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Mavericks

Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves is shaping up to be a defining moment in the series. With the Thunder up 2-1, the stakes are sky-high: a win would give Oklahoma City a commanding 3-1 lead and the chance to close out the series at home in Game 5. A Timberwolves victory, however, would tie the series and tilt momentum squarely in Minnesota&rsquo;s favor heading back to Oklahoma City. For both teams, Game 4 is a must-win, not just to improve their series odds but to psychologically establish control.
The Thunder have already demonstrated their potential dominance, capturing Games 1 and 2 behind strong defensive play and the leadership of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But their 42-point Game 3 loss &ndash; the franchise&rsquo;s worst in playoff history &ndash; shattered that narrative and gave Minnesota a jolt of confidence. Although it did not necessarily expose weaknesses that had been masked in earlier games, the Thunder are back in the drawing board.
Minnesota, meanwhile, needed that Game 3 win not just to stay alive in the series but to prove to themselves that they could crack Oklahoma City&rsquo;s defensive shell. Anthony Edwards&rsquo; explosive performance and a more balanced offensive attack were central to their blowout victory. The Timberwolves now face the challenge of sustaining that energy and focus, particularly in a pressure-filled Game 4 where every possession could shift the series balance.
<h3>The Thunder's adjustments:</h3>
Rekindling energy and intensity
Perhaps the most glaring issue in Game 3 was Oklahoma City&rsquo;s lack of energy from the opening tip. The Thunder were outscored 34-14 in the first quarter, and the deficit ballooned quickly. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted postgame that the team simply didn&rsquo;t match Minnesota&rsquo;s intensity. That kind of mental and physical lapse is especially surprising for a young, energetic team known for playing with urgency.
The Thunder have typically prided themselves on their fast starts and emotional edge, with their crowd feeding off their hustle. To correct this, Daigneault may need to emphasize establishing their pace and transition offense early in Game 4. Perhaps a quick substitution pattern or a motivational shift in pregame preparation could help reignite that spark. If they come out flat again, Minnesota is likely to capitalize with another early run.
It&rsquo;s not just about emotion &ndash; focus matters as well. The Thunder committed costly early turnovers and allowed second-chance points, putting themselves in a hole they could never climb out of. The best adjustment may simply be a mindset shift: play like your back is against the wall, because in a Western Conference Finals, it always is. How Oklahoma City starts Game 4 will set the tone for the rest of the series.
Containing Minnesota's role players
While Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were expected to be focal points, Oklahoma City was undone in Game 3 by Minnesota&rsquo;s role players. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 15 points, including aggressive attacks to the rim and timely threes; while others like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker provided scoring bursts and defensive energy. The Thunder defense, which was so stifling in Games 1 and 2, was repeatedly caught off guard by Minnesota&rsquo;s bench guys.
This speaks to a deeper issue: defensive rotations and scouting. The Thunder&rsquo;s game plan had revolved around containing stars, but it left openings for corner threes and off-ball cuts that the Wolves&rsquo; bench exploited. Oklahoma City needs to tighten its weak side help defense and better communicate on switches. Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace will be vital in applying consistent pressure without over-helping.
One way to limit role players is to reduce their rhythm opportunities. That means rebounding better to end possessions, pushing the pace to limit halfcourt sets, and closing out with discipline. If OKC can neutralize Minnesota&rsquo;s bench and force Edwards and Randle to shoulder a heavier load, it could wear down the Wolves&rsquo; stars by the fourth quarter, a strategy that worked in Game 1 and 2.
Improving perimeter shooting
Oklahoma City&rsquo;s offense lives and dies by its ability to stretch the floor. In Game 3, they shot just 31.8% from beyond the arc &ndash; a drastic drop from their efficiency in Games 1 and 2. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe struggled to find clean looks, and the Wolves' perimeter defense closed out effectively. Without reliable spacing, Gilgeous-Alexander found it harder to penetrate and create.
Part of the problem was the Thunder&rsquo;s shot selection. Forced into late-clock attempts and contested threes, the ball movement that had fueled earlier wins stagnated. To fix this, OKC needs to reestablish its rhythm offense &ndash; using drives to kick out for open looks, and involving secondary playmakers and other bench guys like Aaron Wiggins to diversify the attack.
Hitting threes doesn&rsquo;t just boost the scoreboard &ndash; it changes the geometry of the court. If the Thunder regain their shooting stroke, it will pull Minnesota&rsquo;s defenders out of the paint and re-open driving lanes for SGA and Williams. A return to form from deep could be the single biggest factor in tilting Game 4 in Oklahoma City&rsquo;s favor.
<h3>The Wolves&rsquo; strategies:</h3>
Sustaining Anthony Edwards' Momentum
Anthony Edwards looked every bit the franchise superstar in Game 3, tallying 30 points in 30 minutes and setting the tone from the jump. His ability to attack in transition, create off the dribble, and knock down tough perimeter shots overwhelmed a Thunder defense that had kept him in check in some ways. But maintaining that level is the challenge.
Edwards has shown a tendency in past series to oscillate between brilliance and passivity. Minnesota needs him to be aggressive from the start of Game 4, particularly if OKC makes early adjustments to double or trap him. His decision-making, when to attack and when to pass, will dictate how the Thunder rotate defensively and could open up looks for teammates.
The other piece is Edwards&rsquo; defense. He played with renewed intensity in Game 3, helping disrupt OKC&rsquo;s ball movement and forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets. If he can continue to influence the game on both ends, he&rsquo;ll force Daigneault into tough matchup decisions. For the Timberwolves to even the series, they need their superstar to be the best player on the floor.
Consistency from Randle and McDaniels
Julius Randle gave Minnesota a much-needed offensive anchor in Game 3, finishing with 24 points and providing a physical counter to Chet Holmgren inside. His post-ups, face-up jumpers, and second-chance finishes is a powerful layer to the Wolves&rsquo; attack. It was a bounce back game after Randle&rsquo;s abysmal Game 2 performance, and consistency remains the key as we go deeper into the series.
Randle needs to continue exploiting mismatches &ndash; especially when the Thunder switch or play smaller lineups. If he can draw fouls and get to the line, it slows the pace and allows Minnesota to control tempo. Moreover, his ability to make quick reads as a passer will be crucial if OKC sends double-teams or crowds the paint.
McDaniels, meanwhile, doesn&rsquo;t need to score 20 points to be effective, but his timely threes and cutting lanes open up the floor. His primary value has come on defense, particularly in his effort to contain Gilgeous-Alexander. If he can provide his usual 10-12, 15 points while locking down one of OKC&rsquo;s stars, he becomes an x-factor that Oklahoma City has to account for every minute he&rsquo;s on the floor.
Bench production
The unsung hero in Minnesota&rsquo;s Game 3 romp was the bench unit. Terrence Shannon Jr. gave the Wolves a jolt with his confident scoring, while veteran Mike Conley played with the bench and helped steady the second unit. That depth allowed head coach Chris Finch to rest his starters earlier, preserving legs for what promises to be a grueling Game 4.
The Timberwolves&rsquo; bench not only scored, but also brought energy and defensive intensity. They helped build on the lead rather than merely maintain it&mdash;a luxury most teams don&rsquo;t have this deep into the playoffs. If players like Shannon, Reid, DiVincenzo, and Alexander-Walker continue producing, Minnesota can survive short lulls from their stars without losing ground.
What&rsquo;s more, the Wolves&rsquo; bench success forces OKC to go deeper into its rotation, potentially exposing weaknesses. The ability to trust non-starters with meaningful minutes is often the difference between a championship and a playoff exit. Minnesota&rsquo;s bench has a chance to turn this series around if they replicate their Game 3 performance.
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
Game 4 will test both teams' resolve, adaptability, and poise under pressure. The Thunder are eager to erase the sting of a 40-point loss and reestablish dominance. The Timberwolves are riding high but know they can&rsquo;t afford a letdown. Whoever best applies these adjustments and wins the intangible battles &ndash; energy, focus, composure &ndash; will walk off the court with the series edge and momentum heading into Game 5.

Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals is pivotal as the Thunder and the Wolves battle for control.

2025 NBA Playoffs: Key adjustments as Thunder, Timberwolves aim to take control

A huge confidence booster for the Cavs as they take care of business in the first round, and the real fight that begins now
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn&rsquo;t just win their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat &ndash; they obliterated them. With a dominant four-game sweep that featured historic blowouts, overwhelming defense, and total control from tip to buzzer, the Cavaliers emphatically showed that the version of themselves they teased throughout the regular season wasn&rsquo;t a mirage. It was a warning shot &ndash; and it just became deafeningly real.
Their 55-point Game 4 win &ndash; a 118-63 dismantling &ndash; capped off a sweep that ended with a record-setting +122 point differential, the most lopsided series margin in NBA playoff history. This was not just about moving on to the next round; it was about announcing themselves as a legitimate championship contender.
Cleveland&rsquo;s 55-point win in Game 4 is now the fourth-largest blowout in NBA postseason history, trailing only a pair of 58-point wins (Minneapolis Lakers over the St. Louis Hawks in 1956 and Denver Nuggets over the New Orleans Hornets in 2009), and a 56-point Lakers victory over Golden State in 1973.
But it wasn&rsquo;t just one game. Over the course of the four-game sweep, Cleveland posted wins of 26, 31, 10, and finally 55 points &ndash; a combined margin of 122 &ndash; obliterating the previous record for point differential in a four-game sweep. The Cavaliers did not merely win &ndash; they dominated wire-to-wire in every game, showcasing what their ceiling looks like when everything is firing.
Game 4 alone was a demolition. Cleveland led 72-33 at halftime, a 39-point margin that now ranks as the third-largest halftime lead in playoff history. The only ones greater? Cleveland themselves, when they led Boston by 41 at the break in the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, and Detroit&rsquo;s 40-point halftime lead over Washington in 1987.
Even zooming out, this series was a statistical masterclass from the Cavaliers. According to NBA Advanced Stats:
-Cleveland posted a Net Rating of +30.1 across the series, a figure that dwarfs any other playoff team this postseason.
-They held the Heat to just 84.5 points per game, nearly 20 points below Miami&rsquo;s season average.
-The Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the field and 40.1% from three, compared to Miami&rsquo;s 38.9% and 29.3%, respectively.
-Cleveland averaged 27.0 assists per game to Miami&rsquo;s 17.8, displaying a level of ball movement and offensive flow that few teams have matched this postseason.
Business has been handled. So now the real fight begins.
All year long, Cleveland&rsquo;s potential was obvious. With a core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, surrounded by improved role play from Max Strus, Ty Jerome, and DeAndre Hunter, the Cavaliers have all the tools to go all the way.
But questions remained about how their success would translate into the playoffs. Last year&rsquo;s second-round exit to the Boston Celtics was still fresh. The physicality, half-court execution, and decision-making under pressure were areas they needed to grow in.
This series, they answered that challenge &ndash; and then some.
Donovan Mitchell was at the center of it all. More than the numbers, he set the tone early in each game &ndash; attacking mismatches, creating for teammates, and leading vocally. His postseason experience was a stabilizing force for a group that needed to put its demons behind it.
Mobley and Allen were defensively dominant, forming a wall inside the paint that Miami couldn&rsquo;t break. Mobley, in particular, showcased improved patience and poise, while switching onto smaller guards without giving up ground.
Garland&rsquo;s playmaking improved each game. Strus, Jerome, and Hunter gave consistent scoring off the bench. And head coach Kenny Atkinson seemed to push every right button with rotations, defensive matchups, and timely adjustments.
The sweep wasn&rsquo;t just a win. It was the Cavaliers taking care of business, as a great team should, against a depleted Heat squad that sorely missed superstar Jimmy Butler. The focus, intensity, and killer instinct on display showed a team that has grown from its failures and is ready to embrace the expectations that come with being a serious contender.
After a sweep of this magnitude, the conversation shifts. No longer is Cleveland simply a &ldquo;dangerous dark horse.&rdquo; This team should now be mentioned in the same breath as Boston as a favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference, especially with their defense and depth clicking at the right time.
It&rsquo;s not just about who they beat, but how they did it. Their suffocating defense held Miami under 90 points in three of four games. Their offense was fluid, unselfish, and versatile. And their stars stepped up, consistently.
The next round will bring a tougher opponent in the Indiana Pacers, one with more firepower and fewer injuries. But if this version of the Cavaliers shows up &ndash; the one that plays with precision, aggression, and unshakable confidence &ndash; then the rest of the league needs to take notice.
Because what Cleveland just did wasn&rsquo;t an outlier, it was a warning. The real fight begins now. And the Cavaliers look ready for war.

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just win their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat – they obliterated them.

Cleveland’s statement sweep of Miami cements title aspirations

Arizona and Virginia rightfully lay claim to proud college basketball traditions, whether you&rsquo;re talking about the Wildcats winning the national championship in 1997, the Cavaliers doing it 22 years later or the many stars the programs have sent to the NBA and overseas.
They also have developing reputations for NCAA Tournament&nbsp;disappointments.
The&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/princeton-stuns-arizona-5955-in-march-madness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stunning loss by second-seeded Arizona</a>&nbsp;to No. 15 seed Princeton on Thursday, and&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/pegues-three-gives-no-13-seed-furman-6867-win-over-virginia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fourth-seeded Virginia&rsquo;s collapse</a>&nbsp;in the closing seconds against Furman, were merely the latest examples of their humiliating March heartbreaks.
The Wildcats have been bounced by teams seeded worse than them in five consecutive NCAA tourney trips, while the Cavaliers were bumped by a No. 13 seed for the second straight year and&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-tournament-umbc-no-1-seeds-march-madness-df6c353dc4ff76ec99278efd69a8b454" target="_blank" rel="noopener">five years to the day since becoming the only No. 1 seed to lose to a 16-seed.</a>
&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t take away from what these guys have done and what we&rsquo;ve experienced over the years, but you wanted it when you felt like you had it, and that was a tough one,&rdquo; Cavs coach Tony Bennett acknowledged after the 68-67 loss to the Paladins, who essentially won by cashing in a turnover with a deep 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left on the clock.
Bennett knows as well as anyone that agonizing notoriety is easy to earn and brutally difficult to overcome.
Doesn&rsquo;t matter that the names and faces change from year to year.
The Cavaliers were Final Four favorites when they arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/umbcs-legacy-no-1-can-mean-oneanddone-in-march-madness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first-round game against UMBC in 2018</a>. Forty painful minutes later, they were saddled with&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/umbcs-legacy-no-1-can-mean-oneanddone-in-march-madness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lopsided 74-54 loss</a>&nbsp;and the ignominity of becoming the first men&rsquo;s team &mdash; after 135 wins by a No. 1 seed &mdash; to lose to one of the four lowest-seeded teams in the tournament.
Most hoops fans remember the upset vividly, perhaps more than the national title the Cavs won a year later.
&ldquo;I would just say everybody at this level is good,&rdquo; Virginia guard Isaac McKneely offered by way of explanation. &ldquo;I know there&rsquo;s the seeding and all that, but everybody can beat everybody, as obviously you&rsquo;ve seen.&rdquo;
If misery loves company, the Wildcats can relate.
Since losing in the regional final to Wisconsin in 2015, Arizona has been knocked out of the opening round three times despite being seeded sixth or better each time &mdash; the first two with Sean Miller on the sideline and the most recent, a 59-55 defeat on Thursday in which No. 15 seed Princeton scored the final nine points, with Tommy Lloyd running the show.
The run of disappointments began with a loss to No. 11 seed Wichita State in 2016. It continued against No. 11 seed Xavier in a regional semifinal the next year. The fourth-seeded Wildcats lost to No. 13 seed Buffalo in 2018 and, as a trendy title pick as a No. 1 seed last year, fell to fifth-seeded Houston in another regional semifinal.
Just how easy can the stink of an upset loss settle on even the bluest of bluebloods?&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-bracket-kansas-alabama-12476411b0da681b21df9281a8332196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Just ask Kansas.</a>
Two years after playing for the 2003 national championship, the Jayhawks were dumped by No. 14 seed Bucknell and No. 13 seed Bradley in consecutive years. Their still-new coach, Bill Self, came to rue the &ldquo;Killer B&rsquo;s,&rdquo; and not even a run to the Elite Eight could shake the questions about whether he could get it done in Lawrence.
He could, of course. The Jayhawks won the 2008 title and are&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-north-carolina-tar-heels-mens-basketball-kansas-jayhawks-mens-basketball-sports-kansas-40ab6459e3d3ee23ad12c649db44f78e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the defending national champions</a>.
Winning a national title is about the only thing missing from the resume of Gonzaga coach Mark Few, but it might take one for the Bulldogs to shake an uneasy March reputation for underachievement. They have been a No. 1 seed on five occassions, and twice reached the title game, but have become known as much for their losses as their wins.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been in enough of those 1-16 games and you&rsquo;re like, &lsquo;Holy smokes,&rsquo;&rdquo; said Few, whose team plays Grand Canyon on Friday night. &ldquo;Last year, I walked out for the tip and Georgia State, I think they were bigger than us at dang-near every position. And I&rsquo;m like, &lsquo;This is a 16-seed?&rsquo; I think that&rsquo;s kind of where we are right now.&rdquo;
Plenty of schools have positive reputations come March.
Princeton has been known as a giant killer ever since its backdoor-cutting, first-round upset of UCLA&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/sacramento-kings-nba-sports-march-madness-mens-e32cb5ff7350f08c976ccc96f0a78dca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">under Pete Carril</a>&nbsp;in 1996, when current coach Mitch Henderson was playing for the Tigers. And while they beat UNLV as a No. 5 seed two years later, the Tigers had failed to reach the second round for another 25 years &mdash; until Thursday&rsquo;s win over Arizona.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s going to be some comparisons from some of you, I&rsquo;m sure, to Coach Carril. I want to be really clear that this group did this,&rdquo; Henderson said. &ldquo;That was a really long time ago. This group did something special for its university, for the fans, for the former players and for one another. Very similar way that you see in the tournament, they just came together and did it.&rdquo;

Arizona and Virginia were eliminated by underdogs on Thursday, the latest examples of their humiliating March Madness heartbreaks.

Arizona, Virginia add to reputations for March sadness

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) &mdash; After five agonizing years, Louisville finally gets to look forward.
An independent panel placed the Cardinals&rsquo; basketball program on two years of probation and fined it $5,000, but spared the school major penalties from NCAA allegations leveled in the aftermath of a federal investigation into corruption in college basketball.
The Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) also declined on Thursday to penalize former Cardinals coach Rick Pitino, whom the NCAA initially cited for failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. Chris Mack, Pitino&rsquo;s successor who was fired in January, also was not penalized for additional allegations announced last year by the NCAA.
&ldquo;The panel views this decision as exonerating both coaches,&rdquo; IARP chief panel member David Benck said in a conference call with reporters.
Pitino, now the coach at Iona, thanked the IARP for its fairness and reiterated his adherence to the rules.
&ldquo;So, do I feel vindicated? It&rsquo;s not really that important anymore because it&rsquo;s been five years,&rdquo; Pitino said in a conference call.
Former Cardinals assistant coach Jordan Fair and associate head coach Kenny Johnson, now a Rhode Island assistant, received two-year show-cause orders for Level I violations. The IARP concluded that Fair &ldquo;was knowingly involved&rdquo; in arranging a cash payment in exchange for a player enrolling at Louisville.
The IARP, created to decide complex cases, also restricted Louisville&rsquo;s recruiting visits for this academic year and issued a public reprimand.
&ldquo;We were hopeful of a successful outcome through this process, and that&rsquo;s what we received,&rdquo; Cardinals athletic director Josh Heird said in a news conference with Louisville&rsquo;s acting president, Lori Gonzalez.
The IARP was created out of proposals from a commission led by former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2018 to reform college basketball. The panel&rsquo;s decision cannot be appealed.
The NCAA in May 2020 accused Louisville of committing a Level I violation for an improper recruiting offer and several Level II violations. Pitino was accused of failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance &mdash; an accusation the IARP concluded was unfounded.
The NCAA case followed a federal investigation announced in September 2017 that involved numerous college basketball programs accused of giving illicit cash to recruits. The school acknowledged it was the subject of allegations related to the recruitment of Brian Bowen II.
Louisville had previously been placed on NCAA probation because of a sex scandal. Thursday&rsquo;s decision by the IARP put the latest disciplinary matter to rest for a school that has endured several scandals since 2015.
&ldquo;The panel felt that the institution and the coach were hypersensitive on compliance issues coming right on the heels of the prior case,&rdquo; Benck said.
The IARP also recently announced minor sanctions against Memphis in a similar case, signaling that the era of harsh NCAA penalties may be coming to an end with college athletes now allowed to make money off their name, image and likeness. Kansas is still under investigation by the IARP as a result of the federal probe, and this week it self-imposed a four-game suspension on coach Bill Self while reiterating the program&rsquo;s commitment to the Hall of Famer.
In the Louisville case, federal prosecutors alleged that Adidas representatives funneled $125,000 to a recruit&rsquo;s family to get him to attend the school. Pitino was not named in the federal complaint and repeatedly denied authorizing or knowing of any payment to a recruit.
Benck also rejected NCAA allegations that Adidas, as Louisville&rsquo;s sportswear partner, was acting on behalf of the school&rsquo;s athletic interests.
&ldquo;It was our interpretation that it was merely their own brand promotion,&rdquo; Benck said. &ldquo;On top of that, the institution never requested any assistance with recruiting in our opinion, had no knowledge of any assistance that the apparel company provided.&rdquo;
The Hall of Fame coach and athletic director Tom Jurich were fired in the wake of the federal complaint. That episode occurred with Louisville on NCAA probation after a 2015 sex scandal in which a basketball staffer was alleged to have hired strippers to entertain recruits and players.
Louisville&rsquo;s sanctions from that scandal included vacating 123 victories, including its 2013 men&rsquo;s basketball championship and 2012 Final Four appearance &mdash; both under Pitino.
College sports&rsquo; governing body amended its Notice of Allegations in September 2021 for violations committed under Mack during the 2020-21 season. The NCAA accused the program of impermissible activities and said Mack did not promote an atmosphere of compliance.
Mack was fired in January after three-plus seasons and eventually replaced by former Cardinals player and Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne. Mack&rsquo;s final season began with a six-game suspension by the school for failing to follow university guidelines in handling an extortion attempt by fired ex-assistant Dino Gaudio.
University officials pushed back against the accusations and noted coaching and administrative changes among their corrective measures.
The IARP&rsquo;s decision closes a long period in which Louisville has been stifled competitively, administratively and financially. The Cardinals&rsquo; lone NCAA Tournament appearance since Pitino&rsquo;s departure came in 2019, and the revolving door of coaches has limited Louisville on the recruiting trail.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s finally over,&rdquo; Heird said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s been a cloud over this program for five years now, whether it&rsquo;s recruiting or just the fans feeling the impact of it, the staff, the athletic staff, the university staff. For all of that to just be lifted today. ... It&rsquo;s relief.&rdquo;

An independent panel placed the Louisville basketball program on two years of probation and fined it $5,000.

Louisville escapes major sanctions in hoops bribery case

The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award recognizes the importance of a key player who contributes like a starter despite coming off the bench. Over the last decade, with only one exception (Lou Williams in 2018), nine of the 10 award-winners were a part of a playoff team.
It's fair to say that the Sixth Man of the Year must contribute to a high level of winning.
There is another commonality between the winners of the award over the last 10 seasons: All but one of them have been high-volume guards &mdash; Tyler Herro, Jordan Clarkson, Williams (3x), Jamal Crawford (2x), Eric Gordon and JR Smith (with the one anamoly being Montrezl Harrell.)
Zooming out more, over the last 20 seasons, 17 of the winners were listed as a "shooting guard." Harrell, Lamar Odom and Antawn Jamison were the other three award-winners in that span.
Each of these guards had one job when they came into the game: Get buckets. Every award-winner averaged at least 14 points per game on 40% from the field or better, and 70% of the winners scored more than 18 points per contest. This is often good enough for a top-three scoring season on an individual's team, thus highlighting the important impact they have off the bench.&nbsp;
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But what is the Sixth Man of the Year award really&nbsp;about? Is it about a player's total impact off the bench? Is it the contribution to winning? Or is it merely the ability to score a lot of points while not being in the starting lineup?
The only legitimate qualification for the award is playing with the second unit more than being in the actual starting five. In 2016-17, while Gordon only started 15 games, he was third on the team in minutes played. Herro was also third in minutes for the Miami Heat this past season.&nbsp;
Volume. Volume. Volume.
However, the Sixth Man of the Year award should look beyond the volume scorers by default and focus on those bench players who have a high-level impact on winning teams.
Take, for instance, Tyus Jones. The Memphis Grizzlies finished with the second-best record in the NBA last season (56-26). Yes, Memphis has a budding superstar in Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies are not where they are today without Jones.
Jones led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (7.04) by almost 2 assists over the next closest player &mdash; his brother, San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (5.07). Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has been able to entrust his offense to Tyus with the second unit to the point where Memphis finished with the second-highest scoring average in the NBA last season at 115.6 points per game.&nbsp;
Last season's Sixth Man award-winner was Herro, who had a net rating of plus-5.3. While net rating is more of a team stat, it does indicate that his team was better by more than 5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. In comparison, the Grizzlies were 7.6 points per 100 possessions better than their opponent when Jones was on the floor.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Taylor Jenkins on how Tyus Jones&rsquo; aggression and confidence scoring the ball enhances the team&rsquo;s offense &mdash; his playmaking, his teammates, productivity <a href="https://t.co/CdGw6gXWRe">pic.twitter.com/CdGw6gXWRe</a>
&mdash; Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) <a href="https://twitter.com/sbnGrizzlies/status/1456033306257002504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote>

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

&ldquo;He&rsquo;s just a great connector out there. I love the spirit [and] leadership he plays with, the way he moves the ball,&rdquo; Jenkins said after the playoff-opening loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. &ldquo;Obviously when he&rsquo;s played a bigger role, he&rsquo;s filled those shoes brilliantly. He plays so well, plays great team basketball.&rdquo;
The Grizzlies were also 17-6 in the games in which Jones had to step in, replacing an All-NBA player in Morant due to injury. Herro only started 10 games in Miami last season, and the Heat were 5-5 in those contests. Further, Herro was playing a less crucial position than Jones and replacing a less depended-upon player.
In those 23 contests in which Jones started, he averaged 12.7 points and 6.6 assists per game. Memphis had an improved Offensive Rating and Defensive Rating compared to his time off the bench, good for plus-14.1 per 100 possessions with Tyus starting. In Herro's 10 starts, his scoring average decreased slightly. (His assists did bump to 4.4 helpers a night, though.)
However, in essence, when Jones was called upon to start, he elevated his play with his increased minutes. Herro's starts were essentially on par with his production off the bench, and Miami saw a significant decrease in both ORTG and DRTG with him as a starter; now, this is partly due to who may have been absent from the lineup. Nonetheless, Herro's impact fell well short of Jones when you look beyond pure scoring.&nbsp;
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A prime example of the "impact winning" argument comes from the Utah Jazz in 2020-21, in which both Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles were up for Sixth Man of the Year. (One of them clearly had to be the seventh man, right?)
Clarkson was top-three in just two categories for the Jazz, points per game and steals per game; meanwhile, Ingles was top-three in assists, Offensive Rating, three-point percentage, Offensive Plus-Minus and Win Shares. So while Clarkson outscored Ingles by an average of 6 points per game, it certainly seems that Ingles had a bigger impact on winning each game.&nbsp;
The NBA is full of nuance. The MVP has always been a nuanced conversation, where statistics and impact beyond basic scoring are weighed and valued. The MVP off the bench should also be deeper than just being a "bucket-getter."
Guys like Joe Ingles in 2020 and Tyus Jones over the last couple of years are an example of some of the most important players off the bench in the entire Association, and it could lead the latter to some golden hardware this season.

Justin Lewis analyzes how Tyus Jones' importance to the Grizzlies' success could lead to him winning the Sixth Man award.

Why Tyus Jones has a case for 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man award with Grizzlies

In his "Blazing the Trail" series, Mat Issa analyzes the offensive splendor of Dirk Nowitzki and the dramatic evolution of his career.

Blazing the Trail: Dirk Nowitzki, the unicorn that became world champion

Sometimes it seems like the media are playing the jealous ex-girlfriend because they can no longer get the attention from the players, so they just start saying crazy, wild stuff.
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Baron Davis told me this while discussing the state of too many members of the current media.
Personal attacks have become commonplace. Now a part of everyday "journalism," there are desperate attempts to elicit a response from an athlete by continuously making them the focal point of their commentary, reporting, articles and hot takes.
Very few exemplify this more than FOX Sports 1 television personality Skip Bayless.&nbsp;
Throughout the course of LeBron James&rsquo; career &mdash; appearing to be oddly obsessed with him &mdash; Skip has unleashed countless attacks. In fact, he has made an entire career off of LeBron criticism. It&rsquo;s been Skip's shtick for over a decade, and he has been well compensated for it in past by ESPN and, now, FOX.
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But what&rsquo;s more impressive is that &mdash; throughout the countless onslaught of daily venom thrown in his direction by Skip &mdash; LeBron has never once responded to him, never lashed out or attempted to defend his honor or name. After over a decade of desperate, failed pleas for attention from someone, one would think that, eventually, the person would move on.
Not Skip, though, who appears to have a Steve Urkel-level of resiliency, as he refuses to give up his quest for acknowledgment. So now, in an even more feeble and self-disgracing attempt, he has turned to LeBron&rsquo;s teenage son, Bronny James.
Monday night, Bronny went viral for an amazing play that elicited praise from all corners of the sports world.
In a game against the U18 French Select Team, Bronny dribbled the length of the floor, completed an impressive in-and-out with his left hand on the left side of the floor and attacked the basket. He took the ball through contact and dunked it with his right hand, bringing the entire crowd to its feet, which drew praise from every corner of social media.
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However, never missing an opportunity to criticize any and everything LeBron, Skip took this opportunity to focus his attention on Bronny for not using his left hand to dunk instead of using his right hand.&nbsp;
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Hey, Bronny ... impressive. But your dad would've dunked it left-handed. You sure got away with it, though.
&mdash; Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1559343694058102785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The NBA and basketball world swiftly blasted Skip for going after LeBron&rsquo;s son:
<ul>
<li>Kendrick Perkins</li>
</ul>
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Somebody go make you smell their cologne! You can&rsquo;t be playing with people children. Real Talk! <a href="https://t.co/zKX8qzuhI4">https://t.co/zKX8qzuhI4</a>
&mdash; Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/KendrickPerkins/status/1559361025064960001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Jared Sullinger</li>
</ul>
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Now you Attacking kids. You are truly corny. <a href="https://t.co/GfqAgqVyv3">https://t.co/GfqAgqVyv3</a>
&mdash; Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jared_Sully0/status/1559349521297055747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Lou Williams&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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Kids a hard red line. <a href="https://t.co/QCq0AkdOg6">https://t.co/QCq0AkdOg6</a>
&mdash; Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamLou23/status/1559352686973255682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
Twitter wasn't enough for Jalen Rose, who went on TV to deliver a strong message to Skip.
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Let&rsquo;s cover HS athletes responsibly especially if you played JV as a Junior averaging 1.4ppg. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WaterPistolPeteJr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WaterPistolPeteJr</a> <a href="https://t.co/DfcOMALCly">pic.twitter.com/DfcOMALCly</a>
&mdash; Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) <a href="https://twitter.com/JalenRose/status/1559930655714189320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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On the following Tuesday morning, Skip <a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/skip-bayless-reaction-lebron-bronny-james.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had his rebuttal on "Undisputed.</a>" He was confused as to why there was so much backlash to his tweet.
&ldquo;It shocked me last night when my tweet exploded,&rdquo; Bayless said. &ldquo;Because I wasn&rsquo;t criticizing Bronny, I was merely commenting on a young man who is going to be a focal point for this show and everybody else from this point forward.&rdquo;
In reality, this is quite disingenuous. Skip knows exactly what he is doing.
He throws out the bait, which comes in the form of a LeBron-related criticism to cause some type of a stir and places Skip at the center of the topic, and then, makes that the focal point of "Undisputed" in an attempt to drive ratings. Again, this has been his shtick for many years, and has proven to be quite beneficial for him. Just look at his salary. &nbsp;
Skip Bayless is paid an absurd amount of money to do what he does. It&rsquo;s not just that he has a weird infatuation with LeBron, or that Lebron simply lives rent-free in his mind. But he is also being compensated what equates to a professional athlete&rsquo;s salary to do exactly what he is doing. In March 2021, Skip signed a $32 million deal over four years to stay with FOX, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjxlcuMjc75AhVsM1kFHR6EB84QFnoECCcQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.in%2Fsports%2Fnews%2Ffox-sports-reportedly-gave-skip-bayless-a-32-million-contract-to-keep-him-from-going-back-to-espn%2Farticleshow%2F81340406.cms&amp;usg=AOvVaw3PYnAtRIgcMBS2HaWmZ1Kp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to reports</a>. So yes, Skip has built an entire career off of criticizing athletes &mdash; LeBron in particular.
He claims to be completely unaware of how he is viewed, and has proclaimed that he doesn&rsquo;t see himself as one of the main contrarians of the sports world.
&ldquo;I have often been called a contrarian,&rdquo; Bayless <a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/podcasts/skip-bayless-despises-contrarian.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said on the June 2 episode</a> of The Skip Bayless Show. &ldquo;And I deeply despise the term 'contrarian.' To me, a contrarian is someone who delights in taking the opposite view of a popular belief or conventional thinking, just because that person enjoys attracting attention to himself, or herself. Yet that person, that contrarian, often doesn&rsquo;t often truly believe what he or she is saying. So to me, a contrarian goes against the grain just to go against the grain.&rdquo;
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Skip, let&rsquo;s be honest &mdash; that is exactly who you are.
You have made a career of contrarian commentary mostly directed at LeBron James, but you are not the real villain in this. The real villains are the organizations who pay you a king's ransom to do what you do.
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Etan Thomas shares his opinion on why Skip Bayless' decision to go after LeBron James' son reeks of desperation.

Desperate criticism of Bronny James shows exactly who Skip Bayless is

In Colombia, Juan Palacios joked, a soccer ball is given to you at birth.
Basketball found him on the back of a public bus in Medellin when he was 11.&nbsp;
More accurately, it found his mother, Maria.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My mom is about 6-foot-2,&rdquo; said Palacios, a standout hooper at the University of Louisville from 2004 to 2008. &ldquo;One night, after work, a basketball coach sat next to her on the bus. He said, &lsquo;We need a limo so we can be comfortable.&rsquo; He asked her if she had any kids and when she told him I was 6-1 and 11 (years old), he said he wanted to meet me.&rdquo;
His name: Angel.
&ldquo;The guy saw me and told me, &lsquo;You are going to be the best basketball player in Colombia and you will travel the world,&rsquo;&rdquo; Palacios remembered. &ldquo;I had never touched a basketball before.&rdquo;
Now, 37, Palacios is one of the best players in Colombia and basketball has taken him all over the world.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Everything he said became a reality,&rdquo; Palacios said.
Last year, Palacios, who is in Year 14 of his professional basketball career, visited Angel.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He has Alzheimer&rsquo;s, but he remembers me,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;He was super excited with everything I have accomplished.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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A chance meeting on public transportation, because his mom wanted more leg room, started his journey on the hardwood; within three years, Palacios began drawing attention for his play with the Colombian U18 Men's National Team.&nbsp;
At 15, speaking almost no English, Palacios moved in with a host family and enrolled at Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York.&nbsp;
&ldquo;[They were] like, 'Okay we'll take him,' but it was more of, 'Let's do something nice for him and the world,'&rdquo; Palacios said with a laugh. &ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t have much hope that I was going to be good, until they saw me at our first practice.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Palacios was a Third Team All-America selection his senior year. Shooting better than 50% from the floor and averaging 20.2 points per game, he was nearly 6-foot-9 and a bulldozer at power forward &mdash; an NBA prospect.
&ldquo;I was playing with grown men over here in Colombia,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;I knew the hard work I was putting in; I knew I was nice [before they did].&rdquo;
When it came time to pick a college, Palacios chose Louisville for one reason: Rick Pitino.
In Palacios, Pitino saw a frontcourt duplicate of former NBA player Jamal Mashburn; in Pitino, Palacios saw a &ldquo;genius.&rdquo; Someone who understood people every bit as much as he understood basketball.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He holds himself in such a way, when he talks, you have to listen,&rdquo; Palacios said of Pitino. &ldquo;I understood how he was able to manage people. He treats everyone according to what they need. He understood what guys had to be pushed; what guys had to be left alone &mdash; that was how he got the best out of everyone on the court.&rdquo;
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An integral part of a Final Four team his freshman year and Elite Eight team his senior year, Palacios attributed his longevity in the sport to his experience at Louisville.&nbsp;
&ldquo;There is nothing I have seen as a professional that I didn&rsquo;t see with Rick Pitino,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Practice, preseason, he prepares you for life.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The most important piece of advice Pitino gave him: &ldquo;Always be under 10% body fat.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am 37,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;There are a lot of guys that [came up with me that] have already retired. Longevity is hard &mdash; it&rsquo;s something he cultivated in me.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As a pro, Palacios has played in Spain, the Canary Islands, Colombia, France, Turkey and, currently, Lithuania.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I want to go to Asia, because I have never played there,&rdquo; Palacios said.&nbsp;
As long as his body feels good and he is still performing at a high level, Palacios doesn&rsquo;t expect to retire anytime soon.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have the millions that LeBron does to take care of my body,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to get to the point that I look bad on the court. But if the knees don&rsquo;t hurt it will be hard to retire.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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This summer, Palacios took on a new challenge: Rejoining the Colombian national team for the first time in years, in the hopes of leading the country to a FIBA World Cup appearance in August of 2023.
&ldquo;They don&rsquo;t really pay us and I don&rsquo;t need the exposure, but at the end of the day I love my country,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;I pride myself on doing things that haven&rsquo;t been done too often &mdash; I am glad I came, being part of this is amazing.&rdquo;
In early July, Palacios helped pace Colombia to back-to-back, must-win games over Chile and South American powerhouse, Brazil.&nbsp;
Palacios was the high scorer with 26 points in the back-and-forth, double-overtime win against a Brazilian team anchored by former NBA players Marcelo Huertas and Bruno Caboclo.
&ldquo;That was a crazy moment &mdash; nobody thought we could beat Brazil,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Anything can happen in a basketball game &mdash; on the first possession you felt the intensity of the game. Those special moments are what we play for.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The wins advanced Colombia to the second round of World Cup qualifiers &mdash; with games on Aug. 25 and Aug.&nbsp; 28 against Mexico and the United States.&nbsp;
If Colombia qualifies for the World Cup, it will be the nation&rsquo;s first appearance in the tournament since 1982.
&ldquo;Having the opportunity to play against great competition is what I am all about,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Playing against the U.S. is going to be nice &mdash; I am thankful.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Noah Perkins interviews former Louisville standout Juan Palacios about Colombia basketball, his time under Rick Pitino and more.

Juan Palacios hopes to guide Colombia to FIBA World Cup

After weeks of speculation and countless trade-machine ideas floating around, The Athletic's Shams Charania has reported that the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving are at an "impasse" about his future with the franchise.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Sources: Kyrie Irving, Nets are at impasse in conversations about his future in Brooklyn, clearing way for the seven-time All-Star to consider the open market. Lakers and Knicks expected to emerge among potential suitors. Inside Pass at <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>: <a href="https://t.co/VbOOtrzdTB">https://t.co/VbOOtrzdTB</a>
&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1538873230534090755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Irving has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his player option that will be an expected cap figure just under $37 million for the 2022-23 season. To be clear, Irving hasn't explicitly said that he wants out of Brooklyn, and Sean Marks has never said that he wants to move on from the All-NBA point guard.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
The Nets would prefer a shorter-term, incentive-based deal with Kyrie Irving, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeLFischer</a> Dialogue between both sides is expected to remain 'fluid' up until the June 29 deadline for Irving to opt into his $36.9M player option <a href="https://t.co/HonP7DgQ09">pic.twitter.com/HonP7DgQ09</a>
&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1539230313242669057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Basically, Marks wants Irving to opt out oand sign a deal for less money/average annual value for cap space to fill out the roster. The theoretical fit of Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons has yet to be seen, and one would imagine that the Nets would prefer to give the trio a chance. With the return of Joe Harris from injury and Seth Curry still under contract, Brooklyn could still be the odds-on favorite for an NBA title next season when they are at full strength.
However, if the impasse between the two continues, Marks may very well opt to move on. While remaining in Brooklyn is likely the final outcome of this saga, there are a few other destinations that make sense for both Irving and the Nets to strike a deal.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS 
According to Marc Stein, Irving has had some <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/kyrie-irving-latest-more-trade-talk?sd=pf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent contact with LeBron James about a reunion</a>. (It's worth mentioning that Stein's sources told him it'd be "a stretch" to say L.A. is actively pursuing Irving.) Also, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers are the most significant threat to sign Irving away from the Nets.
This is an obvious hypothetical destination for Irving, as the Lakers have a player with a similar contract who makes for a logical financial swap. However, swapping Russell Westbrook for Irving would not be something the Nets would entertain. Outside of trying to force a second marriage between Westbrook and Durant, the pairing of Westbrook and Ben Simmons would provide the least amount of spacing that $60 million could buy.&nbsp;
For the Lakers to reunite Irving with LeBron, there would need to be a third team to reroute Westbrook to. One team that seems like a possible match for such a deal is the Indiana Pacers, who are actively shopping both Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner. Sending those two to Brooklyn and Westbrook to Indiana is a possibility, but not all that attractive for the Pacers, as they look to build around Tyrese Haliburton as their lead guard. Perhaps if enough draft picks are attached, Indiana may be willing to help.
Other possible third teams include the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
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The Hornets have been mentioned due to the relationship between Westbrook and team owner Michael Jordan, but again, LaMelo Ball plays the same position.
Oklahoma City has been known to take on a bad contract in return for a handful of assets, which neither L.A. nor Brooklyn really have; plus, there's the whole reunion story where he could mentor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
The Rockets are interesting because it could simply be a three-player deal where each team just gets a new point guard, landing John Wall in Brooklyn.
While it's fun to speculate about a reconciliation between LeBron and Kyrie for another title run, this still feels highly unlikely, and Brooklyn still seems like a better situation for Irving than the Lakers.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 
A sleeper team in the potential Kyrie sweepstakes is the Los Angeles Clippers. This is the one team that could perhaps assemble a better "Big Three" than the Nets. Irving alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard might instantly become the best trio in the NBA.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_15520646-1_690w.png" alt="" width="756" height="378" />
A package of Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr. and Ivica Zubac, plus draft compensation could do the trick. If the Clippers do not want to part with Zubac, they could possibly package Reggie Jackson, Robert Covington, Powell and picks.
If the Clippers are able to assemble a lineup of Irving, George, Leonard, Luke Kennard, Morris/Covington, Terance Mann and/or Zubac, this would be a top-five rotation in the league at worst.&nbsp;
Brooklyn taking back Jackson, Powell and Covington would be a nice return of players to fit around Durant, but it still fails to replace the talent of Kyrie. If the Clippers, who also lack draft capital, can put together an enticing enough package to land Irving, this would be an optimal landing spot for him.
NEW YORK KNICKS 
The Knicks have been linked to almost every available player via trade or free agency. They have longed for a superstar since the Carmelo Anthony era, and it just so happens that a point guard is also a position of need for the historic franchise.
In order for this to work financially, the Knicks would have to part with some combination of Alec Burks, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose. The Nets would do well to come away with Noel, Walker and Burks in terms of roster fit, but that return is hardly enough talent-wise for Brooklyn. Including the No. 11 pick in this year's draft &mdash; plus one of Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin or Cam Reddish &mdash; may be required.
Kyrie staying in New York and swapping local teams may make some sense on paper, but it would be a step backwards in pursuit of a championship for Irving. At this point in his career, championship rings appear to be the goal for Irving, and he'd be better off working it out with the Nets than making a move to the Knicks.
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WASHINGTON WIZARDS 
A team with a long shot to land Irving would be the Washington Wizards, but the franchise has made it known that it is going to do whatever it takes to make Bradley Beal happy. Wizards president Tommy Sheppard mentioned using the No. 10 pick in this year's draft to acquire a veteran point guard.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see a rookie starting at point guard for us next season. I could be wrong, but I just don&rsquo;t see that," Sheppard said in an April interview with Team 980 hosts Chris Russell and Pete Medhurst. "I think free agency or trade is probably the right route to go.&rdquo;
It has been <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wizards-pursuing-shai-gilgeousalexander-dejounte-murray-malcolm-brogdon-nba-trade-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the Wizards have inquired about Dejounte Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Malcolm Brogdon, so clearly they are kicking the tires on notable point guards. While Brogdon may be the better fit next to Beal, the opportunity to add a talent like Irving doesn't come around often. Sheppard has talked about swinging for the fences and pouncing on opportunities when they present themselves.
"I can&rsquo;t say this enough: you can&rsquo;t be afraid to take big swings when you get an opportunity... Some things present themselves to you," Sheppard said in February. "Jerry West told me when I got this job, &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t ever be afraid to take a big swing.&rsquo; There&rsquo;s only going to be so many opportunities to get talent and to get talent, you have to give up talent."
The Wizards could send Kristaps Porzingis, No. 10 and either Corey Kispert or Deni Avdija to the Nets. Brooklyn could then use the 10th pick to acquire a veteran point guard themselves.&nbsp;
This deal, of course, relies upon Beal opting into his player option rather than the current reports that he has <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/bradley-beal-to-decline-player-option-enter-unrestricted-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declined his option to pursue unrestricted free agency</a>. The Wizards have not been afraid to swing for a big trade, and they may have the ammo to do just that here.&nbsp;
BROOKLYN NETS 
Ultimately the best possible destination for Irving is the Nets. Durant hand-picked him as his running mate for another championship, and it is in the best interest of all parties involved to figure this out.
As mentioned above, the trio of Kyrie, KD and Simmons has yet to take the floor together; the Nets and the NBA world need to see how that would play out. Kyrie can still get paid, the Nets can still be contenders and in the end, they would keep Durant happy, which should be priority No. 1 for Marks.&nbsp;
Trade speculation is fun, but it is often merely speculation in the end. Kyrie is a Brooklyn Net with a player option that would net the highest possible payday he could receive for the 2022-23 season, as it is unlikely anyone offers him a long-term max contract.
Maybe Irving and Marks find an acceptable restructure of his contract that is more incentive-laden, or maybe he opts in for the full amount. At the end of the day, there is a next-to-zero chance the Nets get a package in return for Kyrie that matches his talent level.
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Justin Lewis analyzes landing spots that would make sense for Kyrie Irving in a trade, explaining which ones make the most sense.

Examining potential destinations for Kyrie Irving

In a Game 6 overflowing with everything that stamps Stephen Curry and Draymond Green&rsquo;s inevitable Hall-of-Fame futures, the Golden State Warriors&rsquo; opening offensive sequence laid the groundwork for the performances of their stars.
After an initial pick-and-pop, Curry sprung free off the ball and induced a panic from the Boston Celtics&rsquo; defense &mdash; an increasingly common occurrence as the series progressed. By no means was their defense the crux of their demise. But the mere existence of Curry, with his unrelenting motion, court-twisting aura and picturesque jumper, brought about more lapses in the later stages of the Finals.&nbsp;
One of those lapses was transpiring in the first minute of Game 6.
Al Horford and Marcus Smart migrated toward Andrew Wiggins. Curry found himself open, only for Jayson Tatum to stunt off Green and deter an open three. As he&rsquo;s done countless times over the past eight years, Curry, with his gravity and the chaos it conjures, primed Green for a bucket.&nbsp;
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Roughly two hours later, Curry, Green and the Warriors were NBA champions, their fourth title in eight seasons. En route to the top, both Curry and Green, in their contrasting fashions, were superb on Thursday.
I will not toss around the term &ldquo;vintage&rdquo; because vintage implies a relic of the past. That is not the case. They remain stars, ones who press forward as the foundation of Golden State&rsquo;s dynastic presence. They are the anchors on each side of the ball, arguably the best in the league at their respective crafts.&nbsp;
Others may garner justified mentions, yet to consider Green the NBA&rsquo;s premier defender and Curry the NBA&rsquo;s foremost offensive engine is to have witnessed the past eight seasons with a detailed eye.&nbsp;
Thursday was a singular game amid a bountiful sample, though its events felt so emblematic of this duo&rsquo;s superlatives. For their brilliance to shine so brightly as Golden State returned to basketball&rsquo;s summit after a brief hiatus was the most fitting storyline available.&nbsp;
The scope of Curry&rsquo;s persistent status as a top-five player peered through whenever possible. He rainbowed in 6-of-11 long balls, melding off-ball adventures and on-ball savvy. Relocations, stepbacks, up-fakes &mdash; the whole ensemble cast its shadow.&nbsp;
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When Boston sent ill-equipped big men his way, he wiggled downhill for scores. Curry&rsquo;s generational scoring prime begins with his unrivaled jumper, but it&rsquo;s punctuated by his interior prowess.&nbsp;
Since 2015-16, he&rsquo;s shot 55% inside the arc. He is a magical acrobat of a finisher who comfortably wades into midrange looks when the defense coaxes them. In Game 6, he drilled triples at a 55% clip and two-pointers at a 60% rate. That intersection of scoring wherever and however the scenario dictates is his grandest attribute.&nbsp;
You do not average 31 points on 62% True Shooting against the top-ranked defense (who sport a pair of hounding perimeter irritants) through rigidity. Curry&rsquo;s offense is the antithesis of rigidity, which is precisely why he is constantly thriving.&nbsp;
For all the efforts various opponents made to target and exploit his defense in these playoffs, those intentions often ended in futility. Sure, Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson (among others) periodically turned a profit; Curry was bested for stretches, no doubt. On the aggregate though, he continually held firm and authored a rather good defensive postseason.
That rang true in Game 6, even as Boston quickly established a blueprint involving post-ups against him. He is among the league&rsquo;s sturdiest guards and seeks out opportunities of physicality.&nbsp;
When he waltzed into the action, whether it be at the point of attack or on the block, he crouched low, puffed his chest out and refused to be a liability with another Larry O&rsquo;Brien Trophy looming.&nbsp;
When off-ball endeavors demanded his attention, he promptly rotated, holstering astute positioning and frenized hands. He skirted shooters off the arc with disciplined, high-handed closeouts. By the game&rsquo;s conclusion, he tallied two steals, a block and the title of an ironclad defensive asset.&nbsp;
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As Curry spearheaded the offense and blended in defensively, Green threaded the inverse balance. From the outset, he flourished wherever necessary and maintained his Game 5 excellence.&nbsp;
On rebounding chances, he crashed into the closest body and boxed out. If the Celtics came across a fast break, an opening to avoid the doldrums of a listless half-court brigade, there was Green to silence them. In help situations, he seamlessly pinged between ball and man, as if teleportation was the secret to his success.
One of Green&rsquo;s preeminent defensive skills is his proclivity to eliminate one option and direct the event elsewhere, only to blot that out as well. He chooses Plan B for the opposition, even if it was not yet aware of that reality. They proceed under a guise of autonomy, just as he wishes.
When Boston avoided incorporating him, Green outsourced his wisdom, limbs swirling, fingers navigating traffic, voice yelling, ensuring that his signature would still be etched across the play.&nbsp;
His hands are always lively, prepared for a shot contest, strip, block, stunt, rebound or otherwise. You will endure the entirety of his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame, amplified by a 7-foot-1 wingspan.&nbsp;
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Draymond's defense was special in Game 6, even for his standards. A full montage of his dominance: <a href="https://t.co/nsQOVEJS2g">pic.twitter.com/nsQOVEJS2g</a>
&mdash; Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackfrank_jjf/status/1537904685209690120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
Much like dubbing Curry the greatest shooter of all-time is a factual statement that undersells his lore, referring to Green as the best defender in the NBA feels similar. He transcends his era, a great among greats, not merely among his contemporaries. I will not masquerade as an omniscient archivist of the league, but the list of defenders with loftier peaks than Green must be a rather short one.&nbsp;
While the offense was often a trudge-through-the-mud experience for Green in these Finals, Game 6 became his breakout. Behind 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, he registered his first double-digit scoring appearance since Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks &mdash; another closeout scenario in which Green dominated.
He popped home a pair of threes &mdash; his first two of the series &mdash; served out eight assists and was the metronome of Golden State&rsquo;s early-offense ventures. Miss, make, live-ball turnover, dead-ball turnover, the dude was chugging down court, hoping to blitz Boston into a tizzy of gaffes.&nbsp;
His fifth dime was pure and quintessential Warriors ball. Green played the role of conductor, arranging everyone as he saw fit. Curry&rsquo;s orbit lures his man to the half-court logo. In doing so, he clears the wing for his buddy, Klay Thompson, who zips to the rim and converts a beauty of a feed from Green.&nbsp;
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Watching Draymond orchestrate, communicate and operate on the floor is a joy <a href="https://t.co/1pijA1Trj6">pic.twitter.com/1pijA1Trj6</a>
&mdash; Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackfrank_jjf/status/1537865440474476544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
The synergy, the spacing, the movement, the execution &mdash; all are tenets as to why Golden State still lords over the league seven years after this group&rsquo;s first ring. The Warriors are once again champions for those reasons, concepts embodied and practiced by its two stars: Curry and Green.&nbsp;
They are harmonically divergent teammates who seized the moment when visions of a fourth championship crystallized in front of them. The novel of this Golden State season and era is written by them (and Thompson).&nbsp;
There was no more suitable way for another triumph to play out than with these all-timers captaining the ship. They are the lifeblood of Golden State whose identity cultivates through them. Thursday&rsquo;s Game 6, the one that delivered a crown back to The Bay, underlined such a notion at every turn.
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Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are the anchors on each side of the ball, arguably the best in the league at their respective crafts.

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still define the Warriors' greatness

The Boston Celtics entered the 2022 NBA Finals with zero games of championship-stage experience on their active roster. Between Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney, the Golden State Warriors had made 123 game appearances combined.
First-year head coach Ime Udoka never appeared in the NBA Finals as a player, and made it there for 12 games as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Steve Kerr had already spearheaded 21 Finals games and three titles as Golden State's head coach, in addition to his 27 games as a player.
Boston looked like a deer in the headlights during its three consecutive losses in part because it had never been here before. Pushing one of the great dynasties in basketball history to six games may not have been the desired achievement, but it's still a notable one. And getting to Game 6 of the NBA Finals after sitting 11th in the East standings as late as January? Count me as somebody who was a doubter.
More importantly: This playoff run is neon, flashing proof that this Celtics core, headlined by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is capable of winning a championship. All the chatter about their viability as a duo, Marcus Smart's status as point guard, Udoka's capability as a coach and so on, is now unequivocally just chatter.
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Obviously, the franchise shouldn't be satisfied with a loss. Of course it can tweak the roster and players can improve their individual skills. But Boston found an identity in the regular season, tested it against some of the toughest teams in the league and proved it can propel this team to basketball's ultimate stage.
"Nobody even had us being here, let alone in the playoffs,&rdquo; Celtics guard Marcus Smart said postgame following the Finals defeat. &ldquo;It definitely is tough. But it&rsquo;s definitely one of those things we&rsquo;ve been through hell to get here, and you take that. You know what I&rsquo;m saying? We&rsquo;ve got to use that.&rdquo;
Those dejected by the final outcome will point to Tatum's dismal Game 6 performance, in which he scored 13 points, shot 6-for-18 from the floor and coughed up five turnovers. They'll roll out his 100 total giveaways in these playoffs, the most by any player ever in a single postseason run. And they'll be right that his handle and decision-making fell short against one of the league's best defenses.
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Jayson Tatum had 13 assists last night - the most ever in an NBA Finals debut. Here's what stood out to me about them (thread) ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Early on Golden State is really watching driving/rolling lanes. Draymond is sitting on the low block which means Smart can get open. AST 1 <a href="https://t.co/sCSnNwUxuj">pic.twitter.com/sCSnNwUxuj</a>
&mdash; Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) <a href="https://twitter.com/ethman43/status/1532766760277098500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></blockquote>

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What about his 13 assists (the most ever in a Finals debut) against two turnovers in Game 1 though? Or his 6.2 assists per game in the postseason? Tatum had to lead Boston through 24 playoff games, including two seven-game series, to set that undesirable and meaningless total turnover record. He became the first Celtic to crack the All-NBA First Team since Kevin Garnett in 2007-08 and the second to do it since Larry Bird in 1987-88. There's no more debate over Tatum's playmaking ability or his star power.
Brown similarly struggled with turnovers in Games 5 and 6, posting five in each contest with some painful moments late where he simply lost a handle on the ball. But he also did his best to carry the scoring load with 34 points in the last defeat. Brown ended up shooting 51.0% on drives to the basket with an 11.7% assist rate and 7.8% turnover rate in the Finals &mdash; all great clips.&nbsp;
If you're still doubting Brown's ability to improve on the ball, just <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/appreciating-how-far-jaylen-brown-has-come" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read Mark Schindler's retrospective</a> on the star's polish versus his lone college season. Which two-man Celtics pairing had the highest plus-minus per 100 possessions in the regular season? Brown and Tatum, through all the ups and downs, at plus-14.3. They were also third on the team (plus-4.3 per 100 possessions) in the postseason. The discussion over this duo's long-term cohesion is settled by the numbers and by its achievements this season.
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Here's that gorgeous Marcus Smart touch pass in slow motion. The spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination needed to make this pass is ridiculous. What a spectacular player/decision-maker he is. <a href="https://t.co/vVI2HDKHCK">pic.twitter.com/vVI2HDKHCK</a>
&mdash; Mat Issa (@matissa15) <a href="https://twitter.com/matissa15/status/1537820480622714886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Smart set a career-high in assists per game (5.9) for the third consecutive season and maintained that rate throughout the playoffs. In Game 6, while some folks still somehow questioned his merit as a floor general, Smart dished out 9 assists. He actually ranked eighth among all potseason players in passes per game, and while that doesn't shield him or the Celtics from criticism about their offense, he certainly moves the ball.
I have questions about how the Celtics used Smart in the Finals &mdash; why they didn't post him up more often, and why they kept him off the ball when Tatum and Brown were struggling (both of them). But we're well past wondering about Smart's "true point guard" acumen and using him as the go-to piece in trade machines. Smart is a keeper because he's <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/marcus-smarts-versatile-playmaking-has-proven-vital-to-the-celtics-offensive-resurgence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a core part of Boston's&nbsp;offense</a>, nevermind also being the first guard in over 25 years to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Then, we get to some pivotal contributions from other players that underscore Brad Stevens' <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/brad-stevens-deserves-massive-credit-for-the-celtics-success" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slam dunk of a first year as president of basketball operations</a>. Al Horford obviously headlines the success. I thought he was no longer a starter at the beginning of the season; instead, the longtime, familiar veteran was everything Boston needed in a low-usage big and so much more, and he battled in all 24 playoff games at 36 years old.&nbsp;
Robert Williams III had the healthiest regular season of his career and reinforced his status as one of the most fearsome shot-blockers in basketball. He was visibly struggling with mobility in the Finals, but fighting valiantly, considering he played the series on an injured, swollen knee. Grant Williams didn't impact the Finals in the same way as his regular season, but he was instrumental in series wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. Derrick White fit right in as a defensive cornerstone who gave Stephen Curry &mdash; one of the sport's transcendent offensive weapons &mdash; all he could on screens and on the ball.&nbsp;
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Udoka certainly won't, but he should gloat about this defense. In one year at the helm, he overhauled Boston's entire scheme, made mid-season adjustments, took on new players and molded a unit that ranked first in regular-season Defensive Rating (106.9) and second in the playoffs (107.6). It frequently kept Boston in games and series as the offensive output waxed and waned.&nbsp;
Now, Udoka and Stevens have a full offseason to further their vision after proving it will work in their first year together. They don't have many available pathways to move, though.
The Celtics only have the No. 53 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign players outright. They do, however, have several trade exceptions, headlined by a $17.1 million TPE from dealing Evan Fournier.
The entire main rotation is under contract for next season (Horford's deal is non-guaranteed, but there are already indications <a href="https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/05/al-horford-increases-salary-guarantee-by-5-million-for-next-season-after-celtics-clinch-nba-finals-spot.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston will guarantee it)</a>.&nbsp;Nik Stauskas and Malik Fitts have non-guaranteed contracts. Matt Ryan and Brodric Thomas are restricted free agents, and Boston holds team options on Juwan Morgan and Sam Hauser. They might all be on the outs this summer.
Stevens has room to merely fine-tune the roster ahead of the 2022-23 season. Fortunately, that's all he needs to do.&nbsp;
For several years, Boston wondered if the Celtics would be able to break down the door of the NBA Finals after falling in the conference finals three times in five years. This core proved it can reach the pinnacle without any requisite experience.
So yes, a loss in the Finals always stings. But the way the Celtics arrived there, and even the way they lost, should provide their fan base with hope.
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The Celtics lost in the NBA Finals, but by getting there, they showed they have the core of a title contender.

Celtics' season a successful proof of concept despite NBA Finals loss

In the Golden State Warriors&rsquo; 104-94 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals, a few themes prevailed, powering them one win shy of their fourth title in eight seasons. Broadly, the formula was an elite defense once again reminding everyone that Boston is not the lone menacing unit in the Finals, along with timely shot-making and star-powered contributions.&nbsp;
Rather than laser in on a singular storyline and highlight every play connected to it, let&rsquo;s touch on an assortment of different sequences that help summarize all of these prevailing themes.&nbsp;
1. Draymond Green&rsquo;s renewed offense
Draymond Green&rsquo;s offense has justifiably drawn prominent ire in this series. Prior to Game 5, he recorded 17 points on 26 shots and his lack of scoring prowess, particularly as a spot-up shooter, constantly bogged down the offense.&nbsp;
Yet on Monday, he scored 8 points on 6 shots, handed out 6 assists and committed only 2 turnovers. He&rsquo;d turned in some excellent defensive showings to this point, but Game 5 was easily his most well-rounded of the series.&nbsp;
His first assist of the night previewed the next couple hours. Sometimes, Green&rsquo;s dismal offensive performances are partially defined by erratic, undisciplined passing, but that wasn&rsquo;t the case in Game 5. To kick off the festivities, he lofted a perfect feed into Otto Porter Jr.&rsquo;s bread-basket for the bucket.
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Porter slipping the screen was emblematic of Golden State deciphering just enough openings in the crannies of Boston&rsquo;s fortress to complement its own imposing defense. A 107.5 offensive rating is quite poor, but this club&rsquo;s formula for a title has always been shepherded by the defense.
Al Horford hugging Stephen Curry along the baseline, removing him entirely from any chance of helping on the pass, laid the foundation for a game where the superstar&rsquo;s gravity regularly opened up chances for others. His own 7-of-22 line was unremarkable scoring-wise, though the manner in which the Celtics tethered themselves to him created space elsewhere instead.&nbsp;
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2. Andrew Wiggins, the All-Star starter
Three days after gobbling up a career-high 16 rebounds, Andrew Wiggins returned to score the second-most points of his playoff career with 26. With Curry marred in an uncharacteristic shooting slump and Boston still successfully limiting Klay Thompson&rsquo;s scoring volume, somebody had to prop up the Warriors&rsquo; attack.&nbsp;
That man was Andrew Wiggins, who repeatedly exposed the single coverage he faced, using his size and physicality to launch off the bounce.
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He particularly flourished in the final frame, when he scored 10 of his 26 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Wiggins&rsquo; handle can be robotic and leave him susceptible to stunts or digs. As the Celtics often face-guarded Curry and Thompson (look how they&rsquo;re defended in that clip), the Canadian wing enjoyed added space to operate and wield his self-creation chops. Nearly 70% of his baskets have been assisted during the playoffs, whereas that mark fell to 50% in Game 5.&nbsp;
All series, Boston's defense has appeared content funneling shots to Wiggins. He capitalized monumentally on Monday&rsquo;s pivotal stage.&nbsp;
3. Jaylen Brown and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offensive experience
Overwhelmingly, Jaylen Brown&rsquo;s 2022 NBA Playoffs have been sensational. He&rsquo;s endured some hiccups, including Game 2 of the Finals, but they&rsquo;ve merely been hiccups and haven't become the norm. Monday was another hiccup.
He logged 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting and committed 4 turnovers. Golden State continually forced him left as a driver and pull-up scorer, which is assuredly not his preference. His handle and ball control are precarious as is, let alone when he&rsquo;s guided away from his dominant hand.
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To further eliminate the right side as a driving lane, both for Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Warriors loaded the gaps and invited middling shooters to bomb beyond the arc. Derrick White entered Game 5 drilling 50% of his triples in the Finals, yet Green helped one pass away and prevented Brown from frequenting the paint. The result is a midrange pull-up Golden State will likely accept, which occurred after Green initially walled off the middle for Brown around the screen.&nbsp;
4. Golden State making Boston get comfortable with the uncomfortable
At the point of attack, Golden State&rsquo;s most lucrative defensive approach in this series has been to apply pressure on the catch, and extend the Celtics&rsquo; offense well away from the hoop. Boston&rsquo;s scheme involves considerable side-to-side movement, with flare screens or other subtle actions designed to create small advantages that morph into sizable ones.&nbsp;
The Warriors refused to let that be commonplace in Game 5, swarming virtually everyone immediately on the catch. Hardly anything Boston achieved felt seamless. Arduous was the defining term of their experiences. On a giveaway midway through the second quarter, Golden State&rsquo;s pressure arrived at every turn.
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Gary Payton II bothered Tatum on the inbounds. White hardly has room to collect himself before Curry is fastened to his hip. Horford caught the ball with Porter draped on him. Tatum generated a bit of space, but even if Horford&rsquo;s delivery wasn't errant, Green rotated over to complicate matters.&nbsp;
The Celtics committed 18 turnovers in Game 5. Although some were unforced, many unfolded similarly to the one above, with Golden State&rsquo;s defense making every brief opening feel fleeting and spurring hurried decisions.&nbsp;
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5. Succumbing to the orbit of Stephen Curry&rsquo;s gravity
<a href="https://twitter.com/StephNoh/status/1536455023214960641?s=20&amp;t=wC1_R7ObuwiuIpGVx1veHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On the clinching possession of Game 4&rsquo;s defeat</a>, Boston twice brought two defenders to Curry. The second time, it led to a bucket that pushed the Warriors&rsquo; edge to five with roughly a minute remaining. In Game 5, the Celtics didn&rsquo;t necessarily blitz Curry each play, but their defense afforded him extra attention more often &mdash; on and off the ball.
Previously, they&rsquo;d predominantly stomached dropping and switching against him, but the coverage skewed more extreme Monday. This isn&rsquo;t to say Boston&rsquo;s defense was the culprit of its loss &mdash; the offense is the prevalent issue. Yet the game-plan clearly shifted and the burden of scoring responsibility didn&rsquo;t almost exclusively rest on Curry&rsquo;s shoulders anymore.&nbsp;
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As a response to that heightened concern, Curry countered with his finest playmaking production of the series, dishing out 8 assists to 1 turnover. Helping to ease the impact of Curry&rsquo;s cold shooting spell was Payton, who scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting to tie a playoff career-high.&nbsp;
Neither Green nor Kevon Looney can even approximate a similar finishing punch to Payton. He&rsquo;s not a roller the defense can entirely abandon and his screening induced favorable switches or opportunities for Golden State&rsquo;s offense.&nbsp;
Porter struggled defending in space, while Looney battled foul trouble all evening. So, Payton stepped up for a postseason-best 26 minutes and crafted necessary interior-scoring verve in addition to his steadfast defensive versatility.
6. Jayson Tatum and his fourth quarter struggles
Through three quarters, Tatum had 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 inside the arc. The last number was an absolutely welcomed sight for the 24-year-old superstar, who began Game 5 having converted a paltry 27.4% of his two-point attempts (14-of-51) in the Finals.
Twelve minutes later, he ended with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-11 inside the arc &mdash; a good, not great overall outing. The leading candidate behind the demise of a five-point, 1-of-5 shooting fourth quarter was Wiggins, whose length, mobility and physicality perturbed Tatum into plays like this.
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Golden State is closing off many drives to Tatum&rsquo;s right all series, so he aimed to take advantage of an early offense opportunity. Instead, Wiggins slid alongside him and swiped down *just* as Tatum began to gather for a finish. That swipe extinguished Tatum&rsquo;s rhythm, provoked an extra, illegal slide of the back foot and he was called for traveling.&nbsp;
7. Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and a synergistic defense
Green&rsquo;s Game 5 defensive brilliance extended beyond help on the perimeter and guiding Brown away from right-hand drives; he was sensational as an interior helper. During his 35 minutes, the Celtics&rsquo; took just six shots at the rim. When he sat for 13 minutes, they took four. Their rim frequency was 10.9% with him on the floor and 20% without him, according to NBA.com.&nbsp;
Boston could hardly score in the paint when he was involved. Shooting and passing near the hoop were chores around him.
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Tatum wiggled into the key, with Green awaiting him. Green jutted out his right arm to deter a drop-off to Robert Williams III, swiveled his left arm up and contested a challenging fadeaway jumper.&nbsp;
Wiggins and Payton gave help on the drive, which muddied Tatum&rsquo;s passing vision as he simply worked to avoid being stripped. Once Green committed to Tatum, Wiggins peeled into Williams, stuck a body on the bouncy big man and ensured any sort of lob would be incredibly challenging to execute or corral.&nbsp;
All 10 of Williams&rsquo; points came in the first half, largely due to Golden State neutralizing him as a release valve after intermission. He&rsquo;s Boston&rsquo;s lone aerial threat and best means of generating shots around the rim.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s simply scant space to function inside the arc against this harmonic Warriors defense. Those efforts grow increasingly laborious when Green and the entire unit are enforcing the rim like they did Monday.&nbsp;
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Following the Warriors' Game 5 win over the Celtics, Jackson Frank breaks down the film and examines what worked for Golden State.

Breaking down 7 plays that define the Warriors' Game 5 victory

In basketball, physicality is often akin to tug of war. Both sides are putting forth all their might, but one side has to topple the other into exhaustion &mdash; that&rsquo;s the nature of things. It doesn&rsquo;t mean one party didn&rsquo;t try as hard as the other. Sometimes, previous battles leave a deeper impact for one more than the other, and the next game is swiftly decided.
Amid these NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors are engaged in a tug of war of physicality.
Game 1 went to Boston, who stymied Golden State&rsquo;s off-ball attack and applied its size to generate paint touches or open looks offensively.&nbsp;
Game 2 went to Golden State, who pressured Boston on the catch, extended its offense far away from the rim and sprung open shooters with hard-nosed picks.&nbsp;
Game 3 went to Boston, who chiseled itself into a 116-100 victory and snagged a 2-1 series lead, halfway from its first title in 14 seasons.&nbsp;
Physicality is a broad term, one that&rsquo;s been present through each of the first three Finals games. When teams say the opponent was more physical, that may sound cliche and coy, but there are nuances behind the ambiguity that provide a road map toward finer details. They reveal themselves through trends, statistics and on-court results.&nbsp;
Among those concepts for the Celtics in Game 3 was a revival of consistent driving and interior scoring. In their Game 2 loss, per NBA.com, they registered just 6 attempts in the restricted area (7.5% frequency), talled 47 drives and shot 15-of-43 (34.9%) on twos. On Wednesday, they tallied 26 attempts at the rim (29.2% frequency), recorded 61 drives and shot 30-of-54 (55.6%) on twos.
The leading proponents behind those contrasts were Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, who combined for 48 of the 61 drives, three days after logging just 27.&nbsp;
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Boston wields a notable strength advantage on the perimeter over the Warriors, whose point-of-attack defense is susceptible to breakdowns. Limiting dribble penetration stems from Golden State's synergistic help and active rotations, not a cast of staunch isolation stoppers. The Celtics exploited that on Wednesday, with Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry and Otto Porter Jr. regularly the targets of this approach.&nbsp;
Whether the edge stemmed from speed, strength or a marriage of the two, Boston ball-handlers dependably fashioned successful downhill forays. Improved spacing compared to Game 2 aided their efforts; multiple teammates were no longer parked in the lane or cutting inside on drives. Robert Williams III also camped a bit farther from the hoop rather than directly in the dunker spot, and floated around to occupy help defenders.
The Celtics did well to move both Kevon Looney and/or Draymond Green away from the hoop during their stints, which left Golden State incapable of properly enforcing the paint. While Klay Thompson had some noteworthy moments of weak-side rim-protection in Game 2, those two bigs are the lone rotation players who reliably protect the basket for the Warriors. They were often not in position to do so during Game 3.
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Contributing to Boston&rsquo;s massively-heightened rim frequency was Williams III playing 26 minutes, his most of the series, and nearly double his 14 minutes in Game 2. Aside from a few riveting moments in the second half of Game 1, Williams&rsquo; inaugural Finals have been <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/can-robert-williams-find-a-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headlined by troubles</a>: poor pick-and-roll coverage, erratic decision-making as a helper and a struggle to discern his optimal defensive assignment.&nbsp;
Game 3 was easily his finest of the three thus far, notching 7 total steals/blocks, collecting 10 boards and scoring 8 points on 5 shots. His presence is indispensable for the Celtics. They need to play him and surf through the waves of frustration. That&rsquo;s why him being good feels imperative. Nobody else on the roster provides vertical spacing as a lob threat or inhabits the offensive glass like him.&nbsp;
When he survives defensively, as he did Wednesday, he poses grand issues for Golden State as an interior release valve and putback option. His length and explosiveness can overwhelm the Warriors&rsquo; undersized front line. Boston producing paint touches with Williams in the dunker spot has left Golden State in conflicting situations, unsure of whether to help on the drive and leave him open or stay back and risk an easy finish. The dimensions of his skill set are novel and critical.
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In the first half, the Celtics scored 68 of their 116 points and posted a sterling 136.0 Offensive Rating. Renewed driving profits were the headlining component, but they also functioned at a quicker pace. During the first two games, they averaged 95.5 possessions per night, while Thursday&rsquo;s first half saw the pace rise to 100.&nbsp;
Pushing the tempo to force cross-matches, typically with Al Horford against smaller defenders, seemed to be an emphasis &mdash; even if it was mostly confined to the opening 24 minutes. Horford&rsquo;s post-ups in the half-court throughout Game 2 were pretty fruitless. So, quick duck-ins prior to the defense organizing itself became the counter, and it yielded some welcomed possessions.&nbsp;
Clearly, Boston wants to deploy Horford&rsquo;s size in the paint. It merely needed a shrewder tactic. Empty-corner sets initiated early in the clock to highlight the size discrepancy between these clubs were also periodically featured.&nbsp;
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Boston winning the dance of physicality commenced almost immediately. Smart&rsquo;s screening was a weapon much of the night, beginning with a gnarly pick on Wiggins during its first offensive possession. The pick allowed Tatum to feed him and induced a shoddy stunt from Thompson, enabling Brown to knock down an open triple.&nbsp;
All night, the Celtics seemed to shrug off Golden State&rsquo;s potentially imposing pressure and spur defensive rotations. Smart&rsquo;s first crunching screen would not be his last, either. Boston spun its knack for dishing out and handling physicality into offensive advantages.&nbsp;
Physicality on its own is not inherently valuable. It has to do something and mean something; it needs purpose. The Celtics&rsquo; physicality very much had purpose in Game 3.
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(Side note: The last Tatum bucket in that montage is filthy stuff. Looney tries to disrupt his handle multiple times and funnel him to Jordan Poole&rsquo;s help on the left wing. But Tatum spins away from all of it, keeps the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder on his hip and converts a contested layup. The way he's navigated physicality this season has taken a vital jump and really stands out over the past three series.)
Much like Golden State&rsquo;s Game 2 offensive flurry, a combination of adjustments and uncharacteristic breakdowns from a stingy defense was responsible for the Celtics&rsquo; 116 points. On both occasions, the former was more salient, though the latter remained relevant.&nbsp;
Defense is a wildly fickle undertaking. One slight step in the wrong direction or incorrect shift of body weight can radicalize everything. A slightly improper angle around a screen or to cut off a drive reorients the possession. The same goes for how physicality manifests itself.
The best defenses minimize those events, but these Finals are underscoring that even elite units are susceptible to such ebbs and flows. Both teams embrace physicality. One isn&rsquo;t running away with the mantle of &ldquo;more physical.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s been a fluid title.&nbsp;
For now, thanks to refined driving, spacing and screening, Boston&rsquo;s the current keeper of that fluid title.
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Jackson Frank breaks down how the Celtics were able to win the battle of physicality with smarts in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Celtics' physicality revitalized their offense in NBA Finals Game 3

Among the many components integral to the Phoenix Suns&rsquo; dominant rise of the past two seasons is their multifaceted wing trio of Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson.&nbsp;
Devin Booker and Chris Paul are the headlining stars, but those three forwards are trustworthy shooters, passers and defenders. While their skill- ets in those categories range across a wide spectrum, they all factor into the Suns forging a two-way approach predicated on versatility.&nbsp;
Bridges&rsquo; exploits are routinely and justifiably lauded. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season and is regarded as one of the NBA&rsquo;s best budding wings. Johnson shot 42.5% beyond the arc and was a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year.
Perhaps sometimes lost in the shuffle of those two &mdash; along with Booker, Paul and Deandre Ayton&rsquo;s stardom &mdash; is the well-traveled swingman in Crowder. His arrival in Phoenix has coincided with the team's ascension. His services are a prominent reason that the Suns lead the Dallas Mavericks 3-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series ahead of Thursday&rsquo;s pivotal Game 6.
Through five games, the 31-year-old is averaging 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 66.9% True Shooting. He&rsquo;s shooting 46.7% (14 of 30) from deep and 57.1% (8 of 14) inside the arc.&nbsp;
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Phoenix has entrusted him with a bevy of duties offensively, spanning from screener, to trigger man catalyzing sets, to off-ball shooter with a pop-gun release. The Mavericks have typically tried to hide lesser defenders like Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans on him. So, the Suns have countered by mildly increasing Crowder's offensive usage via pick-and-pops or other screening actions.&nbsp;
Whether he&rsquo;s concluding the play with his own points, or merely facilitating a mismatch for someone else to flourish, his screens and capacity to operate off of them have greatly aided Phoenix&rsquo;s offense.
Crowder is comfortable attacking off the catch to feature his floater, is a perceptive off-ball nomad and brandishes a snappy jumper to burn tardy closeouts. Periodically, he&rsquo;s even displayed some on-ball juice. Dallas is already grappling and concerned with slowing Paul, Booker and Ayton. A fourth (or fifth) option as a release valve against its compromised defenders has proven burdensome to contain.
Unlike some fifth options, Crowder cannot be entirely neglected offensively, and teams must pay him some respect. Trying to fight through his screen or show against it may create an opening for the ball-handler to pounce. To avoid those scenarios, Dallas is mostly switching, which leaves Crowder and/or the primary scorer in a beneficial situation.
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Much like his counterparts on the wings, Crowder provides ancillary traits (some of which are tied to scoring) that amplify his offensive value in a background setting. He&rsquo;s an adept connective passer and punctuality flows through his general decision-making ethos. In head coach Monty Williams&rsquo; <a href="https://www.nba.com/suns/features/coach-williams-05-system-calls-faster-pace-and-quicker-decision-making">0.5 System</a> that emphasizes quick decision-making, Crowder fits snugly.&nbsp;
Most of his passing opportunities are coming against a tilted defense where he can briefly survey the floor and proceed. Other times, he&rsquo;s catching the ball in space or on the move and extends an advantage.&nbsp;
Complementary offensive players who hammer home advantages enacted by initiators are critically important. Crowder&rsquo;s second-round showing embodies that. Dallas is repeatedly playing catch-up before possessions even migrate his way, and he&rsquo;s only furthering the divide. Historically, his shooting and playmaking ambitions intermittently grow overzealous, but he&rsquo;s been quite reliable in this series.&nbsp;
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Similar to his offensive output, Crowder dips his quill in a number of inks defensively. He&rsquo;s frequently mucking up drives as a helper around the nail, and can curtail forays into the paint. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, he&rsquo;s someone Phoenix sics on Jalen Brunson and contently sends Doncic&rsquo;s direction in a pinch.&nbsp;
Neither ball-handler is necessarily enduring a poor series, but they&rsquo;re both experiencing fewer profits than they did against Utah. The Suns&rsquo; collective upgrade on the wings defensively compared to the Jazz is a major reason for the discrepancy, and Crowder falls under that difference.&nbsp;
His strength, mobility and deft hands slyly bother Doncic, while Brunson&rsquo;s found tough sledding against Crowder&rsquo;s burly, durable frame. On and off the ball, the veteran is around to entangle himself in the Mavericks&rsquo; plans.&nbsp;
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During Phoenix&rsquo;s first-round duel against the New Orleans Pelicans, Crowder couldn&rsquo;t toss a penny in a fountain. He shot 33.3% from the floor, buried just two triples and scored 45 points on 48 shots across six games. Yet his defense, primarily on Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, shined.&nbsp;
Now, the offense has returned and the defense continues to elicit praise. As Bridges&rsquo; offense ebbs and flows in this round, Crowder&rsquo;s revival has been a welcomed addition.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s never one archetype necessary to construct a title team. But strong, defensively inclined wings who can cook a few different dishes offensively are a common thread among many recent Finals participants. Both with the Heat in 2020 and Suns a season ago, Crowder is among those teams.&nbsp;
Phoenix isn&rsquo;t this good without him. He&rsquo;s only missed the playoffs once in his 10-year career. Although he&rsquo;s fortunately been surrounded by numerous good coaches and stars, there&rsquo;s correlation involved.
Crowder fills a diverse secondary role and performs it well, which is all the Suns have ever needed from him.&nbsp;
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Jackson Frank analyzes the crucial secondary role that Jae Crowder plays for the Suns and how he's thrived vs Dallas.

Jae Crowder's versatility has shined against the Mavericks

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledges there is pressure in the NBA playoffs and after the winning the first title, &ldquo;your mind wants to win a second time or a third time.&rdquo;
A leading MVP candidate again this season, Antetokounmpo likes to compare playing basketball to creating a work of art and he'll try to produce another postseason masterpiece this weekend.
His last time on the playoff stage, Antetokounmpo <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-milwaukee-bucks-phoenix-suns-64e76fe1b9f0851dbcf46ad66d90d6de">scored 50 points in a Game 6 victory over the Phoenix Suns that gave the Bucks their first championship in a half-century. </a>
Antetokounmpo and the third-seeded Bucks face the sixth-seeded Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference first-round series starting Sunday in Milwaukee.
&ldquo;At the end of the day, the mindset doesn&rsquo;t change,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said this week. &ldquo;Enjoy the game as much as possible because we worked hard for this moment. We can&rsquo;t take this moment for granted.&rdquo;
On the surface, it appears that winning a title last year took a weight off the 27-year-old's shoulders.
Having been there, done that, Antetokounmpo appears more relaxed.
The father of two has begun several postgame news conferences <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-milwaukee-bucks-miami-heat-nba-sports-8b670f96b14955e42665b0c9feb79de6">by making &ldquo;dad jokes,&rdquo;</a> a practice he continued this week while getting ready for the playoffs.
&ldquo;What do you call a cow on a rollercoaster?&rdquo; Antetokounmpo asked reporters who gathered around him. &ldquo;A milkshake.&rdquo;
But the postseason is no laughing matter for Antetokounmpo. The Bucks leader insists he feels just as much pressure now as he did before he&rsquo;d won a title.
&ldquo;Obviously a lot of people think once you win a championship and you succeed in life, there&rsquo;s no pressure,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t really agree. Obviously I do not try to focus on the pressure as much. I try to focus and enjoy the game. But at the end of the day, your mind always is going to find something to replace that.
&ldquo;Almost like, &lsquo;OK, you won one time.&rsquo; Now your mind wants to win a second time or a third time.&rdquo;
That attitude reflects Antetokounmpo&rsquo;s artistic approach to the game
He believes a player enters each contest with a new opportunity to create, as if he&rsquo;s an artist staring at a blank canvas.
&ldquo;If you play well and you hold on to the past, it prevents you from playing well again,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;If you had 40 the previous game, you&rsquo;re like, &lsquo;OK, I had 40 the previous game. Today I can just be sloppy with the ball.&rsquo; That was that art that was created.
&ldquo;Today I reset. I get a new canvas and try to create new art.&rdquo;
The approach helped Antetokounmpo follow up the Bucks&rsquo; championship with one of his finest NBA seasons.
He enters the playoffs as the Eastern Conference player of the month for March and April. Antetokounmpo averaged a career-high 29.9 points &ndash; behind only Philadelphia&rsquo;s Joel Embiid &ndash; along with 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in four separate seasons. Oscar Robertson did it three times.
&ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t settle,&rdquo; Bucks guard George Hill said. &ldquo;One thing I do know about him: Him winning a championship doesn&rsquo;t define who he is. He&rsquo;s still in there every day, every morning, every night working his butt off to get better. He still feels like he has a lot to prove.&rdquo;
Teammate Jrue Holiday argued late in the season that Antetokounmpo merits consideration for the NBA&rsquo;s most improved player award because of the way the 6-foot-11 forward diversified his game.
Antetokounmpo said he liked the idea of &ldquo;changing the narrative&rdquo; about his game by showing he could shoot effectively and wasn&rsquo;t merely a guy who capitalized on his size and athleticism by scoring on dunks and drives to the basket.
Although he made fewer than 30% of his 3-point attempts this season, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-brooklyn-nets-nba-sports-kevin-durant-1a0734f03a711826d4e4f725957d2ffe">Antetokounmpo passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Bucks&rsquo; scoring record by sinking a game-tying 3-pointer in the final minute of regulation in an overtime victory at Brooklyn. </a> He made 72.2% of his free-throw attempts, his highest percentage since the 2019-20 season.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s dominated and perfected one part of his game, and now he&rsquo;s going to grow and extend that range to the 3-point line,&rdquo; said Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who coached Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee from 2014-18. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what he says he&rsquo;s going to do, and that means he&rsquo;s going to do it.&rdquo;
And that means realizing what he accomplished last year won&rsquo;t necessarily play any part in whether the Bucks are able to repeat.
&ldquo;Last year&rsquo;s last year,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;Last year we were able to go through ups and downs in the playoffs and end up with the championship. But that doesn&rsquo;t mean nothing.&rdquo;
For now, it's just another blank canvas.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks face the sixth-seeded Bulls in an Eastern Conference first-round series starting Sunday.

Antetokounmpo, Bucks eager to win title a 'second time, third time'

Jackson Frank breaks down the film and collaborates with Nekias Duncan and Mark Schindler to pick the 2021-22 All-NBA teams.

2021-22 All-NBA Teams: Praising this season's 15 best players

All things considered, the Brooklyn Nets should consider themselves fortunate to have gotten a player of Ben Simmons&rsquo; caliber in exchange for James Harden.
And you know what? That will be just as true next season as it is today.
At some point, Brooklyn may need to do the responsible and sensible thing and rule the young point guard out for the remainder of the season, for the good of the team and for Simmons himself.
Since his arrival in Brooklyn, the Nets have been cryptic in the information they&rsquo;ve provided on Simmons' availability, or lack thereof. He&rsquo;s gone from being expected to suit up almost immediately after to trade to being available &ldquo;at some point this season.&rdquo;
Now, it's anyone&rsquo;s guess.
When asked about him on Tuesday, Nets head coach Steve Nash would only offer that there has been no improvement in Simmons' condition and that he&rsquo;s no closer to returning than he was last week. He also hasn&rsquo;t had another MRI, which can be good or bad, depending on your perspective.
Either way, at 25 years old, Simmons has an entire career ahead of him, so the idea that the Nets would somehow lose face on the Harden trade if Simmons is unable to play this season is absurd. Brooklyn was able to rid themselves of a disgrunted superstar who could have walked for nothing and got an All-Star caliber 25-year-old in return. The trade was a windfall, even without considering Seth Curry and Andre Drummond.
Knowing that there's a bigger picture (and a future) in Brooklyn, the Nets at some point will need to be responsible and simply rule Simmons out. Even if Nash still wanted to work him into the lineup ahead of the postseason, the grace period during which a coach would have been able to incorporate a new player has all but run out on Brooklyn.
More importantly, though, is that if Simmons is still nowhere near returning to the court, his back injury is probably more serious than originally thought. Rushing him back to make a run this postseason would be shortsighted.
Dwight Howard, Larry Johnson and Larry Bird all had back issues, and their careers were undercut as a result. Plenty of players &mdash; including Michael Porter Jr. &mdash; know they aren&rsquo;t anything to play with.&nbsp;And in Steve Nash&rsquo;s locker room, best believe, the clarity on Simmons' fate this season would probably go a long way. Of all the colors, gray is the least favorite of any NBA player.
As a class, our heroes thrive on routine, habit and known expectations. Players like to know how many minutes they&rsquo;ll play, what their roles will be, what is expected of them and who they can count on to be beside them. The lack of clarity with Kyrie Irving, it is believed, had a lot to do with Harden&rsquo;s unhappiness in Brooklyn in the first place. Ironically, now that Irving is available to the team on a full-time basis, the question mark that Nash and his coaching staff had to operate around &mdash; Irving &mdash; has now been replaced by another in Simmons.
For comparison's sake, the Golden State Warriors took the bull by the horns and ruled James Wiseman out for the remainder of the season so he can rehab his torn meniscus. The Warriors understand that his future is too important to risk rushing him back, so they're giving him every opportunity to get himself right and his teammates will likely benefit from the clarity it provides.
Brooklyn should be so wise.
Entering play on March 30, the Nets have just six games remaining in the regular season, and there&rsquo;s quite a bit at stake. They can realistically finish anywhere from seventh to 10th&nbsp;in the Eastern Conference. The same will be true for the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.
It&rsquo;s all but guaranteed that Brooklyn will find themselves in the play-in tournament, though their seed and opponent are obviously still to be determined. Without Simmons suiting up to play at least four or five regular-season games, the risk of putting him out there in a do-or-die scenario could be too great for Nash to co-sign. A play-in game also doesn&rsquo;t seem like the ideal scenario to deploy a player who will need to acclimate himself to new surroundings. The same can be said of a first-round playoff series in which the Nets know they would be facing even stiffer competition should they advance.
Ideally, when a new key player is introduced to a lineup, a coach will give himself a 15-to-20 game grace period to figure out rotations, allow the troops to build chemistry and truly get a grasp on what it is they like to run. In the case of Simmons, incorporating him will be more difficult than a player like Seth Curry because Simmons is not a catch-and-shoot scorer. In order for Simmons to thrive, he'll need to have an opportunity to learn Brooklyn&rsquo;s offense, operate with the ball in his hands and learn his teammates' tendencies. That&rsquo;s not a process a team with championship aspirations can cheat.
Admittedly, Simmons could serve some utility as merely a finisher at the basket and a defensive presence, even if he's less than 100%. But there&rsquo;s at least room to wonder whether relegating him to that role would make him a net-positive over the likes of Bruce Brown or Andre Drummond. Brown can shoot, and Drummod provides more credible resistance to the likes of Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.
In the end, Brooklyn is in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, they don&rsquo;t want to rush Simmons back before he&rsquo;s ready, but on the other hand, the longer he takes to get on the court, the higher the stakes will be for a team that will certainly need a few games to figure things out.
When Simmons arrived in Brooklyn, it was thought to signify the beginning of a new era for the Nets.
In the end, it still can be, even if it means waiting until the 2022-23 season to see it all come together.

With Ben Simmons still ailing, the Brooklyn Nets may be wise to shut him down for the remainder of the season.

At some point, Nets may be wise to rule Ben Simmons out for season

We have reached the final installment of this season's NBA Sour Rankings and it's been a wild ride.
Of the 30 NBA teams, 28 appeared on the list at some points in the season. I inversed each ranking and turned it into a point value to tally up the most prominent members. The Los Angeles Lakers (134 points), Sacramento Kings (117), New York Knicks (113) and Portland Trail Blazers (99) were the highest point-getters, and continuously peppered the rankings since they each disappointed at consistent levels throughout the year.
Who never touched the Sour Rankings? The San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic. I bet you didn't expect them. Those squads had the combination of extremely low expectations and frequent flashes from young talent. Despite those franchises never being on top of the NBA sphere, I never felt frustrated by by either team because there was always a silver lining after every game.
So we arrive at the final ranking with several playoff contenders sputtering to the finish.
If you're new to the Sour Rankings, here's a refresher: Unlike the typical "power rankings" that are so common throughout sports media, Sour Rankings are a bizarro-world counter. These rankings highlight the top-10 most frustrating NBA franchises throughout the season, and they are updated every week to match the twists and turns of the league.
This is not merely a bottom-10 of your typical best-to-worst outlooks. You will see championship contenders and playoff hopefuls mixed in with struggling squads. Teams well under .500 may never touch the Sour Rankings because they are on track with their respective processes. Injuries, drama, transactions and generally underwhelming play will earn you a spot on this list.
The central question is ultimately this: How good should you feel about the direction of each franchise? Let's get going.
Escaping the Sour Rankings:&nbsp;The Dallas Mavericks have climbed up to fourth in the Western Conference standings and flipped to home-court advantage against the Utah Jazz, who they'll likely play in the postseason. The Chicago Bulls have somewhat righted the ship and maintain a hold on fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks may be out of the playoff picture, but they've suddenly been hit with a wave of developmental flashes from the young core. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-stats-notebook-immanuel-quickleys-unusual-shot-diet-can-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Immanuel Quickley leads the way</a>.&nbsp;
10. Boston Celtics (47-28)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
ESPN Sources: Celtics C Robert Williams has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will minimally miss several weeks. Further evaluation today will help provide a timetable. Boston moved into first-place Sunday, and Williams has been immense part of NBA&rsquo;s best defense.
&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1508469824195899398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote>

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

Man... <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-celtics-center-robert-williams-feared-to-have-torn-meniscus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that is pain</a>. What else is there to say?
(Last week: Unranked)
9. Brooklyn Nets (39-36)
Brooklyn boasts the league's fourth-ranked offense over the past two weeks, and that was before the New York City vaccination policies changed, allowing Kyrie Irving to play in home games. The Nets can end their season with some positive momentum, as they face just three more teams at .500 or better.
One of those teams is the Atlanta Hawks, who Brooklyn is currently slotted to play in the Play-In bracket. The race for the eighth seed is dead even between the Nets and Charlotte Hornets, and that's a battle within a battle to get at least two extra shots at a playoff spot. Should the Nets lose, do they want to face a dominant Trae Young with their not-so-dominant defense?
(Last week: 8)
8. Golden State Warriors (48-27)
The Warriors have lost 5 of their last 6 games and just took a 123-115 defeat against the Wizards. They are 6-10 since the All-Star break, and while those losses have come with a mix of injured absences involving Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, it's concerning that the rest of the cast can't keep things together &mdash; even against bad teams. Golden State is currently two games up on the Mavericks for the third seed, but only four games separate the team from the sixth-place Denver Nuggets. This is a sneaky-close middle tier with the Warriors holding little momentum.
(Last week: 10)
7. Atlanta Hawks (37-37)
As mentioned, the Hawks face a potential playoff preview with the Nets. But they'll likely have to meet both Brooklyn and Charlotte in some order in the postseason. Atlanta went 2-2 against the Hornets in the regular season, and is 0-2 vs. the Nets prior to this coming Saturday's matchup. That doesn't inspire much confidence that the Hawks, as the No. 10 seed, can storm through both to the playoffs.
(Last week: 7)
6. Utah Jazz (45-30)
Utah received a quality playoff test this past week with games against the Nets, Celtics, Hornets and Mavericks. The Jazz lost all four games, though they missed Gobert. Their perennially stalwart defense is down to 20th over the past two weeks, and against the Celtics in particular, they couldn't seem to contain anyone. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.4 points per game since the All-Star break, but even that isn't mattering when the defense doesn't show up beyond Gobert.
(Last week: Unranked)
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5. Miami Heat (47-28)
Bryan Fonseca wrote a great piece this past week about <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-miami-heats-blow-up-was-necessary-but-now-the-rest-is-up-to-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener">that Heat meltdown on Wednesday</a> against the Warriors. His message was that these types of altercations don't have to define the rest of the season. But the dust-up certainly is right now, as the Heat have lost their grip on the East's top spot. They followed up the defeat with two more bad losses to the Knicks and Nets.
Miami still has conference powers in Boston, Chicago and Toronto left on the schedule. With the top four seeds separate by half a game, the Heat could easily plummet to the bottom of the tier.
(Last week: Unranked)
4. Washington Wizards (32-42)
Let's talk about Corey Kispert! The No. 15 pick flailed, as most rookies do, to open his NBA career. But Kispert has meaningfully caught fire in recent weeks. The 23-year-old sharpshooter is drilling 42.4% of his three-pointers in March. He just hit six triples on his way to a career-high 25 points in the team's aforementioned win over the Warriors. Washington hasn't had too much to get excited about in these last two weeks, so at least Kispert is helping send the young core into the summer on a high note.
(Last week: 2)
3. Portland Trail Blazers (27-47)
According to <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jerami-grant-trade-rumors-portland-is-still-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James L. Edwards III of&nbsp;The Athletic</a>, the Trail Blazers are still the front-runner to trade for Jerami Grant this offseason. "I think a lottery pick would be the kind of sweetener that would [get a deal done]," Edwards told HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
I just don't understand how a team so badly in need of a reset can cash in what will likely be its highest draft pick in a decade to go make a last-ditch attempt at keeping the current group relevant. Portland does not have a playoff-caliber roster regardless of Damian Lillard's health. Trading away several key future pieces for Jerami Grant will not change this. I'm simply against this move for the franchise's future.
(Last week: 4)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (31-43)
Here we go!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
WHAT A COMEBACK 😱 The Pelicans rally from a 23-point deficit to take down the Lakers in NoLa! <a href="https://t.co/MmFRQr8n2l">pic.twitter.com/MmFRQr8n2l</a>
&mdash; NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1508254421804716033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote>

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

The Lakers are on a two-game skid and the Spurs are on a three-game win streak. Los Angeles has eight games to try and hold off San Antonio and at least survive to reach the postseason. Over the past two weeks, in which the Lakers have gone 2-5, they have the league's ninth-ranked offense and 27th-ranked defense. Their last eight games include the Mavericks, Jazz, Pelicans, Suns, Warriors, Thunder and Nuggets (twice).
Whew, this is not going to be easy!
(Last week: 1)
1. Sacramento Kings (27-48)
The Kings shut down Richaun Holmes for the season due to "personal reasons" and did not specify why. Robin Epley of the <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article259668860.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sacramento Bee found out</a>: Holmes is facing serious domestic violence allegations amid an ongoing custody battle.
Obviously this is an ongoing process with no conclusion yet. But Epley makes the point painfully clear in her article.
"I&rsquo;m not convicting Richaun Holmes ahead of his court date. It does, however, appear that the Kings were focused on covering up a serious situation involving allegations of domestic violence by one of their players. When I contacted the team this week, they refused to comment on the serious charges facing their player, or say anything beyond the cryptic announcement of Holmes&rsquo; departure," she writes.
Epley goes more into some important statistics surrounding domestic violence cases in the U.S. and in the NBA. I seriously implore you to read them if you haven't yet. But the point is: This is yet again another case being swept under the rug by the league and its franchises.
(Last week: 3)
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Ethan Fuller ranks the most frustrating NBA teams in the last Sour Rankings of the season.

NBA Sour Rankings: The final countdown

Most NBA teams have approximately 10-12 games left on the regular season calendar. It's all about the playoff races, and as we hit the home stretch, three are worth monitoring.&nbsp;
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are tied for sixth place in the Western Conference, with Dallas just above them by 1.5 games. Whoever loses out on this race gets the unfortunate ticket to the play-in tournament with three other teams who simply don't measure up. But just down the standings is a tie between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers for ninth. Have the Lakers really fallen this far, and could they fall even further?
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors have jockeyed for the sixth seed in the East, but the weary Chicago Bulls have sagged into the battle as well. But Brooklyn, Charlotte and Atlanta can at least feel safe in their play-in chances since no one else appears to want a postseason spot.&nbsp;
As the tension increases, several of these playoff tightrope acts appear in this week's rankings.
If you're new to the Sour Rankings, here's a refresher: Unlike the typical "power rankings" that are so common throughout sports media, Sour Rankings are a bizarro-world counter. These rankings highlight the top-10 most frustrating NBA franchises throughout the season, and they are updated every week to match the twists and turns of the league.
This is not merely a bottom-10 of your typical best-to-worst outlooks. You will see championship contenders and playoff hopefuls mixed in with struggling squads. Teams well under .500 may never touch the Sour Rankings because they are on track with their respective processes. Injuries, drama, transactions and generally underwhelming play will earn you a spot on this list.
The central question is ultimately this: How good should you feel about the direction of each franchise? Let's get going.
Escaping the Sour Rankings:&nbsp;Charlotte currently rides a four-game winning streak and has moved into ninth in the East standings with a real chance at overtaking Brooklyn for eighth place. Cleveland, despite some injury woes, maintains its hold on sixth place and could even jump the struggling Bulls.
Though Houston is among the NBA's bottom-feeders, the Rockets continue to find promise in its young core, led this week by Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and KJ Martin.
10. Golden State Warriors (47-24)
Just as Draymond Green makes his return, Stephen Curry goes down with a foot injury. Curry feels confident that <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/breakingnews/warriors-curry-expects-to-return-by-start-of-playoffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he'll be back to start the playoffs.</a> But the Warriors remain in a tight seeding race with Memphis and Utah, and will now have to sort out the West hierarchy without their centerpiece. Seeding is critical in determining when Golden State matches up against the almighty Suns and if they could catch a play-in team (by being a No. 2 seed) versus a rested playoff squad.&nbsp;
(Last week: 10)
9. Chicago Bulls (41-29)
Chicago's offense is in a state. The Bulls wield the 26th-ranked offense in the NBA since the All-Star break and have gone 3-8 out of the pause. Their halfcourt offense is ranked seventh on the season per Cleaning the Glass, but has dropped to 21st since the break and is averaging just 93.4 points per 100 possessions.
Chicago is at its healthiest in a long time with only Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams sidelined. The Bulls need to get the offense back on track before Cleveland and Toronto shoot past them in the East standings.
(Last week: Unranked)
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8. Brooklyn Nets (37-34)
Kyrie Irving, with everything that surrounds his persona and playing status, is the most electric player in basketball right now. I mean, the man is averaging 37.8 points per game since the All-Star break while shooting 55.3% on 9.4 three-point attempts per game. He dropped 60 on the Orlando Magic this past week... and then scored a combined zero points in the next two games because of his playing status.
Could Irving haved turned the tide in a narrow 113-111 home loss to Dallas? I'm guessing so. Is this a preview of how the Nets' postseason could be affected by his own actions? I think so.
(Last week: 6)
7. Atlanta Hawks (35-36)
So Atlanta is under .500 and has been hovering there for several weeks now. I was listening to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mailbag-madness/id1547857052?i=1000554467191" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friday's episode of The Dunker Spot</a>, and Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. forced me to hit the reality-check button on the Hawks.
Atlanta is 7-6 since the All-Star break and has leveled out with an offense and defense that fall around league average in efficiency over the past two weeks. John Collins is now out indefinitely with a finger injury, depriving Trae Young of his chief running mate. The Hawks have two rotation players over age-30 (Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams) and underwent little roster change in the offseason or at the trade deadline. Yet they have undoubtedly regressed since their breakout Eastern Conference Finals run last season.
What exactly is the read on this team long-term, especially if they go out with a whimper in the play-in tournament?
(Last week: Unranked)
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6. New York Knicks (30-41)
It's bizarre to see the Knicks, Pelicans and Lakers all sitting together at 30-41 after what feels like three radically unique seasons. But though New York's playoff chances have all-but evaporated, we're getting some fun moments in the twilight of the season.&nbsp;
Enter Immanuel Quickley. The second-year guard is putting up 14.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in his last 10 contests. Quickley has finally found his perimeter touch and is making 43.2% of his long-range attempts. New York is 5-5 in March, which is a relative positive given the course of the season, and I'm still very high on Quickley's future in this backcourt.
(Last week: 5)
5. Dallas Mavericks (43-28)
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33527472/ex-gm-donnie-nelson-sues-dallas-mavericks-says-was-fired-reporting-sexual-misconduct-team-denies-claim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN's Don Van Natti Jr. published a full report</a> of ex-GM Donnie Nelson's recent lawsuit against the Mavericks on Thursday. Included in the lawsuit is a claim from Nelson that owner Mark Cuban fired him "as retaliation for reporting that Cuban's chief of staff sexually harassed and sexually assaulted his nephew during a job interview in 2020."
This is obviously extremely serious, but additionally, it reinforces a pattern of discord in the Mavericks' front office that is suspiciously intertwined with a history of poisonous culture in the organization. Remember when the Mavericks were <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/nba-statement-dallas-mavericks-workplace-investigation-official-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investigated back in 2018</a> and the not-so-heavy punishments laid out? There's no way to properly state how dangerous this trend looks on the Mavs and the NBA at large, especially as the Suns' Robert Sarver situation is still unresolved.
(Last week: Unranked)
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4. Portland Trail Blazers (26-44)
Removing Anfernee Simons due to injury, Portland's four leading per-game scorers in March are: Josh Hart (20.5), Brandon Williams (16.6), Trendon Watford (15.9) and Drew Eubanks (12.0). I don't mean this as slander toward the players at all. Hart in particular has been a force since the trade from New Orleans and the latter three have maximized their real shots at sticking in the NBA. It's more of a reminder of where Portland is right now without any cornerstone young talent or heathy, proven veterans playing.&nbsp;
(Last week: 2)
3. Sacramento Kings (25-48)
We've hit that same old slog with the Kings, who are plum out of playoff hope and spring momentum with a 2-8 record in March. Sacramento is one of six teams with bottom-10 ratings on both offense and defense since the All-Star break.
(Last week: 3)
2. Washington Wizards (30-40)
Bradley Beal's upcoming offseason has overshadowed the floundering on-court Wizards. Shams Charania reported today that the 76ers seriously attempted to trade for Beal during the season before ultimately pivoting back to James Harden. The Heat are <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-heat-legitimate-suitor-for-bradley-beal-if-he-hits-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> a "legitimate suitor" should Beal hit free agency in the summer.
For the n-th time, the Bradley Beal sweepstakes feels more important than anything happening on the court. Washington lost six-straight before beating our top (or bottom, depending on your perspective) team.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (30-41)
The San Antonio Spurs are 5-8 since the All-Star break. Their remaining 10 games include winnable matchups against the Pelicans, Rockets and Trail Blazers (three times) and imposing tasks versus the Warriors, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Grizzlies. Going 5-5 or better in 10 games won't be easy for a young Spurs team that still sits 2.5 games back of a play-in bid.
All of this is to say: The Lakers are somehow making a very safe situation feel treacherous. Eight of their final 11 contests are against top-six seeds. There's a very real chance that this race comes down to the final days.
(Last week: 4)
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Ethan Fuller is back with this week's Sour Rankings as the NBA's playoff races tighten up.

NBA Sour Rankings: Lakers' Play-In bid still not guaranteed

During any rebuild, the general theme should often be structural experimentation. Provide young players a role, while empowering them to experiment within that role. Establish expectations for how they can thrive, but don&rsquo;t be overly rigid or domineering in the exact play-style or execution. Freedom, within reason, is the slogan.&nbsp;
For Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann, all of that is an apt, broad synopsis of his rookie season. He&rsquo;s started 19 of the past 20 games and all year, he&rsquo;s enjoyed a role encouraging him to entertain a whole bunch of ideas. Many aren&rsquo;t currently prosperous, but a future where they are isn&rsquo;t too difficult to identify.&nbsp;
Right now, Mann isn&rsquo;t a very good NBA player, yet much of what he&rsquo;s showcasing hints at a not-too-distant reality where he is quite good. Most rookies aren&rsquo;t good. His struggles are palatable because the kernels of intrigue continue to swell.&nbsp;
Across all 54 games, he&rsquo;s averaging 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.8 steals on 48.4% True Shooting (.381/.347/.771 split). In 21 starts, he&rsquo;s averaging 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a steal on 48% TS (.367/.346/.833 split). None of those are really numbers that scream &ldquo;he&rsquo;s currently good!&rdquo; but there&rsquo;s a whole lot of dazzling tape and underlying data to inspire optimism.&nbsp;
Dating back years, Mann&rsquo;s adroit ball-handling talents have popped off the screen. Through five months in the NBA, those handling chops have probably been his most functional skill. The entire kitchen sink of tricks is seemingly in his arsenal &mdash; hesitations, crossovers, in-and-outs, snatch-back dribbles &mdash; and he leverages all of them to forge advantages.&nbsp;
Lower-body flexibility and evasive deceleration amplify the threat of his ball-handling to keep defenders off-kilter. As the season&rsquo;s progressed, he&rsquo;s growing more decisive and self-assured in these moves &mdash; less thinking ahead of every decision and more acting on the fly as he sees fit. He&rsquo;s already authored a smattering of highlight-reel buckets, and it&rsquo;s not complicated to see him torching defenses like this for years:&nbsp;
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The ball-handling, flexibility and deceleration are all critical in his ability to compensate for lackluster burst and strength. According to Cleaning The Glass, just 19% of his shots occur at the rim (31st percentile), where he&rsquo;s shooting 49% (19th percentile). He&rsquo;s not unwilling to play through contact or embrace physicality, but his poor core strength gives rim protectors the clear edge and invites on-ball defenders to disrupt or crowd his handle.&nbsp;
Addressing that physical deficiency could be incredibly beneficial, helping him to fend off handsy assignments and emerge from the cellar of finishing and rim pressure groupings. Fortunately, dribble-drive prowess isn&rsquo;t the bedrock of Mann&rsquo;s scoring allure. His shooting profile is quite encouraging, even if immediate results don&rsquo;t highlight that.
He&rsquo;s connecting on 37% of his spot-up threes and looks reasonably adept as a <a href="https://streamable.com/xxxp4d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">movement shooter</a>, given his footwork and balance. Leaning into that catch-and-shoot volume is important. He&rsquo;s prone to bypassing stationary triples in favor of drives, but interior scoring is fairly tricky these days (41% on twos).&nbsp;
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In fact, he&rsquo;s taken more pull-up threes than catch-and-shoot threes this season, despite generally playing alongside a lead creator. Letting it fly off the catch more often would be a boon to his efficiency and Oklahoma City&rsquo;s offense.
None of this is to suggest off-the-bounce stuff is forbidden with him. Mann&rsquo;s pull-up game is rather promising. Among 14 rookies to attempt at least 100 pull-up jumpers this season, his 47.1% effective field goal percentage ranks second behind Cam Thomas (48%).&nbsp;
His step-back three is swiftly developing into a reliable, hallmark weapon and he&rsquo;s shooting 36.8% (21-of-57) on it this season. The space he generates, while maintaining balance, is absolutely menacing. His ankles can endure some serious torque.&nbsp;
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For many scoring-inclined prospects or young guys, a hurdle that often exists is the inability to create open or comfortable looks when transitioning from their pre-NBA context to the league. Whether it&rsquo;s athletic shortcomings, atypical shooting mechanics or something else, the capacity to consistently find clean shots prevents them from burgeoning into high-level scorers.&nbsp;
With Mann, that&rsquo;s not a problem because he&rsquo;s routinely producing open, replicable shots for himself. He&rsquo;s not hitting a ton of them thus far, but the process is encouraging. Shot-making is a staple of developmental curves, even if it&rsquo;s usually just implied rather than stated analysis. He views offensive decision-making through a lens of distinguished creativity.
If there&rsquo;s open space to occupy, he touts the ingenuity, handling and flexibility to inhabit it. A lot of what he sees and how he moves feels inherent as opposed to acquired.
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A trap that can be the mystique of pull-up shooting is the absence of ancillary skills around it. If you&rsquo;re a good pull-up shooter but underwhelming in an assortment of other skills like passing and advantage creation, demanding significant usage to broadcast the impact of that shooting is much more onerous.
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Mann has the advantage creation with his slippery handle and is a much better passer than his assist rate indicates. His best passing trait is reads to the interior, but Oklahoma City&rsquo;s crop of big men are not credible play-finishers. I&rsquo;d be curious to see what his inside-out passing looks like on a team with better shooting, though that&rsquo;s also an area for improvement.&nbsp;
Yet given his dexterity, innovation as a dribbler and the manner in which he interacts with space, he might have some latent playmaking upside that would broaden the domain of his passing toolbelt. And regardless, it&rsquo;s not as though he&rsquo;s totally inept. He&rsquo;s exhibited an enticing knack to thread reads into small windows and occasionally manipulate help defenders with his eyes or body angles. The base in Year 1 is substantial.
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His ideas are also ahead of his execution. He&rsquo;ll see an opening, but not really have a path to capitalize on it. As the scope of that issue dwindles and he potentially adds core strength to better navigate physicality, he should be excellent at weaving through defenders and delivering dimes.
All of this is to say that I&rsquo;m not really worried about him being a unitasker offensively who almost exclusively derives value from pull-ups and fails to contribute elsewhere. He&rsquo;s going to manufacture paint touches and be a tenable facilitator. Offenses should be able to entrust him with sizable usage.
Don&rsquo;t let the gloom of Mann&rsquo;s numbers today cast long-term doubt or concern. The outline of a versatile, impactful secondary creator is surfacing. In due time, refinement will come and the entirety of his services will blossom. Foretelling it merely requires a look beyond the box score.
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Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Tre Mann isn't filling the stat sheet, but a deep dive into his film inspires optimism, writes Jackson Frank.