AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mark Walter’s TWG Global came out firing Wednesday, saying it has committed no fraud, rejecting the idea that Walter’s Lakers exit was part of a “fire sale” to raise money amid federal investigations, and insisting the Dodgers are not for sale. The press release marks the most substantial public statement since news broke that Walter’s companies are under parallel investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. “Over the past several weeks, multipronged attacks against TWG have been advanced by unnamed sources with self-serving interests that have been reported in the media,” the statement says. “It is important to set the record straight. TWG stands firmly behind the integrity of its business and remains focused on continuing to deliver value to its stakeholders.” The issues at hand mirror claims made in a 2014 lawsuit—that money one of the plaintiffs paid into her life insurance policy was used to fund a $35 million loan that was connected to the purchase of the Dodgers. Although that suit was dropped one day after it was filed, the forensic accountant who helped build the case recently told Front Office Sports, “My clients seemed pleased, that’s all I can say.” In Wednesday’s statement, TWG says, “the allegation that the Los Angeles Dodgers were acquired or have been funded improperly is false and not supported by the facts.” It also notes the 2012 deal was “subject to significant scrutiny and complied with all rules and regulations that govern the purchase of Major League Baseball teams.” Further, it says the Dodgers “have the highest revenue in baseball,” and that the team’s revenue “significantly exceeds” its payroll obligations.

Front Office Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

A piece of NBA history donned by Michael Jordan in the 1998 Finals against the Utah Jazz is set to hit auction next month. A game-worn jersey sported by Jordan in game three at the United Center is expected to reach an eight-figure price tag while on auction from September 15 to September 29.

sports.ksl.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Stephen Curry fans can watch the Warriors star's journey to the record on the big screen with a documentary coming to IMAX in October. The film, which will focus on Curry becoming the NBA's all-time leader in threes while also exploring the hard work and skillset that goes into his shooting, was directed by sports documentarian Gotham Chopra and produced by Religion of Sports.

NBC Bay Area

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Kyle Singler is raising serious alarms after the former NBA player and Duke basketball star posted a series of unhinged videos to Instagram ... targeting his iconic college coach.
A disheveled and rambling Singler is wandering around his place ... saying he has nothing to his name -- and claims he was brushed off when he reached out to Mike Krzyzewski. In one of the three posts -- there are four total, but two are the same -- Singler says Coach K "set me up," and when he reached out for help, he was "benched."
TMZ.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The woman accusing former Los Angeles Lakers star Byron Scott of sexually assaulting her when she was 15 has settled her claims against Campbell Hall, the prestigious Southern California private school where the alleged incident occurred nearly 40 years ago. According to court documents previously obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the woman accuses the now 65-year-old Scott of sexual battery and false imprisonment. The original lawsuit was filed in 2022 under the California Child Victim's Act, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors to file civil claims. Scott sought to keep his name out of the documents and requested to use "John Doe."

USA Today Sports


Sounds like Byron Scott was a sleezebag.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Heat Central: Draymond Green loves Klay Thompson to Miami but questions how he’ll fit with ‘Heat Culture’: “I love the move. I love this for Klay. I know Klay is happy he’s in Miami. He’s around water. I know this move makes him a happy man… I think this is a very great move for Klay. He was late to the press conference because he was stuck in traffic, that is Klay Thompson. I found it interesting Klay going to Miami I said, ‘oh that Heat culture thing.’ I don’t know how that’s going to work for Klay because Klay moves to the own beat of his own drum. I want to see how that fits into the ‘Heat culture’ stuff.” Draymond Green doesn’t like people thinking the Heat got the 2018 version of Klay Thompson. “I don’t like how everybody is trying to act like ‘oh it’s Klay Thompson! Klay to the Heat!’ Like this is Klay from 2018. The reason I don’t like it is because I feel like everybody is trying to set Klay up for failure. I’m going to say it right here right now. Let’s stop acting like it’s 2017 Klay going to Miami. I wish sports media would speak on it more like when Ray Allen went to Miami. Don’t try to set my brother up like you getting the 2018 version so when you don’t, you can bash him. That’s bullsh*t. He’s going into year 16. Yes, he’s going to provide shooting…. Let’s look at him like Ray going to Miami, back when sports media was a good thing.”

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jeanie Buss, who was chosen by her late father and longtime Lakers owner, Jerry Buss, as his successor before he died in 2013, called her siblings’ behavior “devious” and said in the court filing that they should be held in contempt while also being “liable for damages.” She also called for the removal of Joey and Janie Buss as co-trustees of a trust that holds the family’s remaining stake in the Lakers (17.8 percent), citing breach of fiduciary duty. NBA rules mandate that team governors own at least 15 percent of the team. Jeanie Buss has petitioned a Los Angeles Superior Court asking that a judge block her five siblings from selling the family’s remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, while accusing them of secretly orchestrating a deal to try to remove her as the team’s governor. The petition, which was processed by the court on Wednesday, is the strongest sign yet that this feud won’t be ending anytime soon. Jeanie Buss argued in the petition that selling doesn’t make financial sense given the team’s “continuously skyrocketing value,” adding that her goal is to carry out her father’s legacy and create value for fans and the Buss family. That stock will only rise under the new ownership group, she argued.

New York Times


Hate to say it, but Dr Buss is probably rolling over in his grave. I'm sure he didn't anticipate his kids fighting over who controls the legacy he left. Sad...

[Smitty]

99.9% of off-season moves have now been finalized. There could be another trade or two before opening night that might change things, but I’m confident in posting how I see it playing out in the West.

Tier 1:
1) SAS
2) OKC





Tier 2:
3) MIN
4) HOU
5) DEN
6) LAL

Tier 3:
7) POR
8) UTAH
9) DAL
10) GSW
11) PHX

Tier 4:
12) LAC
13) MEM
14) NOP
15) SAC



3-11 all have question marks. Some more than others. That’s why I put it in tiers. After the top 2, it’ll be the Wild Wild West!

[windjc]

99.9% of off-season moves have now been finalized. There could be another trade or two before opening night that might change things, but I’m confident in posting how I see it playing out in the West.

Tier 1:
1) SAS
2) OKC





Tier 2:
3) MIN
4) HOU
5) DEN
6) LAL

Tier 3:
7) POR
8) UTAH
9) DAL
10) GSW
11) PHX

Tier 4:
12) LAC
13) MEM
14) NOP
15) SAC



3-11 all have question marks. Some more than others. That’s why I put it in tiers. After the top 2, it’ll be the Wild Wild West!

Check notes. We have Flagg. Good luck opponents.

[Smitty]

Check notes. We have Flagg. Good luck opponents.

I respect the bit. You reply with something like this to every post you think is a negative Mavs one. It's a good card to pull out and use on a message board. Just a month or two ago I made a post breaking down how Flagg is the next LeBron. So, I get it. 

Still, there's a lot that has to go right for the Mavs to be a great team this year. They just have more question marks than those I have above them is all. 

Doesn't mean they can't get there...

If we can't have hope this time of year, when can we???

[windjc]

I respect the bit. You reply with something like this to every post you think is a negative Mavs one. It's a good card to pull out and use on a message board. Just a month or two ago I made a post breaking down how Flagg is the next LeBron. So, I get it. 

Still, there's a lot that has to go right for the Mavs to be a great team this year. They just have more question marks than those I have above them is all. 

Doesn't mean they can't get there...

If we can't have hope this time of year, when can we???

Hey, at least your list wasn't ESPN's.

[DallasMaverick]

I respect the bit. You reply with something like this to every post you think is a negative Mavs one. It's a good card to pull out and use on a message board. Just a month or two ago I made a post breaking down how Flagg is the next LeBron. So, I get it. 

Still, there's a lot that has to go right for the Mavs to be a great team this year. They just have more question marks than those I have above them is all. 

Doesn't mean they can't get there...

If we can't have hope this time of year, when can we???

I’m predicting 82-0.

Absolutely no evidence to the contrary so far.

[ballsrchr]

I’m predicting 82-0.

Absolutely no evidence to the contrary so far.

Absolutely right!  At this point the Mavs have the potential to go 82--0. That's what the irrational super fan part of me says.

The rational fan part of me says 35, or so.

The pessimist fan part of me says 32.

The irrational super fan part of me has never been right...

[Scott41theMavs]

Check notes. We have Flagg. Good luck opponents.

"We have Flagg and Morez and you don't." Double woe for opponents.

[DallasMaverick]

Absolutely right!  At this point the Mavs have the potential to go 82--0. That's what the irrational super fan part of me says.

The rational fan part of me says 35, or so.

The pessimist fan part of me says 32.

The irrational super fan part of me has never been right...

…but maybe this is the year!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Joe Pompliano: Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, invested in Hugging Face's seed & Series A fundraising rounds. Nvidia just acquired the company for $12.9 billion, and since I'm told Durant invested $100,000 in the seed round and $150,000 in the Series A, he likely made more than $60 million on this investment alone. That is one of the best athlete investments ever (and more money than Durant will make playing in the NBA this season).

x.com

[ballsrchr]

…but maybe this is the year!

...there is that!  I'm gonna go for it!

[Mavs2021]

So the European qualifiers for the World Cup are under way.

Sweden beat Finland behind the Heat´s Pelle Larsson going crazy with 31 points, while Markkanen was awful with 11/3 on 15% shooting.

Hungary beat Estonia.

Georgia, with Goga and Mamu, whooped Yogi Ferrell´s Montenegro.

Ukraine beat Greece in an upset.

Turkey doesn´t even need Sengun or Biberovic to beat the p*** out of a weak Lithuanian team.

Serbia with Jokic and Jovic (60/50/100 shooting atm) in a semi-competitive game with Iceland.

Nurkic and Luka (Garza) have Bosnia up against Italy going into the fourth.

Spain is down against Portugal after the 1st quarter. Sergio has zero points, no shot attempts, two turnovers and one assist.

I think the optimists are spot on. He´s already an NBA rotational player. Once again we are back to pile the pressure on late 1st round picks. I can´t believe they didn´t get one of Mathurin, Simons, Sexton just to take the workload off Kyrie and the pressure off De Larrea for the next 12 months. Feels like gross negligence.

[Scott41theMavs]

So the European qualifiers for the World Cup are under way.

Sweden beat Finland behind the Heat´s Pelle Larsson going crazy with 31 points, while Markkanen was awful with 11/3 on 15% shooting.

Hungary beat Estonia.

Georgia, with Goga and Mamu, whooped Yogi Ferrell´s Montenegro.

Ukraine beat Greece in an upset.

Turkey doesn´t even need Sengun or Biberovic to beat the p*** out of a weak Lithuanian team.

Serbia with Jokic and Jovic (60/50/100 shooting atm) in a semi-competitive game with Iceland.

Nurkic and Luka (Garza) have Bosnia up against Italy going into the fourth.

Spain is down against Portugal after the 1st quarter. Sergio has zero points, no shot attempts, two turnovers and one assist.

I think the optimists are spot on. He´s already an NBA rotational player. Once again we are back to pile the pressure on late 1st round picks. I can´t believe they didn´t get one of Mathurin, Simons, Sexton just to take the workload off Kyrie and the pressure off De Larrea for the next 12 months. Feels like gross negligence.

With that report on Larry, I'm having a hard time not seeing your last graph as irony/sarcasm. Of course we've seen more and better of him in summer league.

[mvossman]

With that report on Larry, I'm having a hard time not seeing your last graph as irony/sarcasm. Of course we've seen more and better of him in summer league.

Yes it was sarcasm, and a projection of Larry's next 12 months based on 1 quarter of international play.