AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Yaxel will be real interesting to watch.  I was pretty dismissal of him during the draft process.   I thought he was awesome in the summer league game against Dallas.   In college, I viewed him as a little bit perimeter version of PJ.   I think there are similarities.    Although, watching him play you see he is around 3 inches bigger than PJ and is much more comfortable on the perimeter.    There was some questions about maturity with him.    Although, it looks like some of that confidence seems to be working for him.    He looks like a fun rookie.   I think him and Draymond are going to piss off a lot of teams.  Will do it different ways though.

I think Yaxel will wind up being the better player. He's bigger, more athletic, and probably shoots just as well from deep. PJ needs to bounce back from a disappointing season last year.

[dirkfansince1998]

First time watching Hezonja since his return and he looks big. When he left the NBA he was a relatively skinny forward with a nice perimeter game. Now he is a 6'9/260 bruiser.

[dirkfansince1998]

https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/2109655009872969921

REPORT: The Warriors don’t know where Kristaps Porzingis is, what he’s dealing with “health-wise”, or when he might return to the court, per
@DannyEmerman
.

[Mavs2021]

https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/2109655009872969921

Bro is teaching them European health care. Here is my doctor´s sick note. None of your business, what I´m dealing with.

[CooPerFan]

Looks like the spurs regressed

[DallasMaverick]

Looks like the spurs regressed

C'mon.  

All their starters didn't play.

And it's preseason.

[Knutsen]

Looks like the spurs regressed

Yes, they are over the hill now, too old - they had their chance!

Honestly, I’m interested how they - and Wemby especially - come back after these finals. Stronger and with a vengeance or reeling a bit and doubting themselves?

[CooPerFan]

C'mon.  

All their starters didn't play.

And it's preseason.

They were 5-0 in last years preseason and started the regular season 5-0. We’ll see though.

[CooPerFan]

Yes, they are over the hill now, too old - they had their chance!

Honestly, I’m interested how they - and Wemby especially - come back after these finals. Stronger and with a vengeance or reeling a bit and doubting themselves?

Ofcourse, they’re not old but i dont think they get bavk to the finals this year.

[CooPerFan]

Thunder looks solid

[dirkfansince1998]

Michigan guys continue to dominate. It's only preseason but Mara is looking better than Hartenstein.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

James explained why Anunoby should have won the prestigious award over Jalen Brunson in the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast. "OG, I think, was the MVP of the team in the Finals. Obviously, [Jalen] Brunson became the MVP. But it's the small things: the chase-down block on [De'Aaron] Fox, the tip for the [Game. He was consistent in continuing to knock down threes," James claimed. "Obviously, Jalen Brunson was the head of the snake. But OG was the steadiest person for that team."

BasketNews


I agree with his assessment. OG was awesome the whole series.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

That's why Arenas quickly highlighted the contrast between the scrutiny James received and the lack of attention Risacher got, which he believes points to a concerning issue. Speaking on his show, Arenas called out media networks and analysts for never holding European players accountable when they fail to meet expectations. "They were too busy bashing Bronny for nepotism that they forgot there was a No. 1 pick that they never even mentioned," Arenas said. "Remember, he got drafted? He's been a–s ever since. You didn't even want to mention him when he got drafted, when he was the No. 1 pick. Ya'll went straight for the 55th pick… You killed him."

Yahoo! Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

“If they want to be successful and they want to have a chance to repeat,” Miller said, “you’re going to need a healthy KAT mentally. You don’t want him being a malcontent, worrying about his contract behind closed doors. Because when KAT is at his best and on board, they’re hard to beat. … I think a deal will get done. It’s going to be between the 200 and the 277 [million dollars]. So meet in the middle, sign it, and let’s move on.”

New York Post

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Terrence Shannon Jr.: “Oh, LaMelo… he’s the best passer in the league. He sees everything. He sees stuff that we don’t even see. So, he’ll pass you to be open. But yeah, man, he’s a great player. He’s the best passer in the NBA for sure.”

TalkBasket

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Otega Oweh underwent a successful procedure today to address a ruptured right Achilles tendon, per Thunder PR. Oweh will miss the entire 2026-27 season.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBABase: Julius Randle was "one of the culprits" behind Minnesota’s moody locker room last season, per @JonKrawczynski: “Everyone immediately looks at Julius Randle, and he is certainly one of the culprits... They could be every once in a while... Julius certainly was part of that when his name came up in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. He didn't really like that at all, and he wears his heart on his sleeve, so you could see that.” “But Naz Reid could get moody, Jaden McDaniels could get moody. Like, there's a lot of quiet, brooding personalities that were in the locker room last year. You bring LaMelo Ball in here, and he's much more upbeat and energetic, so there's definitely been a vibe shift.” (Via @bballilluminati)

x.com

[Chicagojk]

NBABase: Julius Randle was "one of the culprits" behind Minnesota’s moody locker room last season, per @JonKrawczynski: “Everyone immediately looks at Julius Randle, and he is certainly one of the culprits... They could be every once in a while... Julius certainly was part of that when his name came up in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. He didn't really like that at all, and he wears his heart on his sleeve, so you could see that.” “But Naz Reid could get moody, Jaden McDaniels could get moody. Like, there's a lot of quiet, brooding personalities that were in the locker room last year. You bring LaMelo Ball in here, and he's much more upbeat and energetic, so there's definitely been a vibe shift.” (Via @bballilluminati)

x.com

I am excited to see Minnesota this year.  They should be a good, fun team.    The Lamelo health is a big thing.   Obviously Charlotte did not think he would stay healthy when they decided to move him.  If healthy and he matures a little, that is a team that will be really fun.

[Chicagojk]

Michigan guys continue to dominate. It's only preseason but Mara is looking better than Hartenstein.

Both of them look good.  We will see what their roles will be in the regular season.

I knew this but sort of forgot.  That years Michigan team was really deep.    Yaxel was a player of the year candidate, but only averaged 15 per game.   For some reason, it felt like he averaged over 20.    Mara was a hub on offense but only averaged 12.  He didn't play high minutes though.   Morez averaged 13 which is between Mara and Yaxel.