Buffaloes

In a series full of big moments and bigger performances, Jalen Williams finally had his. The 24-year-old wing exploded for a career-high 40 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, lifting the Oklahoma City Thunder to the brink of their first championship since the franchise moved from Seattle.
For one night, the man they call JDub stepped out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander&rsquo;s shadow. He wasn&rsquo;t just the Robin to SGA&rsquo;s Batman &ndash; he became the Batman and carried OKC to victory. He initiated the offense, hit timely threes, attacked the rim with force, and defended like his life depended on it. It was a masterclass from a player once doubted as the long-term second option for this team. But as the confetti fell after OKC's Game 5 win, there was no doubt anymore: Jalen Williams has arrived.
<h3>The emergence of a true No. 2</h3>
Oklahoma City&rsquo;s ascension to the NBA&rsquo;s elite has largely been credited to Gilgeous-Alexander&rsquo;s leap into MVP territory and top 5 player in the league conversation. But no team contends for titles with just one star. Throughout the season, Williams quietly established himself as that second cornerstone &ndash; an All-Star, a three-level scorer, and a swiss-army knife on both ends of the floor.
He averaged over 20 points per game in the regular season with 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game, and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. But those accolades were hard-earned, especially after the questions that clouded him following last season's playoff exit.
Against Dallas in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, Williams struggled to find rhythm. The Mavericks&rsquo; defense smothered him, taking away his drives and disrupting his midrange flow. He shot poorly, turned the ball over more than usual, and appeared unsure of when to assert himself. The Thunder were bounced in six games, and the spotlight turned on whether JDub could ever truly complement SGA as a playoff performer.
<h3>Williams&rsquo; redemption and resolve</h3>
Fast forward one year, and Williams is a different player. With Isaiah Hartenstein added to give OKC more interior toughness and Josh Giddey traded away for Alex Caruso, the Thunder leaned even harder into their identity: wings with size, skill, and smarts.
Williams fit that mold perfectly, using the offseason to refine his handle, sharpen his jumper, and study film to improve his decision-making. The result? An All-Star nod, a 68-win season, and OKC securing the top seed in the entire league.
But the playoffs would again test him.
Denver pushed the Thunder to the brink in the second round. Once again, Williams faced turbulence &ndash; his shot abandoned him at times, and the Nuggets&rsquo; physicality forced rushed decisions. But this time, he didn&rsquo;t unravel. He dug deeper. He impacted games with his defense and passing, then rediscovered his scoring touch just in time to help the Thunder close the series in Game 7.
In the Western Conference Finals against Minnesota, he was magnificent. He shot the ball efficiently, helped neutralize Anthony Edwards at times, and showcased his elite cutting and off-ball IQ &ndash; areas often overshadowed by his flashy isolation moves. By the end of the series, Williams had reclaimed full confidence in his offensive role.
But even that couldn&rsquo;t prepare the world for what he unleashed in Game 5 of the Finals.
<h3>A Finals performance to remember</h3>
With Indiana doubling SGA on every touch and trying to bait OKC&rsquo;s supporting cast into beating them in Game 5, Williams took full advantage of the defensive attention. He sliced through the defense with decisive drives, nailed tough step-back jumpers, and even initiated offense when Gilgeous-Alexander rested. His 40-point night wasn&rsquo;t just about scoring &ndash; it was about control. He looked every bit like a franchise pillar that would be in the city for years to come.
Williams&rsquo; ability to score at all three levels, his commitment to defense, and his feel for the game now make him one of the most complete young wings in basketball. He's not just a complementary piece anymore &ndash; he's a cornerstone.
<h3>Cementing his legacy</h3>
With the Thunder now one win away from an NBA championship, Williams is on the verge of etching his name into Oklahoma City lore. Not just as the guy who played beside SGA, but as the co-author of this team&rsquo;s historic run.
It&rsquo;s easy to forget this is his first NBA Finals. He plays with the poise of a seasoned vet, never rushing, always reading. His blend of patience and aggression makes him nearly impossible to scheme out of a game, and his confidence has caught up with his tools.
Of course, there&rsquo;s still work to be done. Game 6 awaits back in Indiana, and the Pacers aren&rsquo;t going quietly. But for Williams, this postseason has already validated everything the Thunder hoped he could become.
The doubts that loomed after last year&rsquo;s postseason struggles are gone. The idea that he couldn&rsquo;t rise to the occasion? Erased. This run &ndash; this journey &ndash; is proof of how perseverance and belief can reshape a career.
Whether he&rsquo;s cutting behind a ball-watching defender, dishing a no-look dime on the break, or drilling a stepback jumper in the clutch, Jalen Williams is playing with the kind of purpose that changes narratives and wins titles.
The Thunder may soon hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And when they do, know that it wasn&rsquo;t just SGA&rsquo;s brilliance that got them there. It was Jalen Williams, too &ndash; the sidekick-turned-superstar, who stepped up when it mattered most.

Jalen Williams delivered a 40-point masterpiece in the NBA Finals, cementing his status as the OKC Thunder’s true second star.

Jalen Williams rises from sidekick to star in Thunder’s NBA title push

As Klay Thompson comes off a flare screen from Kevon Looney, rookie Brandin Podziemski delivers a bounce pass at the block to Jonathan Kuminga to run their patented split-action. Podziemski sets another screen at the wing and Kuminga delivers a pass right on the money to a curling Thompson. He sets his feet, lets one defender chasing him fly by and shoots a three right over the help defender.
Splash. Nothing but the bottom of the net, just like the old days. The Warriors are comfortably up after the third quarter against the Utah Jazz after Thompson hits his third-straight three and score his 35th point as he came off the bench for the first time since 2012. Although the Jazz had a big fourth quarter to keep the game close, the Warriors eked out with a win to continue playing their best basketball of the season.
The Warriors are fun again, so it seems.
After a tumultuous season filled with ups and downs, the Dubs are 8-2 over their last 10 games right before the All-Star break and preparing for another playoff push with their aging dynastic core.
What makes their run so special is the fact that they rediscovered a winning formula despite making zero moves at the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8. Rumors were swirling, but they decided to stick with this group for the rest of the season &ndash; and possibly for seasons to come.
&ldquo;We did win a championship, in case people forgot, a year and a half ago,&rdquo; said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr when asked if he believes this isn't the last dance for the Warriors' Big Three. &ldquo;I believe in my guys, I love those guys, and we're going to keep fighting."&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"We did win a championship, in case people forgot, a year and a half ago...I believe in my guys, I love those guys, and we're going to keep fighting." - Steve Kerr when asked if he still believes this season is not a "Last Dance" for the Warriors' Big 3 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/WillardAndDibs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillardAndDibs</a>). <a href="https://t.co/0x1cmOmyqf">pic.twitter.com/0x1cmOmyqf</a>
&mdash; 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) <a href="https://twitter.com/957thegame/status/1747438806557712848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
Despite a seemingly lost season, the Warriors took a gamble by choosing to stand pat and stick with the core that won them a title two seasons ago, while trusting this new set of role players to fill in the gaps.&nbsp;
The championship core from two years ago is still intact. Steph Curry is still an all-world talent and offensive force even at 35 years old. Draymond Green is back to his usual self. Since returning from his suspension, Green&rsquo;s aggressiveness on offense and ever-reliant ability on defense have energized the team.&nbsp;
Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney started the season with bad slumps, but are slowly getting back into their groove, while Gary Payton II continues to work his way back to being 100% healthy. Thompson has struggled as of late, but he can still be lethal scoring in spurts with just his mere shooting prowess.
The young guys are coming into their own as contributors and finding their identity within the team. Podziemski has been a revelation, serving as a connector on offense and earning Steve Kerr&rsquo;s trust to start games and play with the closing lineup over Thompson. Kuminga is developing into a capable scoring option, which gives the Warriors another dimension.
Lately, the Warriors look like themselves again. Their in-game swagger is back and the vibes are immaculate. These are the Warriors of old, winning while having fun.
Given their recent success, they are confident that they still have at least one more run in them.
&ldquo;This is a story that&rsquo;s still kind of unfolding, and it&rsquo;s important that we see it all the way through until it&rsquo;s proven that we can&rsquo;t win,&rdquo; Curry said in <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/2/12/24070258/golden-state-warriors-steph-curry-steve-kerr-draymond-green-klay-thompson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with The Ringer&rsquo;s Logan Murdock.</a>
The Warriors are determined to win, and they want to do it their way. And perhaps that&rsquo;s the point.
This team was built from the ground up, with a collective effort from a group of players who were drafted and developed by the franchise. After all, it was the &ldquo;Strength in Numbers&rdquo; mantra that started it all, and it's only fitting to end their journey the same way they started: with a team that was built the right way.
The Warriors have won four championships in the last decade by using this formula, and they believe this same approach will lead them to another Larry O'Brien trophy. After doing it all these years, Thompson believes that they have what it takes to succeed once again by trusting their process.
&ldquo;You see Steph Curry, you see Draymond Green, you see our playoff record when we are together,&rdquo; Thompson proclaimed. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll always believe.&rdquo;

The Warriors are 8-2 over their last 10 games and preparing for another playoff push with their aging dynastic core.

Strength in numbers: The Golden State Warriors' way

The 2023-24 NBA season is rapidly approaching, yet there are still a lot of uncertainties around the league. Typically, there's a clear group of potential champions in the NBA. This year is a little different, as a number of teams improved and put themselves in a position to contend. 
Recently, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/which-nba-teams-are-under-the-most-pressure-entering-202324-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">we broke down the teams facing the most pressure</a> entering this season. Today, we'll break down the players who are under immense pressure to lift the Larry O'Brien trophy at the end of the season. Here are my top-five players under the most pressure to win a championship this year.
5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is widely regarded as one of the NBA's best shooting guards, but he hasn&rsquo;t seen much playoff success. The Suns have had a lot of regular-season success in recent years, and they reached the NBA Finals in 2021. However, they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in embarrassing fashion and they haven't had much postseason success since. Booker is now surrounded by the best roster he&rsquo;s had in his entire career and has every tool necessary to reach a championship. He still has time, so he won&rsquo;t face too much backlash if he doesn&rsquo;t win this year, but the window for that Suns team to win is rapidly closing. 
4. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George is now on his third playoff team, and second team with an elite duo. His pairing with Kawhi Leonard should have led to much more success by this point, but both players have struggled to stay on the court. They have been a solid team, but nothing more. Leonard hasn&rsquo;t been to the NBA Finals since he was in Toronto, and George hasn&rsquo;t ever been to the NBA Finals. The clock is ticking for these two, and the backlash they&rsquo;ll receive if the pairing amounts to nothing will be very unpleasant. 
3. Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors
The narrative around Chris Paul&rsquo;s lack of a championship has gotten so bad that he&rsquo;s been given the nickname &ldquo;CP0," as in zero rings. While this play on his actual nickname is harsh, it&rsquo;s painfully accurate. Paul has been on elite team after elite team, and he's yet to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. He&rsquo;s been in the league for 18 years and hasn&rsquo;t won anything significant. For a player who has always been viewed as one of the best at his position, this is just unacceptable. He won&rsquo;t play as prominent of a role this year with the Golden State Warriors, but either way, a championship would silence his doubters and do wonders for his resume.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid isn&rsquo;t even under pressure to win a championship; he's under pressure to get out of the second round. Embiid has been to the playoffs every season aside from his rookie year (in which he played 31 games). Granted, Embiid has been through a lot of drama throughout his tenure with Philadelphia and his teammates haven&rsquo;t always performed great in the playoffs. Also, nobody can forget Kawhi Leonard&rsquo;s iconic buzzer-beater back when he was on the Raptors. Even still, he has had opportunities and he&rsquo;s let his team down. If he doesn&rsquo;t at least make it past the second round, he will face a ton of criticism.
1. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
James Harden has had more success than most players without a championship, but he&rsquo;s quickly tarnishing all of the positive goodwill he has built up. Had Harden not displayed such immaturity while requesting a trade from the 76ers, Embiid likely would have been first on this list. With that said, Harden showed the NBA world yet again what he&rsquo;s like when he doesn&rsquo;t get his way. For a player who has never even been to the NBA Finals, he sure demands a lot when he gets bored of staying in one place for too long. All of this is assuming he even plays this season, but he will need to finally back up his talk to keep the critics off his back.

Hunter Simpson breaks down five NBA players who are under the most pressure entering the 2023-24 season.

5 players under the most pressure entering the 2023-24 NBA season

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is entering Year 21 in the NBA, becoming just the sixth player in league history to play 21 seasons &ndash; joining Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Willis and Robert Parish. Carter currently holds the record for most seasons played with 22. 
With James still performing at an unprecedented level for someone his age, coupled with recent reports of his desire to still play several more years and his public goal of playing with his McDonald's All-American son, Bronny James, he certainly seems like a lock to tie, if not break, Carter&rsquo;s record.&nbsp;
James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar&rsquo;s all-time scoring record earlier this year in February, adding a major accolade to his G.O.A.T. argument. With the seasons-played record in sight, let&rsquo;s take a look at how &ldquo;The King&rdquo; has accumulated arguably the greatest legacy in NBA history over the last two decades.
The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted the kid from Akron with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. James was the talk of the country at the time, being dubbed "The Chosen One&rdquo; and dawning the cover of Sports Illustrated at just 18 years old. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, basketball fans waited in anticipation to see if James could possibly live up to the expectations.
The young phenom did not waste any time. Debuting against the Sacramento Kings, James would go on to score 25 points while adding 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. The King would not slow down, averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in his first NBA season.
LeBron would spend the next six seasons in Cleveland, winning back-to-back MVP awards in his last two seasons with the team, while reaching the playoffs five times and the NBA Finals once in 2007. With no championship after seven seasons with the Cavs, the two-time MVP became a free agent in the summer of 2010 and infamously decided to &ldquo;take his talents to South Beach,&rdquo; joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form the &ldquo;Big Three&rdquo; on the Miami Heat.&nbsp;
The decision by James, which happened to be made on live television on an ESPN special dubbed &ldquo;The Decision," sparked outrage amongst Cavaliers fans. Videos spread online of fans burning the once-hometown-hero&rsquo;s jersey, rooting for his failure in Miami. While James was used to feeling pressure, this was different; James was receiving backlash from a fanbase that once loved him, and a growing population of people were actively rooting against him. This brewing tension had fans waiting in anticipation, this time to see if LeBron could overcome the weight of the world once again.&nbsp;
In LeBron&rsquo;s quest to do the impossible again, a trip to Cleveland brought The King back to the scene of his crime in a game against the Cavaliers in December of 2010. The fans in then-named Quicken Loans Arena brought their all that night, booing LeBron from the moment he was introduced and whenever he touched the ball on offense. However, this just seemed to add more fuel to the fire for James, as he went on to score 38 points en route to a 118-90 blowout of his former team.&nbsp;
This marked a new era for James, and he would embrace his role as the &ldquo;villain&rdquo; of the NBA. Fan perception was one thing, but with James&rsquo; new team came a new energy. Now, he was a proven veteran and he was coming into his own as a player, adapting this almost meticulous style and pace of play alongside his new All-Star-caliber teammates in Wade and Bosh. James would go on to win back-to-back MVP awards again in 2012 and 2013, and the trio would prove to be a problem for the league, with the Heat even going on a 27-game win streak in 2013. During his time in Miami, James would evolve as a player, bulking up and playing more minutes down low at power forward and even center.
The bonafide &ldquo;super-team&rdquo; would spend four seasons together, reaching the NBA Finals in all four. Winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, with LeBron winning Finals MVP of both, the stars' decision to team-up was a success and ushered in a new era of player movement and empowerment.
The kid from Akron would then shock the world in the summer of 2014, with James departing the Heat and returning home to rejoin the Cavaliers. The two-time champion had some unfinished business and was determined to bring a championship to his city.&nbsp;
LeBron brought his adapted and seasoned style to his former team. His impact extended into the front office, as he now had significantly more say in roster decisions. He wasted little time and used his newfound influence to encourage the Cavs to trade their No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Andrew Wiggins, for a proven star: Kevin Love. Suddenly, James was part of another Big Three, this time with rising star Kyrie Irving and Love.
In Year 1 of LeBron&rsquo;s return home, he led the Cavs back to the NBA Finals, where they faced off against the Golden State Warriors, led by league MVP Stephen Curry. While LeBron led Cleveland to a 2-1 series lead over Golden State, Irving and Love both went down with injuries. This proved to be too much for LeBron to handle, and the Warriors would defeat the Cavaliers in six games. James failed in his mission, but the wait would prove to be worthwhile the following season.
The 2016 season would see a rematch of the Cavaliers and Warriors in the NBA Finals. Curry was coming off of his second-straight MVP award &ndash; becoming the first unanimous MVP in history &ndash; and the Warriors achieved an NBA-record 73 wins that season. The odds were stacked against LeBron and the Cavs, and it only got worse when the Warriors took a 3-1 series lead. Teams in the NBA Finals were 0-32 when facing a 3-1 series deficit. Once again, LeBron was trying to do the impossible.&nbsp;
Once again, The King responded.&nbsp;
Dropping 41 points in both Game 5 and Game 6, James led the way in tying the series at 3-3. In Game 7, the Cavaliers would go on the road and defeat the Warriors, becoming the first team in NBA history to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy after falling behind 3-1. This was a storybook ending, and James became emotional during his postgame interview, shouting, &ldquo;Cleveland! This is for you!&rdquo;&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" That line still sends chills down our spine as LeBron James and the Cavs overcame a 3-1 deficit to claim their first ever NBA championship on this day in 2016 👑🏆<a href="https://t.co/WzMtg5kj5Z">pic.twitter.com/WzMtg5kj5Z</a>
&mdash; ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1670774843518664705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote>

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

The three-time champion would spend two more seasons in Cleveland, reaching the NBA Finals both seasons, where the Cavs would ultimately lose to the Kevin-Durant-led Warriors. When James decided to leave Cleveland in 2018, his second departure was well-received, with fans thanking him for bringing a championship to their city. The next chapter of James' career would take place in Los Angeles with arguably the most storied franchise in the NBA, the Lakers.
James&rsquo; first year under the bright lights of Los Angeles was less than ideal, as injuries plagued the roster and the Lakers' young core didn't seem ready to compete at a high level. That would quickly be forgotten, as the Lakers would trade three of those core players (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart) and the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for superstar Anthony Davis, whom LeBron asked the organization to acquire.&nbsp;
That trade would kick off the LeBron-AD era in Los Angeles. The duo would win a championship in their first year together in 2020, with James adding a fourth championship and Finals MVP to his resume. The team has had some misfortune since, as they haven't been back to the Finals and they even missed the play-in tournament in 2022. While injuries have bothered LeBron in recent years, the four-time MVP has yet to slow down, leading the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals last season. While the Lakers were ultimately swept by the eventual-champion Denver Nuggets, their postseason run was impressive.
Now, we arrive at the present day. As James enters his 21st NBA season, he has 19 All-NBA selections, 19 All-Star selections, 10 NBA Finals appearances, four championships, four Finals MVPs and four regular-season MVPs. After surpassing expectation after expectation throughout his career, LeBron will be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer when he walks away from the game. However, he's not done playing just yet, as he hopes to play with his son and win at least one more championship before he retires.
LeBron&rsquo;s current contract has a player option for next season, so this could potentially be his final year with the Lakers (if he decides to opt out next summer). With LeBron still performing at a superstar level and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/which-nba-teams-are-under-the-most-pressure-entering-202324-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facing pressure to lead his team to a title</a>, all eyes will be on The King yet again this season.

As LeBron James becomes just the sixth player in NBA history to play 21 seasons, Jack Maguire looks back on his legendary career.

Revisiting LeBron James' legendary NBA career as he enters Year 21

Throughout NBA history, rivalries have served as the lifeblood of the sport, igniting passions and captivating fans. These matchups have defined eras and showcased the very best the sport has to offer.
Today, let's delve into the greatest rivalries in NBA history.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
This stands as the pinnacle of NBA rivalries. Spanning multiple decades, these two storied franchises have collided in the NBA Finals a remarkable 12 times, with the Celtics winning nine times and the Lakers winning just three. From Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird to Kobe Bryant vs. Paul Pierce, the Lakers-Celtics clashes have captivated fans worldwide across various eras.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
The 1990s witnessed a fierce rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. The Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, sought to dethrone the physical and rugged Pistons, who were known for their "Bad Boy" image. The intense battles between these teams showcased the contrasting styles of finesse and brute force and introduced the "Jordan Rules" strategy to the world, making their matchups some of the most memorable in NBA history.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat in the 1990s symbolized the fierce competition between two Eastern Conference powerhouses. The physicality and intensity of their matchups, featuring iconic players such as Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, created a rivalry that brought out the best in both teams. This year, the Heat and Knicks matched up in the postseason for the first time since 2012, renewing their rivalry and introducing younger fans to the history between these two teams.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
Any teams that meet in the NBA Finals in four consecutive years are going to develop a rivalry of some sort. From 2015 through 2018, these teams battled for the Larry O'Brien trophy, with the Warriors winning three titles and the Cavaliers winning one (coming back from down 3-1 to ruin Golden State's 73-win season). These Finals' matchups featured star power -- with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love facing off against Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green (and eventually Kevin Durant) -- as well as iconic moments and dramatic storylines. The Cavs-Warriors rivalry not only captivated fans but also fueled debates about team-building, basketball philosophies and the NBA's changing landscape.
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
During the 1980s, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers engaged in a heated rivalry for Eastern Conference dominance. Led by Larry Bird and Julius Erving, respectively, these two powerhouses clashed in multiple playoff series, producing high-stakes and fiercely contested matchups that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Lakers and Spurs established themselves as powerhouses in the 2000s. The rivalry between these two teams epitomized excellence, as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and the Lakers battled for NBA supremacy against Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and the Spurs. Their meetings in the playoffs often showcased high-level basketball and strategic brilliance, leaving an indelible mark on the league.
Which NBA rivarly is your favorite? <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tweet us your thoughts here</a>!

Basketball News looks back on the greatest rivalries in NBA history.

Examining the 6 biggest rivalries in NBA history

Now that the NBA trade deadline has passed and most of the bought-out players have signed, which team is the favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy in June?
Oddsmakers from <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/nba-futures/championship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline</a> still have the Boston Celtics (7/2) as the favorites after the dust has settled. A successful $100 bet on Boston would return $350 in profit.
The Phoenix Suns (9/2) stunned everyone with their blockbuster acquisition of Kevin Durant, and they now have the second-best odds to win it all. Prior to the KD trade, Phoenix had the ninth-best odds (20/1), but now they trail only Boston, meaning they have the best odds in the Western Conference (+450).
Rounding out the top-five are the Milwaukee Bucks (23/4), Denver Nuggets (8/1), Los Angeles Clippers (12/1) and Philadelphia 76ers (12/1).
While the Brooklyn Nets were a top contender several weeks ago (at 8/1), their odds dipped to 22/1 after the Kyrie Irving trade and then 80/1 after the Durant trade. The Dallas Mavericks (14/1) jumped to the seventh-best odds after acquiring Irving.
Other teams with worsening odds are the Golden State Warriors (9/1 to 14/1), Memphis Grizzlies (11/1 to 18/1), Los Angeles Lakers (20/1 to 25/1) and New Orleans Pelicans (20/1 to 33/1).
Here's a look at each team's championship odds as of Feb. 13, 2023:
<table style="font-weight: 400; width: 284px;" width="333">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 269.6px;" colspan="3">
2023 NBA Championship Odds
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.562px;" colspan="2">
Boston Celtics
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1375px;">
7/2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.762px;" colspan="2">
Phoenix Suns
</td>
<td style="width: 73.175px;">
9/2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.794px;" colspan="2">
Milwaukee Bucks
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1875px;">
23/4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.8px;" colspan="2">
Denver Nuggets
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
8/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Los Angeles Clippers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
12/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Philadelphia 76ers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
12/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Dallas Mavericks
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
14/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Golden State Warriors
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
14/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Memphis Grizzlies
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
18/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Cleveland Cavaliers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
22/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Los Angeles Lakers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
25/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
New Orleans Pelicans
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
33/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Miami Heat
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
50/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Atlanta Hawks
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
80/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Brooklyn Nets
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
80/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Sacramento Kings
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
80/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Toronto Raptors
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
125/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Minnesota Timberwolves
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
200/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
New York Knicks
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
200/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Portland Trail Blazers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
200/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Chicago Bulls
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
300/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Oklahoma City Thunder
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
300/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 162.062px;">
Utah Jazz
</td>
<td style="width: 7.025px;">&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
300/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Indiana Pacers
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
500/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Washington Wizards
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
500/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Orlando Magic
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
1000/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Charlotte Hornets
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
1500/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
San Antonio Spurs
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
1500/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Detroit Pistons
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
2000/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 182.806px;" colspan="2">
Houston Rockets
</td>
<td style="width: 73.1937px;">
2000/1
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Now that the NBA trade deadline has passed and most bought-out players have signed, who is the favorite to win the title in June?

NBA championship odds: Celtics remain favorite, Suns jump to 2nd

Shortly after the Boston Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in last year&rsquo;s NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum received a text from his trainer Drew Hanlen.
&ldquo;The first text message I sent to him was, &lsquo;Hey, you're gonna be back. And you're gonna be better because of this,&rsquo;&rdquo; Hanlen recalled to Basketball News.
Hanlen knew that the Finals loss would light a fire under Tatum. Over the offseason, Hanlen predicted that Tatum was about to make a big leap and become a &ldquo;monster.&rdquo; He saw the work that Tatum was putting in and how much untapped potential he still has.
"I mean, Jayson went on an unbelievable run. He's 24 years old and he's been to three Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals. He's a two-time All-NBA [selection], a three-time All-Star and a two-time All-Star starter,&rdquo; Hanlen said last summer. &ldquo;And he's got so much room to grow.&rdquo;
And for the first time in several years, Tatum had a full offseason to work on his game.
&ldquo;When we look at the last couple years, he hasn't really had offseasons as much,&rdquo; Hanlen told me in July. &ldquo;The one year, they go in the Bubble and they go all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals; we had like two weeks that offseason and then he goes and plays and he starts off really slow. Then, [the next summer], he goes to play with USA Basketball and wins a gold medal; we have a couple-week offseason and he starts really slow. This year, we finally had a full offseason so that he can start the season strong instead of kind of working his way in.&rdquo;
When asked what things Tatum worked on over the summer, Hanlen mentioned driving through contact, playing through fouls and finishing at the rim.
He also wanted Tatum to be more consistent with his pull-up jumper and three-point shot, particularly early in the season (rather than struggling out of the gate and improving as the season progressed, as he did in recent years).
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
It&rsquo;s clear that Tatum&rsquo;s offseason work is paying off. He is in the midst of a career-year, averaging 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.2 threes, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game on .472./351/.856 shooting splits.
According to Cleaning The Glass, he's finishing 71% of his shot attempts at the rim this season, which is a career-best. Also, Tatum is drawing a shooting foul on 14.4% of his shot attempts, which is the highest rate of his career (and up from 11% last season). This ranks in the 81st percentile among forwards.&nbsp;
And to Hanlen&rsquo;s point about shooting well out of the gate, Tatum shot the ball really well at the beginning of the season. In October, he shot 55.7% from the field, 40.8% from three-point range and 90.2% from the free-throw line.
If you compare Tatum&rsquo;s early-season production in recent years, you can see just how effective he was to begin the season. Here&rsquo;s a look at his pre-Christmas numbers over the last four years:
2022-23: 55.2 eFG% | 70% at rim | 36% 3PT
2021-22: 48.5 eFG% | 60% at rim | 33% 3PT
2020-21*: 50.4 eFG% | 63% at rim | 38% 3PT
2019-20: 48.6 eFG% | 54% at rim | 36% 3PT
*The 2020-21 season started late, so these are his stats through Feb. 25 &mdash; a similar two-month span.
As of late, Tatum has struggled to maintain this efficiency. He's been dealing with a bit of a shooting slump (particularly from deep) in recent weeks. Still, Tatum has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, with most sportsbooks giving him the second- or third-best odds to win the award.
The Celtics are currently 28-12, which is the best record in the NBA. They have the league's top-ranked offense (scoring 115.8 points per 100 possessions) and 10th-ranked defense (allowing 109.5 points per 100 possessions).&nbsp;
Boston is determined to make another Finals run, and Hanlen can't wait to dunk on Tatum's doubters if he finally hoists the Larry O'Brien trophy.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When he lost the Finals, that whole night, I don't think I caught my second wind. Like, it felt like I lost; my gut was turning, and I wasn't even out there playing,&rdquo; Hanlen told me in July. &ldquo;It's just, I felt what he felt.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For about the next hour, I wasted an hour of my time screen-shotting all these notable analysts or notable people with big followings that were criticizing, hating and doubting Jayson, and I put them all in a folder. And I cannot wait to arrogantly send them out when he finally holds up a championship trophy.&rdquo;
Basketball News writer Ethan Fuller contributed to this article.

Drew Hanlen details his offseason work with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who is playing the best basketball of his career.

Analyzing Jayson Tatum's dominant start to the NBA season

In an <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/james-harden-on-his-legacy-and-how-the-joel-embiid-partnership-is-key" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive interview</a> with Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, James Harden opened up about a variety of topics, including the trade that sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
When asked about his stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Harden was candid about some of the behind-the-scenes issues in Brooklyn.
"I don't mean to, like, just down talk to anybody or whatever. It was just, there was no structure and even superstars, they need structure," Harden <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/james-harden-on-his-legacy-and-how-the-joel-embiid-partnership-is-key" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Weitzman</a>. "That's what allows us to be the best players and leaders for our respective organizations.
"I just feel like, internally, things weren't what I expected when I was trying to get traded there. I think everybody knows that. And I knew people were going to talk and say, &lsquo;You quit,' and all that stuff. But then the following summer, the other superstar there (Kevin Durant) wanted to leave. So it's like: Am I still the quitter?"
Weitzman reports that Harden and Durant butted heads while in Brooklyn, with KD reportedly calling out Harden's conditioning to his face. Also, Harden reportedly didn't see eye-to-eye with the Nets' training staff and their "focus on maintenance, rest and recovery."
Harden also talked about how difficult the last two seasons were for him.
"The whole two years was a low point. I've never really had to deal with something like that," Harden said. "My body, mentally, physically &hellip; It was a lot going on. I mean, basketball is everything to me."
Now, in his first full season with the Philadelphia 76ers, he believes it's "time to get back to being James Harden." Through 13 games, Harden is averaging 22.1 points, 10.8 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 threes and 1.5 steals, while shooting 43.2% from the field, 36.2% from three-point range and 88.2% from the free-throw line. The 76ers are currently 15-12, which is the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference.&nbsp;
Harden is confident that he's going to be remembered as "one of the people that changed the game of basketball," but he knows that hoisting the Larry O'Brien will take his resum&eacute; to the next level.
"Honestly, the only thing that I'm missing is a championship," Harden said.

When asked about his departure from the Nets, James Harden was candid about some of the behind-the-scenes issues in Brooklyn.

James Harden criticizes Nets organization: 'There was no structure'

Over the offseason, Bradley Beal agreed to a five-year maximum extension with the Washington Wizards that will pay him $251 million over the course of the contract.
During <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYZBLnwTOMs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an appearance on J.J. Redick's podcast</a> ("The Old Man and The Three"), the three-time All-Star opened up about his decision to stay in Washington, what he was thinking during free agency and whether he has ever come close to requesting a trade.
When asked if there was ever any doubt that he'd re-sign with Washington, Beal gave an honest answer.
"I wouldn't say there was 'doubt,' but I was definitely being human and thinking about it; I was thinking about what it would be like on the other side, on different teams, and seeing what was available for me," Beal said. "I did do that. The market was what it was; it wasn't too promising. It wasn't neccessarily where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. But I ended up staying and I felt like that was the best decision for me. But I'd be lying if I sat here and said I wasn't human and I didn't think about [leaving]."
Has Beal ever come close to requesting a trade from the Wizards in order to team up with another star? When asked this, Beal nodded his head and said, "For sure."
"I think. I live in the present. I have a phone just like everybody else, so I see people like, 'Oh, you should play here! What would it be like if you played with Jayson [Tatum]?!' or, 'What would it be like if you went to Brooklyn or you went to L.A. or you went to Denver?!' And it's like: Yeah, I mean, sh*t, it would look good! I'm not gonna sit here and lie!" Beal said.
"But I also know that with those deals, it's gonna take a while for those things to get done and you're gonna offer up pretty much your whole team in order to get to where you want to get to, so it's kinda playing devil's advocate too in where you want to go and factoring all of that into it. It's a part of the game. It is a part of it. I definitely gave [a trade request] some thought; I'd be lying if I said I didn't."
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DYZBLnwTOMs" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Redick jokingly asked Beal if he was lying when he said that he believed he could win in Washington, and if he only stayed with the Wizards because they could offer the most money. Beal laughed and then explained&nbsp;why he re-signed.
"I honestly feel like [we can win]," Beal said. "It's very tough to win; only one team gets to win, and it's not like I'm saying, 'Oh, we're going to hold up the Larry [O'Brien trophy] this year.' That's not what I'm sitting here saying. But I do believe in what we're building, and I do believe in what we have. I never had a chance to step on the floor with [Kristaps] Porzingis, and I think that could be an interesting duo. And Kuz (Kyle Kuzma) is constantly developing. And then to add the pieces we added &mdash; Will Barton, Monte [Morris] &mdash; we added some guys who could be difference-makers on our team and actually be legit guys who fit into our system and especially with the way that Wes [Unseld Jr.] wants to coach and play too.
"For me, it was just about figuring out where I fit best. You know, the market was a little scarce this year too, so that kinda played a little bit of a factor into it as well. Sure enough, I just felt like DC was it for me."
Last season, the 29-year-old averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 threes and .9 steals, while shooting 45.1% from the field, 30.0% from three-point range and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
Over the course of his 10-year career, Beal has averaged 22.1 points, 4.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 threes and 1.1 steals on .456/.372/.821 shooting splits.

On "The Old Man and the Three," Beal discussed his extension with the Wizards and whether he ever considered leaving Washington.

Bradley Beal admits he has considered requesting a trade from Wizards

On Tuesday, NBA.com released it's annual <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/2022-23-gm-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA GM Survey</a>, which features the league's decision-makers sharing their predictions for the upcoming season.&nbsp;
When asked which team will win the 2023 NBA Finals, the GMs had the Milwaukee Bucks as the overwhelming favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. The Bucks received 43% of votes, with the Golden State Warriors (25%), Los Angeles Clippers (21%) and Boston Celtics (11%) also receiving votes.
The GMs are very high on Milwaukee, as 72% also picked the Bucks to win the Eastern Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo also got a lot of love in the NBA GM survey. When asked who they would build their franchise around if they could sign any player in the league, Antetokounmpo received the most votes (55%). The runner-up was Luka Doncic, who received the remainder of votes (45%).
Antetokounmpo was also selected as the best power forward in the NBA (earning 86% of votes), the best international player in the NBA (earning 57% of votes), the best defensive player in the NBA (earning 48% of votes), the most versatile defender in the NBA (earning 41% of votes) and the most versatile player in the NBA (earning 59% of votes). He was also the runner-up for most athletic player (behind Ja Morant) and the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (behind Steph Curry).
Last season, the Bucks went 51-31, earning the No. 3 seed in the East. Antetokounmpo averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.1 steals and 1.1 threes, while shooting 55.3% from the field, 29.3% from three-point range and 72.2% from the free-throw line.

In the annual NBA GM Survey, the league's decision-makers picked the Bucks to win this year's championship.

NBA GMs predict that Milwaukee Bucks will win 2023 NBA Finals

The term "X-factor" is thrown out a lot when it comes to postseason analysis. Its usage typically has a positive connotation &mdash; a player who defies expectations and helps the squad grind out a win by doing things outside of his scouting report.
Think Derrick White, who played hero for Boston in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals by splashing in 5-of-8 threes as a 31.2% regular-season outside shooter.
Here's the reality, though: Being an X-Factor doesn't always&nbsp;correlate to team success. As Jackson Frank wrote <a href="https://uproxx.com/dimemag/jordan-poole-nba-finals-warriors-celtics-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this week</a>, Jordan Poole can swing the Finals in either direction. Through one game, Poole's gravitational pull certainly wasn't in the Golden State Warriors' favor.
Poole quickly rose to prominence after his debut playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, averaging 21.0 points per game on an incredible 71.5% True Shooting. His production tapered off in the following two series, though he was able to maintain his outstanding efficiency with 72.7% TS in the Western Conference Finals.&nbsp;
However, battling against the best defense in the league on the biggest stage possible could prove to be a different type of test, and we saw it unfold on Thursday night.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Poole's Finals debut didn't go as planned. He mustered just 9 points on 2-of-7 shooting, turned the ball over four times and was a minus-19 in 25 minutes.
That's right. Golden State got outscored by nearly a point a minute when Poole was on the floor. His deficiencies were highlighted tenfold by a diligent, gritty and experienced Boston team that had the scouting report imprinted on the inside of their eyelids. The Celtics' brigade of switchy swindlers quickly turned Poole's dream-like postseason into a nightmarish scenario.&nbsp;
Poole's handle, sense of wiggle, fluidity and ability to create from a standstill are all special for a player his age. Some might call it unteachable. He's Golden State's most bursty creator for a reason, a player that can generate drive-and-kick magic by simply tapping the gas and zipping past his assignment to force the defense to converge. Many times, he'll use a medley of hesitation moves, head fakes and crossovers to initiate the slightest sliver of separation.
When it works, the highlights are delightful. When it doesn't, Golden State's pitter-patter motion offense quickly slips into a morass of standing around and clock-eating isolations.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Boston was all too prepared for Poole's slippery nature, shutting off the water and turning Golden State's splashy whiz kid into a dried-up basin. The Celtics effectively let Poole dribble himself into a pretzel, flashing every And-1 move in his bag to no avail. When the Warrior guard did surge downhill, Boston quickly erased that airspace by hugging him close and pressuring his every dribble, disallowing opportunities to showcase his glitzy layup package.
Always quick to clamp down on an opponent's errors, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart each ripped away a steal against Poole when he showed his hand and made mistakes that a 20-year-old would: failing to strike from the triple-threat position in the first quarter and later foolishly attempting a spin-move in transition, both of which can be viewed in the clips below.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R9w7vqYWDLM" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Scoring-wise, Poole showed a clear perturbance versus Boston's pick-and-roll defense. Unlike Stephen Curry, Poole was unable to burn Boston with pull-ups when the Celtics unsheathed drop coverage in his presence. Playing Boston's bigs higher up the floor only further exposed Poole's limitations as a lead creator.
In the second clip from the video below, he nearly gave the phrase "buzzer-beater" a new meaning by smashing the shot clock with an errant shot after Al Horford stepped forward and shaded Poole toward the help of Smart.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YMq4uz7tBgM" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Shoot, even Payton Pritchard, Boston's most targetted defender in the previous three series, was able to survive in the minutes he was matched up with Poole. Pritchard has the requisite footspeed to keep tabs on Golden State's pesky lightning rod, whereas Poole lacks the core strength that normally overpowers and forces Boston's reserve guard off the floor.
Here, Pritchard does a nice job screeching over the top of Andre Iguodala's screen and rear view, contesting Poole into one of his four misses from deep on five total outside shots.&nbsp;
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIJYMHoQ1Bo" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
One thing the Warriors should look to explore is involving both Poole and Curry in off-ball actions when the duo shares the floor. Doing so got Curry one of his cleanest looks of the game, and the same could easily go for Poole, who has shot 43.8% on catch-and-shoot playoff threes, should the roles be reversed. At the very least, using his scoring gravity away from the action is a far more prudent strategy than just spoon-feeding him a diet of pick-and-roll possessions in the friggin' Finals and hoping for the best.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szZB7-Jr5w0&amp;ab_channel=MattBrooksNBA"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/szZB7-Jr5w0" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>
Look, it isn't inconceivable to imagine that the 22-year-old will eventually find his footing on offense; he's too gifted of a scorer to continue this type of production. What is concerning for Golden State was just how woefully underprepared Poole looked defensively on the final stage. The Warriors got eviscerated when they played Poole alongside either one of Curry (minus-13 together) or Klay Thompson (also a minus-13 together), and his inclusion in Golden State's small-ball lineup that went minus-9 in the fourth quarter was the ultimate nail in the coffin.
Poole looked overwhelmed by every aspect of the defensive side of the ball against a battle-tested Boston ball club, which, again, is understandable for a 22-year-old playing in his first Finals. His closeouts were sloppy and led to drives down the middle of the paint. Transition defense appeared purely optional. Maybe most importantly, Boston absolutely licked its chops at the thought of involving Poole in pick-and-roll actions. Tatum was able to beat Poole off the dribble and drive to the rim even with Poole in a drop. Yeah, that's how bad it was.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufgUW4O9nvU" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Poole will be an evergreen target on defense against a Boston team that hunts mismatches like the Blade Runner, and if his offensive production can't overshadow his defensive deficiencies, Poole could quickly see his role diminish. Golden State has other options on the table if the lights prove to be too bright for the wunderkind combo guard.
The now-healthy Gary Payton II is just begging for an opportunity to muck things up versus Jaylen Brown and maybe Tatum. Otto Porter Jr. is arguably due for an uptick in minutes after his strong Game 1. Heck, even Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody could be worth a look should Boston's size and athleticism continue to bewilder Golden State's elder group.
Poole's meteoric rise has been something to behold, quickly establishing himself as one of the league's brightest up-and-coming stars after a sterling postseason. Boston and its titanium defense represent a whole new challenge, and an uptick in his production could very be the catalyst to Golden State hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in a few weeks' time.
With the Warriors in a 1-0 hole, Jordan Poole is now more than ever the ultimate X-Factor. What remains to be seen is which team, Boston or Golden State, will enjoy the spoils of his output.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

Matt Brooks goes in-depth on Jordan Poole's struggles in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against a stout Celtics defense.

Can Jordan Poole turn it around against the Celtics in the NBA Finals?

At around 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 30, 2019, word began to spread that free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had decided to team up and join forces in Brooklyn. It was hailed as one of the most important and impactful days in the history of the Nets as a franchise.
Despite the fact that KD was recovering from an Achilles tear, expectations in Brooklyn were sky-high. Euphoric Nets fans were incredibly optimistic, dreaming of the imminent success this dynamic duo would enjoy.&nbsp;
Yet, with both KD and Kyrie sidelined by injury during the 2020 postseason, Brooklyn was swept out of the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors that first year.
Nevertheless, expectations ratcheted up even further once Nets fans watched Durant return fully healthy in 2020-21. And that optimism reached a fever pitch when the team added a third future Hall-of-Famer, James Harden, in mid-January 2021.
However, Kyrie injured his ankle in Game 4 of the Nets' second-round series vs. the Milwaukee Bucks last postseason, and Harden was nursing a hamstring injury that prevented him from playing at full strength. KD put the team on his back and played brilliantly, but the Nets eventually lost Game 7 at home to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the eventual NBA champions.
Still, the team and its fan base were incredibly hopeful heading into the 2021-22 campaign. And for good reason, as KD, Kyrie and Harden were all healthy. Brooklynites were convinced this would be the year their team would advance to the Finals and capture the Larry O'Brien trophy, and sportsbooks in Las Vegas agreed with them, installing the Nets as the heavy preseason favorite to win the NBA title.
Things got off to a rocky start.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Irving decided to reject the advice of medical experts and refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As a result, due to New York City vaccine mandates, Irving could not play in home games. Consequently, in early October, Nets general manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai informed Irving that he couldn't rejoin the team &mdash; for games or practices &mdash; until he was vaccinated.
"He has a choice to make, and he made his choice," Marks stated. "My job here is to make what we deem as the best choices for the organization moving ahead as a whole... We're looking at putting a group of people that are going to be able to participate fully. That's what this comes down to, and we're not looking for partners that are going to be half-time."&nbsp;
In November, Tsai told the New York Post: "Kyrie talks about it as a sort of personal choice issue, which I respect. But we all need to not forget our goal. A championship team needs to have everybody pulling the same direction."
Even without Irving, the Nets got off to a strong start, winning 21 of their first 29 games. Durant was playing at an MVP level over the first two months of the season, averaging 29.7 points (on 52% shooting), 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 rebounds. Brooklyn had the best record in the Eastern Conference through the first 30 games of the 2021-22 campaign.&nbsp;
However, in mid-December, a COVID outbreak decimated the Nets' depth. Durant, Harden De'Andre Bembry, Bruce Brown, Jevon Carter, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson and Paul Millsap were all placed in health and safety protocols. Unnerved, the Nets front office relented and decided to welcome Irving back to the team.
With KD, Kyrie and Harden reunited, NBA pundits and oddsmakers once again predicted Brooklyn's immense collection of talent would carry them to a title.&nbsp;
However, the Nets' Big Three never seemed to get on the same page. In a Jan. 15 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, Durant sprained the MCL in his left knee. The injury would sideline KD for six weeks. By late January, rumors began to surface that Harden was fed up with the circus-like atmosphere and wanted out of Brooklyn.&nbsp;
On Feb. 2, Brooklyn was beaten badly by the lowly Sacramento Kings, and Harden's effort (or lack thereof) was appalling. In what would be his final appearance in a Nets uniform, The Beard finished with 4 points on 2 of 12 shooting.&nbsp;
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_17609098_lg.jpg" alt="" width="566" height="378" />
On the day of the trade deadline, Brooklyn shipped Harden to the Sixers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks.
Following the blockbuster deal, the Nets remained the consensus favorites to win the 2022 NBA title. Caesars Sportsbook elected to keep the Nets' odds at 4-1 after the trade, ahead of the Golden State Warriors (9-2), Phoenix Suns (5-1) and Bucks (7-1).
In his introductory press conference with Brooklyn, Simmons said he was looking forward to returning to action.
"I feel physically pretty good," Simmons told reporters. "Mentally, I'm getting there, so it's an ongoing thing to stay on top of that. But I think I'm heading in the right direction."
As we now know, Simmons would not set foot on an NBA court all season. Drummond, who provided much-needed rebounding help for Brooklyn early on, was essentially unplayable by the time the playoffs arrived (he logged less than 4 minutes of action in the Nets' season-ending loss Monday night).
Once Durant returned from his knee injury, Brooklyn got back on track and went 6-1 over a seven-game span in mid-March. Kyrie hung 50 on the Hornets in Charlotte on March 8. KD poured in a season-high 53 points in Brooklyn's victory over the New York Knicks on March 13. Two nights later, Irving scored a franchise-record 60 points in a blowout win over the Orlando Magic.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Irving and Durant became the first pair of teammates in NBA history to score 50 points in consecutive games. KD and Kyrie are also just the second duo to record multiple 50-point games in a season, joining Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, who accomplished the feat for the 1961-62 Los Angeles Lakers.
Then, in late March, New York mayor Eric Adams altered the city's vaccine mandate, clearing the way for Irving to play in home games. Adams, who initially stated that "it would send the wrong message" to give Irving an exemption when the city's other employees were still subject to the same mandate, said the revised decision was "about putting New York city-based performers on a level playing field."
Thus, the Nets would enter the postseason with their two top guns available (and Irving fresh/well-rested after being a part-time player for most of the season).
Yet, as it turned out, the disjointed Nets were no match for a unified Celtics team that had spent the past three months building its chemistry on both ends of the court.
Boston swept Brooklyn out of the playoffs, effectively locking up both Kyrie and KD.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Durant played well in Game 4, but disappeared in Game 3 on Saturday night. KD was shockingly passive the entire evening, finishing the must-win contest with just 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting; his lack of aggression and intensity was stunning. In that contest, the most important game of the Nets season, Durant &mdash; a four-time scoring champion and two-time Finals MVP &mdash; finished with 10 fewer points and 8 fewer field-goal attempts than Brown.&nbsp;
Incredibly, over Game 2 and Game 3 combined, Brown scored more points (49) and grabbed more rebounds (16) than both Durant (43 points/12 boards) and Irving (26 points/12 boards).
Irving closed out his season averaging 15.3 points while shooting just 37.2% from the floor and 18.2% from three-point territory over the final three games of the series.
Being swept out of the playoffs in the first round would have been considered almost unimaginable at the start of the season, or really at any point over the past 12 months, assuming KD and Kyrie were both healthy.&nbsp;
In fact, SportsBetting.ag confirmed to BasketballNews.com that the Nets are the first NBA team ever to enter a season as the favorite to win a title, yet fail to win a single playoff game.&nbsp;
It's not hyperbole to suggest that the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets will go down as arguably the most disappointing team in the history of the National Basketball Association.
That's not the all-time legacy Brooklynites were anticipating this squad would be remembered for. Dating back to the 2021 postseason, the Nets are 1-8 in their last last nine playoff games...
The unforgettable Sunday afternoon in June 2019, when Durant and Irving revealed they were teaming up, was 1,030 days ago.
Imagine telling enthusiastic Nets fans back then that KD, Kyrie and company would win only one playoff series (and a grand total of seven playoff games) over the subsequent three seasons.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com. <a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

Tommy Beer reviews the Nets' latest playoff shortcoming and how they haven't gotten it done since Kyrie Irving and KD joined forces.

The 2021-22 Nets: Arguably the most disappointing team in NBA history

After the Los Angeles Lakers were embarrassed by the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Tuesday night (before Los Angeles lost to a bad Portland Trail Blazers team missing half their roster), a reporter asked LeBron James how his squad stacks up against Milwaukee and the league's other elite teams.
LeBron gave a surprisingly candid response: "<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lakers-players-believe-changes-must-be-made-before-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We ain't on their level</a>."
When asked if he believed the Lakers could eventually reach the Bucks' level this season, <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/lebron-james-admits-lakers-are-not-on-championship-level#:~:text=After%20the%20game%2C%20LeBron%20James,a%20flat%2C%20%22No.%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James replied</a>, "Where they are right now? I don't know. Do I think we can reach the level where Milwaukee is right now? No. Is that what you want to hear from me? No. We can't get to where they are right now. They're the defending champions for a reason and I guarantee you if you would've asked teams coming out of the bubble if they could get to the level that we were playing at when we won a championship, they would've said the same thing."
Let's flashback to the championship group for a second, shall we?
It may seem like it's been 16 years or so since LeBron led LA to a title in the bubble, but, incredibly, it's been less than 16 months. The Lakers beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the Finals on Oct. 11, 2020. The team's two cornerstones, Anthony Davis and LeBron, remain, but the rest of the rotation has been turned over completely.&nbsp;
So, how did this team go from raising the Larry O'Brien trophy, to being four games under .500 and fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament just a year-and-a-half later?&nbsp;
Let's break it down.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
In the offseason following their championship, LA's major move was trading Danny Green (a significant two-way contributor on their title team) and LA's 2021 first-round pick (Jaden McDaniels) to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Dennis Schroder. That summer, LA re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (three years, $39 million) and used its cap space to ink free agent Montrezl Harrell to a two-year, $18.9 million contract. They also brought in Wesley Matthews and Markieff Morris for the veteran minimum and inked Marc Gasol to a two-year, $5.3 million deal.&nbsp;
In mid-March, in the days leading up to last season's trade deadline, the Lakers were cruising. More than halfway through the 2020-21 campaign, the Lakers' were 15 games above .500 and owned the league's second-best record at 28-13.&nbsp;
At that point, the Lakers made a decision that would come back to haunt them. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but the Lakers arrived at a fork in the road and chose the wrong path. They've been headed downhill ever since. (Over the past 11 months, the Lakers are 43-51 in the 94 games they've played).&nbsp;
On the eve of the 2021 trade deadline, the Lakers and Toronto Raptors were engaged in serious discussions on a potential deal that would have sent Kyle Lowry to LaLa Land, giving LeBron and Co. the established veteran point guard (and proven winner) the team desperately needed. The Lakers and Raps <a href="https://theathletic.com/2477311/2021/03/25/what-the-lakers-were-willing-to-trade-for-kyle-lowry-and-what-it-says-about-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> were close to finalizing a swap sending Schroder, Caldwell-Pope and some draft capital to Toronto in exchange for Lowry. Yet, in the hours right before the deadline arrived, "the sticking point was the inclusion of Talen Horton-Tucker," <a href="https://theathletic.com/2477311/2021/03/25/what-the-lakers-were-willing-to-trade-for-kyle-lowry-and-what-it-says-about-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Jovan Buha and Bill Oram of The Athletic</a>.&nbsp;
"Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations, insisted that price was too high for the 35-year-old Lowry, and that he was not willing to trade Horton-Tucker, the 20-year-old combo guard who has emerged as a valuable rotation player for the Lakers in his second season," Buha and Oram <a href="https://theathletic.com/2477311/2021/03/25/what-the-lakers-were-willing-to-trade-for-kyle-lowry-and-what-it-says-about-the-future/">reported</a>.
Looking back, it's impossible not to wonder how the future of several franchises might have changed if the Lakers had been willing to pony up for Lowry, who is now averaging 13.0 points and 8.1 assists per game for the Heat. This is the same Heat team that is poised to enter the All-Star break with the best record in the Eastern Conference.&nbsp;
As we know, the Lakers stood pat at last year's deadline and would struggle mightily in the six subsequent weeks. Over a 25-game stretch from mid-March through the first week in May, LA posted an 8-17 record.
The Lakers would eventually be eliminated in six games by the Suns in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. Anthony Davis returned to the Lakers' starting lineup in Game 6 after missing the second half of Game 4 and all of Game 5 due to a groin injury, but logged just five minutes before limping off the court. It was the first and only time in LeBron's career that he lost a first-round series (he had been 14-0).
"What matters to me is getting this team back healthy," James told reporters after the loss to Phoenix.
Well, as it turns out, Pelinka and James were unwilling to run it back with the same squad and hope the group would avoid injuries.&nbsp;
Instead, the Lakers rolled the dice, agreeing to one of the most dramatic and controversial trades in recent NBA history.&nbsp;
On the evening of July 29, both Woj and Shams <a href="https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1420855153410854925" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the Lakers had consented to take on Russell Westbrook (and his onerous contract).&nbsp;
A week later, the trade was officially announced. LA had traded away Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson (whom the Lakers had selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft) in exchange for Russ and several future second-rounders.&nbsp;
The justification from the Lakers was that they viewed Westbrook as an offensive powerhouse that could lighten the load LeBron had been forced to carry.&nbsp;
The Lakers rounded out their roster this past offseason by adding Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk and Rajon Rondo. They gave Kendrick Nunn the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.9 million for two years). They also re-signed Horton-Tucker to a three-year deal worth $32 million.
Shockingly, despite advanced analytics that confirmed he was a near-perfect fit playing alongside LeBron, the Lakers decided not to bring back Alex Caruso, who had excelled as a role player in LA. Caruso's aggressiveness and versatility on the defensive end, as well as unselfishness on offense, made him an ideal wingman to AD and King James.&nbsp;
However, having Westbrook on the books for $44.2 million in 2021-22 and another $47.1 million in 2022-23 undoubtedly played a part in Pelinka's decision to let Carouso leave.&nbsp;
Still, as he explained on <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/how-the-lakers-botched-alex-carusos-free-agency-and-lost-a-key-piece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JJ Redick's "Old Man and the Three" podcast</a> back in November, Carouso had hoped to re-sign with the Lakers and was even willing to give them a hometown discount. Before ultimately accepting the offer he received from Chicago (a four-year, $37 million contract, though the final season only carries a $3 million guarantee), <a href="https://twitter.com/oldmanandthree/status/1458257821405954052?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caruso said</a> he and his agent "went back to L.A., asked if they could do the same, they said no. We asked for something else that was a little bit less; they said no."
As it turns out, the concerns many critics envisioned over the summer related to potential issues arising from the addition of Westbrook have reared their ugly head. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, Westbrook's declining athleticism has hamstrung the former All-Star.
At various points this season, Westbrook's alarming regression has been uncomfortable to watch. In the closing minutes of LA's victory over the New York Knicks last weekend, Russ found himself alone in the corner and as he was about to launch a three-pointer, the home crowd <a href="https://twitter.com/FanMahome/status/1490172360892329985">screamed at him not to shoot</a>. Coach Frank Vogel yanked him out of the lineup in overtime vs. New York. In the Lakers' embarrassing loss to the Bucks on Tuesday, Westbrook was benched for the final 14 minutes of the game, including the entire fourth quarter. Russ sat out Wednesday's loss to Portland with a "lower back" injury.&nbsp;
His counting stats on the season are solid (18/7/7), but the peripheral numbers are putrid, and his plus/minus is the worst on the team. This season, the Lakers have been outscored by 123 points with Westbrook on the floor, whereas they have outscored their opponents by 35 points with Russ on the bench.
The situation has careened toward rock-bottom this month. Over the Lakers' last four games, Westbrook is shooting just 27% from the floor, 15% from downtown and 55.0% from the free-throw line. He's also leading the league in turnovers.
Yet, now that the 2022 trade deadline has passed, we know that Lakers fans have no choice but to hope Russ can somehow locate his confidence and contribute to winning.&nbsp;
It has been rumored this week that the Houston Rockets were willing to trade John Wall to the Lakers for Westbrook, but Pelinka was reportedly unwilling to include LA's 2027 first-round pick, which Houston was demanding. Will the decision come back to bite LA, as refusing to include THT at last year's deadline did? Even if Wall failed to live up to expectations, would it have amounted to addition by subtraction?&nbsp;
Although Monk has been fantastic, and Melo has given LA as much as they could have hoped for, Howard, Ellington and Bazemore have failed to deliver. Ariza is averaging 4.2 points while shooting 36% from the floor. Rondo is no longer on the roster. Nunn, hampered by a bone bruise in his right knee, has yet to log a single second in an NBA game this season. Horton-Tucker is converting career-lows from the floor (41%) and behind the arc (27%). Despite playing nearly six more minutes per game, THT is averaging fewer assists this season (2.7) than he did in 2020-21, while still committing 1.5 turnovers a night.
Sum it all up, and you see why the Lakers have lost more than half of their games and find themselves in ninth place in the West, despite LeBron authoring the greatest season in NBA history by a 37-year-old.&nbsp;
This is a particularly bitter pill for Lakers fans to swallow considering the team purportedly had several different options to choose from this summer when shopping around their Kuz/&rsquo;Trez/draft picks package, including a deal for Sacramento sharpshooter Buddy Hield. In that scenario, the Lakers could have held onto KCP and added Hield, and the combined salary of both players still would have been $8 million less than Westbrook's cap hit of $44.2 million.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
To be fair, it's worth noting that in 2020-21, Westbrook played his best basketball of the season after the All-Star break. Over the Wizards' final 35 games of the season, he averaged 23.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 13.4 assists and 1.5 steals, while shooting a respectable 44% from the floor, 32% from behind the arc and 72% from the FT line. Washington closed the regular season by going 17-6 over their final 23 contests and advanced to the playoffs.&nbsp;
Will Russ and his teammates feel less pressure now that the deadline has passed? LeBron and the Lakers don't need Westbrook to dominate the ball and chase triple-doubles, but they do need him to focus on playing the best defense of his career and help facilitate the offense, especially when James needs a breather.&nbsp;
If Russ cannot shake out of his slump, LA will have a very tough time getting back on track and achieving the goals they set for themselves back in October.&nbsp;
And if Los Angeles fails to right the ship (wasting a year of "Prime LeBron" in the process), the team's fans will look back with rage on the terrible trades and free-agency failures over the past 12 months that led to the Lakers' demise.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
Looking to go to the hottest concerts, sports, theater &amp; family shows near you? Get 100% guaranteed tickets to more than 125,000 live events from TicketSmarter, the official ticket marketplace of BasketballNews.com.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ticketsmarter.com/?utm_source=basketballnewscom&amp;utm_medium=tsaff&amp;utm_campaign=referral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Order online now</a>!

Tommy Beer delves into the errors of the Lakers' ways following their championship success one-and-a-half years ago.

How the Lakers managed to turn a contending team into a sub-.500 mess

Tommy Beer checks in with an installment of BasketballNews.com's NBA Power Rankings.

NBA Power Rankings: New Year's Resolutions for each team

We're flipping our calendar at BasketballNews &mdash; but not before taking one look back at a memorable 2021.
Sports never cease to give us compelling storylines. Last year, they came from all places, from the pros in the U.S. and abroad, to college, to youth levels, and even off the basketball court. Below are some of our staff's best stories, arranged in several categories. Read the Best of BasketballNews 2021:
Best Features
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/gary-payton-ii_lg.jpg" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-g-league-raptors-905-gary-payton-ii-on-growing-up-in-fathers-shadow-we-have-two-different-paths">Gary Payton II on growing up in father's shadow: 'We have two different paths'</a> &mdash; by Kelsea O'Brien
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/high-school-basketball-former-nba-execs-aaron-ryan-brandon-williams-kevin-ollie-overtime-elite-seek-to-revolutionize-amateur-to-pro-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Former NBA execs, Overtime Elite seek to revolutionize amateur-to-pro p</a><a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/high-school-basketball-former-nba-execs-aaron-ryan-brandon-williams-kevin-ollie-overtime-elite-seek-to-revolutionize-amateur-to-pro-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reparation</a> &mdash; by Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-daniel-gafford-washington-wizards-russell-westbrook-bradley-beal-tony-falce-arkansas-razorbacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Gafford, Wizards surging since trade: 'When I got here, it clicked automatically'</a> &mdash; by Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/pj-dozier-took-a-whirlwind-journey-to-the-denver-nuggets-starting-lineup">Two-way threat: PJ Dozier reflects on whirlwind path to Nuggets</a> &mdash; by Ethan Fuller
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/g-league-finals-mvp-devin-cannady-remains-focus-bigger-goals">NBA G League Finals MVP Devin Cannady remains focused on bigger goals</a> &mdash; by Kelsea O'Brien
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/theres-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around-for-frank-ntilikinas-failure">There&rsquo;s plenty of blame to go around for Frank Ntilikina&rsquo;s failure</a> &mdash; by Moke Hamilton
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nikola-vucevic-may-finally-get-credit-he-deserves-with-newlook-bulls">Nikola Vucevic may finally get credit he deserves with new-look Bulls</a> &mdash; by Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/meet-juste-jocyte-15-year-old-phenom-and-professional-record-breaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meet Justė Jocytė: 15-year-old phenom and professional record-breaker</a> &mdash; by Ethan Fuller
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kristaps-porzingis-renewed-confidence-leading-to-resurgent-season-with-mavericks">Kristaps Porzingis' renewed confidence leading to resurgent season</a> &mdash; by Evan Sidery
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/scoot-henderson-aspirations-far-exceed-any-hype-we-can-give-him" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBA G League star Scoot Henderson's aspirations far exceed the hype</a> &mdash; by Spencer Davies
Best Interviews and Q&amp;As
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/markelle-fultz_lg.png" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-richaun-holmes-qa-interview-free-agency-all-defensive-team">Richaun Holmes Q&amp;A: 'I definitely feel I&rsquo;m deserving of the All-Defensive Team'</a> &mdash; with Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-orlando-magic-rj-hampton-q-and-a-i-dont-think-you-can-put-a-cap-on-our-ceiling">Magic's R.J. Hampton Q&amp;A: 'I don&rsquo;t think you can put a cap on our ceiling'</a> &mdash; with Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-rex-chapman-show/episodes/basketballnews-com-episode-8-episode-7-stephen-curry">The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins Episode 7 - Stephen Curry</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-rex-chapman-show/episodes/basketballnews-com-episode-10-episode-9-james-jones">The Rex Chapman Show: James Jones on Suns' culture change, player-to-GM leap</a>
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-san-antonio-spurs-derrick-white-dejounte-murray-gregg-popovich-colorado-buffaloes">One-on-One: Derrick White, Spurs' youth trying to make a name for themselves</a> &mdash; with Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-one-on-one-patrick-patterson-los-angeles-clippers-tyronn-lue-paul-george-kawhi-leonard-demarcus-cousins-kentucky-wildcats-basketball">One-on-One: Patrick Patterson opens up as Clippers begin playoff run</a> &mdash; with Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/larry-nance-jr-qa-i-did-not-come-out-here-to-halfass-this-thing">Larry Nance Jr. Q&amp;A: 'I did not come out here to half-ass this thing'</a> &mdash; with Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jermaine-oneal-on-reconciling-with-ron-artest-i-didnt-know-about-mental-health">Jermaine O&rsquo;Neal on reconciling with Metta World Peace: 'I didn't know about mental health'</a> &mdash; with Etan Thomas
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/markelle-fultz-reveals-what-really-happened-with-his-shot-shoulder">Markelle Fultz reveals what really happened with his shot, shoulder</a> &mdash; with Etan Thomas
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/podcasts/the-alex-kennedy-podcast/episodes/basketballnews-com-episode-29-thad-young-on-getting-blindsided-by-trade-to-spurs,-dealing-with-recent-trade-rumors,-the-key-to-nba-longevity,-more-ep-29">Thad Young on being blindsided by Spurs trade, trade rumors, key to longevity</a> &mdash; with Alex Kennedy
Best Player Breakdowns
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/kyle-lowry_lg.jpg" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/on-lock-how-jrue-holiday-became-the-nba-finals-xfactor-">On Lock: How Jrue Holiday became the NBA Finals&rsquo; X-Factor</a> &mdash; by Jannelle Moore
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/enough-no-bag-talk-giannis-antetokounmpo-put-the-nba-on-notice-finals-mvp-champion">Enough 'no bag' talk: Giannis Antetokounmpo put the NBA on notice</a> &mdash; by Nekias Duncan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/what-kyle-lowry-brings-to-the-miami-heat">Film study: What Kyle Lowry brings to the Miami Heat</a> &mdash; by Nekias Duncan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/dime-fest-breaking-down-courtney-vandersloot-historic-night-wnba-playoffs">Dime Fest: Breaking down Courtney Vandersloot's historic night</a> &mdash; by Nekias Duncan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/all-signs-pointing-to-marcus-smart-as-the-celtics-swing-player">What does Marcus Smart at point guard look like for the Celtics? </a>&nbsp; &mdash; by Ethan Fuller
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/rudy-gay-is-injecting-the-jazz-with-funk">Rudy Gay is injecting the Jazz with funk</a> &mdash; by Mark Schindler
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/is-jaren-jackson-jr-a-star-in-making-or-something-else">Is Jaren Jackson Jr. a star in the making, or something else?</a> &mdash; by Matt Brooks
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/dissecting-desmond-bane-role-memphis-grizzlies-offense">Dissecting Desmond Bane's growing role in the Grizzlies' offense</a> &mdash; by Jackson Frank
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/is-dave-bing-right-about-cade-cunningham">Is Cade Cunningham a franchise player the Pistons can build around?</a> &mdash; by Mat Issa and Bryce Simon
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/making-the-nba-all-star-case-for-cavs-big-man-jarrett-allen">Making the NBA All-Star case for Cavs big man Jarrett Allen</a> &mdash; by Bryan Fonseca
Best Team and League Breakdowns
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/jarrett-allen_lg.png" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-to-tank-or-not-to-tank-analyzing-the-toronto-raptors-present-and-future">To tank, or not to tank? Analyzing the Raptors' present and future</a> &mdash; by Imman Adan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-nba-draft-lottery-is-not-rigged-and-heres-why">The NBA Draft Lottery is not rigged, and here's why</a> &mdash; by Alex Kennedy&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/why-big-men-take-more-time-to-develop-in-the-nba-than-guards-and-wings">Why NBA bigs take more time to develop: 'They're used to imposing their will'</a>&nbsp;&mdash; by Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/as-the-offseason-revs-up-what-nba-teams-are-in-the-dead-money-doldrums">As NBA offseason nears, which teams are in the dead money doldrums?</a> &mdash; by Ethan Fuller
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/suns-create-unnecessarily-awkward-situation-not-signing-deandre-ayton-to-extension">Suns create unnecessarily awkward situation by not extending Ayton</a> &mdash; by Evan Sidery
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/in-the-nba-length-matters-unedited">Length matters: The NBA's long-ball revolution may be coming</a> &mdash; by Imman Adan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/grindhouse-how-the-grizzlies-are-winning-with-defense">The Grindhouse: How the Grizzlies are winning with defense</a> &mdash; by Nekias Duncan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/tom-thibodeau-isnt-the-only-reigning-coach-of-the-year-to-struggle">Tom Thibodeau isn&rsquo;t the only reigning Coach of the Year to struggle</a> &mdash; by Moke Hamilton
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-power-rankings-warriors-reclaim-top-spot-from-suns">NBA Power Rankings: Bulls are hot, Warriors reclaim top spot from Suns </a>&nbsp;&mdash; by Tommy Beer
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/hornets-embarrassing-defense-sinking-their-enticing-potential">Hornets' embarrassing defense sinking their enticing potential</a> &mdash; by Evan Sidery
Best Opinion
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/draymond-green_lg.png" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/injuries-galore-the-nba-all-too-soon-return-has-made-losers-of-us-all">Injuries Galore: The NBA&rsquo;s all-too-soon return has made losers of us all</a> &mdash; by Moke Hamilton
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/what-can-the-nba-do-to-prevent-ugly-fan-incidents">What can the NBA do to prevent more ugly fan incidents?</a> &mdash; by Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/rachel-nichols-maria-taylor-incident-exposes-espn-racism-sexism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Nichols-Maria Taylor incident exposes ESPN&rsquo;s racism, sexism&nbsp;</a> &mdash; by Imman Adan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-discourse-around-nba-superteams-is-tiresome-stars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The discourse around NBA stars and super-teams is tiresome</a> &mdash; by Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/a-beginners-guide-to-nba-stats-written-by-a-beginner">A beginner's guide to NBA stats: The three types of statistics</a> &mdash; by Ethan Fuller
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/which-nba-players-could-have-realistically-played-in-the-nfl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Which NBA players could have realistically played in the NFL?</a> &mdash; by Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/no-enhancement-necessary-the-nba-should-leave-well-enough-alone">No enhancement necessary: NBA should leave well enough alone</a> &mdash; by Jannelle Moore
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-nets-should-be-ashamed-of-themselves">The Nets should be ashamed of themselves</a> &mdash; by Nekias Duncan
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/missing-the-forest-through-the-trees-on-christmas-day-games">Missing the forest through the trees on Christmas Day games</a> &mdash; by Mark Schindler
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/greg-monroe-and-the-brief-case-for-us-to-see-more-nba-veterans-this-season">NBA teams need to show more respect to veterans, and we're seeing why</a> &mdash; by Bryan Fonseca
Best of the NBA Draft
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/james-bouknight_lg.jpg" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Draft Big Board</a> &mdash; by Matt Babcock
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/a-behindthescenes-look-at-james-bouknights-predraft-training">Behind the scenes with projected lottery pick James Bouknight</a> &mdash; by Matt Babcock
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/qa-nba-draft-prospect-nahshon-bones-hyland-demands-your-attention">Q&amp;A: Draft prospect Nah'Shon 'Bones' Hyland demands your attention</a> &mdash; by Alex Kennedy
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/qa-2021-nba-draft-intel-with-lead-draft-analyst-matt-babcock-rumors-offseason">2021 NBA Draft: Matt Babcock on rumors, trades, risers, fallers</a> &mdash; by Ethan Fuller and Matt Babcock
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-little-guy-from-bendigo-dyson-daniels-game-is-unlike-anyone-elses">The Little Guy From Bendigo: Dyson Daniels is unlike anyone else</a> &mdash; by Spencer Davies
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-draft-qa-french-big-man-ismael-kamagate">2022 NBA Draft Q&amp;A: French big man Ismael Kamagate</a> &mdash; by Jason Filippi
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-draft-jean-montero-scouting-report">2022 NBA Draft: Jean Montero scouting report</a> &mdash; by Doc Martin
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/babcocks-takeaways-jabari-smith-patrick-baldwin-jr-matthew-cleveland-more">Babcock&rsquo;s Takeaways: Jabari Smith, Patrick Baldwin, Matthew Cleveland</a> &mdash; by Matt Babcock
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-draft-the-evolution-of-kansas-guard-ochai-agbaji">2022 NBA Draft: The evolution of Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji</a> &mdash; by Derek Murray
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-draft-getting-to-know-alabamas-native-son-jd-davison">2022 NBA Draft: Getting to know JD Davison, Alabama's native son</a> &mdash; by Grant Aqui
Best Player Pieces
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/james-posey_lg.png" alt="" />
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-washington-wizards-troy-brown-jr-bradley-beal-russell-westbrook-outbreak-covid-19-coronavirus-virus-contract-health-safety-protocol">Behind the scenes of the Wizards' COVID-19 outbreak: 'It's been a wild season'</a> &mdash; by Troy Brown Jr.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/its-a-shame-carmelo-didnt-end-up-in-portland-sooner">It&rsquo;s a shame Carmelo Anthony didn&rsquo;t end up in Portland sooner</a> &mdash; by Kenyon Martin
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/my-first-time-getting-traded-learning-what-its-like-to-be-dealt-in-the-nba">My first time getting traded: Learning what it's like to be dealt in the NBA</a> &mdash; by Troy Brown Jr.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kwame-brown-stephen-a-smith-stephen-jackson-matt-barnes-charlemagne-etan-thomas-washington-wizards-media">After 20 years of public degradation, Kwame Brown is fed up</a> &mdash; by Etan Thomas
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/paul-george-is-silencing-his-critics-los-angeles-clippers-nba-playoffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul George is silencing his critics</a> &mdash; by Etan Thomas
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-nba-is-big-business-and-players-should-be-allowed-to-act-like-it">The NBA is a big business, and players should be allowed to act like it</a> &mdash; by James Posey
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lebron-james-doesnt-seem-to-be-succumbing-to-father-time-just-yet">LeBron James doesn&rsquo;t seem to be succumbing to Father Time just yet</a> &mdash; by James Posey

BasketballNews highlights its best stories over the calendar 2021 year.

The Best of BasketballNews: 2021

The <a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/giannis-hints-he-could-be-moving-on-to-a-new-team-in-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-stringify-link="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/giannis-antetokounmpo-shares-why-he-doesnt-associate-or-practice-with-other-nba-players-in-the-offseason/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">following article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="http://basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://BasketballNetwork.net" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">BasketballNetwork.net</a>:
Last year&rsquo;s championship run by the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo offered up the perfect blueprint of how to go all the way while remaining true to your team and fans. After all the disappointing playoff exits and questions, the Bucks would finally click and fulfill their potential.
Led by their drafted superstar, a homegrown core, their long-term head coach and several perfect additions, the Bucks finally pushed through and brought the Larry O'Brien trophy to Milwaukee after a 50-year drought &mdash; a historic moment, with their Antetokounmpo enjoying the spotlight. His loyalty and love for the city are well known, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean &ldquo;The Greek Freak&rdquo; will be a Buck for life.
Shaky start to the title defense
The ring ceremony and opening game versus Brooklyn looked like a statement that this team had returned even stronger and scarier. But then a series of unfortunate events would hit the Bucks. Most of their key players got sidelined with injuries and COVID cases, as guys like Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Donte DiVincenzo and more missed (or are still missing) time.
Coach Mike Budenholzer has used this time to shuffle the rotations a bit and try out some new pieces. That has led to pretty inconsistent play from the Bucks, who are sitting at 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 7-8 record. Nobody is really panicking, but it is obvious they need to pick it up. The East is deep with plenty of quality teams this season, so coming out of the conference won't be an easy task.
Is the face of loyalty in the NBA moving on?
It is hard to find many NBA fans that had a problem with the Bucks winning it all. After all, it is rare in today&rsquo;s NBA to see a team persevere through numerous disappointing playoff exits, only to win it all with the superstar they drafted and developed into one of the best in the league. Also, from Giannis&rsquo; perspective, it was admirable to stick it out with his team in the small market of Milwaukee rather than joining other stars in a big market.
That earned Antetokounmpo immense respect among NBA fans, as he finally added that elusive championship to the numerous personal accolades on his resume and solidified his spot alongside the NBA's greats at just 26 years old. It&rsquo;s hard to imagine him playing anywhere else, but a recent interview with GQ could definitely spark your imagination.
In a huge piece, <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/giannis-antetokounmpo-athlete-of-the-year-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GQ presented us with an inside look</a> at Giannis&rsquo; life on and off the court, including fashion and his plans for the future. One interesting part that caught the attention of fans revolved around overcoming the challenge of bringing a championship to Milwaukee and looking for the next one, without ruling out the possibility of doing it somewhere else. Here is an excerpt from <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/giannis-antetokounmpo-athlete-of-the-year-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the piece</a>:
In the end, Giannis decided to stay in Milwaukee because it was difficult. And then, improbably, the Bucks won. 
&ldquo;One challenge was to bring a championship here, and we did,&rdquo; he told me. &ldquo;It was very hard, but we did. Very, very hard. I just love challenges. What&rsquo;s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.&rdquo; 
It&rsquo;s not that he doesn&rsquo;t love Milwaukee, he said. But he was always wary of things becoming too easy. 
&ldquo;Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of us&mdash;for now,&rdquo; Giannis said. &ldquo;In two years, that might change. I&rsquo;m being totally honest with you. I&rsquo;m always honest. I love this city. I love this community. I want to help as much as possible."
You can interpret this a number of ways, but I&rsquo;m pretty sure this is simply about Giannis&rsquo; insatiable desire to compete. Antetokounmpo is a different breed, as he simply doesn&rsquo;t take days off. After getting the taste of glory, Giannis now wants to win every year, as simply competing won&rsquo;t be enough to keep him happy for the rest of his career.&nbsp;
Antetokounmpo wants to be playing for a championship year in and year out, whether with the Bucks or some other team. With that said, if the Bucks surround their centerpiece with talent and put him in position to contend, he'll have no reason to leave.&nbsp;
Check out more articles from BasketballNetwork.net <a href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Giannis Antetokounmpo told GQ that he's looking forward to the next challenge, whether that's in Milwaukee or not.

Giannis loves Milwaukee, but hints next challenge 'might not be here'

The <a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/gary-payton-is-proud-of-his-sons-performance-with-the-warriors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-stringify-link="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/giannis-antetokounmpo-shares-why-he-doesnt-associate-or-practice-with-other-nba-players-in-the-offseason/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">following article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="http://basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://BasketballNetwork.net" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">BasketballNetwork.net</a>:
Gary Payton II&rsquo;s father needs no introduction. The OG Payton is part of the NBA&rsquo;s 75th Anniversary Team, which speaks to his impact and contribution to the game. With Gary Payton II&rsquo;s recent performances for the Golden State Warriors, it looks like the apple does not fall from the tree.
(Editor's Note: Kelsea O'Brien spoke with Gary Payton II last season about his unconventional path, time in the G League and being a legend's son. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-g-league-raptors-905-gary-payton-ii-on-growing-up-in-fathers-shadow-we-have-two-different-paths" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the exclusive feature here</a>.)
GP on GP II&rsquo;s Recent Performances
Payton II&rsquo;s success right now is a feel-good story. The Golden State Warriors decided to sign him to a non-guaranteed contract, and it looks like the gamble is paying off. So far, GP II is averaging a career-best 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, an assist, and 1.3 steals&nbsp; per game. His energy on the floor rubs off on his teammates, and his plays excite the crowd.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
RISE UP, GARY PAYTON II 💥💥💥<a href="https://twitter.com/warriors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@warriors</a> and Hornets head into Q2 on ESPN! <a href="https://t.co/ey6rq5ahBF">pic.twitter.com/ey6rq5ahBF</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1456088626421501952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2021</a></blockquote>

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

Payton II is providing his best to contribute while the Warriors await Klay Thompson&rsquo;s return. He knows his role and sticks to it. The ability to knock down shots and attack the rim brings the fans in.
His Hall-of-Fame father, Gary Payton, couldn't be prouder either.
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/254431488_879808722704520_3197713995186037194_n_lg.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="450" />
Payton II started his NBA journey in 2016, but now he has the chance to show what he&rsquo;s made of. It&rsquo;s easy for the sons of former basketball players to expect favors handed to them given their famous surnames, but this is not one of those cases. GP II bounced off teams and played with multiple G League affiliates. Even so, "The Glove" he knew what his son could do.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy that it&rsquo;s in the Bay Area, it&rsquo;s with a good Golden State team and they really found a place for him,&rdquo; Payton <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/gary-payton-proud-son-impressive-warriors-start-continues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said via Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area</a>. &ldquo;They gave him the opportunity he needed. Those other teams wouldn&rsquo;t let him. I knew he could play in the league. He just had to have the right opportunity, and now he does.&rdquo;
(Editor's Note: Gary Payton guested with Kenyon Martin on Neat &amp; Unfiltered last season to talk about being their sons playing professional basketball. Watch below or read what was discussed via <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/basketball-news-legacy-gary-payton-discusses-being-nba-dad-with-kenyon-martin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moke Hamilton's article on NBA dads</a>.)
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AexCjXdICM" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Payton II: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Having experienced the harder route in the NBA, "The Mitten" wastes no time in proving his worth. Naturally, a father throws support to his son, but Payton II puts the work in, which shows in his recent performances. This season, he is top-five on his team in plus/minus (+9.2). In this past four games, he's averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 steals while only playing 19 minutes a night.
With Payton II's electrifying performances as of late &mdash; and that Steph Curry fellow &mdash; it looks like Golden State is on the right track of returning to its former glory. It also looks like the Warriors may have another hidden gem on their hands.
But only time will tell.
Check out more articles from BasketballNetwork.net <a href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Gary Payton spoke with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area about his son's recent stretch of success with the Warriors.

Gary Payton on son's success: 'I knew he could play in the league'

The <a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/demar-derozan-on-being-replaced-with-kawhi-leonard-and-watching-his-old-team-win-the-championship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-stringify-link="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/giannis-antetokounmpo-shares-why-he-doesnt-associate-or-practice-with-other-nba-players-in-the-offseason/" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">following article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a class="c-link" tabindex="-1" href="http://basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://BasketballNetwork.net" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-remove-tab-index="true">BasketballNetwork.net</a>:
Whenever athletes interview athletes, you are very likely to get genuinely authentic and honest interviews. There is a certain level of respect and camaraderie between players, even though they compete against each other and play on opposing teams.
In the latest episode of Bleacher Report's "Chips" <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWACAnGNWO4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hosted by Draymond Green</a>, we saw that, as DeMar DeRozan was open and honest in reminiscing his career. Draymond has a knack for making the best out of these interviews and getting answers to questions that would otherwise be ignored or simply met with, "Next question.&rdquo;
One of the more personal questions, if you will, was when Draymond asked DeMar about the Toronto Raptors trade and the team going all the way the following year; plus, the reaction around his departure and Kawhi Leonard's arrival's role in Toronto winning the title
DeMar was heartbroken after the trade. Two days before the trade, he had a sincere conversation with Raptors president Masai Ujiri, ensuring that everything was fine. Everything had changed only 48 hours following that call because Masai had the opportunity to bring Kawhi to Toronto.
"That whole narrative was just frustrating, to where it was like, alright, damn social media. So by the time they got to the Finals, I think I ended up leaving the country and getting away from everything and everybody and my phone," DeRozan <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWACAnGNWO4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. "I&rsquo;m happy to this day, I&rsquo;m happy for the city, I&rsquo;m happy for those guys that won it and everything, but you know, of course, that was my goal; my goal was to be the one to make that happen."
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AWACAnGNWO4" width="100%" height="325" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
One can't help but feel slightly sorry for DeMar being shipped off to San Antonio, replaced with an MVP-caliber player and watching his old team take him the Larry O'Brien trophy. But then again, this is a business. If you were Masai Ujiri, you might have done the exact same thing. It was great watching the bromance between DeRozan and Kyle Lowry in Toronto, but it did not yield the wanted results, and Masai did the best possible thing in his power when he made the Kawhi trade happen.
DeMar joined the revitalized Bulls in the offseason, and with the addition of Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic and Alex Caruso among others, Chicago is looking like a great team. With Zach LaVine and himself leading the offense, the Bulls will definitely turn a lot of heads this year.
Check out more articles from BasketballNetwork.net <a href="https://www.basketballnetwork.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

DeMar DeRozan was open and honest in reminiscing his career in Toronto with Draymond Green on Bleacher Report's "Chips"

DeMar DeRozan shares feelings on Raptors' title win after trading him

Speaking with reporters after practice on Tuesday, Julius Randle, the New York Knicks' All-NBA forward, was asked what he and teammates were expecting in their season-opener at Madison Square Garden.
"Chaos," Randle replied. "We're expecting chaos. The city's excited to get basketball back."
Randle was referring to the much-anticipated chaotic atmosphere inside MSG, which welcomed back its full allotment of 19,000-plus fans for the first time since before the COVID pandemic shut down sports arenas across the globe.
What Randle, who has only been in New York for a relatively short spell, didn't realize is that Knicks fans had, unfortunately, grown far too accustomed to chaos &mdash; and not the kind that results from fans enthusiastically and passionately cheering on their hometown team. No, New Yorkers have been deluged with turmoil and chaos off the court for the better part of the past two decades. There was beef between former franchise greats and the team's owner, embarrassing trades, countless off-court controversies, tension between the owner and numerous fans, free-agency disappointment year after year, wasted draft picks and anything else you can think of.
Not to mention the losses. Many, many losses. Over the first 20 years of the 21st century, the Knicks lost 962 basketball games, more than any other team in the NBA. More often than not, New York was a league-wide laughing stock, trapped in the basement of the Atlantic Division.&nbsp;
However, a funny thing has happened over the past year-and-a-half since the Knicks hired former player-agent Leon Rose as team president, and Rose hired Tom Thibodeau as his head coach: the Knicks stopped making headlines for the wrong reason. They started winning basketball games.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, the drama and controversy that tormented the Knicks for so long seemed to wander across the bridge to Brooklyn and drive down the Jersey turnpike to Philly.
The Nets, while uber-talented and the odds-on favorites to capture the Larry O'Brien trophy this season, are playing without their superstar point guard. Players on the Knicks and Nets, who play their home games in New York City, are prohibited from entering their team's home arena unless they are vaccinated against COVID-19. All Knicks have been immunized, but Irving has refused to follow the advice of medical experts, and says he is unwilling to get his shot. While Irving is eligible to participate in the Nets' away games, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks has declared that Irving will not be allowed to play or practice with the team at all until he is vaccinated.
"He has a choice to make, and he made his choice," Marks told reporters earlier this month.&nbsp;
Down in Philadelphia, the situation with the Sixers and Ben Simmons has devolved into a circus. The latest incident involves Simmons being booted from the team's training facility a day after he was filmed practicing in sweatpants. (Despite speculation about him practicing with a cell phone in his pocket, The Athletic's Shams Charania clarified that it was a crumpled up practice jersey.)
As far as the other teams in the Atlantic are concerned, the Raptors &mdash; who won a title in 2019 &mdash; had been remarkably successful and consistent, winning more than 50 games in five straight seasons... until they surprisingly finished 18 games below .500 last year. After losing franchise cornerstone Kyle Lowry via free agency over the summer, Toronto was blown out by the lowly Wizards in its season-opener Wednesday night. The Raps scored just 83 points, the least among all teams that have played over the first two days of the season.
Up in Boston, the Celtics failed to finish above .500 last season for just the second time in the past 15 years, and as a result parted ways with team architect Danny Ainge over the summer. Head coach Brad Stevens left the bench and went upstairs to the executive suite.&nbsp;
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
The Knicks, however, flew under the radar all offseason. After finishing 10 games above .500 in 2020-21, they had a solid draft and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/for-a-change-a-successful-free-agency-period-propels-knicks-forward-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">were praised by pundits</a> for revamping and upgrading their backcourt in free agency, while also locking up Randle to a long-term contract extension on a team-friendly deak. The team didn't generate any headlines on Media Day, which used to be one of the few days a year the Knicks would land on the back page of the NYC tabloids.&nbsp;
It was the Celtics who were matched up with the Knickerbockers in their home-opener. As it turned out, Mr. Randle was proven prophetic. Chaos consumed Wednesday's contest.
New York fell behind early. but fought back to take what appeared to be an insurmountable lead in the closing seconds, only to inexplicably allow the Celtics to tie the game on a Marcus Smart three-pointer at the buzzer in regulation.&nbsp;
Yet, somehow, after two exhausting overtime sessions, the Knicks found a way to win. This was a game the "LOL same-old Knicks" surely would have fumbled away after that backbreaking dagger by Smart. Yet, these new Knicks, nearly all of them in great shape following a month in camp with Drill Sergeant Thibs, kept fighting. Eventually, they won.
"We didn't close out the game the way we should have," Thibodeau said afterward. "We'll learn from that. The good thing is we got the win. We know we have a lot of work to do."
And that's what the topic of conversation will be around the ball club this week. No needless drama, no controversy. Just discussions about how the team won a basketball game and what they can do to improve and win some more. Imagine that...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
💥 35 points for <a href="https://twitter.com/J30_RANDLE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@J30_RANDLE</a> 💥 8 boards, 9 dimes, 3 blocks Julius Randle GOES OFF in the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> 2OT win to open the 2021-22 season! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff21?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KiaTipOff21</a> <a href="https://t.co/TILicyIhZB">pic.twitter.com/TILicyIhZB</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1451163884262469646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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

Knicks notes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What an effort from Randle, who is determined to prove his All-Star campaign last season wasn't a fluke. He finished with 35 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Basketball-Reference, the only other player in NBA history to tally at least 35 points, 9 dimes and 8 boards in his team's season opener is Oscar Roberston.</li>
<li aria-level="1">In the first half, RJ Barrett was invisible on the offensive end (it was the first time in his career he attempted at least three FG's and two FT's in the first half, yet failed to score a single point). However, Barrett certainly made his impression felt in the third quarter, pouring in a team-high 14 points to push the Knicks back in front. And while Jayson Tatum missed a handful of wide-open jumpers, Barrett certainly deserves credit for his defensive effort on Taum, who finished the game shooting an abysmal 7-of-30 from the floor.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Randle also deserves credit for helping reintegrate Barrett into the offense and sparking his teammate's third-quarter resurgence. Over one 2-minute stretch, Randle twice drew double teams and kicked the ball out to a wide-open Barrett, who knocked down a triple. Randle carried the Knicks offensively, but also passed up some good shots for great shots to get Barrett going.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Obi Toppin's contributions on Wednesday were critical. The second-year pro sparked the Knicks, scoring a career-high 14 points. Toppin's electric game energizes the Garden in a way few players can. "I thought he changed the pace of the game," Kemba Walker said of Obi. "He's a very special talent, and he can run. He can really run and get out in the open floor."</li>
<li aria-level="1">Some fans and pundits out there argued over the summer that Evan Fournier wasn't much of an upgrade over former shooting guard Reggie Bullock. Well, it's probably worth noting that Bullock has played 366 games in his career and never tallied more than 20 points and more than 5 rebounds in the same game. On Wednesday, Fournier had 32 points, 6 boards, 6 made treys, 4 steals and 3 assists in his first game as a Knick.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Some 10 minutes after the buzzer sounded in the second overtime, Knicks rookies Quentin Grimes and Miles "Deuce" McBride were on the Garden floor getting shots up, as MSG janitorial staff were cleaning the rest of the arena. This was something last season's neophytes, Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, would often do after games in which they didn't get much run. Yet another example of Thibs, his staff, and the players efforting to build a culture that can sustain success throughout the organization.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Knicks rookies McBride and Grimes getting up shots less than 10 mins after the marathon game is over <a href="https://t.co/Ip1Ll8b0lA">pic.twitter.com/Ip1Ll8b0lA</a>
&mdash; Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1451019123924799493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2021</a></blockquote>

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

The Knicks and their fans have experienced a different kind of chaos than they've been used to over the last year-and-a-half.

Knicks continue to make headlines for the right reasons — wins

The 2021-22 NBA season is highly anticipated for many reasons, not least of which are the arenas throughout the league welcoming back fans at full capacity.
With mere days left until the start of the '21-22 campaign, StubHub &mdash; a U.S.-based ticket exchange and resale company offering tickets to over 10 million live events in more than 40 countries &mdash; has released data detailing which NBA teams are generating the most enthusiasm and interest.&nbsp;
As expected, LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers are the highest-selling team based on ticket sales as of Oct. 14. It's the third year in a row King James and the LakeShow have reigned supreme.
"Fans are back in NBA arenas, and the excitement is brewing for the 2021-22 season across the league as teams like the Lakers and Nets try to dethrone the Bucks," Akshay Khanna, general manager of StubHub North America, told BasketballNews.com. "New faces such as Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony ensure the Lakers once again take the top spot as the most in-demand team, both at home and on the road."
The team that ranks just behind L.A. resides in New York City. However, it's not the superstar-stacked Brooklyn Nets, despite the fact that they feature Kevin Durant and James Harden, and enter the season as the odds on favorites to take home the Larry O'Brien trophy. The Nets sit at No. 3 on StubHub's list. &nbsp;
Instead, landing in second are the up-and-coming Knicks, whose recent success has reinvigorated their fanbase. The Knickerbockers greatly exceeded expectations last season by finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference and advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. They were then able to build off that momentum by <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/finally-home-kemba-walker-hopes-to-turn-back-clock-with-knicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adding four-time All-Star Kemba Walker</a> and shooting guard Evan Fournier in free agency, while bringing back several other important rotation players.&nbsp;
The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, fresh off aggressive and ambitious offseasons, rank fourth and fifth, respectively, among the highest-selling teams in the league. The defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks, led by NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, come in at No. 10. It's the first time the Bucks have ever landed in StubHub's Top 10.
In terms of individual contests, the Christmas Day matchup between the Lakers and Nets is the single most in-demand ticket of the season.
"Early-season games are most of StubHub's top-sellers so far, but many are circling the Christmas Day game between the Lakers and Nets at Staples Center &mdash; a potential Finals matchup that will feature at least four future Hall-of-Famers on the court," said Khanna.
​​The Lakers' season opener vs. Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors on Oct. 19, which will be Russell Westbrook's first regular-season game in purple and gold, is the second-hottest ticket.&nbsp;
Coming in third is the Knicks' home opener next Wednesday at Madison Square Garden when New York hosts the Celtics. It's safe to assume MSG will be rocking that evening.&nbsp;
The Lakers' trips to Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago and New York populate four other spots in the top-10. The only individual game not involving the Lakers, Knicks or Nets to crack the top-10 is the Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics contest on March 13, which is the night the C's will raise Kevin Garnett's jersey to the rafters at his retirement ceremony.&nbsp;

With mere days left until the start of the 2021-22 campaign, StubHub has shared which NBA teams are generating the highest interest.

Luke