2022 marked another transformative year for basketball around the world.
The Golden State Warriors reminded fans why they are the preeminent dynasty of the last 15 years, returning to glory with an NBA championship. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces finally arrived, winning their first WNBA title in franchise history behind an MVP campaign from A'ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray's historic postseason.
Kansas captured a men's national championship and South Carolina reach the women's mountaintop. Spain outdueled superstars en route to a EuroBasket title. And we've now flipped back around to an NBA season with the most superstar and team parity the league has seen in ages.
Of course, this year also reminded us of basketball's intersection with facets — and flaws — of our society. Robert Sarver is out as owner of the Phoenix Suns after an investigation revealed a toxic workplace environment spearheaded by his own disciminatory acts. Ime Udoka is serving a coaching suspension with the Boston Celtics for his own team infractions involving a relationship with another member of the organization.
Brittney Griner spent 10 months in a Russian prison on minor drug possession charges before the U.S. government arranged an exchange to bring her home — a story rooted in tragedy, though we finally celebrated her return earlier this month.
Basketball News was there for it all, and captured the stories, highlights and nuances of the sport with feature reporting, film analysis, podcast storytelling and more. Take a look at some of our staff's best work this calendar year:
FEATURE STORIES AND PROFILES
Tyrese Haliburton won't let trade 'resentment' define new era with Pacers — by Alex Kennedy
Growing apart together: Caleb and Cody Martin have flourished on their own — by Mark Schindler
How sports nutrition and biometrics are evolving NBA training — by Ethan Fuller
Jeremy Sochan, a 'citizen of the world,' sets course for the NBA — by Ethan Fuller
Outwork everybody: Two-way rookie Jamal Cain catches you sleeping — by Spencer Davies
Changing of the guard: The future of screening is here — by Nekias Duncan
After benching, Mavs' Josh Green is 'more motivated than ever' — by Alex Kennedy
PLAYER EXCLUSIVES
Wendell Carter Jr.: Turning up his game and turning up Orlando — by Mark Schindler
Omer Yurtseven's 'crazy' work ethic fits perfectly with the Heat — by Drew Maresca
Reggie Bullock hopes to take career resurgence into NBA playoffs — by Dorothy J. Gentry
Trey Murphy III ready to make his presence felt in Year 2 with Pelicans — by Ethan Fuller
The Connector: Malik Monk's infectious energy breathes life into Kings — by Spencer Davies
Real-deal rookie: How Andrew Nembhard has already wowed the Pacers — by Spencer Davies
Izaiah Brockington hopes his unique journey culminates in NBA success — by Spencer Davies
Through her eyes: How Chelsea Gray sees what you can't — by Nekias Duncan
Jakob Poeltl: The San Antonio Spurs' newest watchful protector — by Mat Issa
Marcin Gortat: 'A lot of people owe John Wall an apology — by Etan Thomas
Hornets' Jalen McDaniels thriving after 'taking the long route' to NBA — by Alex Kennedy
FILM BREAKDOWNS
Stephen Curry's defense continues to shine for the Warriors — by Jackson Frank
Shakira Austin is showing out for the Washington Mystics — by Mark Schindler
Screen Time Vol. 1: Highlighting the NBA's best and worst screeners — by Nekias Duncan
There are no good answers for the Chris Paul-Deandre Ayton duo — by Nekias Duncan
Introducing the 2021-22 NBA Superlative Awards — by Nekias Duncan
How to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo: Is the wall still the way? — by Mat Issa
DATA-CENTRIC ANALYSIS
NBA Stats Notebook: A deep dive into the Celtics' dominant offense — by Ethan Fuller
Evaluating how 10 NBA superstars have changed as creators over time — by Ethan Fuller
NBA Stats Notebook: Immanuel Quickley's unusual shot diet can work — by Ethan Fuller
Should Suns give Deandre Ayton a max deal? Positional value says no — by Evan Sidery
NBA Study: Is the top scorer typically the best player on the team? — by Mat Issa
Which markets deliver the highest TV ratings for national NBA games? — by Alex Kennedy
How the NBA became a social-media juggernaut — by Alex Kennedy
TOPICAL ANALYSIS
We need to talk about Ben Simmons — by Mark Schindler
The truth about 'player empowerment' in the NBA — by Imman Adan
Why teaming up with Bronny could be LeBron James' greatest accomplishment — by James Posey
End of an Era: A salute to the defiance of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum — by Bryan Fonseca
How the NBA's Play-In Tournament made winners of us all — by Moke Hamilton
NBA Expansion Mock Draft: What would a new expansion team look like? — by Evan Sidery
Delving into the significance of Summer League for NBA teams, prospects — by Nekias Duncan
Reflecting on weight-related jokes in sports and the harm they cause — by Alex Kennedy
Is it ethical for the media to pay NBA employees for leaked footage? — by Etan Thomas
Howard Beck explains differences in Donald Sterling, Robert Sarver cases — by Etan Thomas
HISTORICAL REFLECTION
Understanding Stephen Curry's gravity and a 2015 Finals MVP gaffe — by Imman Adan
Here's the story of the time the Nuggets traded me and didn't tell me — by James Posey
Blazing the Trail: Chris Webber, the read-and-react king — by Mat Issa (be sure to check out all 10 parts of his Blazing the Trail series)
Did you know Michael Jordan was an MVP candidate with the Wizards? — by Bryan Fonseca
25 years ago, the Mavericks scored just 2 points in an entire quarter — by Bryan Fonseca
ABCD Camp: The mecca of high school basketball circa 2001 — by Matt Babcock
NBA and WNBA FINALS
How the Warriors stymied Celtics' two-point creation in NBA Finals Game 2 — by Ethan Fuller
Breaking down 7 plays that defined the Warriors' Game 5 victory — by Jackson Frank
How Andrew Wiggins changed his career trajectory with Warriors — by Evan Sidery
Enjoying the journey, through the lens of Jayson Tatum — by Nekias Duncan
Bidding adieu to the 2021-22 NBA season: Final(s) Thoughts — by Mark Schindler
WNBA Finals: How will Aces and Sun attack each other in half-court? — by Nekias Duncan
WNBA Finals: Curt Miller on Game 1 ending, Sun's strategy vs. Aces — by Nekias Duncan
Becky Hammon's coaching influences showed in Aces' WNBA title run — by Nekias Duncan
NBA DRAFT AND SCOUTING
Experience or upside? Weighing pros, cons of older NBA Draft prospects — by Alex Kennedy
How NBA Draft prospect Jake LaRavia got 2 years younger overnight — by Alex Kennedy
David Roddy keys in on NBA glue-guy role after Colorado State breakout — by Spencer Davies
2022 NBA Draft Q&A: Ohio State's Malaki Branham leans on resilience — by Matt Babcock
2022 NBA Draft Q&A: Alabama's Keon Ellis on path from JUCO, his game — by Derek Murray
2022 NBA Mock Draft: June 17, 2022 — by Matt Babcock
Is Purdue's Jaden Ivey a star in the making? — by Matt Babcock
2022 NBA Draft: Pre-Tourney look at A.J. Griffin — by Blake Hairston
HoopHall Classic recap: Class of 2022 — by Matt Babcock
PODCASTS
Legendary 'Coach K' Mike Krzyzewski talks Duke, USA Basketball, more — The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins
Bob Costas discusses Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, crazy ABA stories, more —The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins
Tracy McGrady on his Hall-of-Fame career, the NBA's Age Limit, Kobe Bryant Stories, the Ones League, More — The Alex Kennedy Podcast
Ice Cube on The Big3's Growth, his dream signing, his NBA Mount Rushmore, More — The Alex Kennedy Podcast
Ten* Things with Zach Lowe — The Dunker Spot
2022-23 NBA season prediction time with Doris Burke — The Dunker Spot
Brittney Sykes + NBA Finals Game 2 thoughts — The Dunker Spot
Rabbi Harry Rozenberg on antisemitism, Kyrie Irving's suspension, Nets' six steps to return, ADL — The Rematch with Etan Thomas
NBA Hall-of-Famer, Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing talks Knicks days, Hoyas' turnaround, Oakley — The Rematch with Etan Thomas
Who are the 10 best undrafted players in NBA history? — The Goods
Bayou Bully — Clipps and Drew Episode 260
Wembanyama wows, rough draft of 2022-23 NBA season predictions: Keepin' It 94