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Mavericks

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?

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)

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Update: Jostens issued a formal statement in response to the initial report, making clear that they had no knowledge of Zohaib Muhammad&rsquo;s alleged illegal activities. &ldquo;Jostens and its division, The Champions Collective, are not connected in any way to this situation and only became aware of it late on March 5,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.complex.com/sports/a/bernadette-giacomazzo/nba-jeweler-zo-frost-gold-bar-scam">the company said</a>. &ldquo;We have no ongoing relationship with Zohaib Muhammad or ZoFrost &amp; Co. Neither ZoFrost nor Muhammad had any part in the production of rings, nor have they ever been present or involved in the manufacturing of any of our jewelry.&rdquo; The statement continued: &ldquo;The Champions Collective rings were produced entirely by our craftspeople in our facilities, and all materials were sourced and purchased through our standard suppliers, including all gold.&rdquo;
A massive federal and state investigation into a "gold bar" scam targeting senior citizens has taken a stunning turn, directly involving the luxury jewelry network of Zohaib Muhammad, better known as Zo Frost.
The scandal raises uncomfortable questions for&nbsp;Jostens, the billion-dollar industry leader in championship memorabilia. Muhammad was the key architect of a high-profile partnership between his brand and&nbsp;The Champions Collective, a premier division of Jostens, to produce the&nbsp;Oklahoma City Thunder&rsquo;s 2025 NBA Championship rings.
<h2>The Gold Source Question</h2>
As authorities dismantle a criminal enterprise accused of defrauding elderly victims of approximately $2.8 million, investigators are now tracing the flow of stolen assets. The core of the scam involved "couriers" picking up gold coins and bars from victims&mdash;including an 81-year-old who lost $766,000&mdash;and delivering them to jewelry businesses for processing.
According to the&nbsp;Friendswood Police Department,&nbsp;<a href="https://scoopb.com/2026/03/nba-celebrity-jeweler-zo-frost-arrested-in-2-8m-gold-bar-scam/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">reports from&nbsp;Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.fox26houston.com/news/six-arrested-2-8m-texas-gold-bar-scam-targeting-elderly-victims" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener">&nbsp;from Fox News,&nbsp;</a>several Houston-area jewelry businesses were raided as part of the scheme. These locations were allegedly used to melt down or move stolen gold.
The proximity of these allegations to the production of the Thunder's championship hardware has sparked a firestorm of speculation:&nbsp;Was the 14-karat gold used in the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic rings sourced from the life savings of innocent elderly victims?
The Power Players: Platinum Equity and Tom Gores
The connection to the NBA runs deeper than just the championship rings.&nbsp;Jostens&nbsp;is owned by the massive private equity firm&nbsp;Platinum Equity, which acquired the company in 2018 for&nbsp;$1.3 billion.
Platinum Equity was founded and is currently led by Tom Gores, who serves as the firm&rsquo;s Chairman and CEO. Gores is best known in the sports world as the owner of the Detroit Pistons. The fact that a company under Gores&rsquo; corporate umbrella partnered with a jeweler now charged with engaging in Organized Criminal Activity has created a potential PR and legal nightmare for league ownership.
<h2>Jostens and the Zo Frost Partnership</h2>
<a href="https://r.org/2026/03/06/more-than-a-ring-how-shai-gilgeous-alexander-and-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-made-their-championship-hardware-a-family-affair/">Jostens</a>, a company that has defined American achievement for over 100 years, tapped Zo Frost to bring "streetwise flair" to their corporate prestige. Muhammad was the lead designer for the OKC Thunder rings, which were celebrated just months ago for their revolutionary "ring-within-a-ring" design and over 800 custom-cut gemstones.
While Jostens has not been charged with a crime, the arrest of their high-profile collaborator on First-Degree Felony Theft charges has put the billion-dollar giant in a precarious position. If stolen gold was indeed funneled through the same Houston jewelry networks Muhammad utilized for his high-end commissions, the ethical fallout for the NBA and its partners could be unprecedented.
<h2>The Fallout</h2>
Zohaib Muhammad is currently being held on a&nbsp;$5 million bond. As the FBI and local task forces continue to seize evidence across Texas, the focus has shifted to the supply chain of "celebrity" jewelry and the vetting processes of massive corporations like Jostens.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder players and staff, what was once a symbol of their historic 2025 title is now clouded by a federal investigation into one of the most heartless fraud schemes in recent Texas history.

A $2.8 million gold bar fraud investigation has reportedly drawn attention to the billion-dollar jewelry company Jostens, raising questions about alleged connections, financial transactions, and a broader probe into precious metals scams.

Billion-Dollar Giant Jostens Linked to $2.8M "Gold Bar" Fraud Investigation

<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.
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<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

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

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, the team announced this week. After roughly a five-game absence, Curry has resumed full practices and is expected to suit up Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Curry&rsquo;s injury &ndash; suffered on Nov. 26 in a game against the Houston Rockets &ndash; forced him out as the Warriors navigated a stretch of games without their franchise centerpiece. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr described Curry&rsquo;s progress as positive after recent workouts, and the 37-year-old sharpshooter participated in live scrimmages during Wednesday&rsquo;s practice, a critical step toward clearing him to play.
During his absence, Golden State went 3-2, highlighting the team&rsquo;s resilience even without its leading scorer. But Curry&rsquo;s return is expected to bring an offensive jolt &ndash; particularly as the Warriors look to climb the Western Conference standings and find consistency with a full roster.
Curry&rsquo;s workload may be cautiously managed in his first game back, as the Warriors integrate him alongside a crowded backcourt featuring De&rsquo;Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Brandin Podziemski and others. Kerr has emphasized the need for chemistry, but also sees depth as a strength moving forward.
With his return imminent, Warriors fans are hopeful that Curry &ndash; still averaging nearly 28 points per game prior to the injury &ndash; will help stabilize Golden State&rsquo;s offense and bolster their competitive push in the middle of the season.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quad strain.

Stephen Curry set to rejoin Warriors after quad injury

At a time when teams continue to stack star power on their rosters, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat are reminding the league that cohesion, continuity and belief can be just as powerful as raw superstar talent. A month into the season, Toronto and Miami sit second and third in the Eastern Conference standings &ndash; one riding a nine-game winning streak, the other stringing together six straight of its own. Few saw it coming, and that&rsquo;s what makes these early season runs so compelling and interesting.
On paper, neither team features a consensus top-15 player in the league. Neither projects as a typical juggernaut in a conference dominated by headliners like Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid, and star-studded teams like the Knicks. Yet night after night, the Raptors and Heat are outplaying teams built around bigger names and heavier expectations. What they lack in marquee shine, they make up for in depth, grit and a brand of basketball that feels increasingly rare in a star-driven era.
And as their streaks stretch longer and their records grow stronger, the question shifts from how they&rsquo;re doing it to why it works &ndash; and what it says about the modern NBA.
<h2>Toronto&rsquo;s rise: A team built on trust, depth, and a new identity</h2>
Toronto&rsquo;s transformation didn&rsquo;t happen overnight, but it finally feels like they are taking a step in the right direction. A few years removed from rebuilding their roster and recalibrating their direction, the Raptors have found their identity &ndash; a team that scores by committee, defends with intent and plays like a group that genuinely trusts each other.
What once felt like a roster in transition has become a roster in sync, led by head coach Darko Rajakovic.
Six Raptors currently average double-digit scoring, but none dominate the box score on a nightly basis. Instead, Toronto thrives through balance. Brandon Ingram, acquired last season in what initially felt like a mid-focused get, has evolved into their stabilizer and clutch-time go-to scorer. His shot creation gives Toronto an anchor; his poise gives them belief. When the game slows, the ball finds Ingram, and the Raptors find comfort.
Alongside him, Scottie Barnes continues blossoming into the do-it-all franchise forward many projected he could become. His blend of size, playmaking and defensive versatility elevates Toronto&rsquo;s ceiling and gives them a nightly mismatch. When Barnes is at his best, the Raptors feel like they can beat anyone.
But the brilliance of Toronto&rsquo;s start goes beyond their leading duo. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, both essential pieces of a trade from the Knicks, have fully embraced their roles as the third and fourth scoring options. Quickley&rsquo;s pace and fearlessness provide an off-the-dribble spark, while Barrett&rsquo;s strength-based downhill game gives Toronto a reliable secondary scorer.
Around them is a roster filled with players who understand exactly what&rsquo;s being asked of them. Jakob Poeltl continues to be a stabilizing interior presence; Sandro Mamukelashvili adds shooting and creativity off the bench for the frontcourt; Gradey Dick&rsquo;s shooting gravity opens the floor; Jamal Shead&rsquo;s maturity as a backup point guard stands out; and Ja&rsquo;Kobe Walter brings energy and modern-wing tools.
Together, they have formed a machine early in the season &ndash; one humming louder with each passing game. The Raptors are top-10 in both offensive and defensive net rating, a mark reserved for true contenders, though it remains to be seen if they can keep it up for the rest of the season. They defend collectively, leveraging chemistry and communication more than sheer athleticism. They score through movement and trust, not isolation and hierarchy.
The result: one of the longest winning streaks in franchise history and a team that looks nothing like the rebuilding group many projected them to be. Instead, the Raptors have forged themselves into one of the East&rsquo;s best stories &ndash; a team proving that when everyone buys in, the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.
<h2>Miami&rsquo;s counterpunch: Spoelstra, grit and a rediscovered offensive identity</h2>
If Toronto is surprising because they&rsquo;ve reinvented themselves, Miami is surprising because they never really changed &ndash; except a few tweaks on their offense.
This is what the Heat do &ndash; they defy expectations, outperform projections and find ways to win with rosters that rarely look intimidating on paper. But this start feels different. It feels deeper, and it feels like the Heat have unlocked something new.
Eight Miami players are averaging double-digit scoring, among the widest scoring distribution in the league. Erik Spoelstra has once again reinvented his offense, this time leaning into a concept that has caught attention across the basketball landscape &ndash; including a detailed breakdown by Thinking Basketball: a no-screen, gap-attacking system tailored perfectly to this roster&rsquo;s strengths.
Instead of running their offense through sets or pre-determined actions, Spo has given his players the freedom to play read-and-react basketball. They attack one-on-one, collapse defenses, move without the ball and create a constant chain of advantages. The result is a fluid, spaced-out attack that produces open threes, cuts and layups. It&rsquo;s simple by design &ndash; deadly in execution.
And they&rsquo;re doing all this while boasting the second-best defense in the NBA.
The main guy now after Jimmy Butler&rsquo;s trade last season, is Bam Adebayo. Once again, he is playing at an All-Defensive level, anchoring Miami&rsquo;s interior and orchestrating their schemes with his elite mobility and anticipation. He covers for mistakes, erases drives, switches everything and remains arguably the most versatile defender in basketball today. Bam sets the tone, and the rest follow.
Around him, Miami has found balance in players who complement each other perfectly. Norman Powell, in a contract year, has rediscovered his scoring punch, giving the Heat a needed perimeter bucket-getter. Young big man Kel&rsquo;el Ware is emerging as a franchise cornerstone &ndash; an athletic, skilled center who fits seamlessly next to Bam. Tyler Herro&rsquo;s return from injury gives Miami another dynamic scoring threat after his All-Star breakout last season.
Defensively, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell provide the grit Miami teams are known for. Jaime Jaquez Jr. adds savvy scoring and toughness. Simone Fontecchio, Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson stretch the floor and supply high-IQ connecting play.
Nothing Miami does feels forced. Every player knows their job. Every player contributes something essential. Every possession feels intentional &ndash; this is Heat basketball at its finest.
<h2>Two Teams, One Message: Star Power Isn&rsquo;t the Only Path to Winning</h2>
The Raptors and Heat are not perfect, nor are they guaranteed to maintain this pace all season. There will be lulls, adjustments and challenges. But right now &ndash; today &ndash; they stand as two of the most compelling early-season stories, and for reasons that go deeper than the standings.
They&rsquo;re winning through trust, effort, and continuity. Through the belief that identity and cohesion matter just as much as superstar gravity.
In an NBA landscape obsessed with top-rated players and roster-building shortcuts by acquiring more and more talent, Toronto and Miami are a counterpoint &ndash; a reminder that stability, development and collective responsibility are still viable pathways to contention.
Their success is a good thing for the NBA because it resonates &ndash; it feels earned, not handed.
As long as the Raptors keep playing with balance and unity, and as long as the Heat keep leaning on their culture and Spoelstra&rsquo;s brilliance, these streaks can be used as foundations to keep improving over the course of the season and avoid some early-season flukes.
Two underdogs, two contenders &ndash; two teams proving that the soul of basketball still belongs to those who play together.

The Raptors and Heat are shocking the East with balance, depth, and elite team play. No superstars, no problem.

Raptors, Heat surging: Two unlikely contenders rise to the top of the East

Several NBA stars have returned Monday night as they look to help their teams improve their standings in the current NBA season.
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Monk returned to the Kings&rsquo; lineup after missing the past 7 games due to injury. He scored 14 points on 4/12 shooting from the field, however the Kings lost to the Thunder in a 109-130 blowout.
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics
Porzingis made his Celtics debut Monday night against the Clippers after being sidelined for five months. Porzingis has successfully returned after undergoing a foot surgery in the offseason, scoring 16 points with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. He helped the Celtics secure a blowout victory over the visiting LA Clippers team, 126-94. Porzingis looked healthy and was efficient scoring from the field, going 6/12 in his field goals.
The Celtics will now have their complete lineup that won them the 2023 NBA title, and adding Porzingis back into their lineup only solidifies their chances of going back to back.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Morant made it back to the Grizzlies&rsquo; starting lineup successfully with a scintillating 22-point, 11-assist performance in just 23 minutes in Memphis&rsquo; win over Portland. Morant was explosive in his return, throwing down a thunderous slam and dishing an eye-popping behind the back pass for a Brandon Clarke easy bucket.
Morant now looks to lead the Grizzlies out of the middle pack in the Western Conference with a healthy showing moving forward.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are targeting a return on Tuesday night in the Suns&rsquo; NBA Cup game against the Lakers, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
Durant and Beal have been out of Phoenix's lineup the last 5-6 games, as they went 1-5 in that stretch. When both were in the lineup, the Suns were a league-best 8-1.
Durant and Beal aim to provide the Suns the firepower that they lacked over the past games with defenses keying in on stopping Devin Booker only.
Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans
Murray is eyeing a return after a one-month absence on Wednesday night when the Pelicans face the Raptors. Murray intends to return and help the now West-bottom New Orleans team to compete once again atop the West. Murray fractured his hand on opening night against the Chicago Bulls.
Murray was acquired by the Pelicans in a trade for Dyson Daniels in the offseason to shore up their PG duties and have a closer as well as a playmaker around star Zion Williamson.

Several NBA stars have returned Monday night as they look to help their teams improve their standings in the current NBA season.

NBA roundup 11/26/24: NBA stars returning to help respective teams

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the 2024-25 NBA season with a commanding 136-117 victory over the Golden State Warriors Friday night at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.&nbsp;
Cleveland took control early, capitalizing on a 20-5 run in the first quarter. The Warriors struggled to keep pace with the high-energy Cavs, who showcased their depth and unselfish ball movement throughout the game.&nbsp;
The Cavaliers&rsquo; defense was a key factor in the victory. The Cavaliers held the Warriors to just 22 points in the first quarter and stifled Golden State&rsquo;s offensive flow for much of the game. They also did a great job limiting turnovers, giving the Warriors little chance to capitalize on fast breaks or second-chance opportunities. As the game wore on, the Cavaliers&rsquo; depth, energy, and size wore down the Warriors, who had no answer for Cleveland&rsquo;s balanced attack.
Darius Garland, one of Cleveland's standout performers, finished with 27 points and six assists, hitting six of his eleven 3-point attempts. His shooting helped stretch the Warriors' defense and created opportunities for his teammates. Evan Mobley also had a strong performance with 23 points, four rebounds, and excellent free-throw shooting (9-10), anchoring the defense and contributing in key moments.
While Golden State showed resilience with a strong second-half push, they were ultimately unable to recover from the large early deficit. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while Brandin Podziemski added 14 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. However, the lack of scoring support from superstar Stephen Curry, who was blitzed all game long to score just 12, hurt their chances to keep the game close.
With the win, the Cavaliers are sending a clear message to the rest of the league&mdash;they are serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland leads the league with the best record to remain perfect and the only undefeated team left. They have shown their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively. Their strong team play, led by Garland, Mobley, and star Donovan Mitchell, make them a formidable force in the East moving forward.
The Warriors, on the other hand, had their five-game win streak snapped and will need to regroup quickly going into their next game vs the West-leading Thunder. Despite their veteran leadership, they were no match for Cleveland&rsquo;s all-around performance.
The win extended the Cavs' undefeated streak to 10-0, <a href="https://x.com/basketbllnews/status/1855126069193683320">as they became the first team in NBA history to start a season with 10 straight wins and scoring at least 110 points in every game.</a>
Next up:
Cleveland - Saturday vs Brooklyn
Golden State - Monday at Oklahoma City

The Cavaliers extend their undefeated start to 10-0 with a dominant 136-117 win over the Warriors, showcasing their depth and defense.

Cavaliers drub Warriors to remain perfect at 10-0

The New Orleans Pelicans have announced Dejounte Murray has injured his left hand and will be sidelined indefinitely, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
The point guard, who was acquired by New Orleans this offseason, suffered the injury during the Pelicans&rsquo; opening night win against the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp;
According to Charania, tests have confirmed the injury to the former 1-time all-star. It was initially reported that the Pelicans &lsquo;feared&rsquo; that Murray might have injured his hand after experiencing discomfort in it in the second half. Now, those fears were deemed to be true and could be a setback for the Pelicans, who also missed star forward Zion Williamson due to illness.
ANALYSIS: This is a huge blow to the Pelicans in the tough and deep Western Conference. New Orleans brought Murray in to be the main playmaker for the team that features scorers like Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum and also be a closer for the team in clutch situations.
Murray had a very good game against the Bulls, tallying 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds with only 1 turnover. He commanded the game well against the Bulls, finding teammates on easy baskets. Murray also played tough defense as he aims to get back to his usual defensive self with the Pelicans.
Murray did not speak to reporters after the game, and McCollum hopes he&rsquo;s not out for too long.
According to ESPN stats, Murray became the third player in Pelicans history with 10 assists in his team debut, joining Elfrid Payton (2018) and Baron Davis (2002). Last season with the Hawks, he had just two games total with 10 assists and one or fewer turnovers.
The Pelicans go on a 4-game road trip in the West coast, beginning at Portland on Friday night.&nbsp;

The New Orleans Pelicans have announced Dejounte Murray has injured his left hand and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Pelicans lose Dejounte Murray in 1st game of season after fractured left hand

With just days left until the 2024-25 NBA season tips off, the Eastern Conference teams are settled, prepped, and ready for action. The offseason moves are done, rosters are set, and almost everyone&rsquo;s locked in for what&rsquo;s shaping up to be an intense race. From title contenders to dark horses, the East is packed with teams ready to make noise. So, let&rsquo;s dive into the top 15 teams in the East as we gear up for this brand-new season&mdash;no fluff, just what you need to know.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">New York Knicks The Knicks made significant moves this offseason, adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges while retaining key pieces like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. With depth, defense, and firepower, they look primed for a deep playoff run. After a 50-win season in 2023-24, they now have realistic championship aspirations and could be the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Boston Celtics The defending champions kept their core intact, extending Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday leading a formidable lineup, the Celtics are aiming to repeat as NBA champions. Despite concerns about Al Horford&rsquo;s age and frontcourt health, Boston remains the favorite heading into the 2024-25 season.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Milwaukee Bucks The Bucks didn&rsquo;t make major changes but added depth with Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright. After an injury-plagued season from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee looks to bounce back under returning head coach Doc Rivers. With questions surrounding Lillard&rsquo;s form and Middleton&rsquo;s durability, the Bucks remain playoff contenders, but how far they go will depend on health and chemistry.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Philadelphia 76ers The 76ers had a big offseason, adding Paul George, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey&rsquo;s rise as a star solidifies Philly&rsquo;s title hopes, and Embiid&rsquo;s MVP-level play is crucial for their success. With an improved supporting cast, the Sixers could be serious challengers in the East, but Embiid&rsquo;s health remains the key.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cleveland Cavaliers After a solid 48-win season, the Cavs focused on continuity by keeping their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. New coach Kenny Atkinson brings fresh leadership, and Cleveland hopes to build on last season&rsquo;s playoff run. With a healthier roster and improved coaching, the Cavs could reach 50 wins and challenge the top teams in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Indiana Pacers The Pacers had a quiet offseason but retained Pascal Siakam and made a key addition in James Wiseman. Tyrese Haliburton&rsquo;s breakout season makes Indiana a team to watch, and they&rsquo;re looking to build on their deep playoff run. With improved chemistry and young talent, Indiana could surprise as a top-five team in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Orlando Magic The Magic are banking on internal growth, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. After winning 47 games and making the playoffs last season, they added veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for shooting and leadership. With a young core developing, Orlando could win 50 games if they continue their upward trend and improve their perimeter shooting.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Miami Heat The Heat had a quiet offseason, adding Alec Burks while re-signing key players like Bam Adebayo. With Jimmy Butler&rsquo;s future uncertain and health concerns for both Butler and Tyler Herro, Miami could face challenges in a competitive Eastern Conference. However, Adebayo&rsquo;s All-NBA-level play will keep them in the playoff hunt.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Atlanta Hawks The Hawks overhauled their roster after a disappointing 36-46 season, headlined by trading Dejounte Murray and acquiring the No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher. With Trae Young remaining the focal point, the Hawks are banking on Risacher&rsquo;s development and contributions from new additions like Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels. This team looks poised to contend for a Play-In spot but lacks the co-star power needed for a deep playoff run.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Charlotte Hornets The Hornets enter the season with fresh energy, thanks to the hiring of new coach Charles Lee and the re-signing of Miles Bridges. With LaMelo Ball back healthy and Brandon Miller continuing to impress after an All-Rookie season, Charlotte&rsquo;s young core could surprise many. If Ball stays on the floor and their youth develops quickly, the Hornets might find themselves contending for a Play-In spot and shaking off years of underachievement.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Detroit Pistons The Pistons are looking to turn the page on a tough 2023-24 season and have made moves to fast-track their rebuild. With Cade Cunningham healthy, new leadership under J.B. Bickerstaff, and rookie Ron Holland adding spark, Detroit could outperform expectations. If Cunningham returns to form and the team gels quickly, don&rsquo;t be surprised if the Pistons emerge as a dark horse in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Toronto Raptors The Raptors are in transition, keeping their young core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley intact. After a poor finish to last season, Toronto is betting on Barnes&rsquo; continued growth and the addition of Davion Mitchell to improve their fortunes. While their ceiling might be a Play-In appearance, the Raptors are hoping their trio can take a big step forward.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chicago Bulls The Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, adding Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith to the mix. Zach LaVine&rsquo;s injury history remains a concern, but the Bulls are counting on Coby White&rsquo;s emergence and the potential of lottery pick Matas Buzelis. Chicago is likely to be a competitive team some nights, but they may struggle to rise above the Play-In threshold.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Brooklyn Nets The Nets are entering a rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges and Lonnie Walker. With a young roster led by Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas, Brooklyn&rsquo;s focus is on player development. Ben Simmons remains a question mark, but the team&rsquo;s recent moves set them up for future success with significant draft assets. A playoff berth seems unlikely as they look to position themselves for a high draft pick.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Washington Wizards The Wizards continue their rebuild with the addition of Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick. With Malcolm Brogdon and Saddiq Bey joining the squad, Washington hopes to see growth from young talents like Bilal Coulibaly. However, they&rsquo;re still far from playoff contention and will likely be looking at another lottery-bound season.</li>
</ol>

Let's dive into the top 15 teams in the East as we gear up for this brand-new season.

2024-2025 NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings: A new number one arises at the top

Day 2 of the 2024 NBA Summer League saw the sophomores dominate the games for their respective teams, showing their improvement from last season. Here are some players who stood out on the 2nd day of action in Las Vegas.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle looked every bit of the point guard he was billing himself into after a strong first showing for the Spurs. Castle looked comfortable attacking in the pick-and-roll, making reads and playmaking. The rookie from UConn was putting defenders in jail, doing the rocker step to get by opponents, and dishing it out to corner guys. In the end, Castle put up 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Spurs beat the Blazers.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
The No. 2 overall pick from last year&rsquo;s draft looked stronger than ever, benefiting from a Team USA Select Team just a week ago. Miller has been steadily improving his shot, decision-making, and playmaking, en route to scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds for the Hornets in their win vs the Knicks.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Jaquez looked like he did not belong in the summer league, not because he was bad or struggled, but because he was too good to be playing in the tournament. Jaquez churned in 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Heat won a nailbiter over the Celtics.
Cody Williams, Utah Jazz
The younger brother of OKC&rsquo;s Jalen Williams, Cody impressed in his Las Vegas Summer League debut with an efficient night of scoring from the field. In a win by the Jazz vs the Mavs, Williams scored 21 points on 9-15 FG and 3-6 from the field, making his case early as one of the best rookies in this draft class.

Day 2 of the 2024 NBA Summer League saw the sophomores dominate the games for their respective teams.

2024 NBA Summer League: Day 2 Standouts

2024 NBa Kia Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and his runner-up Chet Holmgren have been named to the All-Rookie First Team, the league announced on Monday night.
The San Antonio Spurs&rsquo; 1st overall phenomenon and the OKC Thunder&rsquo;s 2nd overall unicorn from a year ago lead a field that includes Charlotte&rsquo;s Brandon Miller (3rd overall), Miami Heat&rsquo;s Jaime Jaquez Jr. (18th overall), and Golden State Warriors&rsquo; Brandin Podziemski (19th overall).
Wembanyama and Holmgren got all 99 1st place votes to run away with their spots. Miller had a lone 1 2nd place vote to go along with 98 1st place votes while Jaquez and Podziemski got 89/10 and 64/33 respectively.
Making up the All-Rookie Second team were Dallas Mavericks&rsquo; Dereck Lively (26 1st and 67 2nd place votes), Houston Rockets&rsquo; Amen Thompson (10 1st place and 80 2nd place votes), Utah Jazz&rsquo;s Keyonte George (3 1st place and 71 2nd place votes), Oklahoma City Thunder&rsquo;s Cason Wallace (2 1st place and 63 2nd place votes), and Memphis Grizzlies&rsquo; GG Jackson (5 1st place and 33 2nd place votes).
Among the noticeable snubs from the 10-man rookie list that could have been awarded were the Portland Trailblazers&rsquo; Scoot Henderson (3rd overall), Detroit Pistons&rsquo; Ausar Thompson (5th overall pick), and Golden State Warriors&rsquo; Trayce Jackson-Davis (57th overall pick).
Check out the full results here:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
2023-24 NBA All-Rookie First Team: ▪️ Chet Holmgren ▪️ Jaime Jaquez Jr. ▪️ Brandon Miller ▪️ Brandin Podziemski ▪️ Victor Wembanyama 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie Second Team: ▪️ Keyonte George ▪️ GG Jackson II ▪️ Dereck Lively II ▪️ Amen Thompson ▪️ Cason Wallace <a href="https://t.co/BqdDDu3oRv">pic.twitter.com/BqdDDu3oRv</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1792704102004339044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2024</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and his runner-up Chet Holmgren have been named to the All-Rookie First Team.

2024 NBA All-Rookie Teams: Wembanyama, Holmgren lead the way

San Antonio Spurs unicorn Victor Wembanyama has landed the 2023-2024 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced Monday night.
Wembanyama, the 20-year-old French phenom, won the ROTY race in a landslide. He landed in all of the 99 of the 1st place votes (equivalent to 10 points) available to finish with a perfect 495 points. OKC&rsquo;s Chet Holmgren finished 2nd with 98 2nd place votes (equivalent to 5 points) and 1 3rd place votes (equivalent to 1 point) for 295 points while Charlotte&rsquo;s Brandon Miller was 3rd with 1 2nd place vote and 98 3rd place votes. Wembanyama becomes the first unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year since Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season.
Wembanyama is the first player from France to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He is also the third player to earn the honor with the Spurs, joining David Robinson (1989-90) and Tim Duncan (1997-98).
The 7-foot-4 wunderkind led all rookies in points, rebounds, and blocks per game. He is the second rookie to lead all NBA players in blocks per game in a season, joining Manute Bol (1985-86).
Wembanyama became the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in fewer than 30 minutes per game in a season. He is also the first player to have at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks, and 100 three-pointers made in a season.

Spurs unicorn Victor Wembanyama has landed the 2023-2024 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced Monday night.

Victor Wembanyama lands 2023-2024 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award

On Sunday night, the NBA announced the finalists for its 2023-2024 NBA Awards. Each award featured three finalists from different teams that were eligible to win. These awards are expected to be handed out at some point during the playoffs.
Check out the full list here:
Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Most Improved Player&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Coby White, Chicago Bulls</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Coach of the Year
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic</li>
</ul>
Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
LOOK: The complete list of 2023-24 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> awards finalists... 👀 Any thoughts? 🤔 (📸 <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAPR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBAPR</a>) <a href="https://t.co/Exx5nZAYft">pic.twitter.com/Exx5nZAYft</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1782180951801626825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2024</a></blockquote>

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On Sunday night, the NBA announced the finalists for its 2023-2024 NBA Awards.

NBA announces finalists for 2023-2024 NBA Awards

Views are the author&rsquo;s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the website.
The 2023-2024 NBA season has wrapped up and the race for the league&rsquo;s annual awards has officially ended. Here&rsquo;s a look at my picks of the NBA's award winners.
Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
(Runner-ups: Coby White, Jalen Johnson)
Notes: In the end, Tyrese Maxey takes the award with the amount of burden and responsibility in a Philadelphia team reeling from the loss of James Harden to become a true No. 2 option behind reigning MVP Joel Embiid. White improved a lot this year, increasing his averages both numbers and his shooting percentages. Johnson, like White, has also increased his usage and averages by a lot, featuring as the third option behind DeJounte Murray and Trae Young, or even as the second option without one of those two. A jumbo playmaking forward, Johnson showed improvements in his playmaking as well as his ability to score and had increased numbers in shooting as well. Ultimately, Maxey wins this award out because he was a guy who increased his usage and his role while playing most of the season without Embiid.
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Runner-ups: Malik Monk, Bobby Portis)
Notes: Naz Reid has been the best player off the bench this season with the way he has been an offensive spark plug for the Timberwolves this season. He&rsquo;s had a phenomenal season, and he had to start and fill in for Karl-Anthony Towns when he went down while still being an efficient scorer as he is. If you factor in all the stuff for these awards, you could actually make a case for Monk, for Portis, maybe even guys like Norman Powell for the Clippers and Bogdan Bogdanovic for the Hawks. But with Minnesota going 56-26 and having the second most wins in franchise history &ndash; ultimately ending up atop the three best teams in the West, this gives a little bit of boost to Naz Reid due to his importance to the team.
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
(Runner-ups: Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis; Honorable mention: Bam Adebayo)
Notes: One of the hardest awards to figure out. Minnesota had the best defense in the league for a reason, and based on that Rudy Gobert would be a deserving winner of the award. When he&rsquo;s off the floor, the team does not perform defensively the way it does when Gobert is on the floor. This was hard because Wembanyama had a legitimate case, being the generational defender that he was. Davis also had a strong case with how he carried single-handedly the Lakers&rsquo; defense, while Adebayo had the immense burden of playing all the defensive schemes in Miami. Ultimately, it ended up with Gobert with the way he lifted a good defensive team to the best in the league, manning that paint and being that anchor that holds all of the pieces together.
All-Defensive Team:
1st Team - Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Herb Jones
2nd Team - Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, Jaden McDaniels, Alex Caruso, Jonathan Isaac
Notes: Starting this year, the NBA&rsquo;s All-NBA teams and defensive teams were positionless so I had to cheat a little bit here, putting 4 bigs in the 1st team. Gobert, Wembanyama, Davis, and Adebayo are no-brainers considering their defensive impact for each of their teams, while Jones takes the last spot in the 1st team for his ability to disrupt offenses as well as guarding each team&rsquo;s best player night in and night out for the Pelicans.&nbsp;
The second team features White (most blocks for a guard), Suggs and Isaac (best defensive players for the 4th best defense in the league, helping to lead the Magic back to the playoffs), McDaniels (best wing defender for the best defense in the league), and the perennial all-defense player Caruso who brings it in defensively every game.
Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Runner-up: Chet Holmgren)
Notes: Despite Holmgren having far and away the better team success, there&rsquo;s no denying Wembanyama&rsquo;s greatness in his rookie year. The French phenom has transcended the game both figuratively and on the eye test &ndash; he is simply a generational talent who is going to take over the league soon. Holmgren got off to a hot start in the first two months of the season but since January, Wembanyama has locked up the award for himself with out-of-the-world numbers for a rookie. He was dubbed as the best prospect since LeBron James and now he is well on his way to being one of the greatest of all time if he remains healthy after a historic rookie season.
All-Rookie Team:
1st Team - Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Jaime Jaquez Jr., GG Jackson
2nd Team - Ausar Thompson, Amen Thompson, Keyonte George, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Notes: There were several names to choose from here, and it felt hard to cut some of them here. Jordan Hawkins of the Pelicans has had a good start to the year when the team had all those injuries paving the way for him to play early into the season but has seen the bench since as NOLA got healthier and players came back; Cason Wallace had such a good shooting year off the bench for the No.1 seeded Thunder despite shooting being labeled by scouts as his biggest weakness coming into the NBA; Dereck Lively II being center that Luka Doncic needed and fit well with by catching all those lobs and helping the Mavs&rsquo; defense this season big time; No.2 overall pick Scoot Henderson had a good close to his rookie year.
All in all, these 10 rookies have felt like the best rookies in terms of production, opportunity, and narratives surrounding them. Of course, Wembanyama and Holmgren are automatic locks; Miller has been the best player in Charlotte without LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams; Jaquez is a vital piece off the bench for Erik Spoelstra&rsquo;s playoff-bound Heat team; and GG Jackson becoming a legit NBA scorer despite being the youngest player in the league to round out the first team.
The Thompson twins have just been defensive monsters ever since stepping foot in the league; George playing point guard at Utah has turned some heads and he has stepped up with the opportunity given to him; while Podziemski and Jackson-Davis have arguably been rotational pieces to the Warriors despite being rookies and has contributed a lot to them finding a way to fit in a complex team.
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Runner-ups: Chris Finch, Jamahl Mosley)
Notes: There have been so many good coaches this season that have elevated their teams to good records, say Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets and Tom Thibodeau from the New York Knicks. But my Coach of the Year pick goes to Mark Daigneault of the OKC Thunder because this award tends to favor the expectations set for a team before the start of the season. The Thunder weren&rsquo;t supposed to be this good this season, but Daigneault catapulted them into one of the best teams not just in the West but the entire NBA. The evidence is written on the wall: No.1 in the West despite being the second youngest team in the league; having a top 5 ranking on both offense and defense and no.2 overall net rating. Finch and Mosley take the runner-up spots with the work they had to lift both the Timberwolves and the Magic to being top 4 seeds in their conferences as well as having top-rated defenses in the league.
Clutch Player of the Year: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
(Runner-ups: DeMar DeRozan, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
Notes: Another tough and close race, but ultimately it goes to Curry. Despite the Warriors&rsquo; so-so record, Curry had the most clutch time points, shot 50% from the field, and 46% from three in clutch time. Curry had the most threes than anyone in crunch time &ndash; being just the incredible clutch-time performer that he is &ndash; and always been.
All-NBA Team:
1st Team - Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum
2nd Team - Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James
3rd Team - Stephen Curry, Domantas Sabonis, Kawhi Leonard, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton
Notes: With Jalen Brunson carrying the Knicks to a second seed in the East playing without Julius Randle since January, it was incredibly hard to leave him off the 1st team. However, by the slightest of margins, I gave the nod to Tatum for being the best player on the best team in the league by a wide margin.
All the other picks were pretty explanatory, with the top 4 in the MVP race in Jokic, Doncic, SGA, and Giannis all expected to be first-teamers. The second team kind of got tougher besides Brunson, with legends Durant and James making the list because of the seasons they had leading their team as well as playing their most regular season game in years. Rounding out the second team were Edwards and Davis, two stars with the biggest impacts on their teams in the tough Western Conference.
The third team is actually a toss-up with a lot of good cases from the league all around, but ultimately I went with Curry, Sabonis, Leonard, Booker, and Haliburton.
Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander&nbsp;
(Runners-up: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic; Honorable mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo)
Perhaps the closest race out of all the awards, all three players here are each deserving with their narratives and the numbers that support each of their cases. You can never go wrong picking one over the other, so it came down to personal opinion on who I thought had the strongest case this season. His case?
-Leading the second youngest team in the league to No.1 in the West
-3-1 series vs Denver
-3-1 series vs Dallas
-First player since Steph and MJ to average 30/5/5 in a season with 2+ steals
-Second in defensive net rating for guards
One could make the argument for Nikola Jokic being the best player in the world having better numbers than his two MVP seasons while Luka Doncic had one of the best seasons statistically in all facets of the game, but there&rsquo;s no denying SGA&rsquo;s strong case as well given the expectations for this young Thunder team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is my MVP.

The 2023-2024 NBA season has wrapped up and the race for the league’s annual awards has officially ended.

OPINION: Picking the 2023-2024 NBA Awards winners

On Sunday night, Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller had the best performance of his young NBA career, scoring a career-high 35 points on 10-of-25 shooting from the field and 5-of-12 from three while grabbing 6 rebounds and blocking 2 shots.
Miller did it in a variety of ways, including stepbacks, floaters and drives to the rim. He hit 5 threes and showcased the three-level-scoring potential that helped him go No. 2 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
No. 2 Pick Brandon Miller dropped a career-high 35 PTS in Charlotte against the Pacers! <a href="https://t.co/WWhBGqHFf1">pic.twitter.com/WWhBGqHFf1</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1754346021788713293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2024</a></blockquote>

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This outing served as a statement game for Miller, who has mostly been an afterthought in the Rookie-of-the-Year race since his fellow freshmen Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are having all-time rookie seasons. Miller has faced a lot of doubters, as people have been skeptical since the pick was made, with many citing No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson as the better overall prospect.
Over his last 10 games, the 6-foot-9 forward has been averaging 22.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, on 48% shooting from the field, 40% from three and 85% from the free-throw line. Miller is starting to figure it out and proving he belongs in the league.
The 21-year-old&rsquo;s career-night made him the first Hornets rookie since 1993 to have a 35+ point game, joining Alonzo Mourning and Rex Chapman as the only rookies to do so in Charlotte&rsquo;s franchise history.
With Miller averaging 28 points over his last four games, the No. 2 overall pick did something that turned heads. With nine minutes in the second quarter, Miller tallied his first field goal of the game with a driving layup over Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner. After scoring, Miller sprinted down the floor on the other end as TJ McConnell found Obi Toppin leaking out on a fastbreak. However, Toppin was not able to catch the ball, leading to the turnover. Despite that, Miller was clearly distraught at his teammates' lack of effort and was heard saying &ldquo;get the f*** back!&rdquo;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Brandon Miller: "Get the fuck back!" 🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsFly35?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsFly35</a> <a href="https://t.co/2QVlojAkpX">pic.twitter.com/2QVlojAkpX</a>
&mdash; /r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) <a href="https://twitter.com/HornetsReddit/status/1754292522816290932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Even after scoring and making the layup, Miller was the first one back on defense ahead of the other Hornets players, who were jogging nonchalantly with just three minutes elapsed in the second quarter.
It sent a message to his teammates, coaching staff, organization and the whole city of Charlotte raring to see a competitive basketball team in their lifetimes: they now have a someone who cares and is willing to give everything night in and night out to win. And it came from their prized 21-year-old rookie.
This type of winning mentality separates the good players from the great players &mdash; the willingness to work hard, the ability to motivate himself and others to win, and being a leader who holds teammates accountable on their mistakes.
As Charlotte looks to build a winning team after being stuck in mediocrity, perhaps Miller is the cornerstone they've been looking for in recent years.

Charlotte Hornets No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller is turning heads with his recent play and attitude.

Brandon Miller looks like a franchise cornerstone for the Hornets

With the Western Conference All-Star starters set, let&rsquo;s look at the players who deserve a reserve slot for the West All-Star team this season. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/picking-the-nbas-eastern-conference-allstar-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our Eastern Conference All-Star reserve picks here</a>.
Guard: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry is a lock to make the team and the only question is: why isn&rsquo;t he starting? It took historic individual seasons from Dallas&rsquo; Luka Doncic and OKC&rsquo;s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to dislodge Curry from his usual starter spot at the All-Star game (the first time that's happened since 2014). As one of the legends of this generation and a face of the league for years running, Curry is still playing at a high level this season, averaging 27.5 points, 5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 41 games played.&nbsp;
Guard: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Like Jayson Tatum out East, Edwards is the best player on the best team in the West, which absolutely strengthens his All-Star case. Blossoming into a full-blown superstar this season, Edwards is averaging 26 points, 5.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds. Even at only 22 years of age, Edwards has been leading his team to wins and the top seed in the Western Conference, earning a ton of respect from fans and the media. Those efforts won't go unnoticed as he earns his second All-Star nod.
Forward: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have had the league&rsquo;s best record over the last 10 weeks and the reason is pretty simple: Kawhi Leonard is performing like his usual self. Leonard has played 41 of the Clippers' 45 games, which is huge considering the 6-foot-7 forward&rsquo;s injury history and past load management. In the past, Leonard has missed a lot of games in the regular season and playoffs, but that hasn't been the case this season. Leonard has been the Clippers' best player, averaging 23.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals a night. Whenever Leonard is playing well, the Clippers look like an elite squad.&nbsp;
Forward: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably the Lakers&rsquo; best player this year, Anthony Davis has taken it upon himself to lead Los Angeles both on offense and defense. Despite playing out of his normal position, Davis is averaging 25 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals as a center. There is a direct correlation between Davis&rsquo; play and the Lakers' success this year. The Lakers would probably be even deeper down the standings if not for Davis and he's likely done enough to join Lakers teammate and All-Star captain LeBron James on the team.
Center: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Perhaps a controversial pick, Rudy Gobert is a worthy All-Star due to his production and the fact that he's helped lead the Wolves to the No. 1 seed in the West. Gobert is the anchor of the best defense in the entire league and is the main reason why Minnesota can effectively deploy a two-center lineup. Even though his 13.3 points per game don't jump off the page, Gobert is also averaging 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The 7-foot-1 center is once again a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and leading his team to a ton of wins, which he has been doing since his Utah Jazz days. That is a testament to his value.
Wildcard: De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Last year, Fox made his first All-Star appearance. This year, he&rsquo;s been even better, upping his averages to 27.5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds for the fifth-place Sacramento Kings. This is Fox&rsquo;s best scoring campaign of his career, just a season removed from winning the NBA&rsquo;s inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award. A lot of the 6-foot-3 guard&rsquo;s success this season can be attributed to him shooting better from three (increasing his three-point percentage from 32.4% to 38.6%), which has allowed him to become a true three-level scoring threat. Using a lethal arsenal of mid-range jumpers and floaters, he has raised his game to the next level.
Wildcard: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker takes the West's last slot after some recent explosive performances. Booker has been on a stunning scoring tear as of late, which might help him secure a place on the team. Over the past week, the 6-foot-6 guard is averaging mind-boggling numbers of 42 points on 64% shooting from the field, including a 62-point outing and 52-point performance. This season, Booker has taken on more on-ball duties than ever before since Chris Paul is out of the picture and he's trying to fit alongside All-Star starter Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. This recent explosion reminded everyone that he can light up teams when he gets hot and look the part of an All-Star.
Snubs: Domantas Sabonis (Center, Sacramento Kings); Paul George (Forward, Los Angeles Clippers); Brandon Ingram (Forward, New Orleans Pelicans); Zion Williamson (Forward, New Orleans Pelicans); Alperen Sengun (Center, Houston Rockets); Lauri Markkanen&nbsp;(Forward, Utah Jazz)
The West is too deep. Even with Sabonis and George having stellar seasons and their teams in the upper half of the standings (the Clippers are fourth and the Kings are fifth), both still fail to crack the West&rsquo;s top 12. One can argue Sabonis and/or George over Gobert, but it's hard to give just one All-Star spot to the best team in the conference and two slots to teams below them. Both Sabonis and George could also get in through the wildcards, but Booker has been on another level recently and Fox and Sabonis are likely competing over the same spot.
The Pelicans&rsquo; Ingram and Williamson didn't get in as they don't have the stats compared to others on this list, with the Pelicans being one of the deepest teams in the league.&nbsp;
Sengun and Markkanen each have a case as a leading mnn on the next tier of West playoff teams, but the conference is filled with so much talent that even a career-best season may not warrant a spot.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/picking-the-nbas-eastern-conference-allstar-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out our Eastern Conference All-Star reserve picks here</a>.

With the Western Conference All-Star starters set, let’s look at the players who deserve a reserve slot for the West All-Star team.

Picking the NBA's Western Conference All-Star reserves

The Charlotte Hornets spoiled Karl-Anthony Towns&rsquo; career night with a come-from-behind 128-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Towns scored a career-best 62 points, but the Hornets came through with a 36-18 fourth quarter to steal the game in the Wolves' den.
The 6-foot-11 big man surpassed his previous career-best of 60 points and set a new franchise record in the process. Towns put up 44 big points in the first half, which is the fourth-most points scored in a half in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).
However, he only scored 4 points in the fourth quarter as the Hornets keyed in on him defensively while making tough shots of their own. Brandon Miller, Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges all contributed to the game-changing run in the fourth to give Charlotte just its 10th win of the season.
Despite the loss, Towns made history in several other categories:
<ul>
<li>Seventh player in NBA history with multiple 60-point games</li>
<li>First player in NBA history with 10+ two-point makes, 10+ three-point makes and 10+ free-throw makes in a single game</li>
<li>First center in NBA history with 60+ points and 10+ threes in a game&nbsp;</li>
<li>Most points in a loss since Devin Booker&rsquo;s 70-point game</li>
</ul>
Along with Joel Embiid&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/joel-embiid-erupts-for-70-points-to-beat-victor-wembanyama-spurs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">historic 70-point night</a>, tonight was the first time in 45 years that two players scored 60 points or more on the same night (and the fourth such instance in NBA history).
Minnesota&rsquo;s loss drops their record to 30-13. Although they are still the No. 1 seed in the West, they are now in danger of relinquishing the top spot for the first time since November with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets right on their heels. Tomorrow, the Thunder play the Blazers while the Nuggets play the Pacers, and both teams have a chance to tie the Wolves atop the West.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored a career-best 62 points, but it wasn't enough to put away the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets spoil Karl-Anthony Towns career-best 62 points, beat Wolves

Despite losing to the Milwaukee Bucks, 129-118, on Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors left the game with a silver lining: Their young guys outran and outhustled the contending Bucks, giving them a hard time all game long.&nbsp;
The Warriors even led 56-54 at the half, and it wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Bucks were able to pull away completely. Milwaukee used their veteran savvy in the fourth to defeat the youthful Warriors squad, who were playing without their captain and superstar Stephen Curry (rest).
Even though they came up short, the young guns showed they have the ability to compete against an elite team, which the Warriors can possibly build upon once Curry and Draymond Green return to the lineup. This showing also gives Golden State's front office a number of things to consider as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches.
With that said, let's break down how the Warriors' young core performed and how they nearly managed to upset the Bucks without their leading scorer.
First, the youthful Warriors ran the old Bucks off the floor. Without Curry, head coach Steve Kerr started rookie Brandin Podziemski at point guard. With Podz at helm, the Warriors pushed the pace. Save for some early sets for Klay Thompson, Golden State was up and running and tried to beat Milwaukee in transition all game long. Even slow-footed power forward Dario Saric was leading the break at some points, trying to turn up the tempo and outrun the Bucks.
If there was one possession that encapsulated what the Warriors tried to do, it was this one in the second quarter. Following a made basket by the Bucks, Jonathan Kuminga ran the length of the floor, beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and challenged Brook Lopez at the rim in the process to make a quick counter:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
I like the mindset here. Bucks' Achilles heel on defense this season has been in transition. Off of a made bucket, JK pushes the pace and lays the ball over Brook. <a href="https://t.co/PK8KkPUocJ">pic.twitter.com/PK8KkPUocJ</a>
&mdash; Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeVirayNBA/status/1746349742576312799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
Kuminga breezed through the entire Milwaukee defense and jumped in the air before Lopez could get there. The Dubs just ran and ran, putting pressure on the Bucks (the NBA's oldest team).
Secondly, the young Warriors played hard; they deserve credit for their effort and energy. Without their best player and the hub of their system, the Warriors leaned on their youth and athleticism to challenge the Bucks, who were coming off their biggest win of the season (drubbing the Boston Celtics).
It started with Podziemski, who was playing in his home state of Wisconsin. He had a great game, recording a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds on impressive 10-of-14 shooting.&nbsp;
The No. 19 overall selection was active off the bounce, blowing by opponents and squeezing his way through the defense. He was also brilliant off the catch, where he got a couple of baskets off of stampede runs to the rim:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Interesting that the Bucks are actually hard hedging here w/ Portis as their 5. Puts them in rotation, Podz takes advantage w/ a face cut. <a href="https://t.co/QDTFb7q9XZ">pic.twitter.com/QDTFb7q9XZ</a>
&mdash; Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeVirayNBA/status/1746344669464916419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
The 20-year-old out of Santa Clara also exhibited uncanny can't-teach instincts. In one play in the fourth quarter, he knew exactly what fellow rookie Andre Jackson Jr. would do, intercepting his pass to get an easy transition dunk on the other end. Podziemski&rsquo;s feel as a rookie has been impressive and he fits nicely with the Warriors' core.
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" src="https://streamable.com/e/kcxguf?quality=highest" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></div>
The Warriors&rsquo; other rookie, Trayce Jackson-Davis, also contributed by scoring 12 points in 18 minutes and making his presence felt inside for Golden State.
The No. 57 overall pick used his quick first bounce to freeze Bucks defenders on the floor and get easy baskets at the rim, scoring on plays like these:
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" src="https://streamable.com/e/oxxlbs?quality=highest" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></div>
Also, Jackson-Davis has been developing chemistry with Thompson, and he's often the beneficiary of their pindown screens when two defenders blitz Thompson. In the previous game against the Chicago Balls, he had four easy buckets off of passes from Klay alone.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The Klay-to-TJD tandem produced four easy baskets, including three dunks. <a href="https://t.co/Y8uUr7m1Gb">pic.twitter.com/Y8uUr7m1Gb</a>
&mdash; Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThompsonScribe/status/1746043482916217244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
In this instance, Klay and TJD had a nice give-and-go in a little two-man game for an easy bucket underneath.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Klay to TJD two-man game <a href="https://t.co/Ai3JItodo1">pic.twitter.com/Ai3JItodo1</a>
&mdash; Mon Anthony Valmoria (@Morval_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morval_/status/1746710126709669943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2024</a></blockquote>

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The 6-foot-9 center/forward has been a much better play-finisher than starting center Kevon Looney. He uses his athleticism to factor in on offense and serves as a lob threat. The 23-year-old gives the Warriors a new outlook at the big position. While Green and Looney are screeners and their main priority is getting guys open, Jackson-Davis is someone who looks to score and put pressure at the rim.
Finally, Jonathan Kuminga is becoming more and more polished as a scorer. Although there are ways he can still improve (like his feel for Golden State&rsquo;s system), he&rsquo;s finally arrived as a dependable scorer.&nbsp;
Off the bounce, Kuminga uses his body and strength to shield the ball away from defenders and utilizes his quick first bounce to get to the rim first before his defender can challenge him up top. The third-year player from the G-League Ignite is explosive, and he never gives his defender a chance to react.
Kuminga has also added a developing three-point shot to his arsenal, which forces defenders to respect his shooting and opens up his game even more. 
The 21-year-old had arguably the best two-game stretch of his young career recently, scoring 24 points and 28 points in back-to-back games. This is the best he has played in his three years in the league, looking like a reliable scoring option who could get buckets at will.
Kuminga is looking more and more comfortable, and he has scored in double digits in his last 19 games.
***
The absence of Curry in this game unlocked the Warriors&rsquo; young guys and showed what they are capable of. The challenge now is whether Golden State's young core can continue producing at this level once Curry and Green are back. 
The youngsters' athleticism and energy could help Golden State as they try to right the ship. The Warriors currently have the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference, so Kerr might have to tinker a bit and cater to the strengths of his current personnel rather than trying to force them to fit in his system. 
Do the Warriors think the kids can help Curry and Co. compete for a title? Or was this just an audition for other teams and a way to improve the youngsters' trade value so they can be flipped for win-now pieces?&nbsp;
Regardless, the kids can clearly play given the right environment and opportunity.

The Warriors' youngsters nearly upset the Bucks, giving Golden State's front office something to consider prior to the trade deadline.