Tessera

It has been a very productive postseason for the Milwaukee Bucks, even if they’re not in it… Re-assessing the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market now that so many potential suitors had disappointing finishes, w/ @ericnehmbot.mirrors.bot, at @theathletic.com (Free) www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

What we’re hearing about the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade market (Gift Article)

With many teams that have been tied to Antetokounmpo losing either in the Play-In or the first round, the Giannis market may open up again.

nytimes.com

Who's overrated and underrated in the NBA? The most, and least, impressive coaches? Best defensive player (duh)? The latest returns from our anonymous player poll, at @theathletic.com (free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

Anonymous NBA player poll: Who's the most overrated player? Underrated? Best coach?

nytimes.com

Austin Reaves was bad - arguably worse than ever - in the OKC opener. On what it means, what it doesn’t mean, and why this Thunder defense couldn’t care less that he’s not himself just yet, at @theathletic.com (Free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

Austin Reaves' struggles put the Lakers at an even bigger disadvantage

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What I’m hearing about the coaching carousel, the Taylor Jenkins payday that set the market very high, and two familiar names who are still hoping to hop back on, at @theathletic.com. More draft reform talk too. (Free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

What I'm hearing about the Trail Blazers, Tom Thibodeau, lottery reform and more

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The NBA's latest solution to end tanking, obtained by @theathletic.com, was presented to the league's 30 GMs at a virtual meeting today. All the details of the "3-2-1" lottery ball proposal here, with a Board of Governors vote looming on May 28. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

NBA proposes new '3-2-1' draft lottery system, sources say. Here's how it works

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What I’m hearing on NBA Draft reform (we have a heavy front runner proposal - and another GM call tomorrow), the playoff coaching hot seat and season-saving roster moves, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

What I’m hearing about NBA draft lottery changes, coaching hot seats and more (Gift Article)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has made addressing tanking a top priority before next season.

nytimes.com

The Reed Sheppard experience has been quite a thing these past two games. At any given moment - in between occasional reminders that he can actually play basketball at a high level - the Monstars come calling.

The Lakers are well aware that Kevin Durant despises double teams. That’s why they did it - relentlessly, and effectively. Again. On this Rockets ride turning rocky at the wrong time, as LeBron keeps leading these undermanned Lakers, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

The Lakers are causing Kevin Durant double trouble and the Rockets have no answer

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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 4mo ago

Marveling at LeBron James’ middle-aged magic, and how he somehow has the Lakers in position to stun the Rockets here, @theathletic.com Come for the injury report on yours truly. Stay for the insightful convo on LBJ with Marcus Smart. www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

LeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’

In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.

nytimes.com

“There’s no way a guy at 41 should still be moving and doing the things at that level that he does it at, right?” @samamick.bsky.social on LeBron James' command in the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Rockets ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

LeBron James still has it after all these years: ‘His body’s never stopped moving’

In his 293rd career playoff game, 41-year-old LeBron James had 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds and was in complete control.

nytimes.com

Donovan Mitchell Unplugged: Reading material for the breaks in this (one-side) Cleveland-Toronto game, at @theathletic.com * His long history with James Harden * Behind the scenes on the Harden-Garland deal * Updated view of his Cleveland future www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Donovan Mitchell believes these playoffs — with James Harden — are his ‘best shot’ at a title

nytimes.com

Sources: Despite the Kings’ brutal season, and amid league-wide speculation that they might make a coaching change, Doug Christie is safe. Why the Kings chose to keep him at the helm for next season, and where they go from here, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Sacramento Kings expected to retain head coach Doug Christie: Sources

The Kings are expected to keep Christie, who signed a three-year deal last summer, despite a 22-59 record.

nytimes.com

Why the discussion about Steph Curry sitting for the rest of the season, while the Warriors go tanking, was always so silly, at @theathletic.com Anyone who saw the reaction to his pregame routine on Wednesday night at Chase Center would see that much. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Steph Curry is close to returning for the Warriors, and we should all be thankful

Curry, who has been out since Jan. 30 with a knee injury, is aiming to come back for the 10th-place Warriors this weekend.

nytimes.com

Sources: After a successful scrimmage on Tuesday, Warriors star Steph Curry is targeting Sunday's game against Houston for his possible return. More here, at @theathletic.com (w/ Nick Friedell) www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Steph Curry, Warriors targeting Sunday return after successful workout Tuesday

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Wemby vs. SGA and the great MVP debate, my read on Giannis vs. the Bucks and the 65-game rule discussion rages on, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Wemby’s MVP campaign is tough to argue, plus all signs point to Giannis-Bucks divorce

OK, I was wrong about the 65-game rule, though Adam Silver insists that it is working.

nytimes.com

The @thenbpa.bsky.social wants the 65-game rule gone. Story here on the union's strong statement about Cade Cunningham's disqualification from awards and the many top-tier players still in danger of being ineligible (w/ @joevardon.bsky.social) @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

NBPA calls for 'arbitrary' 65-game rule for awards to be 'abolished or reformed'

nytimes.com

Why the resurgent Lakers, with Luka dominating and LeBron beaming ear to ear, are back in the contender conversation, at @theathletic.com A look at how they got here, what it might mean for LBJ’s future, and more (free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

The Lakers are better off with this version of LeBron James

nytimes.com

On the (unimpressive) week that was for the Jekyll-and-Hyde Timberwolves, who played with their food in a win against the Warriors, and why this won’t work against the best of the best (like OKC on Sunday). @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Wolves survive Warriors, turn focus to 'great challenge' of their matchup with Thunder

nytimes.com

Why Bam Adebayo and the Heat should have stopped at 81 - just like the broadcast said - rather than taking Kobe’s mark, @theathletic.com (Free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Why Bam Adebayo and the Heat should have stopped at matching Kobe Bryant’s 81 points (Gift Article)

What Adebayo did Tuesday was remarkable in its own right, but here's why he should have called it a night a little bit sooner.

nytimes.com

Monday morning musings, at @theathletic.com * On SGA catching Wilt in the 20-plus club, and why it warrants a pause in the officiating conversation * ROY race: Cooper returning & Kon’s (compelling) candidacy * The Warriors’ Porzingis problem (Free link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nears Wilt’s record, Kon Knueppel’s ROY case and more (Gift Article)

Plus, more on the Warriors' Kristaps Porziņģis, his mysterious health history and his impending free agency.

nytimes.com

joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 5mo ago

On the Timberwolves’ race to pass the Nuggets in the West standings, and on the way to the local airport, en route to the title-contending conversation, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Timberwolves making sure they’re part of the conversation in crowded West

Minnesota beat Denver then beat the Nuggets to the airport. Can the Wolves find themselves ahead when it matters most?

nytimes.com

‘He sounded more like Stern than Silver.’ Debate, confusion and a ‘message’ sent: Inside the NBA’s call with GMs on tanking w @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Debate, confusion and a 'message' sent: Inside the NBA's call with GMs on tanking

nytimes.com

Additional details from the GM meeting where the anti-tanking discussion was in full force, including messages sent by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and (adviser) Mike Krzyzewski, at @theathletic.com “We’re all to blame,” one GM said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Adam Silver tells teams NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes

nytimes.com

Taking on five top-of-mind topics as we head down the home stretch of this NBA season: Clippers investigation, Rockets' descent, Giannis/LeBron futures and...tanking, at @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

What I’m hearing about the Clippers investigation, Giannis, LeBron and more

There has been a significant upswing in league-wide speculation that the NBA’s hammer is likely to fall on the LA Clippers.

nytimes.com

Inside the Suns' surprise season, and Mat Ishbia's choice to overhaul the organization his way, at @theathletic.com "I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia." The Suns owner unpacks it all: The unorthodox GM hire, coaching changes, Durant, regrets and much more... www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Mat Ishbia sank the Suns by chasing superstars. Then he turned Phoenix into winners

The Phoenix Suns owner realized he was going to get criticized regardless. So now, "I'm unapologetically Mat Ishbia."

nytimes.com

Why the Bucks, who still believe they can compel Giannis to stick around, stuck with Plan A(ntetokounmpo) at the trade deadline, at @theathletic.com It’s about to get complicated - again. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

For Giannis, Bucks stick to Plan A(ntetokounmpo), but it’s about to get complicated

nytimes.com