica Zubac represents one of the most consequential deadline moves of the 2026 trade period, solving a major roster weakness and strengthening their core for the long haul. Meanwhile, the Clippers position themselves with young talent and future draft capital as they continue to evolve. With their center rotation addressed and Haliburton&rsquo;s return on the horizon, Indiana&rsquo;s outlook &ndash; both for the rest of this season and beyond &ndash; just took a meaningful step forward.

The Pacers made one of the biggest moves of the trade deadline, acquiring veteran center Ivica Zubac from the Clippers.

Pacers get their center for Haliburton, acquire Ivica Zubac from Clippers

The NBA&rsquo;s trade season is officially here.
In the first major move approaching this year&rsquo;s trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers have traded forward De&rsquo;Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, as reported by ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
Furthermore, the trade will include the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.
ANALYSIS: The Cavaliers turned Hunter&rsquo;s slot for more guard depth by acquiring Schroder and Ellis. Schroder slots in immediately as the team&rsquo;s veteran backup point guard behind Donovan Mitchell, while Ellis is a stingy on-ball guard defender that can shoot the three, easily playing alongside Mitchell as well.
This move for Cleveland likely comes from the emergence of second-year forward Jaylon Tyson this season, who is currently averaging 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 51.4% shooting from the field and a blistering 46.3 percent from three.
This move should be a win-win situation as well for the Kings as they acquire a two-way forward on a relatively manageable contract with his current production in consideration. Hunter will join the Kings&rsquo; roster full of promising players around Domantas Sabonis, as they try to navigate this season and build winning habits while trying to secure a high draft pick in next year&rsquo;s draft.
Hunter will now be alongside players like Keegan Murray, Nique Clifford, and Maxime Raynaud with veterans DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Russell Westbrook, as the Kings&rsquo; roster is starting to take shape moving forward.

In the first major move approaching this year’s trade deadline, the Cavaliers have traded forward De’Andre Hunter to the Kings.

Cavaliers send De’Andre Hunter to Kings for Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis

For years, optimism around the Charlotte Hornets has felt fragile &ndash; brief flashes of promise followed by long stretches of uncertainty. Injuries stalled momentum, development timelines drifted, and hope was something fans talked themselves into rather than something they could see nightly on the floor.
But that&rsquo;s changing right now.
What&rsquo;s happening in Charlotte this season feels different, not because the Hornets are suddenly title contenders, but because they finally look like a team building toward something real and with growth. At the center of it is an offensive trio that has quietly become one of the most dangerous three-man shooting combinations in the NBA: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel. Together, they are redefining the Hornets&rsquo; identity.
<h3>A trio that fits</h3>
Ball and Miller were always going to be the franchise&rsquo;s cornerstones. Ball, the flamboyant engine, sees passing angles others don&rsquo;t even attempt and remains as a legitimate offensive threat with a little razzle dazzle. Miller, the scorer with size and polish, has steadily evolved into a true three-level threat. The missing piece was someone who could complement their gravity without needing the ball to dominate possessions.
Enter Kon Knueppel &ndash; and not in the limited way many expected.
Knueppel arrived with the label of a shooter, a floor spacer who would benefit from Ball&rsquo;s playmaking and Miller&rsquo;s shot creation. Instead, he&rsquo;s blown past expectations, putting together one of the most efficient rookie seasons the league has seen. He&rsquo;s not just knocking down open threes &ndash; he&rsquo;s attacking closeouts, finishing through contact, and punishing mismatches in the midrange.
Rather than shrinking next to two high-usage stars, Knueppel has expanded Charlotte&rsquo;s offensive ceiling.
That&rsquo;s what makes this trio special: their games amplify each other. Ball&rsquo;s creativity bends defenses, Miller&rsquo;s scoring versatility forces help from every level, and Knueppel punishes hesitation. There&rsquo;s no redundancy between the three, only synergy.
<h3>Brandon Miller&rsquo;s leap is here, and LaMelo Ball is his most impactful</h3>
Miller&rsquo;s recent stretch has been the clearest signal yet that Charlotte has a legitimate star growing in real time.
Over his last nine games, Miller is averaging 24.6 points on an absurd 70.1 true shooting percentage, along with 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. More importantly, he&rsquo;s done it consistently &ndash; nine straight 20-plus-point performances, finally healthy and attacking defenses from everywhere on the floor.
This isn&rsquo;t empty scoring, instead Miller has become decisive. When defenders press up, he drives. When they sag, he shoots. When help arrives early, he makes the simple read. His shot diet is cleaner, his pace more controlled, and his confidence unmistakable.
For a franchise that has long searched for a wing it could build around, Miller is delivering all the goods for the Hornets.
Ball has always been box-office. The flair, the audacity, the no-look passes &ndash; they&rsquo;ve been part of his identity since day one. But this season, particularly during Charlotte&rsquo;s recent surge, Ball has arguably been playing the most impactful basketball of his career.
He recently became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 5,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 2,000 assists in his first 300 career games, joining Magic Johnson, Walt Frazier, Oscar Robertson, and Luka Doncic. That company alone tells the story.
What separates this version of Ball is control. He&rsquo;s picking his spots better. He&rsquo;s balancing aggression with orchestration. And with Miller and Knueppel spacing the floor, Ball doesn&rsquo;t have to force brilliance &ndash; it comes naturally.
Defenses can&rsquo;t load up on him anymore, and every rotation comes with consequences.
<h3>The pieces are starting to align, and the results are following</h3>
There&rsquo;s tangible proof that this isn&rsquo;t theoretical optimism.
The Hornets are 11-1 when their starting lineup of Ball, Knueppel, Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate takes the floor together. That group has developed chemistry quickly, playing with clarity and purpose on both ends.
Charlotte has won six straight games and is 7-1 over its last eight, arguably its best stretch of basketball all season. Since December 1, the Hornets rank:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2nd in offensive rating</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">4th in true shooting percentage</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">3rd in offensive rebound percentage</li>
</ul>
Those numbers reflect a team that understands its strengths and is leaning into them, and a large part of this growth comes from the bench.
Head coach Charles Lee has quickly earned respect as a teacher, a motivator, and a developer of young talent. Charlotte&rsquo;s offense is structured but free &ndash; players know where their advantages are and are encouraged to exploit them. Mistakes don&rsquo;t result in paralysis, and growth is part of the plan.
That culture matters for a young team &ndash; and so does patience.
With a front office led by Jeff Peterson, Charlotte has committed to clarity in its roster building. They know what they&rsquo;re looking for in the draft. They&rsquo;ve accumulated picks. And rather than rushing timelines, they&rsquo;re allowing their core to grow together &ndash; which might be the most encouraging sign of all.
<h3>The Charlotte Hornets&rsquo; future moving forward</h3>
This version of the Hornets is fun in each and every aspect of the game. They play with joy and build off of emotion, celebrate each other&rsquo;s success, and they compete with belief.
Ball, Miller, and Knueppel are the Hornets&rsquo; hot shooting trio that are a glimpse into what Charlotte can become if development continues on this path. There will still be bumps, as young teams always face them. But for the first time in a long time, the direction is clear for these Hornets.

LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel are powering Charlotte’s offensive surge as the Hornets’ young core finally clicks.

LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and the birth of Charlotte’s offensive future

For a franchise that spent the past year recalibrating its identity, the Portland Trail Blazers are no longer asking what they might become. They are showing it, night after night, in the Western Conference standings, on the court, and within the locker room.
Portland is above .500 again, and they are firmly in the thick of the playoff race in the West, in a conference that offers no grace period. And most importantly, they are doing it with a roster that blends urgency with youth &ndash; a mix that is intentional in the construction rather than accidental. This isn&rsquo;t a rebuild stalling into mediocrity. It&rsquo;s a team taking a leap, one that looks impressive and with progress.
<h3>A gamble rooted in belief</h3>
It started with a bold, emotional decision that set the tone for everything that followed.
When the Trail Blazers signed franchise icon Damian Lillard after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland wasn&rsquo;t interested in nostalgia for nostalgia&rsquo;s sake. They wanted culture, accountability, and a statement. Someone who could remind a young roster what standards look like when winning matters.
Then came the win-now move that truly clarified direction: trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday. It was a risk, no doubt. Simons represented youth, upside and scoring punch for their core. But Holiday represented something Portland had been missing &ndash; a champion, a defensive tone-setter, and a voice that commands respect without raising it.
Together, Lillard and Holiday have given the Blazers something invaluable: their credibility and winning mindset, not just externally, but also internally. Team practices matter more, close games feel different, and mistakes become lessons instead of habits.
Holiday, in particular, has been vital: organizing the floor, calming possessions late, and serving as a constant presence in the locker room. For a young team learning how to win, that influence cannot be overstated.
<h3>Deni Avdija&rsquo;s arrival as a star</h3>
Yet as important as the veterans have been, this season belongs to Deni Avdija.
Avdija hasn&rsquo;t just improved, he has transformed and blossomed into a full-blown star. Avidja has made the leap, and it&rsquo;s reshaped everything about Portland&rsquo;s ceiling. He has been the Blazers&rsquo; best player this season, and it has been clearly the case.
A jumbo playmaking forward with relentless downhill pressure, Avdija attacks the rim with purpose. He currently leads the league in free throw attempts, a reflection of both his aggression and his physicality. He&rsquo;s constantly seeking contact, forcing defenses to react, bend, and eventually break.
Avdija can create his own shot and he scores at all three levels. He handles, passes, defends multiple positions, and dictates tempo for the team. Whether initiating offense or finishing possessions, he plays with a confidence that suggests this isn&rsquo;t a fluke &mdash; it&rsquo;s a new baseline for his play today moving forward.
With the league&rsquo;s new All-Star format pitting USA vs. World, Avdija&rsquo;s emergence couldn&rsquo;t be more timely. An All-Star berth feels not only possible, but deserved. Avdija should be named to Team World and he has built a compelling case.
More than numbers, he has become Portland&rsquo;s engine &ndash; the player teammates feed off, the one who sets the tone when games tighten.
<h3>Sharpe&rsquo;s next step, Camara&rsquo;s havoc, Clingan&rsquo;s anchor</h3>
While Avdija has led the charge, he hasn&rsquo;t done it alone.
Shaedon Sharpe is beginning to find consistency, slowly stepping into the responsibility of being a No. 1 option. His talent has never been in question ever since from the start. The explosiveness, shot-making, and athletic ceiling are undeniable. What Sharpe is learning now is assertiveness &ndash; understanding when to take over, when to impose his will.
If he puts it all together, Sharpe remains the player most capable of becoming Portland&rsquo;s best long-term star. This season has been about learning how to be that guy, not just flashing it.
Toumani Camara continues to be exactly what Portland needs on the wing: disruptive, versatile, and fearless defensively. He routinely takes on the opponent&rsquo;s best perimeter scorer and holds his ground in switches against bigger players. His defensive havoc allows the Blazers to be aggressive without losing structure.
Inside, Donovan Clingan has emerged as the defensive anchor. He inhales rebounds, sets punishing screens, and finishes efficiently around the rim with soft touch on lobs. His occasional willingness to stretch the floor hints at future growth, but even now, his impact is clear &ndash; he alters shots, blocks attempts, and stabilizes the paint.
<h3>Unexpected contributors, steady veterans</h3>
Every good season has its subplots, and for Portland, Caleb Love has become one of the best. As an undrafted rookie, Love has provided scoring punch off the bench, knocking down threes, creating offense for others, and putting pressure on the rim. He plays without fear &ndash; a trait that fits perfectly with this team&rsquo;s evolving identity.
Sidy Cissoko has also had his moments, injecting energy whenever he checks in, whether starting or coming off the bench. His activity level changes games in small but meaningful ways.
And when the moment calls for experience, Portland still has it. Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, and Matisse Thybulle remain reliable options &ndash; veterans who understand playoff-level basketball and can be deployed when stability is needed.
But perhaps the most striking part of Portland&rsquo;s rise is who hasn&rsquo;t been on the floor.
Scoot Henderson, the franchise&rsquo;s prized young guard, has yet to play this season due to a lingering hamstring injury. He was supposed to be central to this transition &ndash; a symbol of the future.
Instead, Portland has surged without him.
That&rsquo;s not an indictment of Scoot. If anything, it underscores how far ahead of schedule the Blazers might be. Avdija&rsquo;s leap, the veterans&rsquo; influence, and the collective buy-in have accelerated the timeline. When Scoot does return, he won&rsquo;t be asked to save a franchise &ndash; he&rsquo;ll be joining one that already believes in itself.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
For the first time since the prime years of Damian Lillard, this version of the Blazers feels different because the urgency is real. The talent is emerging, the leadership is present, and the results are starting to match the vision.
Portland is playing better basketball and they are unraveling their identity &ndash; a team that competes and believes in themselves.

The Blazers are playing .500 basketball this season, fueled by Deni Avdija’s All-Star leap and a young core learning how to win.

From reset to resurgence: The Portland Trail Blazers are putting it together

For the first time in more than two decades, LeBron James will not be among the starters in the NBA All-Star Game, officially bringing an end to his unprecedented 21-year streak as an All-Star starter. The announcement came Monday when the league revealed the full list of starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and for the first time since 2005, James&rsquo; name was absent from the lineup.
James, now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, has been selected to start the All-Star Game every year from 2005 through 2025, the longest such streak in modern league history. His run began early in his career and spanned multiple teams, MVP seasons, Finals runs and scoring titles &ndash; but this year&rsquo;s fan and media vote fell short of keeping him in the top five for the Western Conference&rsquo;s starting five.
While his exclusion ends the 21-year starter streak, James may still play in the All-Star Game as a reserve. These spots, determined by coaches&rsquo; votes, will be announced on Feb. 1, and James is widely expected to remain in the All-Star fold at least as a reserve, keeping his overall streak of NBA All-Star selections alive.
The shift reflects both the natural arc of James&rsquo; career &ndash; including missed time early this season due to sciatica and a slower start statistically &ndash; and the rise of a new generation of All-Star talent like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, who all earned their starters nods this cycle.
While he could still suit up as a reserve in 2026, the historic run of starter nods remains a defining testament to his longevity and impact on the game.

For the first time in more than two decades, LeBron James will not be among the starters in the NBA All-Star Game.

LeBron James’ 21-year all-star starter streak comes to an end

Disgruntled Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has requested a trade away from the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN reporters Shams Charania and Anthony Slater.
The 6-foot-7 Kuminga has taken a major step in his ongoing contract and role saga by formally requesting a trade on the very first day he became eligible under his current contract.
The 23-year-old &ndash; who signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal this past offseason &ndash; began the season as a starter but has since been benched and left out of the rotation, not appearing in the Warriors&rsquo; last 13 games. Cumulating frustration over his role and diminished playing time appears to have led Kuminga to take the rare step of asking to be moved before the February 5 trade deadline.
Kuminga&rsquo;s situation has been a source of speculation for months. While he and his camp previously negotiated contract terms &ndash; including rejecting earlier offers that lacked a player option and full control &ndash; nothing was resolved in a way that satisfied both sides. The forward&rsquo;s diminished role this season has only added to the tension.
Now that he is trade-eligible &ndash; which only became possible on January 15 under league rules &ndash; Kuminga and the Warriors must navigate the next five weeks of the trade market. Several teams, including the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, have already been linked to his name in prior trade speculation, though nothing has materialized yet.
From the Warriors&rsquo; perspective, the goal remains to secure a return that improves the roster around Stephen Curry, with front office sources reportedly eyeing expiring contracts or draft assets rather than long-term salary commitments. But with Kuminga&rsquo;s request now public, the dynamics are likely to shift rapidly as the deadline nears.

Jonathan Kuminga has requested a trade away from the Golden State Warriors, likely ending a long standing saga.

Jonathan Kuminga requests trade out of Golden State

As the race for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters heats up, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain the fan favorites in the second round of All-Star voting returns, the league announced Tuesday.&nbsp;
The Lakers&rsquo; Doncic holds the top spot overall in fan votes, while the Bucks&rsquo; Giannis remains the leader in the Eastern Conference heading into the next phase of voting.
Doncic&rsquo;s lead in the West continues to grow as fans rally behind the Lakers star, with more than 2.2 million votes. He remains ahead of other top Western Conference contenders like Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, all of whom hold strong early support as well.
In the East, Giannis sits atop the leaderboard with just over 2.09 million votes, keeping his nod as the conference&rsquo;s most popular All-Star candidate among fan voters. Behind him, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey have moved into the next spots, while Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell round out the top five in the East.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
Fan voting accounts for 50 % of the total vote used to determine All-Star starters, with current NBA players and a media panel each contributing 25 %. Voting continues through Jan. 14, with the second batch of results providing a key snapshot of who&rsquo;s trending early in the 2026 All-Star campaign.
With the All-Star Game set for Feb. 15, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif., and a new USA vs. World format on the horizon, every vote &ndash; and every fan push &ndash; could make the difference in who steps on the court when the league&rsquo;s brightest assemble later this season.

Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain the fan favorites in the second round of All-Star voting returns.

Luka, Giannis continue to lead 2026 NBA All-Star Game voting in second returns

There was always going to be a reckoning for the Boston Celtics. When Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles during last year&rsquo;s playoffs, the immediate question wasn&rsquo;t just how long Boston would be without its franchise star &ndash; but what the Celtics would look like in his absence. Championship cores rarely survive injuries of that magnitude unscathed. More often than not those teams fracture so they try to reset, and they quietly accept a step back.
This season was labeled a &ldquo;gap year&rdquo; almost by default, until Jaylen Brown refused to let it become one.
With Boston stripped of its offensive centerpiece and much of the supporting cast that defined its title run &ndash; Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford all gone &ndash; the Celtics entered the season with lowered expectations and little external belief. What followed so far this season, however, has been one of the most defining stretches of Brown&rsquo;s career and one of the most impressive coaching jobs by Joe Mazzulla.
Boston somehow remains afloat and relevant: as of this writing they are currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference and are competitive night in and night out, powered by a version of Jaylen Brown that looks increasingly like a top-10 player in the league.
<h3>First option Jaylen Brown hoops</h3>
This has been the season where everything clicked for Brown. With Tatum sidelined, he didn&rsquo;t merely inherit the role of first option, he embraced it and expanded it. He mastered his game that was once questioned for its limitations and it has evolved into something that devastates opponents.
Brown&rsquo;s shotmaking this season is operating on a different plane. Pull-up jumpers off either foot, step-backs with confidence, strong decisive rim pressure that bends defenses, and creating advantages even when his shot doesn&rsquo;t fall. He&rsquo;s no longer just reacting to the defense, rather he&rsquo;s dictating it and playing at his own pace.
Being &ldquo;featured&rdquo; as the main guy can sometimes expose weaknesses for some players. Instead, it sharpened Brown&rsquo;s strengths. He&rsquo;s scoring more efficiently under greater defensive attention. He&rsquo;s commanding double teams without rushing decisions. And perhaps most importantly, he&rsquo;s showing a level of control and composure that suggests a player who finally understands the rhythm of the game at its highest level.
This is what a $60 million-per-year player is supposed to look like. For years, Brown&rsquo;s contract was framed as a risk &ndash; an overpay tethered to potential rather than certainty. This season so far has flipped that narrative entirely. He is worth every penny, not because of raw numbers alone, but because of his impact on the floor. He has carried on the responsibility and leadership that shows up every night when there are no safety nets left.
Brown&rsquo;s evolution hasn&rsquo;t been all statistical: it has also been psychological.
Without Tatum, there is no fallback plan, late-clock bailout, and the luxury of deferring. Every offensive scheme is designed with Brown as the focal point, and yet Boston&rsquo;s offense hasn&rsquo;t collapsed under the weight.
If anything, it&rsquo;s become clearer. Brown has learned when to get his shot off and when to trust his teammates. His reads out of pressure have improved. His willingness to absorb contact, get to the line, and wear down defenders has become a tone-setter for a roster still finding its identity.
This is a player proving he can be the guy &ndash; even if just for now. And that matters not only for the present, but for Boston&rsquo;s long-term reality when Tatum eventually returns. The Celtics are competitive because of him, and he has done a tremendous job in doing so.
<h3>Joe Mazzulla reinventing Celtics basketball</h3>
If Brown has been the engine, Joe Mazzulla has been the architect.
What Boston lost in talent, it had to recover in structure &ndash; and Mazzulla deserves enormous credit for how quickly and decisively he pivoted. This is almost an entirely different team from the one that raised a banner not long ago. Only Brown and Derrick White remain as true pieces from that championship core.
Everything else had to be rebuilt. Mazzulla adjusted the offense to feature the current Celtics roster strengths other than the usual system he was accustomed to using in their title run. The Celtics play faster in spurts and simpler in execution by necessity. Roles are clearly defined, expectations are realistic and accountability within the team is firm.
Payton Pritchard, elevated into the starting point guard role, has responded with poise and toughness. He&rsquo;s there to organize, compete, and space the floor, while Derrick White remains the stabilizer, the connective guard who keeps lineups functional. This has worked throughout the course of the year, with no signs of drop in production even without Jrue Holiday.
Around them, Mazzulla has empowered a new wave of role players. Jordan Walsh is getting meaningful minutes, Neemias Queta has carved out a real role, and offseason acquisitions like Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, and Hugo Gonzales have been solid in&nbsp; their own right.
<h3>Jayson Tatum&rsquo;s return and what it means for Boston</h3>
&ldquo;Gap&rdquo; years in the NBA are supposed to be quiet. They are to be about patience, development, and waiting for better days. Instead, Boston has turned this season into a proving ground &ndash; for Brown, for Mazzulla, and for a franchise that refuses to fade into irrelevance simply because circumstances demanded it.
This doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean that the Brown and the Celtics are true title contenders in their current form this season, but it does imply that they are still dangerous and rounding up in form while their best player comes back.
And when Tatum eventually returns, he won&rsquo;t be walking back into a team that treaded water. He&rsquo;ll return to one that learned how to survive without him, and one that discovered a version of Jaylen Brown that can take them to the next level.
This statement written by Jaylen Brown and reinforced by Joe Mazzulla has the Celtics looking ahead for a bright future when they are back in full strength.

Jaylen Brown is playing at a top-10 level as the Celtics defy expectations in a gap year without Jayson Tatum.

Jaylen Brown, Joe Mazzulla keeping Celtics relevant sans Jayson Tatum

For much of the early season, the Los Angeles Clippers looked like a team trapped between timelines &ndash; too talented to bottom out, too battered and old to contend, and too uncertain to inspire real belief. Injuries piled up from their key players and the conversations around the franchise quickly turned from wins and losses to future implications, draft picks, and long-term consequences. Yet amid the noise, the Clippers have finally found a sliver of clarity.
Winners of four straight games, Los Angeles is beginning to resemble something far more recognizable: a veteran team rediscovering its rhythm, leaning on its stars, and reminding the Western Conference that it is not ready to fade quietly. The recent climb back into relevance has not been easy &ndash; and it has been fueled by elite play from Kawhi Leonard, steady control from James Harden, and a roster that is slowly, finally getting healthier.
After a bleak opening stretch that tested the organization&rsquo;s patience and identity, the Clippers are showing signs of life again.
Injuries clouded the Clippers&rsquo; beginning but it has not defined their season yet. Their early-season struggles were born out of circumstance, with all the situations they have been facing throughout the course of the season.
Bradley Beal&rsquo;s early injury disrupted what the team envisioned as another offensive option capable of easing pressure off Leonard and Harden. Then came another blow: Ivica Zubac, the team&rsquo;s interior anchor on both ends, was sidelined, stripping Los Angeles of its rim protection, screening presence, and interior scoring.
For a team already walking a narrow margin in the loaded West, the absences were significant. Lineups lacked continuity and their defensive coverage suffered.
Still, instead of folding, the Clippers adapted.
Brook Lopez stepped into the starting center role and immediately provided stability. A proven veteran with championship pedigree, Lopez brought his poise. His ability to space the floor, communicate defensively, and understand high-leverage moments has quietly helped Los Angeles stay afloat. While he may not replicate Zubac&rsquo;s physical dominance in the paint, Lopez&rsquo;s shooting gravity and experience have allowed the Clippers to maintain offensive structure even amid rotation changes.
Then, if Leonard has been the Clippers&rsquo; heartbeat during this stretch, James Harden has been the engine.
Harden continues to serve as the team&rsquo;s primary ball-handler, shot creator, and playmaker, dictating tempo and ensuring that Los Angeles plays with purpose rather than desperation. His command of the offense has been critical, especially during stretches when injuries forced Ty Lue to experiment with lineups and roles.
There is a strong case to be made that Harden is playing at an All-Star level once again. With the All-Star Game set to be held at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers&rsquo; home floor, Harden&rsquo;s performance has taken on added weight &ndash; not just statistically, but symbolically. His leadership has stabilized the group, and his ability to generate efficient offense has kept the Clippers competitive even when the margin for error felt thin.
More importantly, Harden has embraced the responsibility. He has leaned into being the organizer, the problem-solver, and the player who keeps the floor balanced. For a team desperate for continuity, that consistency has mattered.
Then there is Leonard, reminding everyone who he is.
During the Clippers&rsquo; four-game winning streak, Leonard has played like a man intent on rewriting the season&rsquo;s narrative. He is averaging 35.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists during that stretch, dominating games with a blend of mastering the game&rsquo;s fundamentals and surgical efficiency that few players in the league can match.
This version of Leonard looks fully engaged &ndash; attacking mismatches, punishing defenders in the midrange, and making the right reads when help arrives. More than the numbers, it is the authority with which he is playing that stands out. The game has slowed down for him again, and when that happens, the Clippers follow.
Leonard&rsquo;s resurgence has also coincided with the team gradually getting healthier. The return of Derrick Jones Jr. has restored defensive versatility and athleticism on the wing, allowing Los Angeles to apply more pressure at the point of attack. Alongside Kris Dunn, Jones gives the Clippers two perimeter defenders capable of disrupting ball-handlers and creating transition opportunities &ndash; something the team sorely lacked earlier in the season. When Leonard is this locked in, everything else starts to align.
Despite the early turbulence, the Clippers&rsquo; roster construction still reflects a team with real aspirations. This is a roster that is built to support winning &ndash; if it stays intact &ndash; with veteran pieces ready to contend in the playoffs.
Ty Lue remains one of the league&rsquo;s most respected coaches, trusted for his adaptability, playoff experience, and ability to manage veteran egos. Around him is a group that fits specific roles with intention: Dunn and Jones for defense, John Collins as an offensive spark, Nicolas Batum and Lopez as floor spacers who understand timing, and Zubac as the backbone of the interior once healthy.
This is not a roster designed to rebuild &ndash; instead it is a roster designed to win now.
That reality is impossible to separate from the urgency surrounding the Clippers&rsquo; season. Beyond pride and playoff positioning, there is another layer of pressure hovering over every result: the first-round pick owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With OKC already positioned as a powerhouse, the idea of handing them a high lottery pick has become a looming nightmare scenario.
The Clippers know what is at stake. Every win matters, not just in the standings, but in shaping the future narrative of the franchise.
So far, the Clippers are not yet declaring victory. Four games do not erase weeks of disappointment and uncertainty. But they do restore belief.
What Los Angeles is finding now is rhythm &ndash; an understanding of who they are, how they want to play, and where their advantages lie. They are leaning into Leonard&rsquo;s brilliance, trusting Harden&rsquo;s orchestration, and benefiting from a supporting cast that knows its responsibilities.
In a Western Conference where the line between contention and collapse is razor-thin, the Clippers are choosing to push forward, and perhaps most importantly, they are choosing to compete.
If health holds and Leonard continues this level of play, the Clippers have the tools to make this season something more than a cautionary tale. The road ahead remains unforgiving, after a while, Los Angeles looks like a team moving with purpose once again.

After an uncertain start marked by injuries, the LA Clippers are finding their rhythm again behind Kawhi Leonard’s dominant play.

Finding their footing: Clippers begin season turnaround behind Kawhi Leonard

<div>It's rare for young NBA stars to develop without labels. The comparison of every skill, hesitation move, or late-game possession to someone who came before is inevitable.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Cade Cunningham, who is the foundation of the Detroit Pistons' franchise, keeps hearing about Brandon Roy. The comparison is not based on hype or nostalgia. The outcome depends on how Cunningham plays the game.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<h2>Why Brandon Roy&rsquo;s Name Resonates</h2>
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<div>Brandon Roy&rsquo;s NBA career was short, but he left a mark that sticks around. When he was on, Roy could do it all&mdash;he&rsquo;d score with ease, attack from either side, and close out games without losing his cool. He didn&rsquo;t need to outrun everybody; he just controlled the tempo and figured out how to get past defenders with smart moves. Cunningham watches Roy, sees what made him special, and wants to play the same way. You can see it in how he approaches the game.</div>
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<div>&ldquo;I mean, Brandon Roy, he was a legend in my eyes,&rdquo; <a href="https://r.org/2025/12/19/cade-cunningham-honored-to-hear-brandon-roy-comparisons/">Cunningham said</a>. &ldquo;He was special &mdash; did it all. Both hands, inside, outside game. So to even be compared, I feel honored. I think it&rsquo;s a cool comparison. I&rsquo;ve definitely tried to implement things from his game into mine.&rdquo;</div>
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<div>Appreciation is not based on imitation. The objective is to comprehend the principles that made Roy effective and apply them to a contemporary game.</div>
<h2>A Style Built on Feel, Not Flash</h2>
Comparisons can either slow a player down or light a fire under them. Cade Cunningham? He&rsquo;s all about that second one. He studies Roy&rsquo;s moves&mdash;the way he uses his feet, how he waits for the right moment, how he glides into open space. Then Cade takes what he sees and makes it his own.
Someday, people won&rsquo;t bother stacking him up against Brandon Roy. Not because they&rsquo;ve forgotten Roy, but because Cade&rsquo;s carved out his own place, he becomes the measuring stick. For now, being compared to Roy isn&rsquo;t a weight on his shoulders. It&rsquo;s just a nod, and Cade&rsquo;s running with it.
&ldquo;There are similarities,&rdquo;<a href="https://landonbuford.com/brandon-roy-cade-cunningham/"> Roy said</a>, pointing to Cunningham&rsquo;s ability to read defenders and operate in tight spaces.
<h2>Respect From Players Who&rsquo;ve Been There</h2>
The comparison isn&rsquo;t limited to former players on television panels. Current teammates and respected voices around the league echo the same sentiment.
Vince Carter sees long-term greatness.
&ldquo;I like Cade,&rdquo; Carter said. &ldquo;I think he has a chance to be very good, and he&rsquo;s gonna be a perennial All-Star, in my opinion.&rdquo;
Isaiah Stewart, who sees Cunningham daily, emphasized the balance between similarity and individuality.
&ldquo;Cade&rsquo;s game is Cade&rsquo;s game,&rdquo; Stewart said. &ldquo;Smooth operator. You can find some similarities, obviously &mdash; B Roy is B Roy &mdash; but Cade has his own game.&rdquo;
That distinction matters. Roy was often a scorer first. Cunningham leans more naturally into playmaking, comfortable initiating offense and making reads that don&rsquo;t always result in personal stats.
<h2 data-start="2705" data-end="2901">Different Eras, Shared Toughness</h2>
Ryan Hollins offered one of the most layered perspectives, acknowledging both overlap and separation.
&ldquo;They&rsquo;re different players,&rdquo; Hollins said. &ldquo;Brandon Roy was a playmaker who could score. Cade is a natural point guard. But both are uniquely unstoppable.&rdquo;
Hollins also underscored something fans sometimes forget: how dominant Roy truly was before injuries intervened. Being mentioned in the same breath is not casual praise.
<h2 data-start="3200" data-end="3370">Carrying the Comparison Forward</h2>
Cunningham doesn&rsquo;t see the comparison as a burden. He takes it in, sees what he can learn. He watches Roy&rsquo;s footwork, notices his patience, and pays attention to how he moves through space. Then he takes those lessons and makes them his own, folding them into his own style.
Someday, people won&rsquo;t line up Cunningham next to Brandon Roy anymore. Not because they&rsquo;re suddenly so different, but because Cunningham&rsquo;s own track record will be loud enough that nobody needs to make the comparison. Right now, though, the comparison isn&rsquo;t holding him back. It&rsquo;s a nod of respect&mdash;and a reminder that being smart, tough, and in control never really goes out of fashion.
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Cade Cunningham reacts to comparisons with Brandon Roy as NBA veterans praise his poise, control, and evolving impact with the Detroit Pistons.

Cade Cunningham and the Brandon Roy Comparison: Respect Earned, Identity Preserved

Missing Trae Young due to a knee injury, Jalen Johnson has stepped up his game and is showing that he can be a capable star to build a team on.
Jalen Johnson&rsquo;s rise was kind of expected and supposed to happen this season. The talent was always evident, the flashes from last season undeniable, and the physical tools have been impossible to ignore. But what he is doing now feels different. This kind of leap &mdash; the kind that changes a career, reshapes a franchise, and forces the rest of the league to pay attention.
In a season where the Atlanta Hawks have started out with injuries and inconsistency, Johnson has become their stabilizer, their do-everything engine, and their unexpected source of hope early on in the season. While Trae Young sits with a knee injury, Johnson has not only stepped into a larger responsibility, but he has exceeded it.
His back-to-back triple-doubles over his last two games have been kind of an exclamation point on what has become one of the best storylines in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks aren&rsquo;t just surviving because of him, they are afloat and in the middle of it all because of him.
The modern NBA is defined by size, versatility, and decision-making &ndash; and Johnson checks all three boxes in a way few forwards his age can. At 6-foot-9 with a strong frame and smooth athleticism, he has embraced the role of a jumbo playmaker in Atlanta&rsquo;s offense.
He attacks the rim with force, overwhelms smaller defenders, and uses his long strides to blow past slower ones. But what truly elevates his game is the way he manipulates defenses as both a driver and a passer. Whether he&rsquo;s initiating pick-and-rolls, operating in the short roll, or pushing in transition, Johnson processes the floor with the composure of a seasoned guard &ndash; all while playing the forward position and being 6&rsquo;9.
This is the version Atlanta dreamed of when they selected him in 2021 &ndash; the kind of multi-faceted forward who can anchor possessions on his own, create advantages for others, and serve as a connective tissue across every lineup combination.
Johnson&rsquo;s growth as a scorer has been just as impressive. His finishing touch around the rim continues to evolve, showcasing a mix of power and finesse that keeps defenses guessing. His improved jumper may be the most important development, as he&rsquo;s spacing the floor effectively, shooting the ball with confidence, and converting catch-and-shoot opportunities at a level that forces defenses to stay honest. When opponents bring help, he punishes them with skip passes and timely reads and his athleticism is put to good use with force.
He&rsquo;s no longer an &ldquo;upside piece&rdquo; Atlanta hopes will pan out. He&rsquo;s already delivering production and responsibility at a level far beyond what most young forwards in the league are asked to handle.
One of the biggest testaments to Johnson&rsquo;s versatility is how seamless he looks in every part of the pick-and-roll action. He can be the handler, leveraging his size to see over defenses and make advanced reads. He can be the roller, catching in the short pocket and turning it into downhill pressure.
It&rsquo;s rare to find a forward who can fluidly shift roles based on personnel and matchups &ndash; rarer still for that forward to be 22 years old and just scratching the surface.
When Atlanta&rsquo;s spacing tightens, Johnson becomes the playmaking valve. When possessions stall, he becomes the initiator. When the Hawks need someone to create something out of nothing, they turn to him. And lately, he has delivered to mark one of the best, if not the best, stretches of his young NBA career.
Without Trae Young, the Hawks&rsquo; offense could have cratered. But Johnson&rsquo;s play has provided a structure, a rhythm, and an identity they desperately needed. His triple-doubles were reflections of a player filling every gap the team had, while lifting them toward competitive relevance.
His versatility has allowed the Hawks to maintain pace in the East during a stretch where many expected them to slide. He&rsquo;s become the heartbeat of the team: energetic, unselfish, relentless, and increasingly reliable.
This leap by Johnson is one built on improved skill, stronger decision-making, and a growing belief from the organization that he&rsquo;s ready for more.
Atlanta entered the season with questions about its long-term direction. But amid the uncertainty, Johnson has emerged as one of the clearest answers. His development brings stability, his playmaking brings structure, and more importantly, his confidence brings hope.
He&rsquo;s the Hawks&rsquo; future, and right now, he&rsquo;s also their present.
The NBA is often defined by players who make &ldquo;the leap,&rdquo; but those leaps don&rsquo;t always look the same. Johnson&rsquo;s leap isn&rsquo;t defined by scoring explosions or spotlight moments &ndash; it&rsquo;s currently defined by completeness. The ability to do everything, affect everything, and help the Hawks survive one of their toughest stretches of the season.

Jalen Johnson is powering the Atlanta Hawks through Trae Young’s absence with back-to-back triple-doubles and a breakout season.

Avery