Pioneers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Iman Shumpert had a unique way of describing LeBron James. In a recent podcast, Shumpert said: &ldquo;This is the best way I can describe it. He is Chat GPT. You can ask him anything, he knows. He knows the coaches, assistants, the player development&hellip; Most athletes better than you give you one pointer, if you can&rsquo;t do it, give it to me. Bron will give you the learning curve.&rdquo;</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It sounds funny at first, but the comparison makes sense when you think about it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shumpert was not just talking about LeBron&rsquo;s scoring or athletic ability. He was talking about his mind, his awareness, and his understanding of every layer of the game and the organization around it. According to Shumpert, you can ask LeBron anything about basketball and he will have an answer: Coaches, assistants, player development staff, opponent tendencies, and game situations &ndash; he processes it all.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That level of knowledge does not happen by accident.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LeBron has built a reputation over two decades as one of the smartest players in NBA history. Teammates consistently talk about how he studies film, remembers sets from years ago, and recognizes actions before they unfold. He sees patterns in real time. He understands time and score. He knows when to attack and when to facilitate. His basketball IQ has always separated him from the rest of the league.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what stood out in Shumpert&rsquo;s quote was not just the knowledge. It was the willingness to teach. &ldquo;Most athletes that are better than you give you one pointer. If you can&rsquo;t do it, give it to me.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That line reflects something common in professional sports. Superstars often simplify things for teammates. They give one quick instruction. If it works, great. If it does not, they take over. The gap in ability makes it easier for them to rely on themselves rather than invest time in explaining the full process.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shumpert says LeBron operates differently. &ldquo;Bron will give you the learning curve.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That is a significant distinction. Giving someone the learning curve means walking them through the progression. It means explaining not just what to do, but why to do it. It means helping a teammate understand reads, spacing, timing, and decision-making instead of just demanding execution. That approach requires patience and leadership.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout his career, LeBron has played with veterans, role players, young prospects, and first-time playoff contributors. On championship teams, margins are thin. Rotations shorten. Every possession matters. Instead of isolating teammates when the pressure rises, LeBron has often elevated them by making sure they understand their role in detail.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is part of why so many players credit him for extending their careers or helping them have their best seasons. When a player understands exactly where to be and what to look for, confidence follows. When confidence follows, performance improves.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &ldquo;ChatGPT&rdquo; comparison also speaks to preparation. LeBron&rsquo;s ability to recall information is well documented. He can reportedly remember specific plays from games years earlier, including the exact coverage used and the outcome of the possession. That type of recall gives him an advantage in playoff series where adjustments determine the outcome.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It also gives his teammates security. When things break down, they know someone on the floor sees the bigger picture.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shumpert&rsquo;s comment ultimately highlights something deeper about LeBron&rsquo;s greatness. It is not just physical dominance or longevity. It is mastery of information and the willingness to share it. Being a resource for your teammates creates trust, and that trust creates cohesion which in turn wins games.</span></p>

Iman Shumpert compares LeBron James to “ChatGPT,” praising his basketball IQ, preparation, and willingness to teach teammates.

Iman Shumpert: LeBron James is the NBA’s ChatGPT

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NBA has officially announced the player pool for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game, showcasing the league&rsquo;s top young talent as part of NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The event, which is set for Friday, Feb. 13 at the Intuit Dome, will feature a mini-tournament format pitting future stars against each other in front of a global audience.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 28-player pool consists of the brightest NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts who will be drafted into four teams to compete in the Rising Stars showcase. Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches, while Austin Rivers will lead the G League squad.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among the top young NBA talents included in the Rising Stars roster are:</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rookies</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Cedric Coward</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Memphis Grizzlies)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Egor Dёmin</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Brooklyn Nets)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>VJ Edgecombe</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Philadelphia 76ers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jeremiah Fears</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (New Orleans Pelicans)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Cooper Flagg</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Dallas Mavericks)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Dylan Harper</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (San Antonio Spurs)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Tre Johnson</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Washington Wizards)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Kon Knueppel</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Charlotte Hornets)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Collin Murray-Boyles</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Toronto Raptors)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Derik Queen</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (New Orleans Pelicans)</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sophomores</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Matas Buzelis </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Chicago Bulls)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Stephon Castle</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (San Antonio Spurs)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Donovan Clingan</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Portland Trail Blazers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Kyshawn George</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Washington Wizards)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Ajay Mitchell </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Oklahoma City Thunder)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Alex Sarr</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Washington Wizards)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Reed Sheppard</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Houston Rockets)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Cam Spencer</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Memphis Grizzlies)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jaylon Tyson </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Cleveland Cavaliers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Kel&rsquo;el Ware </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Miami Heat)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Jaylen Wells </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">(Memphis Grizzlies)</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">NBA G League Players</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Sean East II</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Salt Lake City Stars)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Ron Harper Jr.</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Maine Celtics)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>David Jones Garcia</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Austin Spurs)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Yanic Konan Niederh&auml;user</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (San Diego Clippers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Alijah Martin</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Raptors 905)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Tristen Newton</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Yang Hansen</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Rip City Remix)</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Format &amp; Details</span></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Rising Stars event will feature a four-team mini-tournament, with three teams made up of NBA rookies and sophomores and one team of G League standouts.&nbsp;</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The draft to assign players to each roster will be televised live, with each honorary coach selecting their squad.&nbsp;</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tournament&rsquo;s semifinal games are played to 40 points, with the championship game played to 25 points, providing a fast-paced display of elite young talent.&nbsp;</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game promises to be a highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend, spotlighting the next generation of star talent &ndash; from high-impact rookies like Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe to emerging sophomores and G League standouts ready to stake their claim on the big stage.</span></p>

The NBA has officially announced the player pool for the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game.

NBA reveals 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game roster ahead of All-Star Weekend

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2025 NBA Christmas Day delivered high-level hoops and dramatic finishes across a full slate of five games, with several teams making the holiday spotlight on the national stage.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Knicks rally to edge Cavaliers in MSG thriller</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The day&rsquo;s action kicked off at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks completed a stunning comeback to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124. Trailing by 17 in the fourth quarter, New York rallied behind Jalen Brunson&rsquo;s 34 points and timely contributions from Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson &ndash; turning a huge deficit into a late lead and Christmas Day victory.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Spurs dominate Thunder again, go up 3-0 in season series</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In yet another heated Western Conference rivalry, the San Antonio Spurs took down the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 in a rematch from just two days ago. De&rsquo;Aaron Fox led San Antonio with 29 points, while Victor Wembanyama added a strong all-around showing off the bench. The win marked another impressive Christmas Day performance for the Spurs and another blemish on the Thunder&rsquo;s otherwise elite season, as they have completely outclassed the defending champs. The Spurs have now won all three games against the Thunder this season, with one more play date to happen in January.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Warriors outlast Mavericks in Cooper Flagg&rsquo;s Christmas debut</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Golden State Warriors continued their holiday bliss with a 126-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Stephen Curry led the way with 23 points, including a clutch fourth-quarter three that helped separate the Warriors from Dallas. Jimmy Butler added 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Dubs, who are now on their first three-game win streak this season. Rookie Cooper Flagg starred for the Mavs with 27 points, but Golden State&rsquo;s depth ultimately made the difference. Nevertheless, Flagg showed out in his first-ever Christmas Day game and should be a fixture in the NBA&rsquo;s annual event for years to come if he keeps up his play.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Rockets roll past Lakers behind Amen, KD</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over in LA, the Houston Rockets pulled off a dominant 119-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amen Thompson (26 points) and Kevin Durant (25 points) spearheaded Houston&rsquo;s balanced attack as the Rockets raced out to a big lead and never looked back. The defeat marked another frustrating Christmas Day outing for the Lakers despite Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James playing in the starting lineup.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Nuggets top Timberwolves in overtime shootout</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the nightcap, the Denver Nuggets survived a wild overtime battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 142-138. Nikola Jokić was sensational, recording a historic triple-double with 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists &ndash; one of the greatest individual performances in Christmas Day history. Minnesota&rsquo;s Anthony Edwards dropped 44 points to pace his team in the defeat, after hitting a wild left fading corner triple to tie the game and force overtime.</span></p>
<h3><strong>THE HIGHLIGHTS:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">New York&rsquo;s comeback over Cleveland was one of the biggest fourth-quarter rallies of the season.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Spurs continued their strong trend vs. the Thunder with another decisive win, seemingly being their kryptonite. The Thunder are 26-2 against the entire league, but are 0-3 against the Spurs.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Curry and the Warriors remained a tough holiday matchup, a team that&rsquo;s a fixture in the NBA&rsquo;s annual premier play date.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Houston&rsquo;s balanced scoring showcased the Rockets&rsquo; roster depth, while it showed the Lakers&rsquo; flaws as a team.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jokic&rsquo;s historic triple-double capped off a memorable Christmas slate with one of the best games of the season thus far, including one of the best for Jokic&rsquo;s entire career. It spoiled an otherwise great game for Anthony Edwards, who scored 40 points after his interview with ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania where he said he will be scoring 40 points in Christmas &ndash; and he did.</span></li>
</ul>

The 2025 NBA Christmas Day delivered high-level hoops and dramatic finishes across a full slate of five games.

2025 NBA Christmas Day: Knicks, Spurs, Warriors, Rockets, Nuggets all take wins

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">After becoming a champion in Denver, Michael Porter Jr. moves on to Brooklyn for career growth &ndash; and the Nets are letting him become who he was projected to be coming out of high school: a full-fledged star in the NBA</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael Porter Jr. has never lacked talent. That was never the question &ndash; not in high school, not in college, not at the NBA level. The questions, instead, hovered around everything else: the injuries, the fit, the role, the contract, the playstyle, and the frustrating nights where the ball barely moved. Fair or not, the narrative around Porter Jr. has followed him for years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But in Brooklyn, something is changing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Porter Jr. has erupted for three straight 30-point games, playing perhaps his best basketball over the past three games and becoming the first player in Nets franchise history to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ threes in three consecutive outings. In a season that has felt like another learning experience and a transitioning year for the franchise, he has emerged as one of the bright spots in a tough season record-wise: a reminder of the player many once believed he would become.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&rsquo;s easy to forget now, but before back surgeries derailed his trajectory, Porter Jr. was the top prospect in the 2018 class &ndash; ranked above Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, and even Luka Doncic on several boards. He was the long, fluid, three-level scorer every team coveted. He was billed as a franchise centerpiece, not a complementary piece.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That version of MPJ rarely had space to breathe in Denver. Playing alongside Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon meant living as a third or fourth option, functioning more as a floor spacer than a fully realized scorer. His job was to hit shots, run the floor, defend, rebound &ndash; not to dominate possessions or shape the offense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Nuggets needed role players around Jokic. And true enough,</span><strong> </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denver traded Porter Jr. to Brooklyn this offseason in exchange for Cam Johnson. The move was framed more as a financial relief and role concerns. Porter Jr.'s contract was massive, and his perceived fit issues &ndash; amplified by statements around the league and online about him being &ldquo;Michael </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">never swinging the rock</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Porter Jr.&rdquo; &ndash; made it somewhat with sense and drawn from something.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This was a change of scenery for Porter Jr., and a chance to show that he is skillful enough to be a first option in this league. The Nets saw something different in him: a big wing scorer just entering his prime age years, fully capable of putting pressure on defenses in ways few players his size can.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that they&rsquo;ve given him the keys, Porter Jr. is showing why it was worth the bet.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His scoring bursts aren&rsquo;t coming from chaotic, ball-stopping sequences. Instead, they&rsquo;re flowing inside a structure tailored to his strengths &ndash; quick-hitting pindowns, ghost screens, high flares, and mid-post touches where his high release point becomes unguardable. He looks confident. He looks free. He looks like someone playing without the weight of expectation for the first time in years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A major piece of this resurgence is Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, whose steady grip within the organization amid all the losing has turned into one of Brooklyn&rsquo;s most important stories.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Porter Jr. called Fernandez a &ldquo;genius,&rdquo; indicating the head coach for putting him in a position to succeed as a scorer, and not just a catch and shooter. The tape supports it: Fernandez has built an offensive ecosystem that bends toward Porter Jr.&rsquo;s natural tendencies instead of demanding he mold himself into something else.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brooklyn is putting him in spots Denver seldom did: early-clock actions where he gets a head start, mismatches in the mid-post, and movement threes that let him catch without thinking. For the first time in a long time, Porter Jr. isn&rsquo;t being told to adapt &ndash; and he has Fernandez to thank for that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perhaps there is a deeper significance to all of this. Porter Jr. has spent years hearing the critiques: doesn&rsquo;t pass enough, doesn&rsquo;t defend consistently enough, benefits too much from Jokić&rsquo;s brilliance, can&rsquo;t lead a team in scoring, can&rsquo;t justify the huge contract given to him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This current stretch won&rsquo;t silence every doubter &ndash; and it shouldn&rsquo;t be expected to. But it does something just as important: it proves that when the opportunity is there, he can be a first option. He can generate efficient offense, and he can carry the load. He&rsquo;s no longer just the guy who fits around stars. He&rsquo;s capable of being the star.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And with Brooklyn in search of identity, direction, and hope, Porter Jr. has unexpectedly become a key asset for the franchise &ndash; a player proving he can be the version of himself the basketball world once saw early in his career.</span></p>

The Nets are letting Michael Porter Jr. become who he was projected to be coming out of high school: a full-fledged star in the NBA.

Michael Porter Jr. discovers star path with Nets in a career resurgence

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<div>Angel Reese: I post pictures of myself in a bathing suit but, multiple times people have made AI pictures of me naked. My family members are sending it to me, uncles are like, &lsquo;Are you naked on Instagram ? It sucks to see that and it&rsquo;s really hard that I have to go through that</div>
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<div>Interviewer: So when you were talking about being sexualized, a lot of people we like, &lsquo;Well, she asked for it.&nbsp;</div>
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQHRqOnDVui/?igsh=ZHUzNHA1NzFxM3Mz">Angel Reese: I don&rsquo;t get what that means. I&rsquo;m a beautiful woman. I&rsquo;ve been posting pictures in my bikini. I have a wonderful body and I work hard for it. And if I want to post a picture in my bikini I should be able to without being sexualized.&nbsp;</a></div>
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<div>I reposted this video clip along with commentary from Adrian Ewing and was surprised to see some of the comments in my comment section&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Seeing grown men justify why Angel Reese somehow deserves to be sexualized is depressing to see. But it wasn&rsquo;t just these cats in my comment section, people in the media like Jason Whitlock (who never misses an opportunity to bash Black People for his MAGA audience) and David Portnoy, founder of barstool, doubled down on his hatred for Angel Reese.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>I showed these my daughters volleyball carpool and this is what they had to say,&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Imani&nbsp;</div>
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<div>&ldquo;Who said anything about Onlyfans ? Why would he jump to that ? She just did something that no other athlete has done before. Why do they care so much about her ? Why does it matter so much to them ? She is just living her life. So they don&rsquo;t want her (or any other WNBA player) so they chastise them for their Pay Us What You Owe us stance, but then they don&rsquo;t want them to earn money through any marketing opportunities or any other way either ? She comes out with her own shoes they mad. She breaks record on the court they mad. She says she doesn&rsquo;t want to talk to the media they mad. She criticizes her organization they mad. Why don&rsquo;t they both mind their business and let her live her life&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Baby Sierra&nbsp;</div>
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<div>So where are all the men standing up for her ? I saw Shaq said something one time awhile ago but that&rsquo;s it ? Just you and Shaq ? Nobody else says anything ? Well I&rsquo;m glad you said something. Thank you for standing up for us&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Addy</div>
<div>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really weird that they are so focused on her. &nbsp;Don&rsquo;t they have any other topics to talk about ? Why are they so fixated and infatuated with her ? Do they focus this much on any other WNBA player not named Caitlin Clark ? It&rsquo;s just weird how much they are locked in on Angel Reese&nbsp;</div>
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<div>All valid points made by the Carpool&nbsp;</div>
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<div>To David Portnoy I ask:&nbsp;</div>
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<div>What could this 23 year old young woman possibly have done to make you this upset with her ? So much so that you say you &ldquo;hate&rdquo; her ? You can&rsquo;t be still bent out of shape because she beat yall great white hope Caitlin Clark back in college so what is it ? Is it just a natural jealous and hatred of Black Women not needing your approval or consent to live their lives ? Or the fact that she has brilliantly taken the Caitlin Clark Mob&rsquo;s hatred toward her and transformed it into 7 figure earnings for herself and her brand ?&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Angel Reese just made history as the first professional athlete ever to walk at the Victoria Secret&rsquo;s Fashion Show. That means no other athlete in the history of athletes has ever done this before and as Rep Jasmine Crockett said,&nbsp;</div>
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<div>&ldquo;The only people that are crying are the mediocre white boys that have been beaten out by people that historically have had to work so much harder,&rdquo;</div>
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<div>Unfortunately, it&rsquo;s not just mediocre white boys who are doing the bashing. Almost all of the comments I showed earlier from my Instagram comments section were by Black Men. Not just people like Jason Whitlock whose schtick is bashing the Black Community so he can continue to get pats on the top of his head from a MAGA audience that can then point to him and say,&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;See I&rsquo;m not racist, here&rsquo;s a Black Man saying this&rdquo; But regular everyday Black Men who actually justified Angel another Black Woman being sexualized.&nbsp;</div>
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<div dir="ltr">A few days ago, Angel Reese responded to a viral post that put her side-by-side with Sid. She called the comparison rude and completely out of line.&nbsp;</div>
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<div dir="ltr">People keep asking me why I post about Angel Reese so much ? Well, I&rsquo;ll tell you why. Ever since she beat Caitlin Clark in college, there has been an onslaught of criticism hurled her way. She became the villain. Public enemy number one (to a certain specific demographic) And as a Black Man, whenever I see what sometimes seems like the entire basketball world bashing a young Black Woman, I&rsquo;m suppose to come to her defense.&nbsp;</div>
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<div dir="ltr">People don&rsquo;t understand that young Black Girls see the criticism that Angel Reese receives and understand how it is a microcosm of life. This is how they are treated in their schools and how they will be treated as they grow up in this society. They will be judged more heavily, and criticized more heavily, and a higher expectation and standard will be placed on them than their white counterparts&nbsp;ie Stephen A. Smith ridiculing Rep Jasmine Crockett but having no issues with Trump&rsquo;s presentation.&nbsp;</div>
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<div dir="ltr">So when my daughters and her teammate in our carpool tell me, &ldquo;Thank you for standing up for us&rdquo; I know, I&rsquo;m doing what I&rsquo;m supposed to be doing.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>&ldquo;The most disrespected person in America is the Black Woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman."</div>
<div><span style="color: #020518; font-family: Google Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;~Malcolm X</span></div>
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Angel Reese Doesn’t “Deserve” To Be Sexualized. No Woman Does.

Angel Reese Doesn’t “Deserve” To Be Sexualized. No Woman Does

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Philadelphia 76ers have lived in the shadow of &ldquo;what if&rdquo; for far too long. What if Joel Embiid had been healthy all along after all these years? What if the roster had held together when it mattered most? What if the Sixers had caught a break in a wide-open East?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heading into the 2025-26 season, those questions remain, but there is also renewed belief. Philadelphia has retooled its roster with a mix of established veterans and rising stars. The blueprint is simple: keep their core healthy, and the Sixers will once again be among the conference&rsquo;s most dangerous teams.</span></p>
<p><strong>The Embiid factor</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It all starts with Joel Embiid.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When healthy, the 2023 MVP remains one of the most dominant players in basketball. A 7-foot force who blends power, touch, and skill in ways few big men in history ever have, Embiid can take over a game from the post, the midrange, or even beyond the arc. He can anchor an elite defense with rim protection and physicality, while also functioning as the fulcrum of the offense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At his best, Embiid isn&rsquo;t just a top-5 player in the league. He&rsquo;s arguably top-3, the kind of singular star who can tilt playoff series on his own. But the caveat has always been health. Time and again, Embiid&rsquo;s postseason runs have been cut short by injuries, leaving Philadelphia to wonder how far they could have gone at full strength.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sixers&rsquo; entire trajectory hinges on Embiid&rsquo;s body holding up. If he can stay on the floor, they&rsquo;re contenders. If not, they risk fading into the middle of the pack in an unforgiving Eastern Conference.</span></p>
<p><strong>The co-stars and the role players</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For years, the Sixers searched for the right running mate for Embiid. After experiments with James Harden, Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler, they may have finally found the answer in Tyrese Maxey.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 24-year-old guard has blossomed into an All-Star caliber player, one of the league&rsquo;s most explosive scoring guards with blinding speed and an ever-improving jumper. Two seasons ago, he averaged career-best numbers and announced himself as Philadelphia&rsquo;s backcourt centerpiece. Injuries slowed him briefly, but now, fully healthy, Maxey is poised to build on that success.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maxey&rsquo;s ability to create his own shot and stretch defenses makes him the perfect complement to Embiid. When defenses collapse on the big man, Maxey thrives in attacking closeouts or pulling up from deep. If both stay healthy, they give the Sixers one of the best inside-out duos in the NBA.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And make no mistake: if Philadelphia is to make noise this season, Maxey will need to not just support Embiid but shoulder stretches as the lead option, particularly in moments when the big man rests.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sixers made one of the offseason&rsquo;s splashiest moves by adding Paul George. At 35, George is no longer in his prime, but he doesn&rsquo;t have to be. In fact, his age and experience could make him a perfect fit.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rather than being asked to carry a team, George can settle into the role of one of the league&rsquo;s best third options. Behind Embiid and Maxey, he provides spacing, secondary playmaking, and the ability to guard multiple positions. On nights when Maxey is off or Embiid is limited, George still has the scoring chops to step into a larger role.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If he embraces this shift and stays healthy, he could be one of the most valuable veterans in the league &ndash; the kind of player who wins playoff games with savvy, shot-making, and timely defense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last season, rookie guard Jared McCain gave Philadelphia fans a glimpse of the future. His confidence, shooting, and poise belied his age, and he quickly earned rotation minutes. Unfortunately, an injury cut his promising campaign short.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, as he works his way back from another minor setback, McCain remains an X-factor for the Sixers. If he can replicate and build on what he showed last year, Philadelphia suddenly has a young spark who can keep defenses honest and provide much-needed floor spacing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a team often plagued by a lack of reliable shooting in the postseason, McCain&rsquo;s development could quietly swing a series.</span></p>
<p><strong>The bigger picture ahead</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sixers&rsquo; fate doesn&rsquo;t exist in a vacuum. The Eastern Conference landscape has shifted. The Knicks are loaded and ready to chase a title, Milwaukee still has Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Miami continues to hang around.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this environment, Philadelphia&rsquo;s margin for error is slim. They don&rsquo;t need to be perfect &ndash; but they do need to be healthy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Embiid at his peak, Maxey rising, and George easing into a defined role, the Sixers have enough firepower to contend with anyone. Add a deep rotation, a hungry young guard in McCain, some role player caveats in Kelly Oubre, rookie VJ Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Trendon Watford, among others, and a coaching staff that knows the stakes, and the recipe for success is there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But again, it circles back to health. That word has become synonymous with the Embiid era in Philadelphia. Each season feels like a battle against the clock, with fans waiting to see if their star center can withstand the grind of an 82-game season and beyond.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Philadelphia, the 2025-26 season isn&rsquo;t about the &lsquo;Process&rsquo; anymore. It&rsquo;s about answers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can Embiid stay on the floor and finally deliver a postseason run worthy of his talent? Can Maxey take another leap into true superstardom? Can George flourish in his role and become the third piece that pushes the Sixers over the top? Can McCain provide that youthful burst the rotation needs?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the answer is yes to enough of those questions, the Sixers could very well make noise in the East and perhaps beyond. If not, they risk another year lost to the cruel combination of injuries and unmet expectations.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sixers know what they&rsquo;re up against. They&rsquo;ve seen seasons crumble under the weight of injuries. They&rsquo;ve seen championship windows slam shut before they were fully open.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year feels like another chance, perhaps one of the last with this iteration of the roster. Embiid remains a generational talent, Maxey is in his prime, George is hungry to win, and McCain is eager to break out.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Health will determine everything. For Philadelphia, the question isn&rsquo;t whether they can contend &ndash; it&rsquo;s whether they&rsquo;ll be healthy enough to show it.</span></p>

The Sixers’ title hopes hinge on health. With Embiid, Maxey, George, Philadelphia has the talent — but can they finally stay on the floor?

Sixers banking on a healthy season to make noise in the East

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

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

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

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the 2025 NBA Playoffs begin, the Western Conference presents no shortage of compelling narratives and unanswered questions. Each team comes in with a storyline that could define their entire postseason. From young squads making their playoff debut to experienced rosters led by superstars, here's the biggest question facing each Western Conference playoff team.</span></p>
<p><strong>Oklahoma City Thunder &mdash; Can their historic defense carry over to the playoffs?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Oklahoma City Thunder have fielded the league&rsquo;s best defense this season, boasting a 106.6 defensive rating &mdash; the lowest mark in the NBA and one of the best over the past decade. Anchored by a core of versatile perimeter defenders like Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with interior enforcer Isaiah Hartenstein and shot blocker Chet Holmgren, the Thunder built a defensive identity predicated on length, switchability, and relentless pressure.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But as history has shown, regular-season defense doesn&rsquo;t always translate to playoff dominance. Matchups become more intentional, rotations tighten, and elite scorers are given room to manipulate even the best schemes. For a team like OKC that leans heavily on team defense rather than individual stoppers, their system will be tested in a postseason series where adjustments are key. Moreover, the Thunder&rsquo;s youth &ndash; despite being a strength in the regular season &ndash; may also be a vulnerability when the game slows down and every possession is magnified.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This Thunder squad has the makings of a historically great defense, but now comes the true test: whether that same system can hold up when a superstar like Luka Doncic or Steph Curry start hunting matchups in isolation. If OKC can sustain their defensive intensity in a seven-game series, their path to a deep run remains wide open.</span></p>
<p><strong>Houston Rockets &mdash; Will their inexperience hinder them from going too far?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After years of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets are finally back in the playoffs &mdash; and this time, with a young core brimming with talent. Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson are all making their playoff debuts, and they&rsquo;ve formed a competitive group that finished with the fifth-best defense in the league (110.3 DRtg) and earned the second seed. Their turnaround under head coach Ime Udoka has been remarkable, fueled by a defense-first identity and the emergence of Sengun as one of the best passing bigs in the league.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, playoff basketball is a different beast. It&rsquo;s about adjustments, discipline, and poise under pressure &ndash; things young teams usually need time to learn. In their first-round matchup, the Rockets face the battle-tested Golden State Warriors, a team that features championship experience across the board. Houston&rsquo;s youth could be exposed if the moment becomes too big, especially with Golden State&rsquo;s ability to dissect inexperience through smart off-ball actions and defensive schemes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Players like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets&rsquo; veterans, will be counted on to provide leadership and stabilize the team when things go sideways. But this postseason will ultimately serve as a litmus test for how ready the Rockets&rsquo; young stars are to take the leap. Even if they fall short, the experience could be invaluable moving forward.</span></p>
<p><strong>Los Angeles Lakers &mdash; How viable is their roster construction?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers shocked the league by acquiring Luka Doncic midseason, pairing him with LeBron James and Austin Reaves to form a high-powered offensive trio. Since then, they&rsquo;ve leaned heavily into small-ball, often starting lineups with Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith alongside the core trio, while Jaxson Hayes remains their only true center. First-year head coach JJ Redick has installed a modern, five-out system that prioritizes spacing and switchable defense &mdash; a style tailor-made for the postseason.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But viability is still a concern. While the offense has thrived, their defense has some slippages, particularly when LeBron and Luka are on the floor together. Their lack of rim protection and size could be exploited by teams that boast elite drivers to the rim. Additionally, the wear-and-tear of postseason play could take a toll on their aging core, especially LeBron, who is playing his 22nd season and logging heavy minutes in the postseason</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, the Lakers&rsquo; playoff ceiling hinges on whether their current roster configuration &ndash; heavy on wings, light on bigs &ndash; can hold up when the game slows down and physicality ramps up. If it works, Redick could be hailed as a tactical genius. If it doesn&rsquo;t, questions about roster balance and long-term direction will resurface.</span></p>
<p><strong>Denver Nuggets &mdash; Do they have enough help around Nikola Jokic?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nikola Jokic is once again doing everything for the Denver Nuggets &mdash; and doing it at an MVP level. He finished the regular season averaging a triple-double and top 3 in every major statistical category. His ability to control the game as both scorer and facilitator remains unmatched, and he remains the engine of everything Denver does offensively. But after a sluggish finish to the season, the biggest concern for the Nuggets is whether Jokic has enough help to mount another deep playoff run.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jamal Murray has battled through injuries and hasn&rsquo;t quite looked like the same dynamic scorer from their 2023 championship run. Michael Porter Jr. has been inconsistent, while Aaron Gordon&rsquo;s offensive impact has waned due to multiple injuries. Denver&rsquo;s bench has also taken a step back this year, with limited contributions outside of Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Murray can elevate his game and Porter Jr. can knock down shots consistently, Denver remains a title threat. But the margin for error is much slimmer than last year. Jokic can only carry so much weight &ndash; the Nuggets need their supporting cast to deliver, or another early exit could be looming.</span></p>
<p><strong>Los Angeles Clippers &mdash; Can we see James Harden and Kawhi Leonard lead this team to playoff glory?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After losing Paul George to free agency last summer, many assumed the Clippers&rsquo; title window had slammed shut. But the resurgence of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard has breathed life back into their playoff hopes. Harden has embraced the role of primary playmaker, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game, while Leonard has quietly had one of the most efficient scoring seasons of his career in recent years, shooting 49.8% from the field and 41.1% from deep.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers finished the season strong with their offense clicking and defense holding steady. Yet the question remains &ndash; can their two stars carry them through the gauntlet of the Western Conference? Leonard&rsquo;s health has always been a question mark, and Harden&rsquo;s playoff track record has been a mixed bag at best.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This postseason may be one of the last chances for this iteration of the Clippers to make a real push. If Harden and Kawhi can replicate their regular-season success and stay healthy, they could make noise. Along with steady role players like Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers are darkhorse contenders and will be dangerous out in the West.</span></p>
<p><strong>Minnesota Timberwolves &mdash; How will Julius Randle perform in the playoffs?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota shocked many by acquiring Julius Randle at the trade deadline, moving on from Karl-Anthony Towns in the process. The Wolves hoped that Randle, a more physical and downhill-oriented forward, would provide a better playoff fit alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. However, Randle&rsquo;s postseason history raises concerns &mdash; in 15 career playoff games, he&rsquo;s averaged just 15.6 points on 34.4% shooting from the field.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota will need more than that if they hope to build on last year&rsquo;s conference finals run. Randle must adapt his game to playoff basketball, where defenses are better prepared and isolation-heavy play often becomes less efficient. His ability to stretch the floor, make quick decisions, and play through contact will be tested, especially against elite defenses like OKC.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Randle rises to the occasion, Minnesota could have one of the most balanced starting fives in the conference. But if he reverts to his inefficient playoff habits, the Wolves could find themselves stalling in critical moments &ndash; a risk that looms large in what could be a defining postseason for the franchise.</span></p>
<p><strong>Golden State Warriors &mdash; How far can Jimmy Butler take them?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Warriors made arguably the boldest trade of the deadline by acquiring Jimmy Butler from Miami, forming a star duo with Stephen Curry. Since the move, Golden State has looked rejuvenated, going on a tear to close the regular season and boasting the third-best net rating in the league during that span (+7.2). Butler&rsquo;s leadership, defense, and shot creation have given the Warriors a legitimate second option and re-energized their playoff outlook.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler has a proven playoff track record &ndash; he led the Heat to two Finals appearances in four years &ndash; and is widely regarded as one of the most clutch postseason performers. His fit with Golden State has been seamless, and the team&rsquo;s defense has improved significantly, ranking 6th in opponent points per game since the trade. The question is how far Butler can carry this version of the Warriors, who still lean heavily on their aging core.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Butler can replicate his past postseason heroics and stay healthy, the Warriors have a real shot to upset higher-seeded teams and return to the Finals.</span></p>
<p><strong>Memphis Grizzlies &mdash; Can they survive this tough season?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No team has faced more adversity this year than the Memphis Grizzlies. Between Ja Morant&rsquo;s on-court antics, injuries to key players, and coaching instability and firing, Memphis stumbled to a slump at the end of the regular season but managed to squeak into the playoffs as the 8-seed. Despite the chaos, the team has shown remarkable resilience, with Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey emerging as bright spots with their improved play.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now they face the top-seeded Thunder in a first-round matchup that few give them a chance to win. But if there&rsquo;s one thing the Grizzlies have shown, it&rsquo;s that they won&rsquo;t go down without a fight. Their defense could keep them competitive, and their physical style of play may pose problems for the Thunder.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, the playoffs may serve more as a building block than a real title push. But if Memphis can steal a game or two &mdash; or even push OKC to the brink &mdash; it would be a testament to the team&rsquo;s grit and foundation heading into next season.</span></p>

Breaking down the biggest question each Western Conference team faces heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs: Each team’s biggest question in the playoffs

<div>
<p>In the first few days of his second presidential term, Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders that will have an impact on the healthcare industry, some issuing new policies and some rescinding policies set forth by prior administrations. This has had a devastating impact on the American people.</p>
<p>While the country is on pins and needles awaiting the next bomb (both literally and figuratively) to drop from the Trump administration, Michael Jordan has figured out a way to actively combat one of the casualties (U.S. Health Care) of Trump&rsquo;s plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and extended tax cuts for the upper echelon of the American population.&nbsp;</p>
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<div>From an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/republicans-medicaid-cuts">article in The Guardian titled:&nbsp;&ldquo;Medicaid recipients fear &lsquo;buzzsaw cuts&rsquo; for Trump&rsquo;s agenda&rdquo;</a>, it reads&nbsp;</div>
<div>&ldquo;Republicans are considering a rollback of the federal social safety net, particularly Medicaid, which has nearly 80 million enrollees in all 50 states. The budget plan proposes an $880bn reduction in funding for the insurance over the next 10 years, an amount that experts warn would hollow out the program and have ripple effects across the entire American healthcare system.&rdquo;</div>
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<div>From an <a href="https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-president-trumps-latest-executive-orders-impacting-health-care">article in the MaynardNexsen titled &ldquo;President Trump&rsquo;s Latest Executive Orders Impacting Healthcare&rdquo;</a> it reads &ldquo;President Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden&rsquo;s order that extended the enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) plans in most states, and granted additional funding for third parties aiding enrollment in ACA insurance. While ACA enrollment nearly doubled under the Biden administration to about 24 million people, those gains are attributed primarily to government subsidies that lowered the cost of ACA premiums. The effect this rescission will have on enrollment trends is one thing to watch in the coming years&rdquo;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>While all this is happening in real-time, Michael Jordan opened his fourth health clinic in North Carolina on February 19 in Wilmington. This new clinic, established in collaboration with Novant Health, focuses on providing care to uninsured and underinsured patients.</div>
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<div>MJ has spoken publicly exhibiting a tremendous amount of sincerity and passion about how important these clinics are and how many people they will help. He has addressed the growing issue of healthcare disparities and affirmed his dedication to providing healthcare to all people regardless of their income or economic status in particular in his hometown of North Carolina.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Many people are pleasantly surprised to see this side of MJ, but it goes along with what I witnessed as his teammate for the Washington Wizards.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>I recall one time in particular when I was sitting in the training room getting treatment and he was getting his knee drained, which fans didn&rsquo;t know at the time he had to often do in order to continue playing. MJ asked me about a book (Soul On Ice by Eldridge Cleaver) he saw me reading on the plane and we engaged in a deep conversation about race, politics, the community, and much more.&nbsp;</div>
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<p>Sitting in earshot was his bodyguard, George, who chimed in and said jokingly, &ldquo;Yeah Michael doesn&rsquo;t like to tell anybody the things he does, so people don&rsquo;t think he does anything&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<div>He then proceeded to tell me a story of when MJ was all set to have this big event at an exclusive golf resort in Georgia back in the day, and he found out that they were still keeping an old tradition of not allowing Black People to join the club, but of course, they would let MJ participate. Well, long story short, right before the event, MJ informed the organizers that he was going to cancel everything if they didn&rsquo;t change their policy and of course, they capitulated to his demands.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>I remember responding saying, &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a great story that people need to hear. Why wouldn&rsquo;t you tell people that ?&rdquo; And MJ looked at me and said, &ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t do it for that.&rdquo; I remember looking at George and him saying, &ldquo;See, he doesn&rsquo;t want to tell anybody anything&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>
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<div>I tell this story for this reason. Playing with MJ for two years with the Wizards, I saw him do a lot of things quietly that nobody knew about. And from time to time I would whisper to him, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re not gonna tell anyone about this either huh?&rdquo; And he would just smile and shake his head. In fact, he didn&rsquo;t even tell anyone that he donated his entire salary to the victims of 9-11. I remember being in the locker room when he was watching the coverage on TV and made the decision. Nobody found out until later that he did that.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Now, for years I have been on panels and programs talking about activism and athletes and they would always bring up MJ as the antithesis to the activist athlete and his infamous statement &ldquo;Republicans Buy Shoes Too&rdquo;. They would always paint MJ as the athlete who doesn&rsquo;t care about the community or really anything outside of himself and I would always push back on that because that&rsquo;s just not what I saw when I was his teammate. Now, did he lend his voice to causes or speak out on political issues that directly impact the Black Community? No, he didn&rsquo;t. But did he do nothing behind the scenes and have no interest or care for the community? I can&rsquo;t say that because that&rsquo;s not what I saw.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>People don&rsquo;t know about MJ&rsquo;s community impact platform, known as the Black Community Commitment (BCC), which is a 10-year, $100 million initiative focused on creating equitable futures for Black Americans through education, economic justice, narrative change, and social justice.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>They also don&rsquo;t know about him funding nonprofit institutional grantees and grassroots organizations across the country through his Open Call Community Grants program.&nbsp;They don&rsquo;t know about his Jordan Brand Wings Scholars Program which has sent hundreds of kids to college on full scholarships. But like George told me in the training room, he doesn&rsquo;t tell anyone so people assume he does nothing in the community.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Now, going back to MJ&rsquo;s 4th healthcare clinic.&nbsp;There is indeed currently a national healthcare crisis in the United States.&nbsp;In 2025, an estimated 27.1 million Americans of all ages are projected to be uninsured, representing an uninsured rate of 8.2%, according to data from the National Health Interview Survey. MJ&rsquo;s efforts have helped thousands of uninsured Americans actually receive care.</div>
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<div>Furthermore, as many Americans have found out the hard way, being insured does not guarantee full coverage. There is a large percentage of working-class Americans who are currently drowning in medical expenses, faced with increased costs of medications (thanks to the Trump administration), and higher co-pays all while having limited access to essential treatments.&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>An article by Vishwesha Kumar of Fadeaway World, described Jordan&rsquo;s Health Clinic as,&nbsp;&ldquo;After witnessing the positive impact of these centers, Jordan donated $10 million to Novant Health to expand the project, leading to additional clinics being built in Wilmington. His efforts have helped thousands of patients receive their first-ever primary care visits, reinforcing his dedication to improving healthcare access.</div>
<div>
<p>The new Wilmington facility spans 7,300 square feet and includes 12 patient rooms, offering comprehensive medical services to uninsured and underinsured individuals. In addition to primary care physicians, the clinic will have a community health worker to connect patients with essential local resources. The facility will be open on weekdays, aiming to serve as a lifeline for many who struggle to access consistent coverage.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Micheal Jordan doesn&rsquo;t have to do any of this. He could ride off into the sunset and not care about what anyone thinks about him. He doesn&rsquo;t need any additional notoriety. He already has all the fame a man could possibly have. He doesn&rsquo;t need pats on the back or nods of approval from anyone. He does this because he genuinely cares.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div>&ldquo;Michael Jordan gives back but you didn't know it. Like LeBron does, but it's just seldom they show it.&rdquo;~Nas</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>

While all this is happening in real-time, Michael Jordan opened his fourth health clinic in North Carolina.

In This Trump Era, Michael Jordan’s Free Health Clinics Are Very Much Needed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Dallas Mavericks have acquired forward Caleb Martin from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for guard Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round draft pick, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.</span></p>
<p><strong>Trade Details:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Dallas Mavericks Receive:</strong></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caleb Martin</span></li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong>Philadelphia 76ers Receive:</strong></li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quentin Grimes</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2025 second-round draft pick</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caleb Martin, 29, has averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 31 games this season for Philadelphia. Known for his defensive prowess and solid shooting, including a 37.9% three-point percentage, Martin brings versatility on the wings to the Mavericks' roster. He will provide another 3-and-D defender to a team that the Mavs are trying to build.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quentin Grimes, 24, has contributed 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game across 47 appearances this season for Dallas. His offensive capabilities and youth present promising potential for the 76ers as they navigate a challenging season impacted by injuries. Grimes' shooting should benefit Sixers superstars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as he spaces the floor for them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ANALYSIS: This trade reflects the Mavericks' ongoing strategy to enhance their defensive lineup, following their recent high-profile acquisition of Anthony Davis. Martin is another long wing that can shoot and can defend at a high level.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the 76ers, the addition of Grimes and a future draft pick aligns with their efforts to rebuild and strengthen their roster for upcoming seasons. However, by trading Martin who they just recently signed in the offseason, was more of a move to possibly sign forward Guerschon Yabusele in the summer. Yabusele, who made his NBA comeback this season after a successful Olympic stint for France, was someone who can play the 4 for the Sixers. At 6-foot-7, Yabusele has offered the strength and the scoring punch inside and has played well in his NBA comeback. This development possibly made Martin expendable and the Sixers should do everything they can to re-sign the frenchman.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moreover, the rise of young wings Ricky Council IV and Justin Edwards has had an effect on this development. The two play similar positions to Martin, but they are younger and have much cheaper contracts. Grimes is on an expiring deal and both Council IV and Edwards are in contract for at least 2-3 years.</span></p>

The Dallas Mavericks have acquired forward Caleb Martin from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for guard Quentin Grimes.

Sixers trade Caleb Martin to Mavericks for Quentin Grimes

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a season where the Washington Wizards are grappling with a challenging 6-38 record, one bright spot has emerged: Jordan Poole's remarkable performance. Despite the team's struggles, Poole is showcasing significant growth, solidifying his role as a cornerstone for the franchise's future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Wizards' current season reflects a strategic focus on rebuilding. By prioritizing the development of their young talent, the organization aims to secure a favorable position in the upcoming draft. This approach is evident in the significant playing time and responsibilities entrusted to emerging players such as Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and Alex Sarr. Alongside these rookies, the 25-year-old Poole is stepping into a leadership role, guiding the team's youthful core.</span></p>
<p><strong>Poole&rsquo;s statistical and leadership leap</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Poole's performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. He is averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game. Notably, Poole is shooting a career-high 40.2% from beyond the arc, surpassing his previous best of 36%. This improvement comes on a career-high 9.3 three-point attempts per game, up from his prior high of 7.8. Even more impressive is that over 40% of his three-pointers are self-created, highlighting his enhanced ability to generate scoring opportunities independently.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a recent game against the Phoenix Suns, despite the team's 119-109 loss, Poole contributed 19 points, 10 assists, and a career-best six steals, underscoring his all-around impact on the court. His consistent offensive production and playmaking abilities have been pivotal for the Wizards, especially as the team navigates a challenging season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Wizards' emphasis on developing their young players has fostered a collaborative environment where Poole's experience becomes invaluable. Playing alongside young guys in Coulibaly, Carrington, George, and Sarr, Poole's leadership and on-court decisions are instrumental in accelerating their development. This synergy not only benefits the individual players but also lays a solid foundation for the team's future success.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the Wizards' current season may be challenging, Jordan Poole's emergence as a dynamic scorer and leader offers a glimpse into a promising future. His statistical improvements and mentorship of the team's young talent align with the organization's long-term vision. As the Wizards continue to rebuild, Poole's contributions will be central to their quest for sustained success.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Amidst a season focused on development and growth, Jordan Poole's significant leap stands out as a beacon of hope for the Washington Wizards. His performance not only elevates his game but also inspires confidence in the franchise's direction moving forward.</span></p>

Despite Washington's struggles, Poole is showcasing significant growth, solidifying his role as a cornerstone for the franchise's future.

Jordan Poole is taking a leap amidst a tough Wizards season

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<div class="relative p-1 rounded-sm flex items-center justify-center bg-token-main-surface-primary text-token-text-primary h-8 w-8">Dion Waiters, the former No. 4 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, is making headlines as he expresses a clear desire to return to the league, insisting he still has what it takes to contribute.</div>
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<div class="relative p-1 rounded-sm flex items-center justify-center bg-token-main-surface-primary text-token-text-primary h-8 w-8">Speaking with <a href="https://scoopb.com/2024/11/dion-waiters-eyes-nba-return-recounts-time-with-heat-cavs-thunder-lakers/" target="_new" rel="noopener">Scoop B</a>, the 32-year-old guard said, <em>&ldquo;I still can play. I STILL can play at a high level&hellip;I can STILL go out there and get you 20 right now. Literally 20 RIGHT NOW.&rdquo;</em></div>
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<p>Waiters, who last appeared with the Los Angeles Lakers during their 2020 championship run, boasts career averages of 13.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, with a career-high season in 2016-17 with the Miami Heat, where he averaged 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, and shot 39.5% from beyond the arc. His career has seen notable highs, including big-game performances with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Miami Heat.</p>
<p>Though he&rsquo;s been out of the league since 2020, Waiters remains determined to prove he can make an impact, especially as a bench scorer with a reputation for clutch performances. His shooting and scoring skills could attract teams looking for veteran depth as the season progresses.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbmlnLtMGE0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>For more insights on his career journey and his thoughts on a potential return, check out the full interview and story at <a href="https://scoopb.com/2024/11/dion-waiters-eyes-nba-return-recounts-time-with-heat-cavs-thunder-lakers/">Scoop B</a>.</p>
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Dion Waiters Eyes NBA Comeback, Confident in Scoring Ability

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&rsquo;s 2024, and teams led by Stephen Curry and LeBron James are once again near the top of the Western Conference. The Warriors have surged to a 6-1 record, placing them tied for 2nd, while the Lakers aren&rsquo;t far behind, holding the 5th spot in a jam-packed situation with several other teams with a 4-3 start. These strong beginnings reflect the impact of both veteran leadership and tactical innovation from new coaching staff.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the center of it all are James and Curry. The two will always be intertwined after all those years of squaring off in the Finals, even more so now after being the de facto faces of the league. Despite some rocky performances, both Steph and LeBron remain the league's gold standard for sustained excellence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Warriors have been on fire to start the season, and they&rsquo;re doing it through defense. They are first in the league in deflections through 7 games played, disrupting opposing teams&rsquo; schemes. More than their high-octane offense, it's their defense that&rsquo;s had a noticeable jump from last year and it&rsquo;s showing up early in the standings.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the heart of the Warriors&rsquo; offense though is the generational talent in Steph. Curry's impact on the game remains unmatched &ndash; his consistent scoring and playmaking are invaluable and he commands the respect of defenses while creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Draymond Green&rsquo;s defensive influence has anchored Golden State&rsquo;s early success. Even without Curry for three games, the Warriors have continued their winning streak and Draymond was leading the pack with their leader sidelined. His energy and presence bring stability to the defensive end, setting the tone for the entire team. Green&rsquo;s communication and hustle provide a roadmap for the younger Warriors, exemplifying what&rsquo;s expected in terms of effort and awareness on defense.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have brought depth and energy. Kuminga&rsquo;s athleticism and refined shot selection have given the Warriors a scoring boost, while Moody&rsquo;s steady hand and court vision have added depth.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Under head coach Steve Kerr and his new assistants Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, the Warriors&rsquo; dynamic rotations leverage both the experience of seasoned stars and the energy of rising talent.&nbsp; With a more reliable bench this season, head coach Steve Kerr has even more flexibility in his rotations. The team signed free agents Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and DeAnthony Melton &ndash; all solid role players that have contributed to their cause.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along with second year players Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Warriors&rsquo; depth is crucial as it allows the team to maintain intensity and momentum when the starters rest. Each player is clear on their role, which keeps the Warriors competitive in all game situations and allows Kerr to implement strategic adjustments without compromising the team&rsquo;s flow.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers are also enjoying a strong start to the season despite recent disappointing losses. With new head coach JJ Redick bringing a fresh perspective and strategic shift to the team, the Lakers look an entirely different team from a year ago. Redick&rsquo;s emphasis on ball movement and three-point efficiency has provided the Lakers with an offensive boost, allowing their shooters to maximize space and versatility. His experience as a former player gives him a strong rapport with the team, allowing him to instill a confident and cohesive approach.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain crucial, with LeBron&rsquo;s court vision and leadership guiding the Lakers&rsquo; offense while Davis continues to dominate defensively and in the paint. Their veteran presence is balanced by young players like Austin Reaves, who has stepped up as a consistent scoring and playmaking option, enhancing the Lakers' depth.</span></p>
<p><strong>Why LeBron and Steph, Lakers and Warriors, being good is great for the NBA</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With James and Curry&rsquo;s teams on top, the NBA benefits from a renewed excitement to their teams. Both the Lakers and Warriors lead in national TV appearances this year &ndash; with 39 and 36 respectively &ndash; underscoring the pull of their megastar leaders.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These two franchises add a level of intrigue that fans and the league can&rsquo;t get enough of. In a landscape with younger stars emerging, LeBron and Steph&rsquo;s presence at the top underscores their lasting impact and broad appeal&mdash;creating a formula for success and driving fan engagement everywhere.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The simultaneous resurgence of both the Warriors and Lakers is not only exciting for their fans but also beneficial for the NBA. These two franchises, with storied rivalries and legacies, bring added viewership and energy to the league.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their renewed competitiveness boosts the Western Conference&rsquo;s intrigue and sets up the potential for classic matchups in the playoffs, reigniting a rivalry that has captivated fans for years.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the season unfolds, the Warriors and Lakers are proving that their presence at the top is essential for keeping the NBA as thrilling as ever.</span></p>

It’s 2024, and teams led by Stephen Curry and LeBron James are once again near the top of the West --- it’s great for the game.

The Warriors and Lakers could be back, and it’s great for the NBA

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis are already one of the best big men in the league with the variety of skills they offer on the basketball court. Both bigs are considered top 5 in the position by being the best of the best defensively along with a deep offensive bag. However, if there was one hole in their games that both needed to fill up, it is their three-point shooting.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both Adebayo and Davis have demonstrated their shooting forms and technical abilities, suggesting they could excel as 3-point shooters. However, neither has historically attempted threes as often as their talent might allow. Now, entering the 2024-25 season, both stars are increasing their 3-point volume as seen in the preseason, and this shift could be the key to elevating their teams to new heights.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bam Adebayo&rsquo;s ability to impact a game is undeniable. He is one of the best defenders in the league, being known for his defensive versatility and ability to guard all five positions. Adebayo brings value to the Heat with his offensive playmaking from the center position, and over the years he has been the main engine of Miami&rsquo;s offense. But what he&rsquo;s rarely done is consistently shoot from deep. In the 2023-24 NBA season, Adebayo averaged just 0.6 3-point attempts per game, preferring to stick to his mid-range game and finish inside.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, Adebayo&rsquo;s shooting took a noticeable step forward during the 2024 Olympics, where he averaged 1.5 attempts per game from beyond the arc for Team USA. His confidence seemed to soar after the tournament, and that momentum has carried into the 2024-25 preseason, where he&rsquo;s now taking 3.3 3-point attempts per game.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This increase in volume shows that Adebayo is ready to fully integrate the 3-point shot into his game, something he&rsquo;s always been capable of given his shooting form. With his smooth mechanics and growing confidence, Adebayo&rsquo;s expanded range could be the key to unlocking the Miami Heat&rsquo;s full offensive potential.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BAM-ing it from downtown 🎯<br /><br />Bam Adebayo has significantly upped his 3-point attempts from last season to this preseason 😲<br /><br />2023-24 season ➡️ 0.6<br />2024 Paris Olympics ➡️ 1.5<br />2024-25 Preseason ➡️ 3.3<br /><br />Stretch Bam incoming? 👀 (h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/statmuse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@statmuse</a>) <a href="https://t.co/OxX6yP8v72">pic.twitter.com/OxX6yP8v72</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1846751205386780929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similar to Adebayo, Anthony Davis has always had the ability to shoot from deep but hasn&rsquo;t consistently utilized it. Davis proved his 3-point prowess throughout the younger years of his career&mdash;but most notably during the 2019-20 season when he helped lead the Lakers to a championship by shooting 33% from beyond the arc. However, injuries and shifting roles have seen Davis shy away from shooting threes in recent seasons.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the 2023-24 campaign, Davis averaged just 1.4 3-point attempts per game, a sharp drop from the 3.5 attempts he averaged during that 2020 title run. Like Adebayo, Davis has the form and touch to be a consistent 3-point threat but hasn&rsquo;t taken as many shots from deep as he&rsquo;s capable of.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the Lakers, a healthy and confident Anthony Davis shooting more threes could be a game-changer. His ability to stretch the floor would open up the lane for LeBron James and the Lakers&rsquo; slashing guards, creating a more dynamic and less predictable offense. If Davis can regain his 3-point shooting form from his championship run, the Lakers will be far more difficult to defend.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4 THREES FOR AD IN THE FIRST QUARTER 😱<a href="https://t.co/8PxKpnr4ZQ">pic.twitter.com/8PxKpnr4ZQ</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1847103115394535893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2024</a>
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<h3><strong>Why Does Adebayo and Davis Increasing Their 3-Point Attempts Matter?</strong></h3>
<ol>
<li><strong> Floor Spacing and Offensive Flexibility</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both Adebayo and Davis shooting more threes could radically improve their respective teams' floor spacing. For Miami, Adebayo&rsquo;s ability to pull opposing big men out to the perimeter will open up driving lanes for Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, giving the Heat more room to operate. For the Lakers, Davis stretching the defense would allow LeBron to work in a more open paint, while also freeing up shooters like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.</span></li>
<li><strong> Deeper Pick-and-Pop Potential</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adebayo and Davis could both become elite pick-and-pop players. Their ability to shoot from mid-range has already made them dangerous in these situations, but adding 3-point range would make them even more difficult to guard. Forcing defenders to decide between contesting their shot or stopping a drive could lead to easy points for their teams.</span></li>
<li><strong> Defensive Dilemmas for Opponents</strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">With both big men capable of hitting threes, opposing defenses will be forced to make tough choices. Typically, teams like to sag off big men who are stationed at the perimeter, allowing them to pack the paint. However, if Adebayo and Davis can hit threes at a consistent rate, defenses will be stretched thin, making it harder to defend both the perimeter and the paint effectively.</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It&rsquo;s important to note that neither Adebayo nor Davis are bad three point shooters. Both have had excellent shooting forms since early in their careers, but for various reasons&mdash;be it team strategy or personal preference&mdash;they haven&rsquo;t leaned heavily into their perimeter game and added it to their shot diets. Adebayo&rsquo;s shooting mechanics are smooth, and Davis has long been recognized for his soft touch from deep.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The difference now is volume and confidence. Both players have shown they can make threes, and now, with their respective teams needing more floor spacing and offensive versatility, the time is right for them to fully embrace their perimeter games.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the increased 3-point attempts from Adebayo and Davis are promising, consistency here will be the major factor. Both players will need to prove that they can not only take more threes but also hit them at an efficient rate throughout the long NBA season. Shooting in the preseason or during international competition is one thing; doing so under the pressure of regular-season games and in the playoffs is another.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There&rsquo;s also the question of how this shift in offensive focus will affect their defensive roles. Both Adebayo and Davis are the anchors of their teams&rsquo; defenses, often patrolling the paint and protecting the rim. If they spend more time on the perimeter, it could pull them away from their defensive responsibilities, potentially impacting their teams on that end of the floor. They could also potentially exert more energy on offense when taking these types of shots, and could affect their games on the other end of the floor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis can fully integrate the 3-point shot into their games, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers could be looking at major improvements in their offensive efficiency and flexibility. For Miami, Adebayo&rsquo;s ability to space the floor and create more room for Butler and Herro could make them a more dangerous and unpredictable team. For the Lakers, Davis hitting threes at a consistent rate would allow LeBron and the rest of the roster to play more freely and dynamically.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both players have always had the skill to shoot from deep, but this season may finally be the year where they embrace it fully. And if they do, the Heat and Lakers could be poised for deep playoff runs, with their star big men leading the charge in this new era of positionless basketball.</span></p>

Bam and AD are increasing their 3-point volume and this shift could be a key to elevating their teams to new heights.

Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis shooting more threes should elevate Heat, Lakers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After missing out on their initial target, the Los Angeles Lakers finally land another whale they&rsquo;ve been eyeing for a while.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 17-time NBA World Champions will be hiring ESPN analyst and former NBA player JJ Redick as the franchise&rsquo;s next head coach.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite having no prior head coaching experience at any level in the NBA, Redick has obtained the green light from Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss to lead the franchise next season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Redick has a podcast with a player he soon will be coaching LeBron James in &lsquo;Mind the Game&rsquo;, in which they talk about basketball concepts and strictly hoops and hoops alone. Redick and LeBron particularly dissect plays that teams run in the NBA and the ones they have encountered over the years they have played in the league. This distinct knowledge of the game and his relationship with James might have contributed to this hire.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help Redick have a faster learning curve for his first-ever coaching job in the NBA, the Lakers are reportedly eyeing to surround him with an elite head coaching staff with a wealth of experience and veteran presence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A 15-year NBA vet, Redick promises to be a strong developmental coach who can connect with younger players, and this figures out to be an enticing prospect for the Lakers as they plan to infuse their young talent in Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, and Jalen Hood-Schfino into more opportunities.</span></p>

After missing out on their initial target, the Los Angeles Lakers finally land another whale they’ve been eyeing for a while.

Lakers set to hire JJ Redick as head coach

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Day 8 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs saw some interesting games as we entered the halfway mark of the first round. The Orlando Magic leveled up their series vs the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-2, at home. Boston regained control of the series against Miami after a tough game 2 loss to now lead 3-1, while OKC took a commanding 3-0 lead vs NOLA who are still without Zion Williamson. Lastly, the Lakers, after 4 games finally win against the Nuggets after leading most of the time in the entire series.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the recap here:</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">FINAL SCORE THREAD 🧵<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 4 🏀<br /><br />CLE 89 - 112 ORL | Series tied 2-2<br /><br />Franz Wagner 📊 34 PTS | 13-17 FG | 13 REB | 4 AST<br />Jonathan Isaac 📊 14 PTS | 5-7 FG | 4-6 3P | 7 REB | 2 BLK<br />Jarrett Allen 📊 21 PTS | 8-11 FG | 9 REB <a href="https://t.co/f31CYHJM2F">pic.twitter.com/f31CYHJM2F</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1784369901299470391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 3 🏀<br /><br />OKC 106 - 85 NOP | Thunder leads series 3-0<br /><br />Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 📊 24 PTS | 8-20 FG | 8 AST | 5 REB | 4 STL<br />Jalen Williams 📊 21 PTS| 9-16 FG | 3-4 3P | 9 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL<br />Josh Giddey 📊 21 PTS | 8-13 FG | 4-7 FG | 8 REB | 6 AST<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/T8twIl6DnJ">pic.twitter.com/T8twIl6DnJ</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1784373151289454723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 3 🏀<br /><br />BOS 104 - 84 MIA | Celtics lead series 2-1<br /><br />Jayson Tatum 📊 22 PTS | 11 REB | 6 AST<br />Jaylen Brown 📊 22 PTS | 11-20 FG | 8 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL <a href="https://t.co/YF1clU5Ua2">pic.twitter.com/YF1clU5Ua2</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1784394162206540138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> - Game 4 🏀<br /><br />DEN 108 - 119 LAL | Nuggets lead series 3-1<br /><br />LeBron James 📊 30 PTS | 14-23 FG | 5 REB | 4 AST | 3 STL<br />Anthony Davis 📊 25 PTS | 23 REB | 11-17 FG | 6 AST<br />D'Angelo Russell 📊 21 PTS | 8-15 FG | 4 AST<br />Austin Reaves 📊 21 PTS | 7-15 FG | 6 AST<br /><br />First time&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/DRLLSh7emJ">pic.twitter.com/DRLLSh7emJ</a></p>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1784425292049903767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a>
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Day 8 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs saw some interesting games as we entered the halfway mark of the first round.

2024 NBA Playoffs Day 8 Recap: Lakers finally strike vs Nuggets; Celtics regain control

<p>Today, Rolling Loud &amp; The Crew League, announce&nbsp;the premiere of The &ldquo;We Got Next&rdquo; - 3 Point Contest. &nbsp;The Crew League&nbsp;&amp; Rolling Loud partner to present is a first-of-its-kind, unscripted basketball 3 point competition series held backstage on the grounds at&nbsp;Hollywood Park&nbsp;for Rolling Loud California 2024.</p>
<p>Kicking off on Monday, May 6th, the &ldquo;We Got Next&rdquo; 3 pt contest&nbsp;will feature artists from Rolling Loud California&rsquo;s lineup such as, Luh Tyler, Veeze, NLE Choppa, 310babii, 2Rare, Kaliii, That Mexican OT, Jeleel!, Rob49&nbsp;and so many more,&nbsp;along with surprise special guests like AdamW, Jabari Banks, Quincy, Adam22 and so many more, as they compete for bragging rights, a $50,000 cash prize, a custom diamond bracelet designed by Eric the Jeweler &amp; a custom one of one jacket by Jeff Hamilton. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In typical TCL fashion, humor will be at the center of the show. With more than fifty (50+) digestible episodes in the series hosted by comedy star, Ben Da Donnn, &nbsp;music superstar SuperDuperKyle, &amp; Treasure Wilson aka Stat Baby, this competition is sure to entertain all. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Talent List:</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/tcl-3pt_690w.png" alt="" /></p>
<p>Quotes:</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are excited to partner with Rolling Loud on such a disruptive concept! &nbsp;Most rappers think they can outshoot everyone from the 3pt line&hellip; &nbsp;Now we have a place for them to prove it&hellip; &nbsp;Excited for what's to come from our partnership&rdquo; &nbsp;- Elie Maroun (Commissioner &amp; Co-Founder of The Crew League)</p>
<p><a href="https://next.frame.io/share/7842e3d2-68b6-4026-8006-6a605bceaa95/view/cc63fa52-0c07-4519-967b-58f435e66252">Check out the video here.</a></p>
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<p>About Rolling Loud:</p>
<p>Founded by 7-time Billboard Hip-Hop Power Players Matt Zingler &amp; Tariq Cherif as a one-day Miami show, Rolling Loud has grown into a global festival phenomenon, putting on shows on both coasts and in multiple countries across four continents. Rolling Loud is the premier festival brand in hip-hop, known for its expert curation of wide-ranging lineups that reflect the state of the genre. In 2023, Rolling Loud expanded its empire even further, hosting a series of star-studded festivals in all corners of the globe, including debuts in Thailand and Germany, plus its flagship affair, Rolling Loud Miami, which offered its most diverse and wide-ranging lineup to date.</p>
<p>Throughout 2024, Rolling Loud commemorates "10 Years Of Rolling Loud," celebrating the festival's rise from humble origins to world dominance. Since the first Miami festival, Rolling Loud has evolved into a major force in hip-hop, providing a massive stage for rap's biggest names, giving early exposure to future superstars, including Travis Scott, Juice WRLD, and Ice Spice, and inspiring some of the most memorable moments in the genre's recent history. Now, Rolling Loud is hip-hop&rsquo;s biggest stage, with star-studded festivals on four continents and more milestones to come.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for announcements about Rolling&nbsp;Loud's 2024&nbsp;World Tour, including upcoming festivals in Los Angeles, Europe, and more.</p>

The Crew League & Rolling Loud partner to present is a first-of-its-kind, unscripted basketball 3 point competition series held backstage on the grounds at Hollywood Park for Rolling Loud California 2024.

The Crew League 3PT Contest

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article is part of a two-part series preview for the upcoming 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs starting, all eyes will be on all teams competing for the championship as fans and players look on for a taste of postseason action. As eight playoff teams in each conference gear up for what promises to be an intense battle for the title, each team faces its own set of unique challenges. In this article, we take a closer look at the biggest question facing each Western Conference team heading into the playoffs, from injuries and roster changes to key matchups and strategic decisions.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Oklahoma City Thunder - How far can their youth and inexperience take them in the playoffs?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Thunder got away through the regular season with historic from MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous Alexander, an impressive rookie season by Chet Holmgren, a star sophomore leap by Jalen Williams, and a coaching masterclass in a genius coach Mark Daigneault.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the playoffs as we know it is a different beast &ndash; will Mark Daigneault be able to sustain the good coaching he has done with his team throughout this regular season?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How much of this youth and inexperience be a factor for them to advance deeper in the playoffs; will they be able to use it to their advantage? Or will it be a hindrance against other experienced teams when they face each other in these tight situations? Most of the time, these situations require patience and discipline &ndash; teams with playoff experience have shown over time and have done it time and time again on their way to a deep playoff run.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Denver Nuggets - Can they go back to back?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There&rsquo;s really no other question for a team like the Nuggets at the peak of their powers: Can they win back-to-back titles? There has not been a back-to-back champion in the NBA for the past 5 years, with the last one coming in 2017 and 2018 when the Warriors won it all.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like Boston, it is a title or bust status with Denver as of now. They have been fairly healthy throughout the regular season, have a mostly intact roster that won it all last year, and have the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic in his absolute prime. Denver this year has again all the necessary pieces to win &ndash; the right amount of shooters, defensive guys, scoring in the paint &ndash; which are all the makings of a championship team.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A couple of questionable factors though would be how much of an impact the loss of Bruce Brown would have in these playoffs. Brown was arguably the 5th, or 4th best player in their championship run last year &ndash; maybe even the 3rd in some games. He was essential on offense and defense, guarding the opponent&rsquo;s best perimeter threats while providing off-ball scoring and cuts that fit perfectly with Jokic.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Second, they&rsquo;ll be facing championship-caliber teams with hunger and drive to defeat them, and all have been competitive with the Nuggets this season. The Lakers, although the Nuggets swept them last year in the Western Conference Finals, still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and they won&rsquo;t take that lightly &ndash; likely coming back with a vengeance.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Suns have won the season series with the Nuggets 2-1 and they pose a threat to the Nuggets with their formula of having three elite shotmakers that can explode anytime &ndash; which the Nuggets may not cover all at the same time.&nbsp; The Wolves, who perhaps have the best lineup suited to defeat them, are lurking in the same bracket waiting to pounce on them at sight.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are all challenges a defending champion must go through to achieve a rare feat because the playoffs are supposed to be hard.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Minnesota Timberwolves -&nbsp; Will they finally break through after years of heartbreak?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This has already been a win of a season for the Timberwolves, achieving their second most wins in franchise history (56) since 2004 when they won 58 wins and reached the conference finals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, this has not stopped them from wanting more, and the wolfpack is not satisfied nor contented with just this achievement &ndash; they want more.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnesota wanting to go win that first playoff series like a hungry pack of wolves has been evident since trading for 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Although they fell short last season due to untimely injuries to key players, the Wolves ran it back and have proven their little experiment with two bigs in star Karl Anthony Towns and Gobert would work.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Led by their resurgent young superstar Anthony Edwards equipped with the best defense in the league, Minnesota certainly hopes this team would be the one &ndash; the one to end the longest playoff series win droughts in the league for quite some time now.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Los Angeles Clippers - Will they be able to meet the expectations this time around?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers trading for James Harden signaled one thing for the franchise: They are going all in with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and surrounding them with all the help they can get. They are far from a perfect team, but the Clippers want to have the best possible results this season before transferring to their new arena next year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Clippers have only appeared in the conference finals once in the Leonard-George era after being plagued by several injuries during their different playoff runs. Due to that, people haven&rsquo;t been able to see what the team is capable of when their two stars are fully healthy in a playoff run.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, this year might just be their year. Their core of Harden, George, and Leonard have been mostly healthy all season long. The front office has also surrounded them with complementary pieces to help them win. LA now has usable bigs in Zubac, Plumlee, and Theis; they have Terrance Mann as their designated stopper; Norman Powell being the sixth man off the bench microwave scorer; a 3-and-D wing in Amir Coffe; and Russell Westbrook as the spark plug that gives them the boost and the energy off the bench.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After being just the &lsquo;second team in LA&rsquo; and &lsquo;that other team in LA&rsquo; for years, the Clippers aim to prove the doubters wrong and change the perception that surrounds the team as they pivot into a new era of Clippers basketball.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><strong>Dallas Mavericks - Will Luka finally fulfill the promise he has been showing so far in his career?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout his young NBA career, Luka Doncic has had one of the best starts since LeBron James statistically. He has been in constant range of breaking or matching LeBron&rsquo;s records in points scored, triple-doubles, assists, and rebounds. However, this has not always translated into wins with Doncic just appearing in just one conference finals in the first six years of his career. But that might change this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, the Mavericks have put up arguably the best roster on paper that Luka has had in his career &ndash; arguably even better than the 2022 team that made the conference finals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alongside Doncic&rsquo;s MVP act is a true partner in crime in Kyrie Irving; shot-blocking and rim-rolling vertical threats in Daniel Gafford and Lively; rugged forwards that can shoot in PJ Washington, Dante Exum, Josh Green, and Derrick Jones; a microwave off-the-bench scorer in Tim Hardaway Jr; and veteran bigs that have been in Dallas for quite some time now and you can count on in always with Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can Luka finally overcome the Clippers? This season was one for the books with an MVP caliber and worthy year by averaging close to 34 points a game with 9 rebounds and 9 assists per game. Doncic has taken his game to another level in the regular season &ndash; this time, can he take his playoff game to another level as well?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All great young players have to go through someone as the stepping stone to reach newer heights &ndash; and Luka has lost to this Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers team twice already in his career in the playoffs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">LeBron had to go through the Celtics, Jordan had to go through the Pistons. Could it be Luka&rsquo;s turn to get through this Clippers team that has tormented him for two playoff series?</span></p>
<h3><strong>Phoenix Suns - Will this new formula take them over the top?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Suns have experienced substantial playoff success over the past three years by having a Finals appearance and reaching the conference semifinals twice. However, those groups fell short, with the feeling of something lacking or something missing that could take them over the top.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So lo and behold, Phoenix scrapped it and took a different approach this season &ndash; ditching the point guard spot and getting a rugged and physical big that could set screens and not demand the ball much on offense.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In its place came through as the Suns traded for Bradley Beal &ndash; going with a new formula by having three shot creators and shotmakers on the floor at the same time &ndash; pairing him with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They also traded away former no.1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic, a wide-bodied center whose job is to set screens, rebound, and get their three creators open in the lane or for jump shots.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They added an elite shooter in Grayson Allen to space the floor alongside those three, or sometimes Royce O&rsquo;Neale comes in for more defense against the opposing perimeter threats.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Suns&rsquo; new approach and formula to the game make it incredibly hard to defend because you have to have three elite defenders to contain those three shot-creators, who can explode and get buckets at any point in the game. Although their defense is still suspect at times, the main point of this lineup is not to outscore &ndash; but to out-create teams and have a variety of options to dissect and defeat defenses.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If this new strategy works and could take the Suns to the promised land in these playoffs remains to be seen.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Los Angeles Lakers - Will they have enough this time around?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite a strong run to the Western Conference Finals as a 7th seed, the Lakers fell short last year vs the Nuggets after being swept 4-0. Throughout the season, the Nuggets&rsquo; dominance of the purple and gold continued, and now they have lost eight straight games against this Denver team.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, there is optimism that the Lakers will turn it around and have a different result vs the Nuggets. Superstar LeBron James, even at 39 years old, looks to prove that he still has something left in the tank. Although they got outplayed and outcoached last in that series by the Nuggets, James can make those adjustments being the cerebral and high IQ player that he is.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">James is perhaps one of the best if not the best tactically sound players of all time, so it would make sense &ndash; if they were to defeat Denver, he needs to be able to outsmart Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets this time around. Superstar tandem Anthony Davis will also be vital to the series having to defend the &lsquo;Joker&rsquo; and producing buckets himself.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers will also feature some new bench pieces this year that could be difference makers in the series Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Gabe Vincent, all of whom could defend and hit those spot-up threes if needed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then there&rsquo;s a hungry D&rsquo;Angelo Russell who had a bad series vs Denver last year raring to bounce back along with an always-solid Austin Reaves to be the stabilizer.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Pelicans - How will they fare without Zion Williamson?</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New Orleans Pelicans start and end with their young star Zion Williamson. After going out with what is to be believed a left hamstring strain, everything now hinges on his health.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pelicans obviously need him no matter what and whether or not he&rsquo;s healthy for their first-round series vs the Thunder will likely be the answer if they win it or not.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We&rsquo;ve seen what Williamson is capable of doing, scoring 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in his first taste of postseason action in their play-in game vs the Lakers. The burly forward bullied the Lakers&rsquo; defense and he showed his once generational type of body and scoring prowess come together after finally being healthy for a full season in his five years in the NBA.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Orleans has fallen short a lot of times in the playoffs, either failing to make it or to win a series, and it is clear that Zion is the difference that separates them from winning or losing a playoff series. </span></p>
<p><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></p>

s eight playoff teams in each conference gear up for what promises to be an intense battle for the title, each team faces its own set of unique challenges.

2024 Western Conference Playoffs: Each team’s biggest question heading into the playoffs

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a player of Spencer Dinwiddie&rsquo;s caliber, the start of his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers didn't go according to plan. Through his first</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 16 games with Los Angeles, Dinwiddie struggled to make an impact offensively, averaging only 5 points on 35% shooting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, that's changed as of late. On Sunday night, the 6-foot-5 guard scored a Lakers career-high 26 points against the Indiana Pacers in a 150-145 win at the Crypto.com Arena.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dinwiddie&rsquo;s scoring outburst came as he started the game for D&rsquo;Angelo Russell, who was ruled out with a non-COVID illness. Dinwiddie usually mans the second unit as a backup to Russell, handling the Lakers&rsquo; offense and providing spot-up-shooting alongside superstar LeBron James.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Wednesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Dinwiddie had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 threes, while shooting 57.1% from the field and 75% from three-point range. The Lakers have now won five-straight games, and Dinwiddie is looking more and more comfortable on his new team.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&ldquo;I think, in general, being in the league in 10 years &ndash; in my position being a second-round pick &ndash;&nbsp; having a variety of different roles, at any given time I&rsquo;d play anywhere from 1 through 15. Like, I&rsquo;ve really been a primary guy on the floor, all the way down to the towel-waving guy at the end of the bench that really wasn&rsquo;t gonna play &ndash; I&rsquo;ve played all of those,&rdquo; Dinwiddie said when asked about finding a role with the team. &ldquo;May it be sixth man, eighth man, second or third man &ndash; all that stuff.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 6-foot-5 combo guard has had stops with different teams ever since being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round in 2014. Dinwiddie had his best years with the Brooklyn Nets where he averaged a career-best season of 20.4 points per game. Dinwiddie then went to the Dallas Mavericks, forming a backcourt tandem with Luka Doncic, and then reunited with Brooklyn as a backup point guard.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, with Dinwiddie back in his home state of California and playing for the Lakers alongside James, Russell, superstar big man Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, he shared the key to fitting in with a star-studded cast like this as they fight for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about reading the room and understanding you&rsquo;re a part of something bigger,&rdquo; Dinwiddie said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s really it. Taking every day as it comes, knowing who&rsquo;s going to be out, and knowing that there&rsquo;s going to be spots to be aggressive &ndash; just try to settle to that moment and be consistent with my workout and my routine.&rdquo;</span></p>

Recently, Spencer Dinwiddie has been looking more and more comfortable with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Spencer Dinwiddie getting more comfortable, finding his role on Lakers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Los Angeles Lakers are currently the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 41-32. They are also one of the conference's most polarizing teams with the postseason right around the corner.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The West&rsquo;s Play-In Tournament currently includes the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Assuming L.A. makes it out of the loaded entry tournament, the No. 1 and 2 seeds should hope to avoid them. They are one year removed from a Western Conference Finals appearance, where they were swept by the eventual-champion Denver Nuggets.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Tuesday, the Lakers took down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in a 128-124 double-overtime thriller. With superstar LeBron James sidelined, big man Anthony Davis tallied 34 points and 23 rebounds through left knee pain, while guards Austin Reaves and D&rsquo;Angelo Russell combined for 58 points and 22 assists on 17-of-42 shooting. The Lakers have proven that they can compete with the league&rsquo;s top contenders when they play to their full potential.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">&ldquo;He assured me he was gonna push through. [The medical staff] said it was OK," head coach Darvin Ham </span><a href="https://theathletic.com/5371897/2024/03/27/anthony-davis-lakers-bucks-nba-standings/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said of Davis' performance, according to The Athletic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. "Just tolerance &mdash; whatever he could tolerate. And kudos to him, man. He played his ass off.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers followed up this rollercoaster win with a comfortable victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the absence of Davis. This matchup was highlighted by a 30-point triple-double from James, along with a 32-point performance from forward Rui Hachimura. With nine games remaining in the regular season, LA hopes to continue their five-game win streak to obtain a higher seed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">James and Davis are no strangers to finding triumph in the playoffs, winning a ring together in the 2020 NBA Bubble. Consistency is the tandem&rsquo;s greatest rival, whether it&rsquo;s health concerns for James or mediocre scoring games for Davis. However, both superstars rise to the occasion in the postseason.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder hold the top two seeds in the West, meaning the Lakers will likely match up against one of them in the opening round. James and the Lakers are familiar with coach Mike Malone and the Nuggets&rsquo; style of play and strategy, which is one of their few hopes of winning. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, if they find themselves facing off with the inexperienced Thunder, their chances of victory skyrocket. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC is a powerhouse team. However, the differences in experience could be OKC's downfall. A battle-tested Lakers squad might end their season much earlier than expected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lakers' next matchup comes on Friday night against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers (41-33).</span></p>

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting hot at the perfect time, led by superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.