Pelinka: “What did those teams (Detroit, San Antonio, and OKC) have to go through to build through the draft? Multiple seasons of losses, and that is just not part of our infrastructure here. As much as some of us might want it to be that way, it’s not the Lakers’ way.”
The Ringer dropped an article on the modern day NBA breaking its players with stats that back it up
[Krawczynski] I highly, highly doubt LeBron would want to finish out his playing days in Minnesota, but let me assure him that we have better hotels here than they have in Memphis…c’mon, Bron; pull a couple of those Cleveland coats out of storage and give yourself one more real chance in Minnesota
The Biggest PPG Drop From regular season to Playoffs in NBA history :
Everyone Is Someone’s Favorite Player
Is Silver actually going to wait for the conference finals to announce the MVP?
[Bontemps] “By our metrics, he (LeBron) remains a top-25 player in the league and if not for his age, we’d probably assess him at near max player level,” one Eastern Conference team strategist told ESPN. “Our coaches would tell you he ranks even higher than that when his legs and back are feeling…
What’s the funniest option for LeBron to go to?
Should the Lakers trade for Anthony Davis?
Haliburton on lottery results: “It was a coin toss. I’m looking at these last 12 months, I didn’t think we were really due any luck. It’s been a rough 12 months for me. I didn’t think KP had to apologize. They took a calculated risk and I’m still rolling with the decision. I’m excited to add Zu”
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy says the Golden State Warriors are open to trading the No. 11 pick for a “veteran player.”
[Woike & Amick] Rival executives predicted (Austin) Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him
An in-season video from the Milwaukee Bucks had AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Myles Turner asked “Who’s always the last one on the bus?” Green immediately passed, Porter Jr. said “no snitching,” and Turner just stared into the camera with an awkward smile.
Grizzlies tribute video to Brandon Clarke
[Haberstroh] “Jalen Duren had the fourth most second chance points in the regular season, in this entire series he has not scored on second chance opportunities”
Narratives around the Pistons/Cavs are too dramatic. The series is incredibly close and competitive basketball rules!
[Murray] The LA Clippers “like this draft” and are eager to keep their No. 5 pick instead of using it in a trade for a veteran.
What’s a current NBA take that sounds insane now but might look obvious in 3 years?
Anthony Edwards leads all postseason players in ISO scoring Points Per Possession - Nobody in the league needs a second playmaker more than this poor man.
[ESPN] An East executive believes that teams should value Kawhi Leonard over Giannis Antetokounmpo on the trade market because Leonard has been “better and healthier over the last two seasons.” A West GM believes Leonard’s contract is unlikely to be voided if the Clippers are found guilty.
[Game Recognize Game] Myles Turner reveals Giannis Antetokounmpo and other Bucks players showed up late for practices, film sessions, and even flights: “Giannis is going to show up whenever he wants.”
Cavs vs Pistons game 6
Quinn Cook : “I was just here thinking. I went to three straight NBA Finals. Was the leading scorer off the bench my two years in Golden State and really contributed. Barely played with the Lakers but won 2 rings in 3 years. I never was on a guaranteed contract after that …. My agent stunk.”
Giannis on Instagram: ‘Another day getting better and minding our business 😃🍪🤎’
Myles Turner says Doc Rivers ‘didn’t fine anybody’ this season despite repeated tardiness, Giannis Antetokounmpo was most likely Bucks player to be late
[Spears] The Jazz have reached out to the Washington Wizards, who have the No. 1 pick, about potentially trading up to land the former BYU standout, a source said.
Kyle Neubeck to Josh Harris: “A lot of criticism has been targeted to you specifically … What would you say to those people because I think some of that is about the lack of success or the lack of championship success, but also maybe some of the off-court things that have not been addressed by you.”
Myles Turner says Doc Rivers doesn’t fine players so players are late all the time for practices, film sessions, and even flights. Specifically pointing out Giannis for being late towards team flights and delaying them by up to 2 hours
[Slater] Despite the return of longtime head coach Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors do have changes coming to their coaching staff. Their top two assistants, Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, are both departing the franchise, league sources told ESPN on Thursday.
In Game Five, James Harden was the direct defender on 24 of Detroit’s 95 FG attempts (76 partial possessions). He held them to 25 points 2 assists and 4 turnovers on 9⁄24 shooting (48.5 TS%)
[NBA PR] Allen (CLE) and Thompson (DET) legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact. Correct no-call.
[Himmelsbach] Former Celtics superstar Isaiah Thomas is back with the franchise after being hired as a pro and college scout.
Harden joins LeBron as the ONLY 2 players in the Top 10 ALL TIME in both Playoff Scoring & Assists after passing Curry in points
[Keown] When I suggest that Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer and third-team All-NBA player last season, could be the main attraction on 20 or so other teams, Gilgeous-Alexander politely interrupts and says, “It’s 29 if you ask me.”
[Keown] Hartenstein, mid-interview, sees a basketball on the rack in the Thunder practice facility slightly tilted, at most 10 degrees. He points and says to the journalist, “That’ll be fixed before we finish talking.” Shortly after, an equipment manager walks by and carefully puts the ball in place
[Highlight] James Harden splashes the step back 3 over Jalen Duren
[Highlights] Ausar Thompson steals the ball in the back court, Jalen Duren with two straight offensive rebounds, and then Ausar with an offensive rebound, passing to Cade Cunningham, who scores.
Reporters ask Josh Harris about Knicks fans taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Bob Myers on the Jared McCain trade: “We should be graded on the ultimate result of transactions.”
[Spears] BYU forward AJ Dybantsa met with the Wizards in Chicago during the NBA pre-draft camp. Washington is supposed to visit with “multiple players” in DC for the top pick, source days. Dybantsa also met with Utah, Chicago, Sacramento, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis & the Clippers.
[Inside The NBA] While discussing Jason Collins’ passing, Charles Barkley: “We live in a homophobic society … anybody who think we ain’t got a bunch of gay players in all sports, they’re just stupid.”
What’s Lauri Markkanens trade value? 1. In general? and
[Highlights] Ausar Thompson strips James Harden and continues with a horrible alley-oop pass to Cade Cunningham on a 2-on-1 fastbreak, Donovan Mitchell misses the floater, and James Harden strips Tobias Harris.
Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index | Playoffs
The Athletic reports the Cavaliers are dealing with illnesses going through the locker room as they go up 3-2. “Sam Merrill was violently ill on the off day between games 4 and 5, as a stomach bug (different from Atkinson’s upper respiratory bug) is also coursing through the team.”
[Highlight] Dennis Schroder turns the ball over in mid-court, Cade Cunningham goes 1v1 on the fastbreak against Evan Mobley, who blocks him.
Stats/team performances from a few of the top ten level players still competing in the playoffs
Memorial created by Grizzlies fans for Brandon Clarke outside the FedEx Forum.