nba

[KOC] Ben Simmons casts right and retrieves left, a technique that allows right-handed anglers to keep their dominant hand on the rod for maximum control. The evidence is overwhelming that he shot the basketball with the wrong hand.

Ben Simmons is putting the NBA on hold to pursue a successful career in pro fishing per Marc Spears

[Jaylen Brown] shows video of Josh Hart sticking his thumb in a forbidden place: “Does this represent New York? He just harassed Jalen Brunson indecently, for the world to see! That’s not the first time they did that — If you’re that confident to do it on stage, that shit has happened before gang…”

Joe Mazzulla’s parking takes: “I always try to find a nice car and park near it because I know nice cars try to park far away. I just want to piss that guy off…You try to think with the end in mind [when parking]. And in case you have to make an escape, you back in.” (vid has other player takes too)

ESPN screws up Christmas Games graphic: “ROCKETS at LAKERS: Dillon Brooks, LeBron face off in Christmas matchup”

[Julka] Shaq: “I’m not in the GOAT conversation. Listen, it’s only three people in the greatest of all time conversation. Listen, I’m arrogant, but I’m not dumb. It’s Kobe, Bron, and Mike, okay, that’s it… Mike and Bron. And now I’m like,‘Oh, I understand the great picks. What about the Kobster?”

[Charania] The NBA has begun to gather input from its owners and general managers on new ways to combat tanking. Ideas include: Limiting pick protections to either top 4 or 14 and higher, no longer allowing a team to draft in the top 4 two years in a row, and Locking lottery positions after March 1.

[Youngmisuk] Bronny James, 21, doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t watch his father play on Christmas… “Time is about to come where I might be the one away and these guys are going to be home [without me],” Bronny said. “So, it’s something that we got to figure out.”

[Charania] Washington Wizards forward Cam Whitmore is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, sources tell ESPN. Whitmore had missed the past few games with shoulder soreness and further testing revealed the blood clot.

[Highlights] Draymond gets sent to the lockers after heated debate w coach Kerr. Barely played in the 2nd half.

Lauri Markkanen and Miles Bridges both have an opportunity this season to reach the top-10 all-time in career regular season games with zero playoff appearances.

We have a bat game tonight in San Antonio

[Highlight] Naji Marshall throws a lob to Anthony Davis, who misses the dunk. Marshall stays with the play, recovers the ball, and hits Davis with a brilliant behind-the-back pass for a powerful two-handed slam.

Jaylen Brown in December: 32.4/ 7.0/ 5.1 on 52% FG and 42% from 3. Only SGA has more 30+ pt games than him this season.

[Sportradar] Lowest FG% allowed as the defender on shots in the paint (min. 100 FG defended in paint): Hartenstein (44.6%), Huff (44.9%), Stewart (44.9%), Holmgren (45.3%), White (46.9%), Gobert (47.1%), Davis (48.6%), Porzingis (49.1%), Wembanyama (49.2%), Queta (49.7%), Zubac (49.8%), Flagg (50%)

[Highlight] Cooper Flagg dunks through contact, hangs on the rim, and finishes the three-point play

[Highlight] Thomas Bryant trips and falls over as he does the “too small” gesture

[Highlight] Jaylen Brown receives loud “MVP, MVP, MVP” chants during his free throw routine, and then misses, as the entire arena goes “oooooohhhhhhh”

[Highlight] A look at the sold out New Orleans crowd tonight! Pelicans fans pack the house as the team wins their 5th straight!

[Haynes] Malik Monk has officially been made available for trade.

[Kerr] on the heated exchange between him and Draymond: “We had it out a little bit and he made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off, and that’s all I’m gonna day about it. Everything is private. I got nothing further to add…. He wasn’t going back in [the game]”

[Robbins] Banchero has heard the chatter that the Magic play more smoothly and effectively when he and Wagner play separately instead of together. When The Athletic asked him about that perception, Banchero provided a straightforward, unvarnished response. “I think that’s bull—,” Banchero answered.

[All-Access] Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows off the footwork and goes off the backboard to himself as he passes it in midair to Branden Carlson for the 3-pointer.

Draymond Green has had more turnovers than made field goals this season

[Highlight] Joel Embiid goes down with a knee injury.

[Highlight] SGA stops, spins, throws it off the backboard to himself, and dishes to Carlson for the three.

[Highlight] Jayson Tatum crashed Hugo Gonzalez’s presser 😂

[Highlight] Steph Curry makes the 3 and starts dancing (with a replay)

For the first time since Jokić entered the league, the Nuggets had 4 players score 20+ points without him being one of them

[Highlight] Cooper Flagg is red hot as he nails another three-pointer for 17 points, remaining a perfect 7-for-7 from the field

[Vardon] The Cleveland Cavaliers have rejected two trade offers for rotation players. Sources familiar with the franchise’s thinking also revealed that Kenny Atkinson is not “on the hot seat.”

Best NBA 3pt shooters on volume this season

[Highlight] Jaylen Williams drives down the lane and throws down the ultra jam, making the Thunder bench rise

Kon Knueppel is now the fastest player in NBA history to make 100 threes (29 games)

Cooper Flagg 14 Pt,1 Reb, 1 Block, 2 Assists in the first quarter 6-6 FG Mavs Lead 41-27 vs the Nuggets

Cam Johnson since 22nd November: 15.²⁄₄.⁴⁄₂.6 on 67% TS

The New Orleans Pelicans are on a 5-game win streak for the first time since March 2023. Derik Queen is a +65 in this stretch.

Cam Johnson Breaks Down A Key Element Of The NBA’s Best Offense

Remaining Available Missed Games for Relevant Stars before being ineligible for Major Awards (MVP, DPOY, All NBA, Etc)

During their careers, Franz Wagner is 24-17 without Paolo Banchero and has averaged 24/6/5 on 58.1% TS in those games. On the other hand, Paolo Banchero is now 7-15 without Franz Wagner and has averaged 23/8/5 on a hideous 50.3% TS in those games.

Nikola Jokic with another triple-double: 14 PTS, 13 REB, 13 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK, +22 29 MIN

SGA has now scored 20+ points in 100 straight games

[Fischer] The Charlotte Hornets are “open for business” and are willing to listen to offers on Collin Sexton.

Jalen Johnson at the half today: 14 pts, 7 rebs, 7 asts

[Scotto] The Suns/Raptors were going back and forth on whether they (Raptors) would include one or two 2nd round picks in a Ochai Agbaji/Nick Richards swap

Draymond Green on why he thinks tonight’s incident with Steve Kerr won’t linger: “Because none of the other ones ever have. We still keep winning”

[Post Game Thread] The New Orleans Pelicans (8-22) defeat the Dallas Mavericks (11-19), 119-113.

SGA finishes with 31-8-10 on ¹¹⁄₂₀ from the floor, ³⁄₄ from 3 and ⁶⁄₆ from the line