https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/nba-logos/lal.png

Lakers

<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>He defined it as something deeper: the preservation of the brand.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Losing would be a headline that would follow him forever.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>To reinforce his point, Ceballos referenced LeBron's high school years.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>
&ldquo;He lost in the McDonald&rsquo;s All-American Game,&rdquo; Ceballos said, claiming that a then lesser-known Shannon Brown outshined LeBron in the dunk contest. &ldquo;Shannon Brown beat him, but he was a little bit not as famous as LeBron and they gave it to LeBron.&rdquo;
The story fits neatly into Ceballos&rsquo; narrative: LeBron experiencing early proof that even one loss could dent his aura.
The problem? It didn&rsquo;t quite happen that way.
&nbsp;
<h2 data-start="1601" data-end="1646">What Ceballos Was Really Arguing</h2>
Ceballos' fundamental basketball critique was evident, even though his memory was spotty. According to him, LeBron is a powerful power dunker - one of the best in live action - but not a specialist in dunk contests.
&ldquo;LeBron dunks on a lot of people,&rdquo; Ceballos implied, &ldquo;but trickery, suaveness &mdash; no.&rdquo;
<div>LeBron's remarkable abilities are attributed to his speed, strength, timing, and rim violence, not to his choreographed creativity. In the past, the Dunk Contest has awarded both flair and force equally.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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.
<video controls="controls" width="300" height="150">
<source src="https://x.com/ScoopB/status/1668247108309118977?s=20" /></video>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<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>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><video controls="controls" width="300" height="150">
<source src="https://x.com/LandonBuford/status/1359669118643941376?s=20" /></video></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>

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

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

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has officially unveiled its Class of 2025, and it&rsquo;s a star-studded group featuring NBA greats, WNBA legends, a championship-winning coach, a respected referee, and an iconic Olympic team.&nbsp;
From Carmelo Anthony&rsquo;s scoring brilliance to Sue Bird&rsquo;s unmatched leadership and the dominance of Dwight Howard in the paint, this year&rsquo;s class captures the diversity and global reach of basketball excellence.
NBA and WNBA legends take center stage
Headlining the inductees are Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, two of the defining players of their generation. Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and NCAA champion, retires as one of the most prolific scorers in league history and a member of the NBA&rsquo;s 75th Anniversary Team. Howard, meanwhile, dominated as a defensive anchor with three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight All-Star nods, and an NBA championship to his name.
Joining them is a historic trio from the women&rsquo;s game: Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles. Bird, widely considered one of the greatest point guards ever, built a legacy of championships at every level, from UConn to the WNBA to Team USA. Moore&rsquo;s four WNBA titles and two NCAA championships are matched only by her profound impact off the court as a social justice advocate. Fowles, a two-time WNBA champion and league MVP, cemented her status as one of the most dominant bigs in women&rsquo;s basketball.
Coaching, Officiating, and Leadership honored
The class also features Billy Donovan, who etched his name in college basketball history with back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida before transitioning to a successful NBA coaching career. On the officiating side, Danny Crawford earns enshrinement after three decades as one of the league&rsquo;s most respected referees, including 23 consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Recognizing the contributions of executives, Micky Arison, longtime owner of the Miami Heat, was also inducted for his role in building one of the NBA&rsquo;s most successful franchises.
The Redeem Team joins the Hall
Adding to the star power, the 2008 U.S. Men&rsquo;s Olympic &ldquo;Redeem Team&rdquo; was enshrined as a unit. Led by Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and several of this year&rsquo;s inductees, the team restored American dominance on the international stage by capturing gold in Beijing, leaving a lasting impact on global basketball.
Full List of 2025 Inductees
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Carmelo Anthony (Player)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dwight Howard (Player)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sue Bird (Player)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Maya Moore (Player)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sylvia Fowles (Player)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Billy Donovan (Coach)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Danny Crawford (Referee)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">2008 U.S. Men&rsquo;s Olympic Team (Team)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Micky Arison (Contributor/Executive)</li>
</ul>
This year&rsquo;s enshrinement showcases the full spectrum of basketball greatness &ndash; scoring icons, defensive stalwarts, groundbreaking women&rsquo;s stars, and figures who shaped the game from the sidelines and beyond.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has officially unveiled its Class of 2025, and it features a star-studded group.

Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard headline 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame class

Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley has been awarded the 2024&ndash;25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. At just 23 years old, Mobley becomes the youngest recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy since Dwight Howard in 2008 and the first player in Cavaliers history to receive this accolade.
Mobley's defensive prowess was instrumental in propelling the Cavaliers to a 64&ndash;18 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference. He averaged a career-high 1.59 blocks per game, ranking sixth in the league, and contributed 9.3 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game.
The award's voting process was notably competitive, with Mobley receiving 35 first-place votes and appearing on 85% of ballots, amassing a total of 285 points. He edged out Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, who led the league in steals, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Beyond the recognition, Mobley's achievement has financial implications. Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award triggers a contract escalator, increasing his salary from $38.7 million to $46.4 million for the next season and adding approximately $45 million over the duration of his contract, which extends through 2030. This adjustment elevates the Cavaliers' payroll to $219 million for the 2025&ndash;26 season, surpassing the league's second apron.
Mobley's recognition underscores his evolution into a cornerstone of the Cavaliers' defense and a rising star in the NBA.​

Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley has been awarded the 2024–25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Evan Mobley earns 2024-2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has officially announced its Class of 2025, with NBA luminaries Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard leading a distinguished group of inductees. The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for September 5&ndash;6, 2025, at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Carmelo Anthony, a ten-time NBA All-Star, concluded his illustrious career ranked ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, amassing over 28,000 points. His journey began with the Denver Nuggets, followed by impactful stints with the New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers. Internationally, Anthony secured three Olympic gold medals and one bronze with Team USA. Reflecting on this honor, Anthony expressed profound gratitude, stating, "This is it. It don't get no better than this."
Dwight Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star, is celebrated for his dominance as a center, particularly during his tenure with the Orlando Magic, where he led the team to the 2009 NBA Finals. Howard's accolades include three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 championship run. His defensive prowess and rebounding excellence have left an indelible mark on the league. ​
2008 U.S. Olympic 'Redeem Team' Recognition
Both Anthony and Howard will also be enshrined as members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team, famously known as the "Redeem Team." This squad, featuring legends like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, reclaimed Olympic gold in Beijing, reinstating USA Basketball's global dominance.
Celebrated Women's Basketball Icons
The Class of 2025 also honors WNBA legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles. Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, is renowned for her leadership with the Seattle Storm. Moore's exceptional career includes four WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx, while Fowles, also a key figure in the Lynx's success, holds the WNBA's all-time rebounding record.
Contributors and Officials
Additional inductees include Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing partner Micky Arison, and esteemed NBA referee Danny Crawford, each recognized for their significant contributions to the sport.
The enshrinement festivities will commence with the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala on September 5, followed by the official ceremony on September 6. Tickets and VIP packages are available through the Hall of Fame's official website.
This year's class epitomizes excellence across playing, coaching, and executive roles, reflecting the diverse and profound impact these individuals have had on basketball.​

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2025, led by Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.

Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard headline 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees

Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic's first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, was officially inducted into the team's Hall of Fame on Monday, March 24, 2025, becoming the 13th member to receive this honor.&nbsp; The ceremony took place at the Kia Center before the Magic&rsquo;s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, one of Howard&rsquo;s former teams.​
Howard, who played for the Magic from 2004 to 2012, was visibly moved during the induction.&nbsp; He expressed gratitude towards the organization and fans, acknowledging the support he received throughout his tenure.​
During his eight seasons with Orlando, Howard led the team to the NBA Finals in 2009 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010.&nbsp; He established himself as one of the league's premier centers, earning multiple All-Star selections and Defensive Player of the Year awards.​
Howard's induction places him alongside other Magic legends such as Shaquille O&rsquo;Neal and Tracy McGrady, further solidifying his legacy within the franchise.

Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic's first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, was officially inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

Dwight Howard gets inducted to Orlando Magic Hall of Fame

Former No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker is turning heads after taking some shots at the NBA.
The former phenom recently signed a one-year contract with FC Barcelona and when asked why he decided to join the EuroLeague rather than continue his NBA career, he didn't mince words.
"I just want to be a part of something legitimate. I want to be a part of [a league where] &lsquo;every game matters.' Sadly, the NBA is a business and there are 10-12 teams that try to win every game and the other half try to get a draft pick," Parker told <a href="https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1557757/jabari-parker-longed-to-be-a-part-of-something-legitimate-in-a-new-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EuroHoops</a>. "Where does that leave good players? You either have to be super good or bad to lose games. It&rsquo;s no excuse to see DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard or John Wall, guys who are potentially going into the Hall of Fame&hellip; not have a job.
"We are seeing the league getting watered down, unfortunately. It&rsquo;s a lot of things that are out of our control. EuroLeague and the fans are expecting a lot, and we as players expect a lot from ourselves and we want to compete."
Parker didn't stop there. He also argued that EuroLeague rosters might be better than NBA rosters from top to bottom since there are more veterans.
"Euroleague might have, arguably, some of the better players consistently on a team," Parker <a href="https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1557757/jabari-parker-longed-to-be-a-part-of-something-legitimate-in-a-new-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "In the NBA, you have a lot of counterparts that don&rsquo;t really contribute to a talent, maybe [it's] political, maybe a favor, whatever. Out here, you have to play; you have to be able to be good, you have to have some experience and you see it with teams like us: [Alex] Abrines played with OKC, Jan [Vesely] played in the Wizards, Sato (Tomas Satoransky)&hellip;
"This is not like baseball where you have veterans that stay on a team; there is no minor league. Where is the room for experienced guys and veterans [on NBA rosters]? That arguably says that you do have some better talent [in the EuroLeague], just from the experience. If you have a roster full of guys that have been pro for 10-plus years, how are rookies or two-year guys exceeding them? You see that around Europe, with many other teams, not only ourselves. Real Madrid has some really good guys on their team too."
Parker's last NBA stint came to an end in January of 2022, when he was waived by the Boston Celtics. Rather than continuing to wait on an NBA call, Parker decided to sign abroad instead.
"I knew I wanted to play this season and I didn&rsquo;t want to wait," Parker <a href="https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1557757/jabari-parker-longed-to-be-a-part-of-something-legitimate-in-a-new-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a>. "I didn&rsquo;t want to have to go through the extenuating process of trying to figure out an NBA team that was going to take a chance on me.
"As soon as we had the conversations with [FC Barcelona director] Mario Bruno Fern&aacute;ndez, I got down here. They pretty much gave me an offer that I couldn&rsquo;t refuse. I decided this was the best place for me."
Parker has suited up for six NBA teams: the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Celtics.
Throughout his eight-year NBA career, the 28-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 49.4% from the field, 32.6% from three-point range and 74.3% from the free-throw line.&nbsp;

Former No. 2 pick Jabari Parker didn't mince words when discussing his move to the EuroLeague and how it compares to the NBA.

Jabari Parker: NBA is 'watered down,' less legitimate than EuroLeague

The Orlando Magic have had their fair share of ups and downs in their relatively short history. However, since the franchise was established in 1989, they have provided their fans with some unforgettable seasons. From the early success of Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway to the dominant play of Dwight Howard in the late 2000s, the Magic have had some remarkable teams.
The Magic have had quite a bit of lottery luck, landing the No. 1 pick in 1992 (which allowed them to select O'Neal), 1993 (which allowed them to pick Chris Webber and trade him to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway and three future first-round picks), 2004 (which allowed them to select Howard) and 2022 (which allowed them to draft Paolo Banchero).&nbsp;
The current Magic squad has fans in Orlando excited about the future, with a core of Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz among others. But today, let's look back at the past and examine the five best seasons in franchise history.
5. 2007-08 SEASON RECORD: 52-30 FINISH: LOST IN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
This season, the Magic won 52 games and finished as the third-best team in the Eastern Conference. The team was led by a 22-year-old Dwight Howard, who earned his second All-Star selection while emerging as a two-way force. During the regular season, Howard averaged 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, while shooting 59.9% from the field. He was even more dominant in the playoffs, averaging 18.9 points, 15.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks. Orlando defeated the Toronto Raptors in five games in the first round, but they were ultimately eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in five games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This season laid the groundwork for Orlando's Finals run in 2008-09.
4. 2009-10 SEASON RECORD: 59-23 FINISH: LOST IN CONFERENCE FINALS
Despite coming off of an NBA Finals run, the Magic decided to make some big changes entering this 2009-19 season. Orlando acquired Vince Carter in a blockbuster trade with the New Jersey Nets and added some new role players in Matt Barnes, Jason Williams, Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass. The Magic won 59 games, which was the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Orlando was once again led by Howard, who earned his second-straight Defensive Player of the Year award. The Magic were dominant through the first two rounds of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, sweeping the Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, they faced off against the Boston Celtics and lost in six games. Still, their regular-season success and deep postseason run cannot be overlooked.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/8887.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="384" />
3. 1995-96 SEASON RECORD: 60-22 FINISH: LOST IN CONFERENCE FINALS
The 1995-96 season was another successful year for the Magic. The team finished with a record of 60-22, which was the second-best in the Eastern Conference and is still the franchise record for most wins in a single season. Led by one of the best one-two punches in the league in Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, Orlando went 7-1 through the first two rounds of the 1996 NBA Playoffs, eliminating the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks with ease. But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic ran into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who got their revenge from the previous year by sweeping Orlando.
2. 2008-09 SEASON RECORD: 59-23 FINISH: LOST IN NBA FINALS
This team was ahead of its time, as Stan Van Gundy surrounded Dwight Howard with shooters and made teams pick their poison. The Magic had a terrific core of Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson, plus excellent role players such as Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat. Orlando's run in the 2009 NBA Playoffs was incredible, as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics (led by the Big Three) and Cleveland Cavaliers (led by LeBron James). Until this year, the Magic were the only team to defeat James in a Conference Finals series. In the NBA Finals, the Magic matched up against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, ultimately losing in five games. What if Courtney Lee hits the game-winning layup at the end of Game 2 in the 2009 NBA Finals? That's one of the biggest "what ifs" among Magic fans to this day.
1. 1994-95 SEASON RECORD: 57-25 FINISH: LOST IN NBA FINALS
The 1994-95 season was the most successful season in the Magic's franchise history. Shaquille O'Neal was virtually unstoppable, averaging 29.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 blocks, while shooting 58.3% from the field. Penny Hardaway was excellent as well, averaging an efficient 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 51.2/34.9/76.9 shooting splits. The team won 57 games, which was the best record in the East. Prior to the 1995 NBA Finals, the Magic became the only team to eliminate Michael Jordan in the playoffs during the 1990s, beating Chicago in six games in the Conference Semifinals. Jordan came out of retirement midseason and the Magic spoiled his return. After defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the Conference Finals, the Magic faced off against the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals. Hakeem Olajuwon put up 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game and helped the Rockets sweep the Magic. Still, the Magic's run to the Finals was nothing short of spectacular.
While the Magic have not won an NBA championship, they have had some great seasons and provided their fans with plenty of memorable moments.&nbsp;

From Shaq and Penny to the Dwight Howard era, Basketball News looks back at the five best teams in Orlando Magic history.

Ranking the 5 best seasons in Orlando Magic history

Longtime pro Jordan Crawford opens up to Spencer Davies about his unpleasant NBA experience, his Detroit connection and more.

Ex-NBA pro Jordan Crawford has a story to tell — and a whole lot more

With the Brooklyn Nets&rsquo; win at Miami on Sunday, they have won a franchise record 18 of their last 20 games, which represents the best 20-game stretch at any point in a season in the organization's history.
Kyrie Irving is leading the Eastern Conference guards in All-Star voting, and Kevin Durant is having an MVP-level season, averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
But unfortunately, last night, Durant had to exit the game in the third quarter after Jimmy Butler fell into Durant. On Monday morning, the Nets announced that he was diagnosed with an isolated MCL sprain of the right knee and that he'll be out for at least the next two weeks before being reevaluated. It's devastating news for Nets fans, as the team has been taking the league by storm for the past 20 games.&nbsp;
To discuss Durant's injury, Irving's strong play and more, I sat down with Nets great and Basketball News contributor Kenyon Martin to discuss his former team.&nbsp;
Etan Thomas: The Nets are on a great run. They&rsquo;ve been proving a lot of people who had completely written them off wrong. How do you think they&rsquo;re playing overall right now?&nbsp;
Kenyon Martin: "I think they&rsquo;ve been playing great. Once you get your two stars on the same page in KD and Kyrie &mdash; and they&rsquo;re playing off each other and going to each other when the other one is hot and they&rsquo;re healthy &mdash; they are a tough team to beat. I saw KD went down last night and I&rsquo;m hearing he may be out for a few weeks, which definitely hurts, but he&rsquo;ll bounce back. They&rsquo;ll just have to hold down the fort until he gets back, and when he returns, they&rsquo;ll take off again just like they did when Kyrie returned.
"And Kyrie is playing as free as I&rsquo;ve seen him since he was with Cleveland in the Finals. It's like he&rsquo;s playing with no pressure and nothing holding him back from being one of the top guards in the league. And the team is benefiting from that relief."
Etan: Let me ask you this, because I think Jacque Vaughn has done an excellent job since he&rsquo;s taken over, and I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s being talked about as much as it should be. No knock on Steve Nash because I don&rsquo;t know the ins and outs of why it wasn&rsquo;t working with him, but there is definitely a visible difference. Would you agree?&nbsp;
Kenyon: "Let&rsquo;s be honest, E &mdash; Steve Nash is a hell of a basketball player and had great athletes around him. I&rsquo;ve never thought of Steve Nash as a vocal guy, never thought of him as that kind of a leader. I&rsquo;ve never heard him get after anybody. I&rsquo;ve never heard him put anybody in their place or call anybody out or chastise anyone who needed to be chastised. I just heard of him as a nice guy who is a great pass-first point guard who guys really enjoyed playing with. That&rsquo;s not to say that he couldn&rsquo;t have done a good job coaching; I just think it was a little premature to put him in that position.
"Jacque Vaughn, on the other hand, has proven that he could be a head coach down in Orlando. He just got a bad deal. But he showed that he could do all of the things that a head coach needs to do in order to be successful in this league. He&rsquo;s not afraid to be honest with guys, to call guys out or to challenge guys, but still not turn into the enemy. But (he'll) be like, 'We&rsquo;re in this together, but this is how we have to do things.' He wasn&rsquo;t a two-time NBA MVP, he wasn&rsquo;t an All-Star year-in and year-out, but he commanded a respect from the jump."
Etan: That&rsquo;s very true. One person who has <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-feature-interview-nic-claxton-approach-reaping-rewards-with-surging-brooklyn-nets-kevin-durant-jacque-vaughn-kyrie-irving-royce-oneale-georgia-bulldogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">really stood out this season is Nic Claxton</a>. He won&rsquo;t get the praise that KD and Kyrie get of course, but he has been doing a tremendous job and is really vital to this team.&nbsp;
Kenyon: "I&rsquo;ve been a big fan of his since he got to the Nets. I love the energy he plays with, his effort, his motor, his athleticism, his defense, (he's a) rim protector. And when you have a guy who is surrounded by superstars, understands and embraces his role, and plays it to the best of his ability, the team is going to be successful, and that&rsquo;s what he does night-in and night-out."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
"He&rsquo;s a big piece for us and we need him every night." Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Jacque Vaughn reflect on Nic Claxton's impact on the Nets and his development into an everyday starting center. STORY: <a href="https://t.co/U1odBzLCHT">https://t.co/U1odBzLCHT</a> <a href="https://t.co/v4Meeb8B7V">pic.twitter.com/v4Meeb8B7V</a>
&mdash; Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpinDavies/status/1607867619347931137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote>

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

Etan: I always admit I do have big-man bias, and I know the game has transitioned into a more of a guards game &mdash; more people play small ball &mdash; but I&rsquo;m surprised players like Dwight Howard and (DeMarcus) Boogie Cousins aren&rsquo;t in the league right now. But specifically with the Nets, couldn&rsquo;t they use them? Especially in the playoffs when they have to face Milwaukee or Boston, or Philly with Joel Embiid and Montrezl Harrell off the bench?
Kenyon: "I&rsquo;m a big fan of both of those guys and their entire body of work. The way Boogie has adjusted his game and what people have thought of him over the years, he&rsquo;s channeled the energy that people were saying was negative into his game and on-court passion, tenacity and physicality that every team needs.&nbsp;
"And what Dwight brings to the table is similar to what we were talking about before with Nic Claxton. He knows his role and does it to the best of his ability. Shot-blocker, rebounder, physical play, athletic, rim-protector, and we all know he&rsquo;s strong as hell. Why wouldn&rsquo;t you want someone like that on your team? (Think about) what the Lakers got out of the combination of him and JaVale (McGee) a couple of years ago."
Etan: Uh huh, when they won the championship.&nbsp;
Kenyon: "Yup, I just think more teams should follow that. If you don&rsquo;t have a dominant Joel Embiid or a dominant (Nikola) Jokic, you need to play by committee at that position. And I think what a lot of teams are missing is exactly that. I think either one of them could be that missing piece for a lot of teams. But yes, specifically for the Nets this season."
Etan: I even <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-los-angeles-lakers-anthony-davis-etan-thomas-injury-achilles-recovery-heal-patient-robert-griffin-III-rgIII-frank-vogel-lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote about it</a>. I was surprised, going back to JaVale and Dwight, that the Lakers didn&rsquo;t keep them. I&rsquo;m not a GM, but If it ain&rsquo;t broke and just won you a championship, don&rsquo;t fix it, right?
Kenyon: "Who&rsquo;d they get, Marc Gasol?"
Etan: Yeah, that&rsquo;s who they got.
Kenyon: "Yeah I just have a problem with the league as a whole when you have guys that have proven what they can bring to the table, talking about Dwight and Boogie Cousins. It makes no sense for them not to be on an NBA roster right now."
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Etan: Another player I&rsquo;ve really been impressed with is Royce O'Neale. I don&rsquo;t know if people were expecting him to play as well as he&rsquo;s been playing this season. Was he a pleasant surprise for you or did you foresee that?
Kenyon: "Honestly, I thought it was a little weird of a trade at first because of the position that he plays. But you can never have enough guys that you can count on. I think Royce is a solid pro. He&rsquo;s proven that he can be successful in this league and you can count on him. And here&rsquo;s the thing &mdash; when players are surrounded by greatness and a role is asked of you, it should be easy for you to fill that role. You know what I mean? It shouldn&rsquo;t be a hard thing for professionals to do. People can really find success on good teams by simply doing what&rsquo;s asked of you."
Etan: (Laughing) Doesn&rsquo;t seem like a hard concept.
Kenyon: (Laughing) "Shouldn&rsquo;t be hard at all."
Etan: It&rsquo;s interesting with Kyrie, because really just a few weeks ago &mdash; after the entire fiasco when he shared the documentary "From Hebrews To Negroes," got suspended, had backlash, was assigned six steps to return and everything that transpired after that &mdash; there was this loud uproar among the media and fans on social media proclaiming definitively that the Nets would be better off without Kyrie Irving, and even that he may be out the league soon.
Kenyon: (Laughing) "How crazy is that?"
Etan: It&rsquo;s crazy, but that was the overall sentiment, especially from a lot of the media for a while. So he comes back and they are playing great. They go on a 5-0 winning run and Kyrie is averaging 30, then a 10-0 run, then a 14-1 run. Now, they&rsquo;ve won 18 of 20 games, setting a franchise record. Kyrie&rsquo;s hitting game-winners and shining, and you've seen all of those people just get quiet. None of those people have offered any retraction to their previously loud statements. They just act like they weren&rsquo;t just saying the Nets were better off without him. And I&rsquo;m just like, keep that same energy you had to demonize someone to also praise them when they are doing well.
Kenyon: "But the key word in what you just said is the media. Who cares what the media says? I took all that criticism and uproar and outrage the media had as all performative. They were just putting on a show and jumping on a bandwagon, which many of them get paid to do. I didn&rsquo;t buy into any of that. It&rsquo;s not like he wrote the book or made the doc. He said he didn&rsquo;t agree with all of it and was sharing it for the information. But if those media people who were saying the Nets were better off without Kyrie don&rsquo;t know how special of a player he is &mdash; aside from the documentary and whatever else &mdash; then they don&rsquo;t need to be writing or commenting on anything.
"It&rsquo;s like a fumble in football. Everybody in the media, fans (and) social media started jumping on top of the dog pile, and Kyrie emerged from the bottom of the pile carrying the football and holding it high in the air for everyone to see. The backlash didn&rsquo;t break him. The team still needs Kyrie Irving. They wouldn&rsquo;t be where they are without him. And if anybody thought the Nets didn&rsquo;t need him, they just don&rsquo;t know the game."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Kyrie Irving scored 29 PTS &amp; the Nets have won 18 of their last 20 games! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NetsWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NetsWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/6SobtaV7MI">pic.twitter.com/6SobtaV7MI</a>
&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1612422254607958016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote>

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

Etan: I hear you, but the piling on just bothered me. I was like... y&rsquo;all are making him out to be Hitler himself. He <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dns9B0ypwk0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specifically said</a>, like you mentioned earlier, "I don&rsquo;t agree with everything in this documentary, I&rsquo;m sharing it for the information, I don&rsquo;t hate anyone, I respect all religions." And they wanted to make him Public Enemy No. 1. and the face of antisemitism.
Kenyon: "Yeah, that&rsquo;s exactly what they tried to do, but it didn&rsquo;t work because that&rsquo;s not who he is and (he) has never been that. You can&rsquo;t make someone be something they&rsquo;re not, and that&rsquo;s not who he is."
Etan: But what was really bothering me is that I was seeing a lot of media people who look like me and you literally running to jump on that bandwagon and bashing him the most. That really bothered me.
Kenyon: "One-thousand percent. That bothered me as well seeing that because that&rsquo;s not the way it&rsquo;s supposed to be. And we&rsquo;re talking about Black media who are in high positions."
Etan: Yes, the ones you see if you turn on ESPN or FOX Sports or HBO Sports or the main Black sports journalists. And I don&rsquo;t have to single anyone out in particular because they all were doing that. It was really disappointing to see.
Kenyon: "For them to do that... I know you don&rsquo;t want to call names and I&rsquo;ll respect your platform, but some of them are some high paid."
Etan: Don&rsquo;t even say it.
Kenyon: (Laughing) "I won&rsquo;t say it but you know what I&rsquo;m thinking." (laughing)
Etan: (Laughing) Yes I do.
Kenyon: "And the guy you expected to join the piling on actually took up for Kyrie &mdash; talking about Jason Whitlock."
Etan: Him and Candace Owens did. How crazy is that? It was like we were in the Twilight Zone.
Kenyon: "They usually can&rsquo;t wait to say something negative about a Black athlete, or a Black person or the entire Black community."
Etan: They made an entire career out of it.
Kenyon: "Absolutely, and they are where they are because of that."
Etan: One-hundred percent.
Kenyon: "So yeah, I&rsquo;m with you, it was definitely disappointing to see the piling on from Black media people in particular on the platforms they have and not one guy said something even remotely in this man&rsquo;s corner. They were calling for his career."
Etan: And very loudly too. Jay Williams did say something, so shout out to him.
Kenyon: "Yeah that&rsquo;s right he did, but he was the only one, at least that I saw. But let me say this &mdash; you&rsquo;ve done a great job in providing perspective on this whole topic. I&rsquo;ve been following everything you posted. The interview with your guy from your show (Dave Zirin), you <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-rematch/episodes/basketballnews-com-episode-60-rabbi-harry-rozenberg-on-antisemitism,-kyrie-irving-s-suspension,-nets-6-steps-to-return,-adl,-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sat down with a Rabbi</a>, you had the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-rematch/episodes/basketballnews-com-episode-61-former-nba-players-craig-hodges-and-mahmoud-abdul-rauf-discuss-the-kyrie-irving-backlash,-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convo with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Craig Hodges</a>. Even how you <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-nike-employs-adl-tactics-as-they-officially-drop-kyrie-irving-etan-thomas-torraine-walker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote about Nike after they dropped him</a>.
"That&rsquo;s why what you do is important, for that very reason of what we saw all the other media do with the piling on and one-sided bashing. You actually had discussions about it."
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Etan: Thanks. Well, shout out to Basketball News for giving me the flexibility to cover different aspects of this topic in different ways. Most platforms wouldn&rsquo;t have allowed that. They would&rsquo;ve shut all that down.&nbsp;
Kenyon: "Censorship is crazy. Not even to have a discussion?"
Etan: Sometimes, media platforms want you to follow a script and you have to stick to the talking points. And with this, the script was: Bash Kyrie, label him antisemitic, denounce, condemn and bash some more.&nbsp;
Kenyon: "That&rsquo;s just wrong, but I&rsquo;m happy that Kyrie can put all of that behind him and the team&rsquo;s playing well, and he&rsquo;s rolling and being the Kyrie we all know him to be on the court. And you have to give a shout out to his teammates, who also didn&rsquo;t buy into all of the bashing and the talk of them being better without Kyrie. Because if you saw, they were trying to get them to co-sign that, but none of them did. They didn&rsquo;t say a bad word about Kyrie, and that&rsquo;s also a reason why they are playing so well right now. Because that kind of stuff can ruin the entire chemistry of a team if you let the outside noise seep into the locker room."
Etan: That&rsquo;s a great point. Last question: The Nets are playing really well, clicking on all cylinders and they have a rhythm with each other. They also have so many weapons we didn&rsquo;t even talk about like Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Ben Simmons, Yuta Watanabe and TJ Warren. How well can the Nets do this season?&nbsp;
Kenyon: "I would like to see them go out and get another big because you might have to play Philly. I love Nic Claxton, but dealing with Embiid by yourself for a whole playoff series is a lot to ask. But other than that, they have enough shooting, enough playmakers &mdash; they have a solid shot, they are definitely a contender. (It's about) learning how to win now, and win consistently like they have been doing &mdash; close games, ugly games, games where your main people are off because everything isn&rsquo;t going to be clicking every game. But still finding ways to win consistently, they are really preparing themselves for a very good playoff season."

Etan Thomas speaks with Kenyon Martin about the Nets' surge, Kevin Durant's latest knee injury and Kyrie Irving's recent play.

Kenyon Martin talks Nets, Kevin Durant's injury, Kyrie Irving backlash

DALLAS (AP) &mdash; Luka Doncic followed his 60-point triple-double two nights earlier with 35 points in his NBA-best eighth triple-double of the season, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 129-114 on Thursday night.
Doncic, who recorded the NBA&rsquo;s first game with 60 points and 21 rebounds to go with 10 rebounds on Tuesday against the New York Knicks, had 12 rebounds and 13 assists in 34 minutes as Dallas ran its winning streak to a season-best five games. He clinched the triple-double with his 10th assist with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter, giving him consecutive triple-doubles twice this season.
Christian Wood, acquired from Houston last summer, had 21 points, hitting 5 of 8 3-pointers, and four blocks for the Mavericks, who led by as many as 25 points. Dwight Powell added a season-high 19 points off the bench, hitting all eight of his shots, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18.
&ldquo;I thought this was a great team win,&rdquo; Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t have to rely on Luka.&rdquo;
Doncic has scored an NBA-record 95 points in the consecutive triple-doubles.
Jalen Green scored 23 points, Kevin Porter Jr. 17 and Jabari Smith Jr. 16 for the Rockets, who lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Doncic scored 21 first-half points in 18 minutes thanks to a 35-footer at the buzzer after Dallas inbounded from the baseline with 1.5 seconds left. The Mavs led 65-51.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s always been his passing that has been the thing that has really separated him from everybody else, but now he&rsquo;s adding the scoring to the passing, which makes him just a nightmare to defend and prepare for," said Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who was a Dallas assistant during Doncic&rsquo;s first two seasons.
AIR-RAID OFFENSE
The Mavericks scored a season-high 25 fast-break points.
&ldquo;Normally we have zero. Or two,&rdquo; Kidd said after a handful of Doncic&rsquo;s assists came on long-distance inbound passes from the baseline, beginning with a touchdown-like strike to Davis Bertans late in the first quarter.
&ldquo;For whatever reason, Davis is one of his favorite wide &hellip; tight-ends receivers who tends to outrun the coverage,&rdquo; Kidd said. &ldquo;I think he set the tone for us in a funny way.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Our guards, Luka especially, are looking ahead and trusting that we are going to run under some of those Hail Mary&rsquo;s,&rdquo; Powell said.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
With the Mavericks comfortably ahead late, the American Airlines Center crowd cheered wildly when Houston&rsquo;s Boban Marjanovic, who was in the Wood trade after playing three seasons for Dallas, reported in for the first time. The fans cheered even more when Marjanovic hit a turnaround jumper en route to seven points to match his season high.
Before the game, the popular big man crossed the midcourt line at the scorer&rsquo;s table to throw candy to some Mavericks front office personnel and was playfully pushed back toward Houston&rsquo;s end by Bertans.
SEE YA REAL SOON
The Rockets and Mavericks will meet for the third time in 11 days next Monday at Houston.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Green and Porter combined to hit 5 of 7 behind the arc. The rest of the team was 0 for 10. &hellip; Smith scored 14 in the first quarter, hitting 6 of 7 shots.
Mavericks: The 2021-22 Western Conference finalists are four games above .500 for the first time this season. &hellip; Doncic received his ninth technical foul this season, one of those having been rescinded.
&nbsp;

Luka Doncic had 35 points in his eighth triple-double of the season, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 129-114.

Doncic has another triple-double, Mavs beat Rockets 129-114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) &mdash; Joel Embiid had 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers used a balanced scoring attack to extend their winning streak to six games with a 113-93 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
&ldquo;We like to work together,&rdquo; Embiid said. &ldquo;We think we have a top two, top three defense in the league. Offensively, I think we're finding ways even when we're not making shots up there. We just have come together and everyone is understanding their role.&rdquo;
Tobias Harris had 17 points, despite early foul trouble, and James Harden added 15 points and eight assists for the Sixers. Philadelphia got double-figure scoring from six players, including De'Anthony Melton (12), Georges Niang (11) and Montrezl Harrell (10).
&ldquo;We're just staying focused and locked into the goal, which is stringing together a few wins,&rdquo; Harris said.
The Sixers' six-game winning streak is their longest since a seven-game run from Dec. 26-Jan 10 in the 2021-22 season. Philadelphia has won eight straight games at home after starting the season 5-5 in their own building.
&ldquo;We're playing well, but we have a lot of work to do,&rdquo; Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said.
Detroit was led by Jaden Ivey, who followed up his career-best 30 points on Tuesday night with 16 points. Killian Hayes scored 12 and Saddiq Bey 11 for the Pistons, who have lost seven of their last eight games.
&ldquo;We kept shooting ourselves in the foot and we didn't take good care of the basketball,&rdquo; Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said. &ldquo;Down the stretch, we couldn't cut into it, but we couldn't close it.&rdquo;
Philadelphia overcame some offensive struggles with defensive stinginess. The 76ers forced 22 turnovers and held the Pistons to 32.1% shooting from the floor in the third quarter. That allowed the Sixers to weather an offensive drought and maintain a double-digit lead.
It also allowed Rivers to give some of his starters a much needed breather. Even during this six-game winning streak, most of the Sixers starters have been forced to go deep minutes. Two of the previous five wins in the streak &mdash; against the Lakers and Raptors &mdash; featured overtime games after Philadelphia had held a sizable lead.
Embiid played 34 minutes. Harden totaled 32 minutes. Harris and PJ Tucker (10 rebounds with no points) were on the floor for only 21 minutes.
&ldquo;We want to get to the point where we know we have the game in the fourth quarter,&rdquo; Harris said. &ldquo;We know we're going to play great teams where this is not going to be the case. But as a group, we know the teams we should know to have a lead and maintain a lead to have comfort in the fourth quarter to get guys less minutes.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Pistons: Hayes started for Detroit despite being labeled as a game-time decision with a left knee contusion. ... Detroit has lost nine straight at Wells Fargo Center, dating to March 4, 2017. ... Jalen Duren had his streak of seven straight games with 11 or more rebounds snapped. It was tied with Dwight Howard for the longest in NBA history by a rookie.
76ers: Furkan Korkmaz, who has missed the last two games with a non-COVID illness, returned to the Philadelphia bench and was available Wednesday night, playing late in the contest, when the game was secure. ... There is still no timeline on Tyrese Maxey's possible return. Maxey, the Sixers' No. 3 scorer from the guard position, has missed the last 15 games due to a fracture in his foot.
&nbsp;

Joel Embiid had 22 points and 10 rebounds and the 76ers extended their winning streak to six games with a 113-93 win over the Pistons.

Embiid leads balanced attack, 76ers beat Pistons, 113-93

DETROIT (AP) &mdash; Lauri Markkanen scored 38 points, including a career-high nine 3-pointers, and the Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons 126-111 on Tuesday night.
Jarred Vanderbilt added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz, who outscored Detroit 65-51 in the second half. Utah had at least 30 points in all four quarters.
Jordan Clarkson scored 21 and Malik Beasley led the second unit with 17 points. Utah lost its previous two games by an average of 24.5 points, including a 122-99 defeat Monday in Cleveland.
Jaden Ivey led Detroit with 30 points. Pistons rookie Jalen Duren had 15 points and 14 rebounds. He has at least 11 rebounds in seven straight games, matching Dwight Howard's 1995 mark for the longest streak by a teenager.
Markkanen scored 19 points in the first half while Ivey had 18.
Utah led by one at halftime, then outscored the Pistons 34-25 in the third quarter to take a 95-85 lead into the fourth. Markkanen had nine points in the third, hitting all three 3-point attempts.
He added five more points in the first three minutes of the fourth, helping Utah build a 102-91 lead. The Jazz pulled away throughout the period, leading by as many as 22.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Improved to 3-7 against Eastern Conference teams. ... Markkanen made eight of his first 11 3-point tries.
Pistons: Detroit's starters, who have struggled in recent games, were outscored 94-71 despite Utah emptying its bench at the end of the game.
&nbsp;

Lauri Markkanen scored 38 points, including a career-high nine 3-pointers, and the Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons 126-111.

Markkanen scores 38 to lead Jazz past Pistons 126-111

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; Anthony Edwards had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-106 victory on Monday over the unglued Dallas Mavericks, who lost star Luca Doncic and coach Jason Kidd to successive ejections late in the third quarter.
Naz Reid pitched in 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who kept up their energy from a franchise-record 150-point performance to beat Chicago a night earlier.
&ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t feel like a back-to-back," coach Chris Finch said.
Despite the absence of standout big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns and three key reserves, the Timberwolves were a confident and crisp team on both ends of the court.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the biggest thing, playing for each other,&rdquo; Reid said. &ldquo;Everybody wants to see the next guy happy. That&rsquo;s exactly how it&rsquo;s supposed to be.&rdquo;
Doncic had a season-low 19 points &mdash; 14 below his average &mdash; on 5-for-17 shooting to match his season-worst percentage (29.4). The triple-double machine and league's second-leading scorer was whistled for consecutive technicals after Randy Bullock was called for a foul on Edwards.
Doncic, who played on a strained quadriceps that kept him out of the 100-99 overtime loss at Cleveland on Saturday, looked legitimately confused by the punishment and had to be pointed toward the tunnel to exit the court.
&ldquo;I deserved the first one. I&rsquo;m not going to lie. But for sure not the second one,&rdquo; Doncic said. &ldquo;I was really shocked when I was ejected.&rdquo;
Then Kidd lost it and <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1605032278819758081">received the same fate</a>. He had to be restrained by an assistant as he went after referee Nick Buchert with some animated feedback.
Kidd fulfilled his postgame media obligation, but declined to take questions from reporters.
&ldquo;I already gave up money, so I don&rsquo;t want to give up any more," Kidd said. "They were the better team tonight, and we&rsquo;ll go from there. Thanks for showing up.&rdquo;
Spencer Dinwiddie had 20 points and seven assists, and Christian Wood chipped in 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, who stay in town for a rematch on Wednesday against a Wolves team on a three-game winning streak.
The Mavericks played without four of their top nine scorers: Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness), Josh Green (sprained elbow), Maxi Kleber (torn hamstring) and Dwight Powell (bruised thigh). Then Dorrian Finney-Smith (adductor strain) was injured late in the third quarter.
Wood started next to Doncic for the first time since he arrived in a trade this summer with Houston, but he had trouble guarding Reid in the paint. The Mavericks were outscored 36-14 in the second quarter. Everyone beside Doncic combined to shoot 1 for 10 from 3 in the period.
Back-to-back 3s by Jaden McDaniels and Edwards closed the half for the Timberwolves on a 21-5 run. They built their lead as big as 21 points before the Mavericks really melted down.
The Wolves were down Gobert (sprained ankle) for the third straight game. Kyle Anderson (back spasms) was a new scratch, joining Towns (strained calf) and backups Taurean Prince (shoulder subluxation) and Jordan McLaughlin (strained calf) on longer-term absences.
ANT MARCHING
Edwards has begun to find his spark, coincidentally or not without the big men, on both ends of the court while taking on a more vocal leadership rol.e
&ldquo;They&rsquo;re just trusting in me and believing in me,&rdquo; said Edwards, who went hard to the rim and was rewarded with a 10-for-11 effort from the free-throw line.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the most happy I&rsquo;ve seen him in a while,&rdquo; Reid said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s where it starts."
Reid's 3-point attempt with 1:03 left rolled off the rim. That would've given him a career-high 30 points and awarded Edwards a 10th assist for the triple-double.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Doncic had six rebounds and seven assists in 28 minutes. ... Davis Bertans went 6 for 9 from 3-point range for 18 points off the bench.
Timberwolves: Edwards, who's not yet halfway through his third season, passed Anthony Peeler for third place on the franchise's all-time list for made 3-pointers (466). ...
&nbsp;

Anthony Edwards had 27 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-106 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Edwards leads Timberwolves past flustered Mavericks 116-106

DETROIT (AP) &mdash; Kevin Durant scored a career-high 26 of his 43 points in the third quarter, helping the Brooklyn Nets overcome a 17-point halftime deficit in a 124-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
Kyrie Irving added 38 points in Brooklyn's seventh straight victory over Detroit. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 26 points.
Durant was 8 of 10 from the floor, going 3 of 3 on 3-pointers and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line as he outscored the Pistons 26-25 in the third.
However, his turnover led to a Bogdanovic 3-pointer that cut Brooklyn's lead to 120-119 with 40 seconds left.
Irving missed a 3-pointer at the other end, but Killian Hayes was called for a foul. Pistons coach Dwane Casey unsuccessfully challenged the call, and Irving hit two free throws before missing the third to make it 122-119 with 29 seconds left.
Bogdanovic missed, but Alec Burks hit a layup before fouling Durant, who made both free throws to keep it a three-point game.
Bogadanovic missed again and Durant grabbed the rebound as time expired.
Durant has scored at least 40 points in his last three games against Detroit &mdash; the first player to do that since Rick Barry in 1966-67 &mdash; including an arena-record 51 in Brooklyn's 116-104 win in Detroit on Dec. 21, 2021.
The Pistons led 71-54 at halftime, but Durant's third-quarter run ended with a 3-pointer with three seconds left to give the Nets a 98-96 lead.
With Durant getting a rest, Irving scored eight points in the first 4:20 of the fourth, helping Brooklyn to a 109-104 advantage.
TIP INS
Nets: Durant passed John Havilcek (26,395) and Paul Pierce (26,397) on the NBA scoring list in the first quarter. He is currently at 26,437 &mdash; 61 behind Tim Duncan. ... Durant has scored at least 25 points in his last 12 visits to Detroit, the second-longest streak behind Wilt Chamberlain's 23.
Pistons: Jalen Duren finished with 11 rebounds, his sixth straight game with at least 11, the longest streak by a teenager since Dwight Howard had seven straight for Orlando in 2005.
&nbsp;

Kevin Durant scored 43 points, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 17-point halftime deficit in a 124-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving leads Nets past Pistons, 124-121

Dwight Howard recently made headlines when he signed with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan. The 18-year NBA veteran decided to head overseas rather than continuing to hold out hope for an NBA offer.
Will other NBA veterans follow in Howard's footsteps?
Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas have also received interest from teams in Taiwan, but they have "thus far shown zero interest" in joining the T1 League, according to <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/lebron-youth-basketball-asks-too?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=87058254&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;utm_medium=email" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA insider Marc Stein</a>.
Anthony is determined to play in the NBA this year, as it would be his 20th season in the league. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 37-year-old put up 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 threes, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals in 26.0 minutes per game. Anthony is a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA selection and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He's a lock for the Hall of Fame (with a 98.4% Hall-of-Fame Probability, according to Basketball Reference), and career-averages of 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 threes and 1.0 steal per game.
In recent years, Anthony has shot the ball much better from three-point range, knocking down 37.5% of his three-point attempts last year and 40.9% from deep the year before. Over the offseason, Anthony was working out with his son, Kiyan, at Impact Basketball in Las Vegas.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Carmelo Anthony (<a href="https://twitter.com/carmeloanthony?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carmeloanthony</a>) working out at <a href="https://twitter.com/impactbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@impactbball</a> in Las Vegas: <a href="https://t.co/Rnz8Bam7EO">pic.twitter.com/Rnz8Bam7EO</a>
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1547693404414365702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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

Last season, Cousins became a key contributor for the Denver Nuggets after joining the team in February, averaging 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per contest. He played well during the playoffs too, particularly in Denver's Game 5 loss against the Golden State Warriors when he scored 19 points in 15 minutes (while shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range).
Over the course of Cousins' 12-year NBA career, the four-time All-Star has averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks on .460/.331/.737 shooting splits. The 32-year-old recently <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/free-agent-demarcus-cousins-admits-mistakes-hopes-for-nba-call" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opened up</a> about how misconceptions about him have impacted his free agency.
Last season, Thomas had short stints with the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks before finally sticking with the Charlotte Hornets. In 17 games with the Hornets, Thomas averaged 8.3 points in 12.9 minutes per game, while shooting 43.3% from the field, 39.7% from three-point range and 93.3% from the free-throw line. The 11-year NBA veteran has made two All-Star appearances and an All-NBA team, and he has career-averages of 17.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.9 threes and 0.9 steals per game.

Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas have "thus far shown zero interest" in following Dwight Howard to Taiwan.

Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas won't sign in Taiwan

Dwight Howard has announced that he will be playing overseas in Taiwan for the Taoyuan Leopards.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Dwight Howard announces he&rsquo;s headed overseas to play in Taiwan for the Taoyuan Leopards. <a href="https://t.co/DpikvhnXYm">pic.twitter.com/DpikvhnXYm</a>
&mdash; Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1589805033964834818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2022</a></blockquote>

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

Howard spent the 2021-22 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers where he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 16.2 minutes a night over 60 games played.
Howard is an eight-time All Star, three-time All-NBA selection, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and an NBA champion.
The former No. 1 overall pick's move overseas follows fellow NBA veteran Eric Bledsoe, who signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association just over a week ago.&nbsp;

Dwight Howard has announced his move to Taiwan's Taoyuan Leopards.

Dwight Howard signs with Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan

There are many one-word answers that could be given about the state of the NBA&rsquo;s Western Conference. Loaded, deep, stacked, daunting: They all certainly apply.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch has another word: &ldquo;Brutal,&rdquo; he said.
That one works, too.
The defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors rightly expect to contend again, and there will be no shortage of teams entering this season believing they&rsquo;re good enough to compete for a title as well. The Los Angeles Clippers get Kawhi Leonard back, the Phoenix Suns have won more games than any team in the NBA over the last two regular seasons, the Denver Nuggets have the two-time reigning MVP in Nikola Jokic, the Dallas Mavericks have a presumed future MVP in Luka Doncic, and the Memphis Grizzlies can say the same about Ja Morant.
Oh, and there&rsquo;s LeBron James of Los Angeles Lakers, entering Year 20, somehow still not slowing down and maybe 50 or so games away from catching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring record.
&ldquo;When you put in the work,&rdquo; James said, &ldquo;you see the results.&rdquo;
Lakers first-year coach Darvin Ham knows a great offseason, or a great lineup on paper to start a season, doesn&rsquo;t guarantee anything. He was an assistant coach for the Lakers in 2012-13, when the team entered the year with a lineup of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard.
That group had two Hall of Famers in Nash and Bryant, and two likely future ones in Gasol and Howard. They started seven games together that season &mdash; and went 0-7.
The Lakers went through three coaches that injury-plagued year, won 45 games and got swept in the first round by San Antonio.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of work that goes into it, remaining healthy being at the top of the list,&rdquo; Ham said. &ldquo;And most important, also coming together as a team.&rdquo;
Finch&rsquo;s Timberwolves are another team that made big offseason moves, landing Rudy Gobert from Utah. But even with that acquisition, Finch knows nothing will be easy in the West. He noted the conference has so much quality that even some good teams &mdash; New Orleans was an example he cited &mdash; just aren&rsquo;t getting talked about.
&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s open,&rdquo; Finch said. &ldquo;And I think it&rsquo;s deep. ... There&rsquo;s certainly stratas of teams, but I think there&rsquo;s no clear-cut, dominant team, as there has been. But yeah, it&rsquo;s going to be a brutal one.&rdquo;
A look at the West, in predicted order of regular-season finish:
PLAYOFF BOUND
1. Los Angeles Clippers. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-clippers-nba-sports-basketball-kawhi-leonard-399804492d9323118257a912c784c50e">Leonard</a> should quickly remind the league he&rsquo;s still elite. If Paul George can stay healthy, and if John Wall has anything left &mdash; the Clippers would be smart to watch his minutes &mdash; then this is a team that could win the whole thing.
2. Golden State Warriors. Doubt the champs at your own peril. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-lakers-golden-state-warriors-nba-sports-basketball-4462bbe7e27fa3d91290a8d94641d2a2">The Draymond Green mess</a> is exactly that &mdash; &ldquo;a crisis,&rdquo; coach Steve Kerr called it &mdash; but the Warriors seem like a group that can handle such a situation. Oh, and they have Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. And a super-talented young core.
3. Phoenix Suns. The Game 7 embarrassment at home last season isn&rsquo;t something that will be easily forgotten and it wasn&rsquo;t exactly a smooth offseason amid the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-suns-nba-sports-mercury-basketball-5d41fac4d946eaa106cb8bdfd567c37e">scandal surrounding owner Robert Sarver.</a> Devin Booker is entering his prime, and Chris Paul is running out of opportunities to finally get his championship. Still an enormously talented team.
4. Denver Nuggets. All they have is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-nuggets-nba-sports-jamal-murray-nikola-jokic-d092a1736eaa4f5f986bf6464b636fca">a two-time reigning MVP in Jokic</a>, and the returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. There is a lot to like.
5. Memphis Grizzlies. It may be unrealistic to expect another 56-win regular season, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/memphis-grizzlies-nba-sports-9133154cdb4253d6dfebf0e68279b4c7">but Morant is an MVP-caliber star,</a> and the team has tons of swagger.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-timberwolves-utah-jazz-nba-entertainment-sports-30765f1caacff7e3e99aa0674dee7ffb">Yes, they emptied the safe to acquire Gobert</a>. Pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns gives Minnesota a 1-2 punch like almost none other. And with D&rsquo;Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards continuing to get better, the Wolves should be in the mix.
INTO THE PLAY-IN
7. Dallas Mavericks. Doncic looks to be in better shape, will be an MVP frontrunner and is coming off a great summer at EuroBasket for Slovenia. The Mavs need to find ways to not have Doncic carrying more than his share of the load.
8. Los Angeles Lakers. The biggest mystery in the West and maybe the league. James is on pace to become the scoring king, Anthony Davis can still be a major problem for opponents &mdash; when he&rsquo;s healthy &mdash; and Russell Westbrook is looking to silence critics. But will it work?
9. Sacramento Kings. New coach Mike Brown will install a new culture, the acquisition of Kevin Huerter was super-smart and the Kings are going to score a ton of points. It&rsquo;s going to be hard to take big leaps forward in the loaded West, but the Kings will try.
10. New Orleans Pelicans. They got hot at the right time last year, got playoff experience and now they get Zion Williamson back after he couldn&rsquo;t play last season. Not many teams embrace a coach the way New Orleans embraces Willie Green, either. But, again, the West is just so tough ...
FACING LONG ODDS
11. Portland Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard is going to be a player on a mission this season and the Blazers will be improved over a year ago. But, again, the West is just so tough ...
12. Utah Jazz. Even after trading away Donovan Mitchell and Gobert, there&rsquo;s still talent there. Not enough talent, but coach Will Hardy will have Utah playing defense. That&rsquo;s a certainty.
13. Houston Rockets. We&rsquo;ve now entered the lottery-watch portion of the list. Houston has young talent and a really good coach in Stephen Silas, but a team needs more in the West these days.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder. No Chet Holmgren this season means the Thunder return to the lottery. It&rsquo;s a development year for a team with tons of draft assets.
15. San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich won&rsquo;t add many wins to the NBA all-time record this season, but he&rsquo;ll be teaching the players he has how to win in the future. He&rsquo;ll also be brushing up on French wine, with hopes of having something to talk about with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-basketball-draft-c99e5e378f68d962e5843963e7cb8602">Victor Wembanyama</a> for years to come.
FANDUEL SAYS ...
<a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba">FanDuel Sportsbook</a> lists the Warriors as the pick to come out of the West, by the slimmest of margins over the Clippers with the Suns not far behind.
Denver, Memphis, the Lakers, Dallas, Minnesota and New Orleans are the second tier of FanDuel&rsquo;s West favorites. From there, it&rsquo;s a wide gap to the rest of the West -- Portland, then Sacramento, Utah, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Houston.
STEPH WATCH
Curry, already the leading 3-point shooter, scored 1,630 points last season.
If he does that again this year, he&rsquo;ll have climbed into the top 40 scorers in NBA history.
Curry starts this season 47th on the scoring list with 20,064 points. He needs 831 to pass Pau Gasol for the No. 40 spot, and if he matches his scoring mark from last year, Curry could end the season 37th &mdash; just behind No. 36 Larry Bird (21,791) and just ahead of Hal Greer (21,591).
LEBRON&rsquo;S LIST
James has had a lot of teammates. A whole lot.
Counting players who have gotten into regular-season games during James&rsquo; stints in Cleveland, Miami and with the Lakers, he&rsquo;s up to 226 teammates over his first 19 seasons. That number will rise on opening night, probably into the 230s.
NEW COACHES
There are three new coaches in the West. Ham got his long-awaited chance to coach when he was hired by the Lakers, and Utah's Hardy is making his head coaching debut.
Sacramento&rsquo;s Brown went 347-216 coaching Cleveland and the Lakers, and spent the last six seasons as an assistant in Golden State.
DENVER TO .500?
Denver beat Cleveland on Jan. 12, 1996, and that victory raised the Nuggets&rsquo; all-time record in NBA games to 797-796.
They lost to Portland the next night. They haven&rsquo;t been over .500 as a franchise since.
But that could change this year. The Nuggets enter this season 1,844-1,861, and if they get to 18 games over .500 they&rsquo;ll have a winning all-time record for the first time in about 27 years.
It seems quite possible: The Nuggets have been an average of 20 games over .500 in each of the last four seasons.

There will be no shortage of teams in the West entering this season believing they’re good enough to compete for a title.

NBA's Western Conference is loaded with title hopefuls

In his "Blazing the Trail" series, Mat Issa analyzes how Chris Webber's decision-making unlocked the Kings' revolutionary offense.

Blazing the Trail: Chris Webber, the read-and-react king

In his "Blazing the Trail" series, Mat Issa analyzes Chauncey Billups' dual-threat nature and impact on the next generation of point guards.

Blazing the Trail: Chauncey Billups, the basketball cheat code

In his "Blazing the Trail" series, Mat Issa analyzes Penny Hardaway as a dual threat and how he stood out from other point guards.