Daily Discussion Thread + Game Thread Index
Spike Lee is praying the Knicks don’t visit the White House “Dolan can’t force them! It’s been years since the last NBA team has gone. They’re not going. I hope they don’t go! I hope they don’t go”
Jaylen Brown says the 76ers are Tyrese Maxey’s team: “Maxey’s been leading the way, 100%. He’s been here, this is his team. Him and Joel have been here for a while, so the mindset has been to compliment those guys. I’m finding my footing, but Maxey’s been leading the way for sure.”
Bodycam footage of a police officer blaming LeBron James for the Luka Dončić trade during J.R. Smith’s arrest : “He who shall not be named. He stole Luka from us man”
LeBron says he intentionally didn’t go all the way to the rim because he didn’t want Jalen Swanson to injure him while attempting a chase-down block: “If I go up and try to dunk this ball and this kid f*cks me up. I’m out two to four weeks”
LeBron reacts to Westbrook’s retirement: “He never wanted to take a game off. Great dude. There’s not going to be one person that played with him in the locker room that says he wasn’t a good teammate like, everyone raves about him, including myself. I’m happy I got to share the floor with him.”
LeBron James explains why he took a sip of fan’s wine during 76ers game “I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was. It was all right. The season is a long marathon: if you don’t find ways to have fun throughout it, even though you’re working and locked in, it can wear on you”
[Highlight] Harrison Barnes bumps into Brice Sensabaugh, who retaliates, sending Barnes to the floor, and Barnes gives him a funny stare down while lying on the floor, and the entire arena, including Victor Wembanyama, starts laughing when they see it on the Jumbotron. Flagrant 1 on Sensabaugh
Bill Simmons: “I think Luka’s one of the best offensive players I’ve seen in my life… but this is the most insufferable he’s ever been… I don’t know anyone who enjoys it. He’s just unhappy constantly…. I don’t enjoy the process of how he gets those stats
[Highlights] 5’10 two-way player and NCAA all-time assist leader Braden Smith vs. the Hawks last night: 19 points, 10 assists
[SNY] Mike Brown on Knicks’ slow start: “This can probably come off wrong. I’m a little excited that we’re struggling. I want to see if right now we can figure it out… you go through the offseason we went through where everybody celebrates you… you want to be shaken and brought back to Earth.”
Damian Lillard talks how both him and Ja Morant told Deni Avdija to be their work horse and explains why Deni is nearly impossible to guard
[Mannix] I heard that Adam Silver likes the 40-minutes games: he’s a globalist when it comes to basketball. But I don’t see financially how it’s feasible and it’s not gonna affect the stars, only the bench players. Reducing the number of games is not reasonable either, but something has to be done.
Kendrick Perkins on Draymond Green: “When’s the last time we discuss Draymond and brought up his basketball and not fighting? When you look at the start of this season, he’s been nonexistent. He’s done absolutely nothing for the Warriors! He’s been a liability more than an asset!”
Giannis, asked if he came to Miami expecting to contend right-away “I don’t know, I’m just a basketball player. I just came here to compete. I think we have the pieces but also a lot of things to figure out. I know what Heat culture is about: once we get on the right track, we can make some noise”
LeBron: Kyrie Irving is the most skilled player he’s ever seen
Top 3 Players Generating the Most Points Per Game (PTS + AST PTS): 1. Luka Dončić (59.9), 2. Jayson Tatum (47.1), 3. Nikola Jokic (45)
[HIGHLIGHT] Wemby Casually Juggles Ball with Feet and Passes to Ref who Reciprocates
An old fan does LaMelo’s celebration at the back
Anthony Davis has helped the Wizards who last season were ranked dead last in defense, to a top 10 defensive rating while also being a 23/9/1.6 steals and shooting 36% from 3
Giannis Says Luka is One Of The Best if Not The Best Scorer To Ever Play The Game: “He’s one of the best scorers to ever play this game. If not the best. Not right now. Of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that but it’s gotta be out there.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo calls Luka Doncic “one of the best scorers to ever play this game, if not the best. Not right now, not right now. Like of all time. I feel like some people are scared to say that but it’s gotta be up there.”
[SNY] Landry Shamet says he hopes kids learning to play basketball learn to move without the ball: “It really helps you learn how to play and understand how to move and get open. It’s always been something I try to get better at”
Ayo Dosunmu in 18 career games starting for the Timberwolves: 19-7-5 on 51-44-96 shooting splits.
Luka insists on getting asked a final question and a reporter asks him why’d he get a tech
[Highlight] Draymond Green throws Maluach on the floor and is later ejected
Luka, Reaves, and Kessler are averaging a combined 76.3 PPG on 69% TS%.
Jayson Tatum hits and knocks over the hand sanitizer stand, Scheierman cleans up after him
Luka Dončić checks out with 42 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 2 steals on 14⁄24 shooting, including 6 threes, with just 2 turnovers against the Heat
Kevin Durant and Reporter Go Back and Forth After KD Didn’t Like When He Was Asked About Not Taking Many Shots: “Why does that matter to you? Why are singling me out… Are you just watching me all game? Do you have the solo cam on me?”
[Highlights] Luka Dončić vs Miami: 42 PTS, 7 REB, 13 REB, 74% TS
[Highlight] LeBron James casually takes a sip of a fan’s drink courtside mid-game
[Highlight] LeBron James sips from a fan’s cup - Alternate Angle
[Highlight] Lebron James hits the fadeaway and starts to thrust the court
Is Money Ruining Youth Sports? | The Stepback with Blake Griffin
Patty Mills on comparing NBA and Euroleague “Honestly, those 2 things can’t be compared at all. When you analyze things deeply, it seems like they are completely different sports. Playing in the EuroLeague is a completely new experience” His stats in Euroleague (8 games): 15.1 PTS shooting 55/47/85
The Wolves are shooting a blistering 64.7% from the free throw line, the worst mark in the play by play era (since 1996)
[Lowlight] Rudy Gobert practices his step-back three before the game 🔥
Through 8 games, 38yo Steph Curry is averaging 30ppg in 28.8 min
NBA Votes 2026! Get out and vote today!
Joel explains his struggles on efficiency and offense this season (40.7% FG and 13% 3PT in 51% TS): “For me it’s a little bit of an adjustment.. I’m not used to catch and shoot as much, I’m used to more creating for myself. So I’m working on that.”
[Post Game Thread] The Los Angeles Lakers (6-2) defeat the Miami Heat (2-5), 138-117 behind Luka’s 42/7/13
Stephen Curry this season: 30 PPG on 47/43/98 splits in just 28 minutes a game
[Post Game Thread] The Golden State Warriors (5-3) defeat the Phoenix Suns (1-4), 116-113 behind Stephen Curry’s 34/6/7
Sixers starters check out with 15+ points each despite there only being 1 ball
Whole Sixers team was hitting the Joel Embiid celly during player intros
[Highlights] Dylan Harper full highlights vs. Utah Jazz last night (119-97 W):17 Points on 6⁄10 FG, 1⁄2 from 3, 4⁄5 from the line, 7 Rebounds, 8 Assists (2 TOV), 2 steals, no fouls, and a +/- of +16 in 27:09 minutes played.
Sam Presti surprising Russell Westbrook live on stage at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum luncheon with the announcement of his jersey retirement
[Charania] The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 in the rafters on Feb. 7.
Luka Doncic through the back-to-back Wins: 87 PTS | 26⁄47 FGS | 14⁄27 3PTS | 21⁄23 FTS | 22 REBS | 19 ASTS | 7 STLS | 76% TS | +43