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

Knicks

Every NBA season comes with its fair share of surprises, and the 2024-25 campaign has been no different. While championship contenders and superstars have dominated headlines, several teams have quietly &mdash; or loudly &mdash; rewritten their narratives in spectacular fashion. These aren&rsquo;t just flukes or hot streaks. These are teams that have made a leap, exceeded expectations, and found themselves in playoff positioning when few thought they&rsquo;d be here, or surpassing their previous season&rsquo;s accomplishments.
Whether it&rsquo;s through masterful coaching, player development, savvy roster moves, or simply finding the right chemistry at the right time, these are the teams that have all proven that projections and preseason power rankings don&rsquo;t always tell the full story. Here's a closer look at how these franchises flipped the script and are now among the best feel-good stories of the season.
Detroit Pistons Previous season&rsquo;s record: 17-65 This season&rsquo;s record: 44-38, 6th in the East
Perhaps no team has made a bigger leap &mdash; or captured the league&rsquo;s heart &mdash; more than the Detroit Pistons. Just a year removed from a miserable 17-win season, the Pistons have pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NBA memory. They are now sixth in the Eastern Conference, and have set a playoff date against the third-seeded New York Knicks.
Much of that credit goes to newly hired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who brought immediate structure, accountability, and belief into a young locker room. But the star of the show has been Cade Cunningham. After an injury-riddled season last year, Cunningham has blossomed into a true franchise player this year &mdash; a dual-threat scorer and facilitator who commands the game at his own pace. His decision-making has improved drastically, and he's showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick. Cunningham is here, and he&rsquo;s gunning for that star/superstar status.
Surrounding Cunningham, players like Jaden Ivey (even though he was injured) and Ausar Thompson have also taken noticeable steps forward, while big man Jalen Duren has anchored the middle with toughness and poise beyond his years. Detroit has also had key free agent signings that brought veteran presence in the locker room in Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris. They have also picked up vet PG Dennis Schroder in a trade to help Cunningham with the ball-handling duties. Everything that Detroit has done was in order to come back and see this moment &ndash; to be back in the playoffs. It&rsquo;s not just that Detroit is winning &mdash; it&rsquo;s how they&rsquo;re doing it: through defense, selflessness, and maturity. They&rsquo;ve gone from laughingstock to legitimate in over a season, and it has been incredibly fun to watch.
Houston Rockets Previous season&rsquo;s record: 22-60 This season&rsquo;s record: 52-30, 2nd in the West
After four long and grueling seasons of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets are back &mdash; and better than ever. They&rsquo;ve clinched 50 wins for the first time since the James Harden era and have soared into the second seed in the loaded Western Conference. This transformation didn&rsquo;t happen overnight, but every move the Rockets made over the last four years has culminated in a roster that&rsquo;s deep, versatile, and hungry.
It started with the front office, who made smart picks in the draft: Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in 2022, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in 2023, and Reed Sheppard in 2024. The result? A blend of high-upside talent that&rsquo;s matured quickly under the right guidance. And that guidance came in the form of Ime Udoka &mdash; the tough, defense-first head coach who has instilled discipline and identity from day one.
The Rockets also balanced their youth with veteran leadership. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks were crucial free-agent signings, and the trade for Steven Adams added much-needed size and experience in the paint. Sengun has quietly become one of the most skilled bigs in the league, averaging near triple-double numbers with his passing and post play. Meanwhile, Jalen Green&rsquo;s shot selection and efficiency have improved, making him a more consistent offensive threat.
Everything is clicking in Houston, and the best part? They&rsquo;re still only scratching the surface. It&rsquo;s officially liftoff time in Houston, Texas.
Cleveland Cavaliers Previous season&rsquo;s record: 51-31 This season&rsquo;s record: 64-18, 1st in the East
It might sound strange to include a 50-win team in a list of surprises, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have surpassed what many expected from them &mdash; and in a completely new way. After losing to the Celtics in the second round last season, many believed Cleveland had plateaued, stuck in a tier below the East&rsquo;s elite. But the arrival of head coach Kenny Atkinson changed everything.
Atkinson brought more than just X&rsquo;s and O&rsquo;s to Cleveland &mdash; he brought vision. His innovative offensive schemes breathed new life into the team, particularly Evan Mobley. The former third overall pick has emerged as a true two-way force this year, expanding his offensive bag while remaining a defensive anchor. Mobley has become more comfortable operating as a playmaker, setting high screens, making short-roll reads, and even spacing the floor.
Donovan Mitchell remains the alpha, capable of carrying the offense during clutch moments. But with Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen playing supporting roles to perfection &mdash; and the perfect role players giving them a punch off the bench &mdash; the Cavaliers are deeper and more dangerous than ever. This is their best season since LeBron left, and it feels like they&rsquo;ve finally found a sustainable identity. They're not just winning games; they&rsquo;re playing like a team that believes it can win the East.
Los Angeles Clippers Previous season&rsquo;s record: 44-38 This season&rsquo;s record: 50-32, 5th in the West
No team entered the season with lower public expectations relative to their talent than the Los Angeles Clippers especially after Paul George left in free agency. The assumption was that LA&rsquo;s championship window had finally slammed shut. But instead of folding, the Clippers responded with a defiant, gritty, and unified season that caught the league off guard.
Kawhi Leonard returned healthy and dominant, looking like the MVP-caliber player of old. His midrange game has been clinical, and he&rsquo;s elevated his play on both ends as the postseason approaches. But perhaps the most shocking resurgence came from James Harden, who has turned back the clock and delivered one of his most efficient seasons in years. Harden has assumed full command of the offense, orchestrating everything with poise and flair while re-establishing himself as a top-tier guard in the league that could possibly fetch an All-NBA plum.
The supporting cast has been outstanding. Ivica Zubac has taken a huge leap, anchoring the Clippers&rsquo; defense and finishing strong around the rim. He&rsquo;s firmly in the Most Improved Player conversation. Norman Powell has been a revelation in an expanded role, consistently providing scoring and hustle. The &ldquo;addition by subtraction&rdquo; idea has rung true &mdash; with more touches and opportunities, Powell has been better than ever.
And of course, credit must go to Tyronn Lue, who has maximized every piece of this roster and turned what many assumed would be a rebuilding year into a redemption tour. The Clippers became this gritty and rugged defensive team that no one wants to meet in the playoffs. They might be underdogs, but they&rsquo;ve built something real.&nbsp;
&ndash; &ndash; &ndash;
These four teams &mdash; Detroit, Houston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles &mdash; entered the season with vastly different narratives. But they all share a common thread: they weren&rsquo;t supposed to be this good. Whether through internal growth, roster management, or coaching brilliance, each franchise has exceeded expectations in its own way.
The playoffs will be the true test, but what these teams have already accomplished is worth celebrating. In a league where dynasties often dominate headlines, it's stories like these that keep the NBA fresh, unpredictable, and thrilling year after year.

Discover how the Pistons, Rockets, Cavaliers, and Clippers have surpassed this season's expectations and rewrote their narratives.

Teams that have exceeded expectations this season

Brandon Ingram has solidified his future with the Toronto Raptors by signing a three-year, $120 million contract extension, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
The extension includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, and this agreement follows his recent trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, where he was exchanged for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2031 second-round pick.&nbsp;
At 27, Ingram has been sidelined since December 7 due to a left ankle sprain but is anticipated to return to play after the All-Star break. Prior to his injury, he averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over 18 games this season. Throughout his career, Ingram has maintained averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, having played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Pelicans since being drafted second overall in 2016.&nbsp;
Ingram joins a promising Raptors core that features Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett. Despite the team's current 16-37 record, this acquisition signals Toronto's commitment to building a competitive roster for the future. General Manager Bobby Webster has expressed optimism about Ingram's integration into the team and his potential impact once he returns to full health.

Brandon Ingram has solidified his future with the Toronto Raptors by signing a three-year, $120 million contract extension.

Brandon Ingram signs with Raptors on a three-year, $120 Million extension

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the only undefeated teams in the NBA after a week of play in the brand new 2024-2025 NBA season.
The Thunder have started off strong with a 4-0 record with wins over the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and the San Antonio Spurs. Against the Spurs, OKC flexed its might by holding Spurs budding star Victor Wembanyama to just 6 points on 5 shots.&nbsp;
Chet Holmgren had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in just 27 minutes even while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled shooting from the floor. SGA had 18 points but shot just 7-20 from the field and 2-10 from three. Holmgren was able to neutralize Wembanyama as the matchup gained traction following their Rookie of the Year race a season ago.
Lu Dort led the way for the Thunder with 20 points with 6 three-point makes as OKC&rsquo;s defense made San Antonio shoot just 41.2% from the field and struggled to manufacture shots for their young star.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, pummeled a homecoming LeBron James with his son Bronny James Jr. and the Los Angeles Lakers to go up 5-0 and remain the only Eastern Conference team without a loss (Boston lost to Indiana).
Cleveland won handily despite a huge difference in free throw shooting, with 8 free throw attempts compared to LA&rsquo;s whopping 33.
The Cavs leaned on team effort to beat the visiting Lakers with Evan Mobley continuing his stellar play to start the year with 25 points on an efficient 12/16 shooting. Jarrett Allen had 20 points and 17 rebounds while Donovan Mitchell chipped in 24 points and 7 assists.&nbsp;
Other notable performances of the night include Karl-Anthony Towns dropping his best game as a Knick yet with a 44-point, 13-rebound night as New York defeated Miami on the road, 116-107.&nbsp;

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the only undefeated teams in the NBA after a week of play.

OKC, Cleveland remain undefeated to start the season

With just days left until the 2024-25 NBA season tips off, the Eastern Conference teams are settled, prepped, and ready for action. The offseason moves are done, rosters are set, and almost everyone&rsquo;s locked in for what&rsquo;s shaping up to be an intense race. From title contenders to dark horses, the East is packed with teams ready to make noise. So, let&rsquo;s dive into the top 15 teams in the East as we gear up for this brand-new season&mdash;no fluff, just what you need to know.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">New York Knicks The Knicks made significant moves this offseason, adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges while retaining key pieces like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. With depth, defense, and firepower, they look primed for a deep playoff run. After a 50-win season in 2023-24, they now have realistic championship aspirations and could be the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Boston Celtics The defending champions kept their core intact, extending Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday leading a formidable lineup, the Celtics are aiming to repeat as NBA champions. Despite concerns about Al Horford&rsquo;s age and frontcourt health, Boston remains the favorite heading into the 2024-25 season.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Milwaukee Bucks The Bucks didn&rsquo;t make major changes but added depth with Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright. After an injury-plagued season from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee looks to bounce back under returning head coach Doc Rivers. With questions surrounding Lillard&rsquo;s form and Middleton&rsquo;s durability, the Bucks remain playoff contenders, but how far they go will depend on health and chemistry.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Philadelphia 76ers The 76ers had a big offseason, adding Paul George, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey&rsquo;s rise as a star solidifies Philly&rsquo;s title hopes, and Embiid&rsquo;s MVP-level play is crucial for their success. With an improved supporting cast, the Sixers could be serious challengers in the East, but Embiid&rsquo;s health remains the key.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cleveland Cavaliers After a solid 48-win season, the Cavs focused on continuity by keeping their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. New coach Kenny Atkinson brings fresh leadership, and Cleveland hopes to build on last season&rsquo;s playoff run. With a healthier roster and improved coaching, the Cavs could reach 50 wins and challenge the top teams in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Indiana Pacers The Pacers had a quiet offseason but retained Pascal Siakam and made a key addition in James Wiseman. Tyrese Haliburton&rsquo;s breakout season makes Indiana a team to watch, and they&rsquo;re looking to build on their deep playoff run. With improved chemistry and young talent, Indiana could surprise as a top-five team in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Orlando Magic The Magic are banking on internal growth, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. After winning 47 games and making the playoffs last season, they added veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for shooting and leadership. With a young core developing, Orlando could win 50 games if they continue their upward trend and improve their perimeter shooting.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Miami Heat The Heat had a quiet offseason, adding Alec Burks while re-signing key players like Bam Adebayo. With Jimmy Butler&rsquo;s future uncertain and health concerns for both Butler and Tyler Herro, Miami could face challenges in a competitive Eastern Conference. However, Adebayo&rsquo;s All-NBA-level play will keep them in the playoff hunt.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Atlanta Hawks The Hawks overhauled their roster after a disappointing 36-46 season, headlined by trading Dejounte Murray and acquiring the No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher. With Trae Young remaining the focal point, the Hawks are banking on Risacher&rsquo;s development and contributions from new additions like Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels. This team looks poised to contend for a Play-In spot but lacks the co-star power needed for a deep playoff run.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Charlotte Hornets The Hornets enter the season with fresh energy, thanks to the hiring of new coach Charles Lee and the re-signing of Miles Bridges. With LaMelo Ball back healthy and Brandon Miller continuing to impress after an All-Rookie season, Charlotte&rsquo;s young core could surprise many. If Ball stays on the floor and their youth develops quickly, the Hornets might find themselves contending for a Play-In spot and shaking off years of underachievement.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Detroit Pistons The Pistons are looking to turn the page on a tough 2023-24 season and have made moves to fast-track their rebuild. With Cade Cunningham healthy, new leadership under J.B. Bickerstaff, and rookie Ron Holland adding spark, Detroit could outperform expectations. If Cunningham returns to form and the team gels quickly, don&rsquo;t be surprised if the Pistons emerge as a dark horse in the East.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Toronto Raptors The Raptors are in transition, keeping their young core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley intact. After a poor finish to last season, Toronto is betting on Barnes&rsquo; continued growth and the addition of Davion Mitchell to improve their fortunes. While their ceiling might be a Play-In appearance, the Raptors are hoping their trio can take a big step forward.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Chicago Bulls The Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, adding Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith to the mix. Zach LaVine&rsquo;s injury history remains a concern, but the Bulls are counting on Coby White&rsquo;s emergence and the potential of lottery pick Matas Buzelis. Chicago is likely to be a competitive team some nights, but they may struggle to rise above the Play-In threshold.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Brooklyn Nets The Nets are entering a rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges and Lonnie Walker. With a young roster led by Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas, Brooklyn&rsquo;s focus is on player development. Ben Simmons remains a question mark, but the team&rsquo;s recent moves set them up for future success with significant draft assets. A playoff berth seems unlikely as they look to position themselves for a high draft pick.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Washington Wizards The Wizards continue their rebuild with the addition of Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick. With Malcolm Brogdon and Saddiq Bey joining the squad, Washington hopes to see growth from young talents like Bilal Coulibaly. However, they&rsquo;re still far from playoff contention and will likely be looking at another lottery-bound season.</li>
</ol>

Let's dive into the top 15 teams in the East as we gear up for this brand-new season.

2024-2025 NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings: A new number one arises at the top

PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES &ndash; After their early season look at Philippine teams in their first EASL meetings, international coaches Garrett Kelly and Song Young-Jin had some nice things to say about the home teams&rsquo; basketball and the quality of their recruited foreign players.
Song and the Suwon KT Sonicboom of Korea were impressive in their first win after <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/easl-suwon-kt-sonicboom-beat-home-team-san-miguel-to-start-20242025-campaign-strong">beating Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner&rsquo;s Cup champions San Miguel Beermen </a>while Kelly and the Macau Black Bears <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/easl-home-team-meralco-bolts-stun-visiting-macau-black-bears-">were stunned by the PBA Philippine Cup titlists Meralco Bolts.</a> Although their teams had contrasting results, both Song and Kelly were impressed.
&ldquo;Obviously, the [Philippines] is known for its great fan base of basketball, and it got the team [San Miguel] going by feeding off their energy,&rdquo; Song said through a translator. &ldquo;We got over it and got the win today so it&rsquo;s good, but before we got here we watched a lot of films. They [SMB] are very skilled and they got a lot of shooters, so we prepared a lot before we came here.&rdquo;
Despite the loss, the Beermen&rsquo;s American reinforcement EJ Anosike balled out with 34 points, which Song acknowledged with the Sonicboom having a hard time containing him.
&ldquo;He [Anosike] got us in a tough situation [scoring all those points], so we had to put another man on him in the second half,&rdquo; Song added.
For Kelly and Macau, Meralco&rsquo;s American import Allen Durham was the one that gave them the most problems after being a force in the paint all game long. Durham had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in a double-double effort as the Bolts took a 12-point win over the much bigger Black Bears team.
&ldquo;Allen Durham is &ndash; he&rsquo;s a bully,&rdquo; recalled Kelly in the post-game press conference. &ldquo;The guy is built like one of the Ninja Turtles. You can&rsquo;t get around him. He puts his shoulder on you, he&rsquo;s gonna score &ndash; on his right or left hand. He also made his jump shots tonight &ndash; I know he can make them &ndash; but we kind of gambled on that. We said let&rsquo;s just live with those [Durham&rsquo;s jump shots] and try to box them out and get the rebounds. But that whole group [Meralco], as a whole, has been together for a while now.&rdquo;
Kelly further lauded the Bolts&rsquo; chemistry and their familiarity with each other that led to their win as the PH team had every answer to the Black Bears&rsquo; defensive scheme.
&ldquo;That group &ndash; you can tell. They got into new situations where we zoned them, and they reacted. We ran them, we pressed them, we ran some different sets, we had some different things, and we moved around &ndash; and they just responded and just kept moving. They&rsquo;re a well-conditioned team, a well-coached team, well-run organization by everything I can see &ndash; they&rsquo;re just really sharp,&rdquo; Kelly said.

After their early season look at Philippine teams, intl' coaches Garrett Kelly and Song Young-Jin share their thoughts on PH basketball.

EASL: International coaches heap praise on PH basketball, imports

Behind a raucous crowd at the Bercy Arena in Paris, Hosts France played a great game to grab a huge win over Canada, 82-73, and book a spot in the semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.&nbsp;
The French fed off the high intensity and energy inside the Bercy Arena to deny the Canadians, who coming to the game, were in huge favorites. Canada did not lose a single game in pool play despite being in the so-called &lsquo;Group of Death&rsquo;. They were flawless and were looking to claim the hosts as their next victim on their way to pursue a gold medal, however, France had other plans in mind.&nbsp;
To counter Canada&rsquo;s speed and strength with their guards, France and head coach Vincent Collet opted to start Guerschon Yabusele at the 4 alongside French phenom Victor Wembanyama at the 5 instead of Rudy Gobert. This was an effort to have a faster lineup, and it paid dividends for France. Yabusele feasted on a smaller Canadian frontline, leading the team in scoring with 22 points. He pounded the ball inside and was aggressive looking for his shot, providing the extra scoring punch France needed. Matthias Lessort also did the same thing off the bench as he scored 14 points of his own off of similar actions like Yabusele.
Wembanyama struggled to find his offense as he finished just 2/10 from the field good for 10 points, but he provided perhaps the biggest play of the game when he blocked a shot in the 4th quarter as Canada was mounting their comeback. Wembanyama&rsquo;s block effectively sealed the deal for France before Evan Fournier knocked in a deep three to strike the dagger into the Canadians&rsquo; hearts.
NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led Team Canada with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists however teammate Jamal Murray struggled yet again with just 7 points on 3/13 shooting.&nbsp;
Canada went down early up to as much as 20 points in the first half after a barrage of highlight plays and crowd-hyping moments inside the Bercy Arena. It was as loud as its ever been with the home team playing, and it became the energy that France needed to take the win vs Canada.
The Canadians attempted to make one last push for a comeback in the 4th when RJ Barrett hit a huge three to come within 6 points, 61-55. However, that was the closest the Canadians could go in the 4th as France kept hitting shots to keep Canada away.
Up next for France is a rematch between reigning FIBA World Champions Germany in the semifinals for a slot in the gold medal game. France lost to Germany in the group stage to finish 2nd in the group, so they should be eager to win the game as payback.

Behind a raucous crowd at the Bercy Arena in Paris, Hosts France played a great game to grab a huge win over Canada, 82-73.

Hosts France cruise to a resounding win over Canada

The matchups for the 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball Tournament are set as the top-ranked national teams in the world gun for gold. Here are all the matchups in the knockout rounds:&nbsp;
Germany vs Greece
The Germans will bring their world championship pedigree against Greece and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as both teams clash for a semis spot. Germany, led by FIBA MVP Dennis Schroder and rising NBA star Franz Wagner, are ready to stake their claim for the Olympics&rsquo; gold medal. They will be met by a hungry Antetokounmpo and his Greece squad that just barely snuck into the quarterfinals. Despite the overwhelming advantage by the Germans, Giannis and Greece are a team to watch out for especially if their shooters get hot and Antetokounmpo dominates the inside game.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Men's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> Quarter-Finals start with a banger 🔥 Germany 🇩🇪 v 🇬🇷 Greece, who do you got? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/N6mv5StwR7">pic.twitter.com/N6mv5StwR7</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820671140622385209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</blockquote>
Serbia vs Australia
Led by their ageless wonder Patty Mills, Australia comes into the game vs Serbia as huge underdogs facing perhaps the best player in the world right now in 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic. This will be the second time the two squads will meet this summer after facing each other in the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi. Australia ended up winning that game 84-73, and now with a semis spot on the line, expect Serbia to up the intensity and strike revenge against the Boomers. Jokic alongside co-stars Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vasilje Micic could have something up their sleeves in this matchup vs Australia to try and win the game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Oh, this will be fun. 😈 Serbia 🇷🇸 v 🇦🇺 Australia will clash for semi-finals!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4JmyFyMIT">pic.twitter.com/T4JmyFyMIT</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820686238501969965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</blockquote>
France vs Canada
In perhaps the marquee matchup of the day, two basketball superpowers collide in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics when France and Canada face each other for a semis slot. This colossal matchup happened when France lost to Germany for the top spot in Group B, ending up facing the 3rd best team in point differential in Canada. Stars will be all around in this matchup, with Canada&rsquo;s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett looking to spoil the fun in Paris while France&rsquo;s very own Victor Wembanyama wants to lead his home country to a gold medal.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Potentially... "that game from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>" 🍿 France 🇫🇷 v 🇨🇦 Canada is a must-watch today!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/iI4gPKJXgf">pic.twitter.com/iI4gPKJXgf</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820701342777929784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</blockquote>
USA vs Brazil
Team USA enters this matchup as humongous favorites but make no mistake: Brazil will not come into the game just to hand the win over to their North American neighbors. Even at 41, Marcelo Huertas still leads this team with his steady play at the PG position. Along with capable teammates Bruno Caboclo, Leo Meindl, and Vitor Benite, Brazil looks to crash the Americans&rsquo; presumably party even before the game starts. Of course, Team USA is bannered by the best players in the world on their way to obtaining their 5th straight Olympic gold medal. Some may even say all the other 7 teams are just competing for silver and bronze behind the USA&rsquo;s presumed gold. We&rsquo;ll see what happens when Team USA&rsquo;s quest for gold starts vs Brazil.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Two countries from Americas, one semi-final spot. 🔥 Brazil 🇧🇷 v 🇺🇸 USA will be a box-office in Paris.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdOuuZmE37">pic.twitter.com/YdOuuZmE37</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820716441340960891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</blockquote>

The matchups for the 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball Tournament are set as the top-ranked national teams in the world gun for gold.

Top national teams collide in Paris 2024 Olympics quarterfinals

Day 2 of the Paris 2024 Olympics playdate for its basketball tournament saw teams having contrast results in their pursuit of a quarter finals berth. Here&rsquo;s how the games went:
Spain 84, Greece 77
Spain shocked Greece and the whole world with their huge win despite being huge underdogs. The Spaniards stole the game despite the heroics of NBA and Greece superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. Spain had a collective team effort led by Memphis Grizzly Santi Aldama with 19 points while veteran duo Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez gave Spain a boost off the bench, scoring 23 points amongst themselves. The win by Spain was crucial in Group A as they now strengthen their claim to earn a quarterfinal spot.&nbsp;
France 94, Japan 90
France narrowly escaped Japan, 94-90, following a huge scare throughout the second half. Riding on the momentum brought by pint-sized point guard Yuki Kawamura, the Japanese stormed to a second half lead over the hosts. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura also played well for Japan, scoring 24 points, however was ejected on a controversial unsportsmanlike foul call. Japan led by 4 with under a minute to go before Matthew Strazel saved Les Bleus on a huge 4-point play (albeit being controversial) to send the game into overtime. From then on, French phenom Victor Wembanyama took over the game on both ends to save France from embarrassment and lead them to the victory.
Germany 86, Brazil 73
Germany made quick work of Brazil, never wasting time in defeating them. The reigning FIBA World Cup champions led from start to finish and dominated the game on both ends. Although Brazil took the lead briefly in the 2nd quarter, that was as close as they could get as Germany displayed the poise and consistency they have been playing for the past year to take back the lead and never looked back again. 4 players scored in double figures for the Germans in a team effort, led by Dennis Schroder&rsquo;s 20 followed by Franz Wagner&rsquo;s 17.
Canada 93, Australia 83
Canada disposed of Australia after trailing at halftime, taking over the game and in effect taking the top spot in Group A, the group of death in this year&rsquo;s Olympic Games. Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was ultra-efficient for the Canadians, scoring 16 points on 8/10 shooting while RJ Barrett led Canada in scoring with 24 points. SGA&rsquo;s former teammate Josh Giddey starred for the Boomers with 19 points but was not able to sustain the lead all game long as they succumbed to Canada&rsquo;s pesky perimeter defense in the second half. Australia is now in danger of missing the quarterfinals all along with Spain&rsquo;s huge win over Greece.&nbsp;
Serbia 107, Puerto Rico 66
After suffering a blowout defeat to tournament favorites USA the other day, Serbia vented its ire on Puerto Rico and handed them a blowout of their own, 107-66. Serbia took care of business from start to finish, never letting up for a single moment. NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was splendid for the Serbians after he posted a near triple-double statline of 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists. Serbia will now go into their match against Puerto Rico with Group C&rsquo;s second place at stake while Puerto Rico drops out of the competition ahead of its game against Team USA.

Day 2 of the Paris 2024 Olympics playdate for its basketball tournament saw teams having contrast results.

Paris 2024 Olympics Day 2: Spain, France escape; Canada, Germany, Serbia run away

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team defeated Team Canada, 86-72, in the USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada to start their journey to the Paris Olympics on a good note.&nbsp;
Team USA overcame a sluggish start in the first quarter to dominate Team Canada. The Americans opened the game 0-8 from the field but finished strong, shooting 50% overall. They also won every major statistic on the board, including rebounds (53-48), assists (25-18), steals (11-5), and blocks (9-1).
Anthony Edwards led Team USA in scoring with 13 points on 6-10 shooting off the bench while Stephen Curry and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 12 and 11 respectively. Anthony Davis was perhaps the player of the game who was physical and aggressive against the much smaller Canadian frontline. Davis finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while blocking 4 shots just by himself, more than the entire output of Team Canada.
Team Canada led early in the first quarter courtesy of baskets from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett. The Canadians used their length and speed on the guard and wing spots, forcing Team USA to 8 turnovers in the first half. However, Team USA got into their groove in the second half behind a Vegas strong crowd to go on to the victory.
Team USA&rsquo;s victory is the first of their 5 upcoming USA Basketball Showcase exhibition games. This is in preparation of their upcoming Olympic run in Paris, which starts on July 26. Team USA is in Group C alongside Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan.
Team USA will now fly to Abu Dhabi to continue their preparation for the Paris Olympics. The USA Basketball Showcase goes to the Middle East when Team USA faces Australia and Serbia in Abu Dhabi then onto London against South Sudan and Germany.

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team defeated Team Canada, 86-72, in the USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas.

Team USA beats Team Canada in USA Basketball Showcase 86-72

The New York Knicks have made their second move in the offseason in an attempt to challenge and match up side by side with the NBA Champions Boston Celtics.
According to ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks have reached an agreement with free agent forward OG Anunoby to resign with the team on a five-year, $212.5 million deal.
This ends the speculation that Anunoby might be leaving New York with the sides reaching a deal worth up to $40 million annually.&nbsp;
Anunoby was acquired by the Knicks last season in a mid-season trade with the Toronto Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett. New York has played immensely better with Anunoby, massively improving their defense. In turn, the Knicks earned the no.2 seed in the East en route to an Eastern Conference semifinals appearance before falling to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.
Locking Anunoby up with a five-year deal will now put the Knicks into prime contention in the East for the foreseeable future, and this allows them to match up with the NBA-champion Boston Celtics. With the recent acquisition of Mikal Bridges, the Knicks now have two high-level two-way wings to pair up with star point guard Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks have reached an agreement with free agent forward OG Anunoby to resign with the team on a five-year, $212.5 million deal.

Anunoby resigns with Knicks on a 5-year, USD 212.5 million deal

This article is part of a two-part series preview for the upcoming 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs.
With the 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs starting, all eyes will be on all teams competing for the championship as fans and players look on for a taste of postseason action. As eight playoff teams in each conference gear up for what promises to be an intense battle for the title, each team faces its own set of unique challenges. In this article, we take a closer look at the biggest question facing each Eastern Conference team heading into the playoffs, from injuries and roster changes to key matchups and strategic decisions.
<h3>Boston Celtics - Who&rsquo;s stopping them?</h3>
The Boston Celtics have been the best team in the regular season as evidenced by their 64-18 record. They have also been one of the most dominant regular season teams of all time, having the third-highest net rating in NBA history (11.8) which would rank just behind the 1996 and 1997 Chicago Bulls. If it were of any significance, those Bulls teams had 72-10 and 69-13 records and won it all in both years.
It&rsquo;s all written on the wall &ndash; the Celtics are in title or bust mode, which even just a conference finals appearance would probably be marked as a disappointment. Considering how dominant they have been throughout the season, a Finals appearance would be the minimum achievement.
This team is built almost as completely as they could ever be &mdash; offense, defense, bench, two stars that lift each other&rsquo;s game up, roster construction of players that complement them, and even the fans that are some of the most passionate in the league. These are things that are all you could ask for in a championship team, and with that being said &ndash; the pressure is on for Boston.
A big possible answer to that question is whether the Celtics would be the only ones who&rsquo;ll stop themselves from achieving and realizing their full potential &ndash; and there&rsquo;s only one way to find out.&nbsp;
The playoffs are a different story and looking at what we&rsquo;ve seen over the years, the Celtics have tendencies to underperform in the playoffs. With a new supporting cast featuring 2021 champ Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, a question lingers on the team: will it be different this time around?
They have had a history of flaming out in the past, and whether or not that continues this season remains to be seen. Time is the ultimate truth teller, and these Celtics hope to exercise their playoff demons when the time comes and their opportunities present themselves.
Will they be able to capitalize on a dominant regular season and take on the task at hand once and for all? They certainly hope with all the pieces they have now, they have enough to close it out and take it all the way and finish the job this time around to end the allegations against them once and for all.
<h3>New York Knicks - How far will they go without Julius Randle?</h3>
As we all know by now, health is the biggest factor in the playoffs. You always want to be complete and your best players to be healthy and ready to go when it matters most.
Unfortunately, this will not be the case for the New York Knicks this season, after losing all-star Julius Randle to a season-ending surgery to his injury.
Randle has been the Knicks&rsquo; best player for the past 3 seasons (before Brunson&rsquo;s ascension to King Knick this year). He brings that size and physicality along with that sneaky speed at the 4. On offense, Randle is a secondary creator and playmaker who can make plays for himself and his teammates. His improving three-point shot is now a weapon for teams not to sag off of him as much which could only help the Knicks in the playoffs.
Simply put, Randle is a matchup problem against traditional power forwards. Without him, the Knicks would not be able to tap on another gear that would only be possible with Randle out there on the floor.
Now, all eyes will be on Jalen Brunson as he tries to carry New York all by himself. It will be expected to see all possible defensive schemes thrown against him to try and contain the all-NBA caliber player in this season that he is.
<h3>Milwaukee Bucks - Can they hold the fort without Giannis?&nbsp;</h3>
The hits just keep on coming for the Bucks. After starting the season 30-13, they fired their head coach Adrian Griffin, and replaced him with Doc Rivers. They&rsquo;ve had their fair share of struggles with Rivers, losing to lottery teams like the Wizards, Grizzlies, and Raptors in one stretch, and they&rsquo;ve finished only a disappointing 19-20 the rest of the way to end the season.&nbsp;
Just recently, they received brutal news that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the beginning of their series against the Indiana Pacers after injuring his left calf with three games left in the regular season. The upstart and young Pacers have been 4-1 against them during the year and it will be a tough battle without one of the five best players in the world playing. Will Damian Lillard and Co. step up to the plate?
<h3>Cleveland Cavaliers - Is this the &lsquo;last hurrah&rsquo; for Donovan Mitchell as a Cavalier?</h3>
All eyes are on the Cavaliers&rsquo; playoff run this season to gain ground after a disappointing finish last year. Can they keep soon-to-be free agent Donovan Mitchell happy enough? Or will another disappointing playoff exit lead him to bolt out of town to find another opportunity to win elsewhere?&nbsp;
Much of this will be attributed to the growth of their current core to gauge their improvements from last season. Will Darius Garland have enough juice to handle the scoring load outside of Mitchell as well as holding his own defensively? Will Evan Mobley display or unlock another offensive level in his game to be able to contribute on the offensive end to complement his defensive capabilities? Will Jarett Allen beat the allegations of lights were too bright in the playoffs in his second time around and bounce back from what has been a bad series against the Knicks last year? And is Max Strus the answer for the Cavs to advance into the second round with his spacing and shooting at the wing to give space for Mitchell to attack?
With his impending free agency, Donovan Mitchell has a big decision to make during the offseason. Will he stay and extend with this Cavaliers team who gave up assets for him? The Cavaliers have made some strides from being a young team with potential to a top 4-5 team in the East when they acquired Donovan Mitchell two years ago from the Utah Jazz. Since then, Mitchell has elevated their play and in turn, they got back to their first playoffs without LeBron James on the team.
However, rumors have been swirling that Mitchell wants to achieve postseason success, whether in this team or not. Some of these reportedly said that if the Cavs do not make the Finals this season, he might find another home elsewhere to chase that goal. Throughout his career, Mitchell has been to the first round multiple times but has been in the second round just twice. He has yet to make a conference finals appearance, and this postseason with the Cavs will determine if he falls short of that goal again.
Helping Mitchell this time around are shooters that the Cavs lacked a year ago, with Max Strus, Sam Merill, and Georges Niang now in the fold for the team. Cleveland got exposed by New York in just five games last year and it was basically because of their inability to space the floor around Mitchell and point guard Darius Garland. Now with an improved Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen all having a year to work on their games for this stretch, the Cavs aim to make the conference finals &mdash; before Mitchell&rsquo;s impending big decision in free agency.
<h3>Orlando Magic - How far can their youth and inexperience take them in the playoffs?</h3>
Being the youngest playoff team in the East's playoff field, the Magic come in with no expectations at hand. This young group has overachieved for the season having the fourth-best defense despite them being the 4th youngest team in the league. Making the playoffs has already been a huge accomplishment, but winning a series would not be so bad and would be a welcome sight for the team.&nbsp;
Nobody expected them to be in the hunt for the top seeds in the East, but here they are in their first playoff experience as a group as the fifth seed. This is only year 2 and 3 for young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and they could only get better as years progress. This is only the beginning for Orlando and they could be a difficult fixture in the East for years to come.
<h3>Indiana Pacers - How big of an impact will Pascal Siakam be in the postseason?</h3>
Right after the trade to bring Siakam to Indiana, fans and basketball analysts alike mentioned how the trade was a win for Indiana and that Siakam&rsquo;s value would be seen through in the playoffs. When the game slows down and teams are more equipped and prepared for their defenses, teams would need solid execution on their half-court offense.
This was where Siakam was supposed to come in, and now that it&rsquo;s here, will he be able to step up and lead the Pacers to a series win? The 2019 champion with the Raptors has played 41 games with Indiana this season after the trade, and he has averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 55/39/70 shooting splits and he has given the Pacers a new dimension on offense. The Pacers who will go up against the Bucks for their first-round playoff series, have gone 4-1 against them &ndash; but it was all without Siakam. The question for them now is, how will they maintain the level of success they had vs the Bucks now that Siakam is in the rotation? Will Siakam end up being the ceiling-raiser for the postseason for them? Or could he end up disrupting the rhythm that the team had in the regular season vs the Bucks?
<h3>Philadelphia - Is this finally the year they advance with Nick Nurse at the helm?</h3>
The Sixers have had a lot of heartbreak over the years, from not being able to make the Conference Finals in Joel Embiid&rsquo;s career to choking multiple times in the playoffs, it's just disaster after disaster when it matters the most in the City of Brotherly Love.
However, they hope the outcome is going to come out differently this year due to one factor: Nick Nurse.
The 2019 champion coach has given the Sixers a lot to hope for with a breath of fresh air surrounding the team on offensive and defensive execution. This year, with Embiid being better than ever (being even better than last year&rsquo;s MVP campaign) and with the help of Nurse&rsquo;s diverse offensive sets, the Sixers&rsquo; title chances have increased significantly. Coach Nurse having the ability to make adjustments on the fly and push the right buttons will be a major weapon for the Sixers for their upcoming playoff run.
When healthy this year, Embiid has had one of the most dominant regular seasons in NBA history, averaging 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. The Sixers have a 31-8 record when he plays, which would equal the best win-pace mark in the league. He now has a dynamic sidekick in Tyrese Maxey who has been named an all-star this year, and general manager Daryl Morey has surrounded them with capable role players to complement their skill sets. Will Nurse be the final piece that puts all of the Sixers together?
<h3>Miami Heat - Can they rediscover their old magic against the Celtics, but this time without Jimmy Butler?</h3>
At this point, people got to understand and realize that playoff Jimmy is a real thing. The dude just turns it up when it matters the most and the lights are at their brightest, and has carried Miami every time in the postseason.
However, this year figures out to be an entirely different scenario with Butler being out with an injury. According to reports, Butler could be sidelined for multiple weeks due to an MCL sprain &mdash; devastating news for Miami ahead of their upcoming playoff matchup vs Boston.&nbsp;
The Heat have faced the Celtics three times over the past four seasons, and they have beaten them twice. All those games and series featured a lot of Butler carrying them to wins.
Without Butler though, things have changed dramatically fast. Now, the question stands: will they have enough to defeat their old nemesis (who&rsquo;s become the most dominant team in the league) sans their best player?

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

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

The Philadelphia 76ers were aiming to &ldquo;bounce back,&rdquo; according to coach Nick Nurse, from Thursday's disappointing loss to the New York Knicks, and they did just that against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
"A lot of length, a lot of size, they got really good defense to protect the rim. I think both guards can hurt you in a lot of ways,&rdquo; Nurse said of the Cavaliers&rsquo; roster prior to the matchup.
There were an abundance of Knicks fans in Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, but the arena was packed full of Philadelphia supporters on Friday evening. The Sixers won the tip-off, wasting no time to get the crowd on their feet. Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a monster slam dunk on the opening possession over Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen. The star of the show for Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey, kicked off his night with a stepback three-pointer. The opening quarter was highlighted by the late efforts of guard Cameron Payne, who grabbed an offensive rebound for a layup and drained a corner shot from the arc to level the score at 25 after one.
The second quarter began with Tobias Harris struggling, with multiple missed shots inside the paint within the first three minutes. However, Payne picked up for the slack on offense, with points from all three levels. Maxey operated the pick-and-roll game with forward K.J. Martin masterfully, which led to a clear lane for Martin to score. The efforts of Allen and guard Isaac Okoro kept Cleveland within reach until halftime, when the Sixers led by three points.
Payne led the 76ers in scoring at the half with 13 points, while star guard Darius Garland led the Cavs with 12 points.&nbsp;
The Cavaliers were refreshed coming out of the break as Okoro found the basket for two, followed by a drive-and-score from forward Max Strus. Maxey refused to let the Cavs take over, responding with multiple contested shots of his own. Harris was able to find a rhythm at the midway point of the quarter, draining a three-pointer and a set of free throws. Triples from sharpshooter Buddy Hield and Oubre increased their lead to 11 points. Late energy from big man Evan Mobley and Strus kept the Cavaliers competitive, with a score of 74-70 entering the final 12 minutes.
The final quarter began with an electric acrobatic finish from guard De&rsquo;Anthony Melton, followed by a fluent mid-range shot from center Paul Reed. Interior defense was a glaring issue for the Sixers throughout the night, with Allen taking full advantage. The night couldn&rsquo;t end before Maxey created a multitude of looks for himself down the stretch, which resulted in a 24-point outing. It was a back-and-forth battle until the final buzzer, but ultimately the 76ers prevailed. Despite the comeback attempt from Cleveland, a deep-range three-pointer from Hield was the dagger, resulting in the 104-97 victory.
The Sixers are facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening, where Patrick Beverley makes his return and Payne takes on his former team.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s turnt. It&rsquo;s turnt. Let&rsquo;s get it,&rdquo; Payne told Basketball News postgame when asked about playing against the Bucks.

Tyrese Maxey led the Philadelphia 76ers to a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Monstrous fourth quarter from Tyrese Maxey carries Sixers past Cavs

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have become synonymous with the sport of basketball, serving as the gold standard for this generation of players and drawing in fans from all over the world.
Aside from 2021 and 2023, every NBA Finals series since 2011 has featured one of James, Curry or Durant. The trio have a combined 44 All-Star appearances, and at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, we got to watch them play together on the same team for the first time ever.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant all on the same team for the first time ever tonight 🔥✊ <a href="https://t.co/uUaAKwxaVr">pic.twitter.com/uUaAKwxaVr</a>
&mdash; Guru (@DrGuru_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1759349903652995079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
Seeing the faces of the NBA share the court as teammates was a lot of fun and left fans wanting for more.
Enter Team USA.
The world might witness these three legends team up once again in the coming months &mdash; this time while donning the red, white and blue. in hopes of leading Team USA to a fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
While we got a taste of the trio during NBA All-Star Weekend, fans would love to see them in a competitive environment. Curry&rsquo;s otherworldly shooting, James' IQ and playmaking, plus Durant&rsquo;s deadly three-level scoring with extremely high stakes? That would be something to behold.
James, Curry and Durant are all highly intelligent basketball players who complement each other really well, so it would likely be a seamless transition on Team USA.
All three have expressed their interest in playing for the national team and were <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/usa-basketball-announces-player-pool-for-team-usas-2024-mens-national-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently included in the player pool that Team USA announced</a>.
Although the NBA season is still ongoing and a lot can still happen between now and July, but barring injuries or any unforeseen circumstances, the three global basketball icons will likely lead Team USA&rsquo;s pursuit for the gold medal in this year&rsquo;s Olympic Games. This hunt for the gold will coincide with the 50th anniversary of USA Basketball, making their run even more special.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Beautiful, isn't it? Breaking down our 50th Anniversary logo 👇<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAB50?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAB50</a> 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/O4F7odCkWY">pic.twitter.com/O4F7odCkWY</a>
&mdash; USA Basketball (@usabasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1749606150721388855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
The American trio will aim to replicate the success of their predecessors from the original &ldquo;Dream Team&rdquo; in 1992 when NBA superstars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird won the gold medal in Barcelona.
James, 39, has won three Olympic medals for Team USA (one bronze and two golds) with the last one coming 12 years ago when he won gold in London. The NBA&rsquo;s all-time leading scorer has expressed interest in suiting up for Team USA once again, and he has been in contact with several other NBA stars to join him including Curry and Durant. James&rsquo; impressive track record for his national team speaks for itself. After serving Team USA for eight years from 2004 to 2012, he is second all-time in games played (24) for Team USA.&nbsp;
The 35-year-old Curry has yet to play for Team USA in the Olympics. Curry already has two FIBA World Championships in his trophy case, which also includes four NBA championships and two NBA MVPs, but winning an Olympic gold medal might be the cherry on top of what has been an illustrious career. Curry has notably shown interest in playing for Team USA in the Olympic Games, and he is very likely to do so this year. With Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also calling the shots for Team USA, it makes a lot of sense for Curry to make his Olympic debut in Paris.
Finally, Durant is arguably the most accomplished Team USA player of all-time. Winning three Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016 and 2020-21) and a FIBA World Championship (2010), Team USA&rsquo;s &ldquo;Captain America&rdquo; is gunning for his record-setting fourth Olympic Gold medal. (He's currently tied with fellow USA great Carmelo Anthony, who also has three gold medals). Durant winning another gold medal would likely solidify him as the greatest Team USA player of all-time (if he isn't already). A two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, Durant is one of the most lethal scorers the game has ever seen.
Aside from James, Curry and Durant &ndash; the NBA&rsquo;s most recognizable faces &ndash; who else will don the red, white and blue? The other finalists for the 2024 USA Men&rsquo;s national team are Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De&rsquo;Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Trae Young.
With James, Curry and Durant leading the way, Team USA will the favorite in Paris. However, they'll face stiff competition from the rest of the world, particularly world-champion Germany and star-studded squads like Australia and Team Canada. Generational international talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama will look to dethrone Team USA.
This iteration of the Olympics is shaping up to be the hardest challenge the Americans will ever face, and hopefully James, Curry and Durant will be at the forefront of it all. In likely their last dance in international competition, James, Curry and Durant will surely want to ride off into the sunset wearing gold medals around their necks.

The next time LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry are playing together, it will be with Team USA during the Paris Olympics.

LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant set to team up again — this time for USA

The Utah Jazz are finalizing a deal to send Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kira Lewis, Otto Porter Jr. and a 2024 first-round pick, according to <a href="https://x.com/wojespn/status/1755615780115267771?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.</a>
Olynyk, a 6-foot-11 center/power forward, is currently averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 50 games. Agbaji, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, averaged 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 51 games this season. This trade gives the Raptors shooting and additional spacing around young star Scottie Barnes and recent acquisitions Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
Lewis, a 6-foot-1 guard, has rarely played this season. He was traded from New Orleans to Toronto earlier in the year, and now he moves again to Utah. Lewis has only appeared in 16 total games, averaging just 2.8 points and 1.1 assists.&nbsp;
Porter, a 6-foot-8 forward and a 2022 champion with the Golden State Warriors, also has appeared in just 15 games for the Raptors and he&rsquo;s averaging just 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds.
The 2024 first-round pick to the Jazz will be the least favorable of Thunder/Clippers/Rockets/Jazz in 2024, according to Wojnarowski.
This move indicates the Jazz are focused on developing their younger players after also trading starting forward Simone Fontecchio to Detroit yesterday. This likely means more minutes for their 2023 lottery pick Taylor Hendricks at the 4 and Walker Kessler starting at the 5 more often.

The Jazz are trading Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Raptors in exchange for Kira Lewis, Otto Porter Jr. and a 2024 first-round pick.

Raptors acquire Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji from Jazz

USA Basketball announced today a 41-athlete player pool for the 2024 USA Basketball Men&rsquo;s National Team. The players were selected by USA Basketball Men&rsquo;s National Team managing director&nbsp;Grant Hill&nbsp;and is subject to change. The 12-member 2024 USA Men&rsquo;s National Team, which will represent the United States at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris, will be announced at a later date.
Featuring 28 players who have represented the USA in Olympics and/or FIBA Men&rsquo;s World Cup and who together have collected 23 Olympic or World Cup gold medals, the 2024 USA Men&rsquo;s National Team finalists are&nbsp;Bam Adebayo,&nbsp;Jarrett Allen,&nbsp;Paolo Banchero,&nbsp;Desmond Bane,&nbsp;Scottie Barnes,&nbsp;Devin Booker,&nbsp;Mikal Bridges,&nbsp;Jaylen Brown,&nbsp;Jalen Brunson,&nbsp;Jimmy Butler,&nbsp;Alex Caruso,&nbsp;Stephen Curry,&nbsp;Anthony Davis,&nbsp;Kevin Durant,&nbsp;Anthony Edwards,&nbsp;Joel Embiid,&nbsp;De&rsquo;Aaron Fox,&nbsp;Paul George,&nbsp;Aaron Gordon,&nbsp;Tyrese Haliburton,&nbsp;James Harden,&nbsp;Josh Hart,&nbsp;Tyler Herro,&nbsp;Jrue Holiday,&nbsp;Chet Holmgren,&nbsp;Brandon Ingram,&nbsp;Kyrie Irving,&nbsp;Jaren Jackson Jr.,&nbsp;LeBron James,&nbsp;Cam Johnson,&nbsp;Walker Kessler,&nbsp;Kawhi Leonard,&nbsp;Damian Lillard,&nbsp;Donovan Mitchell,&nbsp;Chris Paul,&nbsp;Bobby Portis,&nbsp;Austin Reaves,&nbsp;Duncan Robinson,&nbsp;Jayson Tatum,&nbsp;Derrick White&nbsp;and&nbsp;Trae Young.
&ldquo;The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent and I am thrilled that many of the game&rsquo;s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,&rdquo; Hill said. &ldquo;It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity."&nbsp;
The 2024 USA Men&rsquo;s National Team will be led by head coach&nbsp;Steve Kerr&nbsp;(Golden State Warriors), who is assisted by&nbsp;Mark Few&nbsp;(Gonzaga University),&nbsp;Tyronn Lue&nbsp;(L.A. Clippers) and&nbsp;Erik Spoelstra&nbsp;(Miami Heat). Last summer, the quartet coached the 2023 USA Basketball Men&rsquo;s National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men&rsquo;s World Cup in Manila. Kerr is a 2020 Olympic gold medalist after serving as an assistant coach to&nbsp;Gregg Popovich&nbsp;in Tokyo.
In related news, USA Basketball also announced that the 2024 USA Men&rsquo;s National Team will host Canada at Las Vegas&rsquo; T-Mobile Arena as part of the USA Basketball Showcase. The exhibition contest is set for July 10 at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET live on FS1.
The USA Basketball Showcase features a series of games that help the USA Basketball National Teams prepare for major competitions, including the Olympic Summer Games and FIBA World Cup.
Following Las Vegas, the Americans will embark on an international training window that features exhibition games against the national teams of South Sudan on July 20 and Germany on July 22 at the O2 Arena in London.
Tickets for all three contests are on sale now at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usab.com/tickets">www.usab.com/tickets</a>.
"USA Basketball is excited to return to Las Vegas as our men's national team program looks forward to tipping off the journey to the 2024 Olympic Games there in July," said&nbsp;Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. "The game at T-Mobile Arena against Canada is an important opportunity in our preparations and a great opportunity for our fans to support the U.S. national team before heading overseas."&nbsp;
Prior to the Canada game, the USA will hold training camp in Las Vegas, its longtime training hub. Additional information will be announced at a later date.
The USA officially qualified for the 2024 Olympics as one of the top two nations from the FIBA Americas zone at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in September. The American men will compete for their fifth straight &ndash; and 17th&nbsp;overall &ndash; Olympic gold medal.
In total, USA Basketball will be represented by four teams at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, including 5-on-5 men and women and 3x3 men and women. The USA are reigning Olympic champions in 5-on-5 men and women and 3x3 women, with 3x3 men set to make their Olympic debut next summer. &nbsp;More information about all four USA Basketball teams will be announced at a later date.

USA Basketball announced today a 41-athlete player pool for the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team.

USA Basketball announces player pool for 2024 Men’s National Team

Anthony Davis gave everything he could on Tuesday night to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-131 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Davis was unstoppable, racking up 41 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in 39 minutes. He was hyper-efficient, shooting 13-of-17 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range and 13-of-14 from the free-throw line in another dominant performance.
The Raptors crept back in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, even taking a 121-120 lead on a Gary Trent Jr. three. However, this set up AD&rsquo;s strong finish, as he scored 8 of the Lakers' final 10 points. That stretch included a driving layup and 6-of-6 shooting from the charity stripe along with a big block on Scottie Barnes.
LeBron James excelled in his point-forward role, dishing out 12 assists in addition to scoring 22 points.
The Lakers have been struggling for some time following their In-Season Tournament championship. Davis and James had help in this game, as five other players scored in double digits. They made 16 threes overall as a team, shooting 44% from deep.
This win gets Los Angeles back up to .500 at 19-19, and they improved to 13-6 at home. They currently have the 10th-best record in the Western Conference.
Despite having seven players in double figures (with four scoring 20 or more), the Raptors lost and dropped to No.11 in the East with a 15-22 record. They are now 3-2 since acquiring Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett from the New York Knicks.

Anthony Davis gave everything he could on Tuesday night to lead the Lakers to a 132-131 victory over the Raptors.

Anthony Davis dominates Raptors to help Lakers climb back to .500

After trading OG Anunoby and acquiring youngsters RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Toronto Raptors seem poised for a rebuild.
This recent trade with the New York Knicks begs the question: Is All-Star Pascal Siakam the league&rsquo;s most desired player as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches?
With Toronto likely looking to jumpstart their rebuild, the 29-year-old does not fit the timeline of their other high-value players, including Scottie Barnes (22 years old) and Barrett (23 years old). Barnes is averaging career-highs in nearly every major statistic, and he's the Raptors' second-leading scorer behind Siakam. Barrett has not lived up to expectations as a former No. 3 overall pick, but he has proven himself as a solid scorer, averaging 18.2 points on 42.3% shooting. The Raptors are entering 2024 with a lineup that's built to compete in the coming years rather than this season.
Many organizations believe they have a cast strong enough to compete for a championship or, at the very least, a playoff berth. There are very few sellers this season, and the lack of teams interested in parting ways with their key contributors further enhances Siakam&rsquo;s value. With so few impact players on the market, many front offices around the NBA could view Siakam as their missing piece.
There is an argument for stars such as Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen or Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro being the most sought-after player, but neither has the newfound availability of Siakam. Also, it seems unlikely that either of those players will be traded, whereas a Siakam deals seems more likely, especially since he'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39209777/knicks-acquiring-raptors-og-anunoby-trade-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN&rsquo;s Adrian Wojnarowski</a> reports that "Toronto is expected to continue to explore trades involving forward Pascal Siakam." While he points out that "there are no deals with traction now," that's likely to change as the trade deadline gets closer.
Siakam is a two-time All-NBA forward who's averaging 21.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 51.2% shooting. Teams seeking a player to stretch the floor should consider looking elsewhere, as Siakam is shooting 26.1% from three-point range through 32 games. He's an offensive engine who has the ability to create his own shot, with just 58.1% of his points being assisted. For comparison, reigning MVP Joel Embiid is assisted on 56.8% of his makes.
Two of the strongest contenders for Siakam are the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings.
Philadelphia could benefit from a third scoring option alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers' tandem is averaging a combined 61.3 points. The 76ers sit as the No. 3 seed in the East, trailing the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
Forward Tobias Harris provides solid contributions, but lacks the offensive skill-set of Siakam. Harris would likely act as the center of Philadelphia&rsquo;s offer. The 31-year-old is averaging 17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds on 51.3% shooting. It's no secret that Daryl Morey has been pursuing a third star ever since trading James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Meanwhile, the Kings currently hold the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. If they add a third star to the exhilarating duo of De&rsquo;Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento could elevate further up the standings. The organization has a multitude of valuable assets, including Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Davion Mitchell and Malik Monk. 
However, it remains to be seen whether Sacramento is willing to part with these pieces and push their chips to the middle of the table. Murray is averaging 15.5 points per game in his sophomore season, while Monk and Huerter provide solid scoring and shooting from beyond the arc.
While the 76ers and Kings make sense as landing spots for Siakam, plenty of teams will likely call about the forward in the coming weeks. Don't be surprised if there's a bidding war for Siakam's services.

After trading OG Anunoby, the Raptors could look to move All-Star Pascal Siakam, who will be highly coveted in the coming weeks.

Is Pascal Siakam the NBA's most sought-after player?

In the first major move of the 2023-24 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors have <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/knicks-acquire-og-anunoby-in-blockbuster-trade-with-raptors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dealt</a> OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick. Along with Anunoby, the Knicks will also receive Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
Here are some takeaways from this blockbuster trade.&nbsp;
Immanuel Quickley&rsquo;s imminent rise
Perhaps the player who benefits most from this deal is Immanuel Quickley. The 24-year-old will now be the lead guard for a Raptors team lacking a reliable point guard. Scottie Barnes has been slotted in the position at times to take some of the pressure off of Dennis Schroder, who was recently brought off the bench.&nbsp;
Like former Kentucky teammate Tyrese Maxey, Quickley has shown flashes of taking that leap as the main point guard with some good performances with the Knicks. He is one of the best scoring options off the bench in the NBA, currently averaging 15 points per game in just 24 minutes. Now, Quickley will get to do it for Toronto and earn a big payday, as New York probably wasn't willing to pay him this offseason since he plays the same position as Jalen Brunson.
RJ Barrett&rsquo;s homecoming
Another storyline to watch in this trade is RJ Barrett returning to play for his hometown.&nbsp;
Born and raised in Toronto, Barrett has been solid for the Knicks, averaging 18.1 points per game over his five-year career. The 6-foot-6 lefty is poised to bring his consistent play to the Raptors and contribute alongside Barnes.
Moreover, Barrett will finally get to play in his home country, where he once led Canada to a huge victory over heavy favorites USA in the FIBA U19 in 2017, contributing 38 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.&nbsp;
Will OG Anunoby re-sign with the Knicks?
On paper, the Knicks have a solid eight-man playoff rotation now, which could give the East some problems.&nbsp;
However, this might not be the year for New York to make a title run, as Mitchell Robinson has been ruled out for the season. And so the question remains: Will Anunoby stay with the Knicks after this season? 
The 6-foot-7 wing will likely ask for around $40 million per year as reported, which seems like a lot for a player in his role. But then again, it's possible the Knicks knew what Anunoby would cost prior to making this deal and felt comfortable with it given that Anunoby is represented by CAA.
Precious Achiuwa&rsquo;s value for the Knicks
With Robinson out for the season (and possibly the playoffs), backup big Isaiah Hartenstein is now starting for the squad. Taj Gibson, one of Tom Thibodeau&rsquo;s former players, was signed to fill in and provide depth, but he's been underwhelming thus far.
Enter Precious Achiuwa.&nbsp;
Possibly an underrated pickup in this deal, the stretch big is another body that Thibs could use come playoff time. Achiuwa is a 6-foot-8, 225-pound center/forward who is physical and has a decent shot. He will add a different dimension to the Knicks&rsquo; bench as a floor spacer at the 5 position, depending on how he will be used on offense.

Following Saturday's blockbuster trade between the Knicks and Raptors, here are four takeaways.

4 takeaways from the Knicks-Raptors OG Anunoby trade

For quite some time, the New York Knicks have been linked to Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. On Saturday, they finally landed the 26-year-old in a blockbuster trade.
The Knicks have acquired Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, while sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to the Raptors, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39209777/knicks-acquiring-raptors-og-anunoby-trade-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski</a>.
Anunoby was one of the top players available as the NBA's Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, and now he'll get a fresh start in New York.
Anunoby is averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and a steal this season, while shooting 48.9% from the field, 37.4% from three-point range and 71.7% from the free-throw line.
Barrett, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 threes, while shooting 42.3% from the field, 33.1% from three and 83.1% from the free-throw line.
The Knicks are 17-14, which is the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference. New York's defense has been struggling as of late, especially since Mitchell Robinson's injury. Anunoby will certainly help them on that side of that floor.
The Raptors are 12-19, which is the fourth-worst record in the East. It's possible that Toronto will enter a full rebuild, so teams will surely be calling about Pascal Siakam's availability next.

The Knicks have acquired OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a pick.

Knicks acquire OG Anunoby in blockbuster trade with Raptors

The Philadelphia 76ers have had yet another crazy offseason, with James Harden essentially pulling a Ben Simmons as he has been away from the team for the past week. While this has been annoying for Sixers fans, something even worse could happen as a result.
Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, has been mentioned in the rumor mill throughout the offseason. While the 76ers obviously aren't looking to move Embiid right now, rival teams are closely monitoring Embiid and whether he'll eventually want out of Philadelphia. 
One team that's keeping an eye on Embiid is the New York Knicks, who are preparing an offer for the Sixers' big man in the event that he becomes available.
<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-joel-embiid-james-harden-trade-nba-20231024.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keith Pompey of </a><a href="https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-joel-embiid-james-harden-trade-nba-20231024.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Philadelphia Inquirer</a> reports that the Knicks are willing to give up &ldquo;three key players&rdquo; and multiple first-round picks for the reigning MVP. 
Among the players available for trade are Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Evan Fournier. Despite the fact that this offer includes a former All-Star and rising star, it's very unlikely that the Sixers would accept any package that doesn&rsquo;t include Jalen Brunson. Other teams would likely be able to beat this offer from the Knicks.
However, if the offer included Brunson, perhaps a deal could make sense. The new starting five in Philly would be Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Barrett, Tobias Harris and Robinson. But with the Sixers already losing Harden in the near future, the Sixers likely won't give up Embiid and completely dismantle their core in one year. 
If the Sixers look to move anyone other than Harden, it&rsquo;s more likely going to be Harris, who is in the final year of his contract and earning $39,270,150 this season. 
With that said, given Harden's inevitable exit and everything going on in Philly, it wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising to see Embiid request a trade by next season. He hasn&rsquo;t seen any real postseason success with the Sixers and could eventually get tired of their inability to make it past the second round. 
As of now though, there&rsquo;s no real concern about the Sixers losing Embiid.&nbsp;

Hunter Simpson breaks down the report from Keith Pompey that the Knicks are preparing an offer for Joel Embiid.