Oaklanders

<div>The Indiana Pacers medical team decided to clear Tyrese Haliburton to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals despite an existing calf strain and that blunder resulted in a torn Achilles tendon. While understandable given the gravity of the situation, that decision proved to be very costly for not only the organization as a whole but more importantly to Tyrese Haliburton as it was just announced that he would miss the entire 2025/2026 season due to a torn achilles.&nbsp;</div>
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-1_690w.jpeg" alt="" />
<div>In contrast, this past summer, my daughter Imani Thomas class of 2026 was faced with a very difficult decision to play through an injury at Nationals and risk further more severe injury.&nbsp;</div>
<div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Here&rsquo;s the story: &nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Imani had played through shin splints for the entire travel season with her team Maryland Juniors. These shin splints actually developed during her junior year high school season with Bishop McNamara, but she is a soldier and she pushed through like all athletes do.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>However, toward the end of her travel season, the shin splints continued to get worse. She did constant treatment and even started over compensating to protect her shin splints until one practice she could barely move. The assistant coach (Coach Ashley Williams) came up to me and said,&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;Imani is a beast, and she is not going to stop playing no matter what I tell her. But you need to get this checked out because it&rsquo;s visibly getting worse&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>So me and my wife Nichole took her to get X Rays and a MRI and it was discovered that her shin splints had turned into a stress fracture.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>She was devastated. Nationals were coming up and like any athlete she contemplated just sucking it up and playing through the pain.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>The doctor was honest with us. He explained to us that if Imani was playing soccer, he would definitely not clear her to play because the likelihood of her getting kicked in her stress fracture was relatively high. If she played football or rugby or any contact sport, he would also not clear her. But she plays volleyball, and the likelihood of her getting kicked in her stress fracture was very low.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-6_690w.jpeg" alt="" /></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>However, if she landed wrong, the impact could be just as severe as if she got kicked. Then he asked how her mechanics were and I told him that she had been over compensating for quite some time. She&rsquo;s been pushing through and getting a lot of treatment but she has been in pain for a long time. And the doctor said honestly, it&rsquo;s a decision you have to make for her. She is going to want to risk it all and play. That&rsquo;s how athletes are.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>So we talked to Imani, explained the risks, and together we came to the decision that it would be best to sit out.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>And it was a very difficult process for her as it would be for any athlete but long term over short term was what was important.&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Now, back to Tyrese Haliburton.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>
<div>NBA fans across the world witnessed what would have been a story of triumph. One for the archives of NBA history. The storyline would&rsquo;ve been.... Facing elimination in the NBA playoffs in a pivotal Game 7, Tyrese Haliburton battles through injury with superhuman perseverance and in heroic fashion to save the Pacers and propel them into victory solidifying this as one of the greatest finals performances in the history of the NBA. They probably would&rsquo;ve had a picture of Haliburton with a Superman emblem on his chest and a cape under his Warriors uniform. Would&rsquo;ve had his dad holding the same Pacers towel he waved in front of Giannis next to his son with the trophy. Would&rsquo;ve been a sportswriters dream as so many angles could&rsquo;ve been covered and explored.</div>
<div>
People love stories of heroics. Isiah Thomas hobbling around on one foot in game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals against the Lakers and scoring 25 points in the 3rd quarter. Or Willis Reed walking out of the tunnel for the New York Knicks on his bum ankle in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals. Everything was set up for Haliburton to be added to that list.
High school, college and professional coaches across the country were just salivating to be able to use this as an example to their players to enforce the philosophy that &ldquo;pain is weakness leaving your body&rdquo;. They would&rsquo;ve used Haliburton as an example to young athletes that the game (not your health) is what matters most. And a real &ldquo;team player&rdquo; would sacrifice a &ldquo;little discomfort&rdquo; for their team.
I have seen this all before. During my tenure with the Washington Wizards, I witnessed team trainer Eric Waters misdiagnose player after player because what was best for the Wizards organization was for that player to play.
I saw Richard Hamilton go off on the entire training staff after he learned that&nbsp;he had been playing through a torn groin, only disclosed to him after the team was out of playoff contention. He had been complaining about his groin for weeks and the trainers were giving him treatment two and three times a day all the while knowing his groin was torn, but they wanted to push for the playoffs so they didn&rsquo;t tell him.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-3_690w.jpeg" alt="" />
I saw them tell Jarvis Hayes that he simply had a case of &ldquo;tendinitis&rdquo; in his knee and had him playing through the pain. Turned out he had a broken knee cap and ruined his entire career.&nbsp;
I saw them tell Kwame Brown that he was just experiencing a &ldquo;little discomfort&rdquo; in his leg and that he needed to play through the pain to show everyone that he was worthy of being the number 1 pick. Turned out later, he actually had a torn hamstring.&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-4_690w.jpeg" alt="" />
I saw Eric Waters tell Deshawn Stevenson there was nothing seriously wrong with his back and had him getting ice and stem and playing through the pain. After the season, upon further review by an outside doctor it was discovered that he actually had an Inflamed L5 Nerve that was stuck underneath a disc that required not one but two back surgeries to repair.&nbsp;
My point in saying all of this is not to simply blast Eric Waters, I am showing that this happens all the time in professional sports. With team doctors and trainers, there is a conflict of interest and the sworn medical oath becomes blurred and effects their diagnoses. They are hired by the teams and are in essence employees of the organization not employees of the players. So they don&rsquo;t have the players best interest in mind, typically, they only have the organization&rsquo;s.
The Indiana Pacers medical staff basically RG3&rsquo;d Haliburton. They &ldquo;Any Given Sunday&rsquo;d&rdquo; him. They Eric Waters&rsquo;d him.
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-5_690w.jpeg" alt="" />
He shouldn&rsquo;t have been playing period.
The risks outweighed the rewards. Even from a team standpoint. This is your franchise player. This is a player who has the capability of single handedly turning an entire NBA championship finals series around. This is a player that you should&rsquo;ve done everything in your power to convey to him how important he is long term for them and how much they value his health and are looking out for his best interest etc etc. However, what they showed was the exact opposite.&nbsp;
It doesn&rsquo;t matter if Haliburton insisted on playing in Game 7, just like it didn&rsquo;t matter if Imani insisted on playing in Nationals.&nbsp;Sometimes, when it comes to their health, athletes need people to make the decision for them. That&rsquo;s our job as parents and we did that. That was also the job of the Pacers medical team, and they did not have the medical integrity to do that.&nbsp;
Imani had her boot off now and is starting rehab and will be back full strength in a few weeks. Haliburton&rsquo;s calf strain turned into a ruptured Achilles and he will have to sit out the entire 2025/2026 season.&nbsp;
In explaining the difference in how me and my wife Nichole handled her injury vs how the Pacers medical staff handled his, I started singing, &ldquo;They Not Like Us&rdquo; A Dad joke that fell flat with Imani but I don&rsquo;t care it was a good joke.&nbsp;
But in all seriousness, I hope all young players see this and learn that no matter what the circumstances or how big the game is, your health always comes first, and you ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion from your own doctors that have nothing to do with the organization like Kawhi Leonard did in San Antonio his last season there.&nbsp;
Let me refresh everyone&rsquo;s memory.
Everyone with a microphone dogged Kawhi that season. Skip Bayless was still going on his hateful rants and baseless criticisms of Kawhi even after the Raptors beat the 76ers in the playoffs.
Skip Bayless tweeted out
&ldquo;Well, I guess it worked for No. 2 to quit on the Spurs last season complaining of what Spurs doctors decided was no more than a thigh bruise. He wound up in the East, playing against a hobbled, sick Embiid and an overrated Giannis. "Crime" pays.&rdquo;
Kawhi delt with Coach Popovich taking shots at him, his teammates taking shots at him, the team questioning his injury because their &ldquo;team doctors&rdquo; said he was fine. But he got a 2nd opinion and was told otherwise and did what was in his best interest. Danny Green was reportedly playing through a torn groin after being misdiagnosed by the same team doctors that misdiagnosed Kawhi.
And the Spurs are one of the most respected organizations in the NBA with one of the most respected coaches in the NBA. But, the bottom line is, any organization will throw you out there in a heartbeat injured if they feel it is best for the organization. They will publicly criticize you if you don&rsquo;t play and if you play and re-injure yourself worst or just don&rsquo;t play up to their expectations (as if they don&rsquo;t know your playing injured) they will get rid of you in a New York minute just like The Washington Commanders did RG3 and just like the Washington Wizards did with Jarvis Hayes.
I remember watching Grant Hill. He was about to literally take over the league.
People were calling him out for not playing hurt. Said he was soft, overrated etc etc just like they were saying about Haliburton before he shut them all up this playoff series.
The Orlando medical staff derailed Grant&rsquo;s entire career.&nbsp;
Another example is the young Isiah Thomas. He shouldn&rsquo;t have been playing in Boston in the playoffs but he played, ended up hurting himself more, ended up needing surgery, cost himself 100 million dollars came back and played after losing his sister and they traded him that summer because they knew about his injury and knew that he needed surgery.
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/3-etan-thomas-8_690w.jpeg" alt="" />
Kyrie Irving goes and gets a 2nd opinion and they say you need surgery, the Celtics doctors didn&rsquo;t tell him he needed surgery, so he had his surgery and came back the next year strong. There is a reoccurring theme here.
I immediately called my son Malcolm who is working hard at The University Of Dayton right now as I write this article I hope he learned the lesson in what just happened to Haliburton. Told my daughter Baby Sierra and Imani the entire way to school yesterday, like literally the whole entire way I was going on an endless rant.
Told them stories of Eric Waters and Ernie Grunfeld trying to get me to take a cortisone shot in my pubic bone and go out an play when I was suffering an abdominal strain that kept me sidelined for an extended period of time. But also how the 2nd opinion I received from my doctor was that if I did that, I would almost certainly hurt myself worse because the Cortisone show wouldn&rsquo;t exceed the healing process, it was just make it so I didn't feel the pain.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But just think of it logically, your body sends pain signals to you when something is hurting to let you know to stop doing that. If you block that signal, you won&rsquo;t feel the warning you&rsquo;re supposed to feel. Made perfect sense to me so I told them no. And sure they tried to put pressure on me and have a beat writer pressure me through the power of the pin in a few articles (no I didn&rsquo;t have any actual proof of this but the timing and coincidence was way too convenient so I&rsquo;ll say &ldquo;allegedly&rdquo; had a beat writer pressure me through the media). But the end result was me standing firm and telling them no, I can&rsquo;t go.
However, the onus shouldn&rsquo;t be placed on the athlete&rsquo;s shoulders. Of course athletes are going to want to play but it shouldn&rsquo;t be up to them. A solution to this league wide issue was suggested to me by a lawyer by the name of Marlon Amprey. He explained that the Players Association should assemble a group of outside doctors/specialists (or specific doctors/specialists the player suggests) that have no connection to the team whatsoever.
That will provide 2nd &amp; 3rd opinions and give players detailed reports on their health and risk of injury. All doctors&rsquo; reports given by teams that drastically differ should go under review and there should be repercussions for team doctors and trainers who medically clear players who shouldn&rsquo;t be medically cleared to play.
</div>
</div>

The Indiana Pacers medical team decided to clear Tyrese Haliburton to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals despite an existing calf strain.

The Indiana Pacers RG3’d Tyrese Haliburton

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

The Emirates NBA Cup semifinals are set to unfold in Las Vegas, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference, and the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference. These matchups promise intense competition as teams vie for a spot in the championship game, with compelling narratives and key player battles set to define the outcome.
Eastern Conference Semifinal: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks
Game Details: Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET, airing live on TNT.
The Bucks come into the semifinals with a strong sense of unfinished business. Last year&rsquo;s stinging defeat in Las Vegas has left a lingering "bad taste," particularly for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who experienced a tough loss that ruined his birthday. This season, Milwaukee has been determined to rewrite that narrative. Giannis, as always, leads with his dynamic blend of size, skill, and relentless drive. This year, however, the Bucks are fortified by the presence of Damian Lillard, whose offensive prowess and leadership have provided a significant boost. The duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard has proven to be a formidable partnership, balancing interior dominance with elite perimeter shooting.
Additionally, the Bucks' defense has been a key strength. They have consistently ranked among the top in defensive metrics, emphasizing rim protection and disciplined perimeter guarding. Their ability to control the pace of the game and force turnovers will be crucial in neutralizing Atlanta&rsquo;s offensive flow.
The Hawks have been on an impressive run, entering the semifinals as the No. 3 seed in the NBA Cup knockout play after a 3-1 record in the East Group C stage. Atlanta has won seven of their last eight games, showcasing not just their offensive firepower but also a newfound defensive resilience. Trae Young continues to be the linchpin of Atlanta&rsquo;s success. His ability to score from deep, drive into the lane, and orchestrate plays with precision makes him a constant threat. Young has shown a knack for performing in big moments, and this matchup offers another opportunity for him to showcase his leadership.
Jalen Johnson and De&rsquo;Andre Hunter have been critical for the Hawks' balance, contributing with their ability to defend multiple positions and stretch the floor offensively. Atlanta&rsquo;s bench depth has also been a significant factor, with key contributions from players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okongwu. For the Hawks to overcome the Bucks, they will need to bring defensive intensity to limit Milwaukee&rsquo;s star duo and maintain their offensive rhythm through effective ball movement and fast breaks.
Western Conference Semifinal: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
Game Details: Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. CT, broadcast nationally on ABC.
The Thunder have been one of the surprise teams of the season, boasting a 19-5 start and riding a four-game winning streak into this semifinal matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, leading the Thunder with his scoring, playmaking, and defensive contributions. His ability to control the game&rsquo;s tempo and make clutch plays has been a hallmark of OKC&rsquo;s success.
OKC&rsquo;s defensive capabilities have also been noteworthy. They rank among the top teams in several defensive metrics, showing a commitment to guarding the paint and challenging shots beyond the arc. Their defensive rotation and ability to switch on screens have been key to disrupting opponents&rsquo; offenses. However, rebounding remains a concern for the Thunder, as they have struggled in that area, ranking 28th in the league in rebounding percentage. The addition of Isaiah Hartenstein has helped somewhat, but the Thunder will need a collective effort on the boards to limit Houston&rsquo;s second-chance opportunities.
Houston has displayed significant growth this season, reaching the semifinals with a combination of youthful energy and improved cohesion. Alperen Şeng&uuml;n has been a standout performer, particularly in rebounding and interior defense. His ability to facilitate offense from the post and challenge shots inside will be critical against an OKC team that relies heavily on drives to the basket.
Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet have provided a dynamic backcourt duo, balancing scoring and playmaking duties. Green&rsquo;s athleticism and shot-creation skills, combined with VanVleet&rsquo;s veteran leadership and perimeter shooting, create a well-rounded offensive threat. The Rockets&rsquo; ability to execute in clutch moments and maintain defensive discipline will be key to their chances against OKC.
As the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals approach, fans can expect two thrilling matchups defined by star performances, tactical adjustments, and the sheer intensity of knockout basketball. With a championship berth at stake, the games in Las Vegas are set to provide high-stakes drama and showcase the league&rsquo;s brightest talents.

The Emirates NBA Cup semifinals are set to unfold in Las Vegas and these matchups promise intense competition for chance for the title.

Emirates NBA Cup: Semifinals euphoria in Vegas

It hasn&rsquo;t even been a week since the playoffs began, and we&rsquo;ve already seen some amazing basketball and game-winning shots. Joel Embiid buried the Raptors on Wednesday, and Jayson Tatum himself scored a buzzer-beating layup against the Nets last Sunday.
We&rsquo;ve seen some crazy individual performances and some dramatic finishes. We&rsquo;ve even seen some of the younger teams out there like the Memphis Grizzlies show that they can take a few punches, but recover.
One thing we haven&rsquo;t seen, though, is what I would call a rivalry. It&rsquo;s something I found myself thinking about while watching the Celtics beat Brooklyn in Game 2.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
I&rsquo;ve heard different people question whether Brooklyn and Boston are becoming rivals and whether this can be the beginning of a rivalry, and sad to say, I just don&rsquo;t see it. There&rsquo;s definitely an interesting storyline and connection between the two teams, but rivals?
Sad to say, I don&rsquo;t really think there&rsquo;s real rivalries in the NBA anymore. And I really don&rsquo;t think they&rsquo;ll ever come back.
To have a rivalry, I think you need a few different things.
The first, and most important, is the same set of core players, at least five or six. The second is that the teams have to actually be good enough to be some of the last ones standing when it&rsquo;s all said and done; there has to be something bigger than a division title at stake for the players to really be emotionally invested.
And the third is that the teams have to actually play each other often. When I was an assistant coach on the Cavs &mdash; even though we played the Warriors in the Finals four years in a row &mdash; we didn&rsquo;t really consider them our &ldquo;rival,&rdquo; because we just didn&rsquo;t really see them and play them enough. It just so happened that when we did, it was for the championship.
The main thing preventing us from seeing real rivalries develop in today&rsquo;s game is player movement. There&rsquo;s nothing wrong with players moving around and picking their own paths, but we all know that back in the 1980s and 1990s, it was just different. It was &ldquo;a business&rdquo; back then too, but guys made their teams their homes. It&rsquo;s really not like that anymore.
More and more, we see players today signing three- and four-year deals. By the time you blink, guys are free agents and moving on to new teams. Gordon Hayward signed with the Celtics and it seemed like he was gone before you knew it. I remember the days when guys used to get seven-year deals. Shoot, Magic Johnson signed a 10-year deal with the Lakers back in the day.
And that&rsquo;s just it... &ldquo;Back in the day.&rdquo;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
If anything, the rivalries we see in the NBA today are more between a player and a certain team or between two or three players &mdash; and that&rsquo;s not really the same thing.
I found myself having these thoughts during the Nets-Celtics series mainly because, as fun as it is to see these teams go at it, I don&rsquo;t really think they&rsquo;re going to get to that level. It&rsquo;s only the first round of the playoffs.
When I think of rivalries, I think of Shaq and Kobe vs. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. I think of Michael and Scottie against Patrick Ewing and the Knicks, Isiah and the Pistons vs. Jordan and the Bulls. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and of course, the classic Lakers and Celtics battles.
What those rivalries all had in common was continuity, and it&rsquo;s missing from the league in today&rsquo;s day and age. Think about it, pretty much all of the biggest stars in the league (except Steph Curry and Giannis) have been on more than one team. LeBron, Durant, Kawhi, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and James Harden have all even switched conferences.
Because of that, we haven&rsquo;t really gotten the same opportunity we once did to see teams grow into contenders, and to be standing in one another&rsquo;s way like we once did. It probably won&rsquo;t happen much more in the NBA, and I definitely don&rsquo;t really see that happening with Brooklyn and Boston.
As far as the Celtics and Nets are concerned, Durant is 33 years old and Kyrie is 30. I don&rsquo;t really look at Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as their rivals, I more so look at them as the young, up-and-coming team that&rsquo;s trying to show the older generation that it&rsquo;s their time to take over. Ben Simmons gives the Nets some youth, and maybe he can prolong their championship window, but I don&rsquo;t see these two teams battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference for a chance to go to the Finals year after year.
In today&rsquo;s game, we tend to focus more so on individual players and their individual storylines, and it makes sense since, like I said, guys seem to switch teams so much more.
If anything, what we have seen more of are mini-rivalries on an individual level. And even those were just mini-rivalries.
When LeBron was in Cleveland the first go-round and then Miami, you could have said he had a mini-rivalry with Paul Pierce and KG, I guess. You could probably make the same argument for Chris Paul and Steph Curry in the Western Conference too. Before them, maybe Steve Nash in Phoenix and Dirk in Dallas and Tim Duncan in San Antonio? They definitely had some fierce battles.
But compared to some of the classic rivalries we&rsquo;ve seen, and what I came up watching, none of today&rsquo;s &ldquo;rivalries&rdquo; really compare.
That said, the league today is still in great hands. We&rsquo;re seeing the game played at maybe the highest level ever, and there are so many individual storylines; it&rsquo;s impossible to not get invested.
But things are just different now. Players are quicker to move on and even those who give us those fierce battles are friendlier with their competitors than they were back in the day.
I&rsquo;m not mad at it, it&rsquo;s just a fact. And when I saw Boston take Game 2 from Brooklyn on Wednesday night, I saw a lot of things. Unfortunately, though, I didn&rsquo;t necessarily see a rivalry in the making.
And I&rsquo;m not sure when I will again.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com. <a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

James Posey shares his thoughts on the current NBA Playoffs and what makes a real rivalry.

Sad but true: In the NBA, playoff rivalries may be a thing of the past

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers and the team he led to the best record in the Eastern Conference last season put their hands together in the middle of a huddle at the end of practice and counted off, &ldquo;1-2-3! Together!&rdquo;
Lingering outside the huddle, holding a basketball and looking uninterested was the $147 million puzzle piece in Ben Simmons. With Simmons focused and engaged, the Sixers are again a team to beat in the East this season.
But the Sixers open the season Wednesday in New Orleans with no guarantee that Simmons will play. He has practiced twice with the Sixers since ending his holdout. Meanwhile, the Sixers hold out hope the three-time All-Star guard wants to suit up again.
Simmons has dominated the headlines in Philadelphia since his baffling offseason trade request and then mystifying decision to report, showing up without warning last week.
He declined to talk to the media for the second straight practice on Monday -- the Sixers say he&rsquo;s scheduled for Tuesday -- and maybe then he can start to explain why he wanted out of Philadelphia. And now that he&rsquo;s back, how long does he plan to stay.
Tyrese Maxey ran the offense with the first team in the portion of practice open to the media, and Simmons mostly stood in a corner stretching or dribbling the basketball. He played defense on one drill, then walked off the court without saying a word to a teammate.
Rivers said he had no idea if Simmons will play Wednesday.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re just going to take our time,&rdquo; Rivers said Monday. &ldquo;When it comes, I&rsquo;ll make that decision. I&rsquo;m just going to wait and see and watch. The spirit has been so good. We&rsquo;re just going to keep going.&rdquo;
Simmons, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, was paired with Joel Embiid as the franchise cornerstones as the Sixers chase their first NBA championship since 1983.
Simmons, though, took the brunt of the blame for the top-seeded Sixers&rsquo; second-round exit in last season&rsquo;s playoffs. He shot 34% from the free-throw line in the postseason and was reluctant to attempt a shot from anywhere on the floor late in games. That led to him spending critical minutes on the bench.
He&rsquo;d be the only missing starter from last season&rsquo;s run to the Eastern Conference's top seed. Embiid, Danny Green, Seth Curry and Tobias Harris form a solid first four. Sixers President Daryl Morey has fielded offers for Simmons, but has yet to find a package to his satisfaction for the enigmatic guard.
WHERE&rsquo;S THE BEEF
Embiid, the NBA MVP runner-up, will have to limit the trash talking with Andre Drummond to practices this season. Drummond played for the Detroit Pistons and engaged in some physical and social media battles with Embiid through the years. That&rsquo;s on hold for now after Drummond, a two-time All-Star, signed as Embiid&rsquo;s backup. Embiid once accused Drummond of being unable to play defense. Drummond chirped Embiid wasn&rsquo;t worthy of his time until he could stay healthy for an entire season.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re in the NBA. At the end of the day, what kind of beef can you really have?&rdquo; Drummond said.
But he has to adjust to life as a reserve for the first time since he was a rookie with Detroit in 2012-13.
Drummond, a four-time NBA rebounding champion, is a significant upgrade from last season over the aging Dwight Howard. Drummond said there&rsquo;s no issue with Embiid.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re two competitors that love the game of basketball,&rdquo; Drummond said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re like titans. We just clash. We play hard against each other. I have no animosity toward him, nor does he.&rdquo;
MISSING HIGHLIGHTS
The Sixers edited Ben Simmons out of the in-game highlight films shown during preseason games. Depending on the what happens the next couple of days they may need to call the editor back for some last-minute splicing before Friday&rsquo;s home opener against Brooklyn.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Tyrese Maxey enjoyed the cameo role he shot over the offseason for the Adam Sandler movie &ldquo;Hustle.&rdquo; He &ldquo;had a blast&rdquo; playing, well, a basketball player in the movie that filmed all over the city.
Maxey didn&rsquo;t get to share any scenes with Sandler, though, or play with him during off-hours pickup games.
&ldquo;I heard he can pass the ball pretty well,&rdquo; Maxey said.
The Sixers need the same out of Maxey, who averaged eight points in averaging 15.3 minutes last season. He is close with Simmons and may start in his spot on opening night. Shake Milton, the other point guard, is out with an injury, and Isaiah Joe may see more playing time. Seth Curry could even run the point in Simmons&rsquo; place.

Ben Simmons has dominated the headlines in Philadelphia since his baffling offseason trade request and mystifying decision to report.

Staying a Sixer: Simmons' fate looms large in Philadelphia

Earlier this week, we identified roster spot battles to watch through training camp this October here. And already a portion of my <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/3-roster-spot-battles-to-watch-for-in-the-eastern-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eastern Conference list</a> has been upended by transactions, as the Brooklyn Nets promptly traded away Sekou Doumbouya almost immediately after I predicted that he would make the team. Long story short: Things happen quickly in training camp.&nbsp;
But still, we forge ahead, this time refocusing our analysis on the Western Conference. So as training camp approaches its close, let&rsquo;s identify the three most interesting roster-spot battles in the Western Conference.&nbsp;
Portland Trail Blazers
Entering training camp, the Trail Blazers signed three former lottery picks to training camp deals: Dennis Smith Jr., Marquese Chriss and Patrick Patterson. Portland only has 13 players signed, meaning that they technically have two spots to fill (and one of their two-way contracts are spoken for, too), but Portland general manager Neil Olshey usually enters seasons with fewer than 15 players. So, it&rsquo;s an understandable assumption that the Trail Blazers will probably only sign one of the three guys they inked to training camp deals.
Considering who was signed and who is already in place in Portland, none of the three are likely to get major minutes. Smith is best suited as a backup point guard, while Chriss and Patterson are power forwards. In my estimation, this decision comes down to needs. Considering that Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr. are their only true 4s, the most pressing need is probably down low. So, if Portland is hell-bent on entering the season with no more than 14 guys on its roster, the team will probably choose between Chriss and Patterson. Patterson has more experience, and he shoots it better from deep (36.9% on three-point attempts in his career compared to just 28.9% for Chriss.) Neither makes or breaks Portland&rsquo;s season; but considering the Blazers are trying to build a contender and convince Damian Lillard that Portland is the place for him, Patterson is a better addition. If the Blazers decide to fill out their entire roster by signing a 15th player, Smith should get a long look. He is too skilled and athletic to not get another shot, and backing up a star like Lillard removes a lot of the pressure he&rsquo;s had on him throughout his career.
Prediction: Patterson makes the cut (and Smith signs a two-way contract).
Golden State Warriors
Golden State entered training camp with the maximum of 20 players on its roster, one of whom is on a two-way deal (Chris Chiozza) and three of whom are on training-camp deals (Jordan Bell, Avery Bradley and Langston Galloway.) Damion Lee, Mychal Mulder and Gary Payton Jr. are all signed to non-guaranteed deals, too. To summarize, the Warriors have lots of options &ndash; but Golden State will probably avoid making any zany moves. Instead, they will probably keep one of the three players signed to training-camp deals and cut the other two. As much as the veteran savvy of Bradley and Galloway could be alluring, Golden State doesn&rsquo;t need more veteran leadership &ndash; but they could use help backing up the power-forward position. Enter Bell, who returns to the Bay Area with a familiarity of head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors&rsquo; systems. Bell exited Golden State after playing his first two professional seasons there, and he had some maturity issues in his first go-round with the Warriors. But Bell sounded significantly more mature in a <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/jordan-bell-warriors-contract-reunites-two-desperate-parties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area</a>. Assuming he demonstrates that growth in practices and preseason games, Bell will probably be kept.
Prediction: Jordan Bell makes the cut.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers' roster battle is particularly interesting, as it features a former top-ranked high school prospect in Harry Giles. Giles is battling with Isaiah Hartenstein and Moses Wright for the Clippers&rsquo; final roster spot; both of the team's two-way contracts are used up (Jay Scrubb and Amir Coffey.) &nbsp;Two of the spots are also occupied by players who will miss a good chunk of the 2021-22 season to injuries (Kawhi Leonard and rookie Jason Preston), making the remaining roster spots all the more valuable.&nbsp;
In the Clippers&rsquo; first preseason game, Giles produced more than Hartenstein and Wright, posting 8 points and 12 rebounds in 16 minutes. In their second preseason game, Wright played slightly better than the other two, finishing with 7 points and 5 rebounds in 12 minutes. What the Clippers ultimately choose to do is anyone&rsquo;s guess, but I think that Giles&rsquo; potential is too much to pass on. He&rsquo;s still only 23 years old; and if he finds what made him special just a few short years ago, Giles could be significantly more valuable than what the salary of a 15th man will pay him.&nbsp;
Prediction: Giles makes the cut.&nbsp;
The NBA&rsquo;s 75th regular season kicks off in less than two weeks. Decisions will be made between now and then that will greatly impact the lives of several men. Ultimately, some will impact teams' seasons too, as a chunk of these end-of-the-bench guys will probably earn bigger roles as the season goes on.&nbsp;

Drew Maresca examines the three most interesting final roster spot situations in the West.

3 roster-spot battles to watch for in the Western Conference

The 2021-22 NBA season is right around the corner, with training camps tipping off on September 28.&nbsp;
While the majority of free agents have already signed, there are a number of players who are still weighing their options. Some are working out for NBA teams to show that they still have something left in the tank, while others are taking their time to make a decision so they can find the perfect situation.
Of the remaining free agents, which players could step in and become a significant contributor for a team this season? Here are several names to keep an eye on in the coming weeks:
JAMES ENNIS
Ennis began his professional career overseas, becoming an NBL champion and All-NBL-First-Team selection with the Perth Wildcats during the 2013-14 season. Since entering the NBA, he has suited up for seven teams in as many seasons: the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. With that said, the 31-year-old has produced when given an opportunity.&nbsp;
Last season with the Magic, he averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 threes and 0.8 steals in 24.0 minutes while shooting 47.3% from the field, 43.3% from three and 80.5% from the free-throw line. Ennis started 37 of 41 games with the Magic last year, and he has 22 games of playoff experience on his resume as well. Over his career, he's averaged 6.7 points and shot 36.0% from three-point range.&nbsp;
Ennis has received interest from the Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, according to <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-2021-roster-battles-michael-scotto-yossi-gozlan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HoopsHype&rsquo;s Michael Scotto</a>. Considering he&rsquo;s coming off of a season in which he shot 43.3% from three while providing hustle plays and solid defense (often when guarding the opponent&rsquo;s best wing), it&rsquo;s somewhat surprising that Ennis is still available.
ISAIAH THOMAS
Thomas had a brief, three-game stint with the Pelicans last season, averaging 7.7 points and 1.7 assists in 16.0 minutes. However, he&rsquo;s just one year removed from averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 threes (while shooting 41.3% from deep) in 23.1 minutes with the Washington Wizards.
After being limited by hip pain during his recent stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Wizards, Thomas underwent a resurfacing procedure on his right hip last May. He&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/isaiah-thomas-ready-to-help-pelicans-i-still-have-a-lot-of-basketball-left-in-me" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the difference is &ldquo;night and day,&rdquo; and that &ldquo;there&rsquo;s no more pain.&rdquo; Given the right opportunity, the 32-year-old could bolster a second unit's offense. He would also provide leadership and mentor his younger teammates, as he <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/isaiah-thomas-ready-to-help-pelicans-i-still-have-a-lot-of-basketball-left-in-me" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told me</a> last year.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a leader, first and foremost,&rdquo; Thomas said. &ldquo;I won the NBA&rsquo;s Community Assist award so, off the court, I help in the community. On the court, I think it&rsquo;s self-explanatory what I bring to a team when given an opportunity. I also bring my wisdom; I don&rsquo;t think anybody has been through the things that I&rsquo;ve gone through in this league.&rdquo;
Thomas recently worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors in an effort to show that he&rsquo;s healthy and still capable of producing at a high level.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
DARREN COLLISON&nbsp;
In 2019, Collison stunned the basketball world (including his Indiana Pacers teammates and executives) when he decided to retire in order to focus on his faith. At the time, he was expected to be a highly coveted free agent who was <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nba/2019/06/29/darren-collison-sudden-retirement-stuns-pacers-teammates/39638581/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> on the verge of receiving offers worth $10-12 million annually.&nbsp;
Now, two years later, the 34-year-old is attempting to make an NBA comeback. The last time we saw Collison on an NBA court, he averaged 11.2 points, 6.0 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 three while shooting 46.7% from the field, 40.7% from three-point range and 83.2% from the free-throw line. He was terrific during his final two seasons, posting career-highs in win shares (7.6), box plus/minus (+2.7), value over replacement player (2.4), steal percentage (2.5%) and player efficiency rating (18.8) with the Pacers.
Before signing Collison, teams want to see whether he's in shape. (Oftentimes, the top priority in a free-agent workout is <a href="https://hoopshype.com/2019/07/18/nba-free-agent-workout-rumors-agency-training-behind-scenes-players-coaches-toppert-nurse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testing the player's conditioning</a>). So far, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are among the teams that have worked out Collison. Even if he&rsquo;s 70% or 80% of the player who shined during the 2018-19 season, he should be able to provide some backcourt depth.
AVERY BRADLEY&nbsp;
Bradley began last season with the Miami Heat, but he was ultimately traded to the Houston Rockets as part of the Victor Oladipo trade prior to the deadline. In 27 games with the Heat and Rockets last year, Bradley averaged 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 threes and 0.8 steals in 22.3 minutes.&nbsp;
During the 2019-20 regular season, he was a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bradley started in 44 games and averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 threes while shooting 44.4% from the field, 36.4% from three and 83.3% from the free-throw line. However, Bradley ultimately decided to opt-out of the Orlando Bubble due to his son's health concerns, and the Lakers went on to win the championship without him.&nbsp;
Now, like Thomas and Collison, the 30-year-old has recently worked out for the Golden State Warriors. Golden State <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/status/1439996348909064195" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> plans to add two guards and a big man to its training-camp roster, so it&rsquo;ll be interesting to see who the team decides to sign.&nbsp;
[UPDATE: The Warriors signed Avery Bradley, Langston Galloway and Jordan Bell to training-camp deals, so they'll be competing for Golden State's final roster spot.]
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/cousins2_lg.jpg" alt="" width="653" height="397" />
DEMARCUS COUSINS
Cousins hasn't been the same player since suffering three serious injuries in the same leg (a ruptured Achilles, torn quad and torn ACL) over the course of 18 months. While he&rsquo;ll never return to his All-Star form, he can still help a team&rsquo;s frontcourt.
Last season with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, Cousins averaged 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 threes, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 42.6% from the field, 34.8% from three and 72.8% from the free-throw line. 
Once he joined the Clippers, he was much more efficient, shooting 53.7% from the field and 42.1% from three. During Los Angeles' playoff run, Cousins contributed 7.6 points on 45.2% from the field and 40.0% from three. Another year removed from his injuries, perhaps Cousins could be even more effective during the upcoming campaign.
Recently, Cousins has had fans speculating that a return to the Sacramento Kings is a possibility based on his new <a href="https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/1440437057931808769" target="_blank" rel="noopener">profile picture</a>.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
LANGSTON GALLOWAY
Teams can never have enough shooters, so someone like Galloway shouldn't have trouble finding a new home at some point during the season. Last year with the Phoenix Suns, the 29-year-old played in 40 games, averaging 4.8 points while shooting 42.4% from deep.&nbsp;
For his career, he has averaged 8.2 points while shooting 37.0% from three-point range (on 3.9 attempts per game). He's just one year removed from averaging 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 threes (while shooting 39.9% from three) in 66 games with the Detroit Pistons.&nbsp;
Galloway also has a reputation as a great teammate and strong veteran presence in the locker room, with Suns head coach Monty Williams and teammates <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/08/02/langston-galloway-seeking-opportunity-after-one-season-phoenix-suns/5458842001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">praising</a> &ldquo;his positive attitude and professionalism&rdquo; throughout last season.
[UPDATE: Galloway signed a training-camp deal with the Golden State Warriors and he'll be competing for their final roster spot.]

Of the remaining free agents, which players could step in and become a significant contributor for an NBA team this season?

6 remaining free agents who can still help an NBA team

Another guy who came up is a center,&nbsp;Isaiah Hartenstein. He&rsquo;s drawn interest from Portland. Another team that&rsquo;s in the mix for him is the Clippers, [Michael Scotto has been] told.
Source: <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-2021-roster-battles-michael-scotto-yossi-gozlan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Hartenstein played for the Denver Nuggets to open 2020-21 before being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 23-year-old averaged 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 16 contests with Cleveland. He was initially the No. 43 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets.

Hartenstein played for the Denver Nuggets to open 2020-21 before being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Clippers, Trail Blazers interested in Isaiah Hartenstein

Michael Scotto: "I&rsquo;ve heard several forwards that Portland has interest in potentially bringing to training camp. One of them is Michael Beasley, who played in Summer League for the Blazers. I&rsquo;ve also heard&nbsp;Patrick Patterson&rsquo;s&nbsp;name linked to Portland as a possibility.
"James Ennis has drawn interest from the Blazers as well as the Bulls, Lakers, and Magic, I&rsquo;m told.
"Another guy who came up is a center, Isaiah Hartenstein."
Source: <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-2021-roster-battles-michael-scotto-yossi-gozlan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Portland appears to be hoping to round its roster out with veterans ahead of training camp. Beasley played for the team's Summer League squad. He, Patterson and Ennis each have at least six seasons of NBA experience. Hartenstein was the No. 43 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Trail Blazers are also showing interest in Isaiah Hartenstein.

Blazers interested in Michael Beasley, Patrick Patterson, James Ennis

Ethan Fuller breaks down the NBA hierarchy and analyzes some way-to-early Cade Cunningham fits.

NBA Sour Rankings: Introducing the Cade-O-Meter

Here is the latest news on the Top 25 Free Agents in the NBA for the 2014-15 season, as ranked by Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.