Even since last week’s Part 1 of our end-of-season grades, there have been rumblings that a second bubble will take place (in Chicago) for the NBA’s worst eight teams. With details yet to emerge, it only seems appropriate to continue reviewing the performance of those franchises. Sure, not even receiving an invite to Orlando…
Tagged andrew wiggins
NBA PODCAST: Re-Picking the 2014 NBA Draft
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen and Bryan Toporek take a mulligan on the 2014 NBA draft class. Who goes No. 1 overall, Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid? Where do the likes of Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart wind up? How far does Andrew Wiggins fall? Which real-life second-round picks…
How Golden State Warriors Can Return to Contention
The Golden State Warriors have one hell of a parachute. After five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, the Dubs’ 2019-20 season ended in an injury-plagued free fall into the league’s abyss, only to land into the offseason rather smoothly. In addition to a healthy Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson returning to the lineup and…
BbA 14: Young NBA Players Facing Career Crossroads
Many players struggle just to carve out an NBA career during their first season or two. However, once establishing themselves, they unlock new pathways and opportunities depending on their talent and production. Whether it’s earning a max contract, a greater role or even just proving to be a “winning” player, life comes fast before earning…
BbA: Warriors’ Path Forward, Knicks’ Demise, Coaching Changes, Advice for Sports Media Rookies
In this third episode of TBW’s Basketball by Association podcast, Joel C. Cordes and Arky Shea figure out which NBA teams are due for a coaching change, as well as those that will probably get them anyway. With Steph Curry returning for the Golden State Warriors, and next year;’s situation looking awfully rosy, what are…
Here’s Why Golden State Warriors Traded for Andrew Wiggins
Eighteen months ago, the Golden State Warriors had just captured their third title in four years, and the Minnesota Timberwolves were fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2004. Champagne popped, optimism was in the air and then came the fall from grace. The two franchises now languish at the very cellar of the Western…
Can Andrew Wiggins Find Himself in Golden State?
Andrew Wiggins is on his way to the Golden State Warriors after spending the first five-plus seasons of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It seems to me that most of the talk has been about how Wiggins is a better fit for the Warriors than combo guard D’Angelo Russell, who was traded to the…
NBA PODCAST: Breaking Down 2020 Trade Deadline’s Best & Worst Deals
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) react to the wild 2020 NBA trade deadline and break down the biggest deals from the week. Did the Golden State Warriors get the better end of the D’Angelo Russell / Andrew Wiggins trade? Why did the Detroit Pistons flip Andre…
NBA Film Study: The League’s Best Backdoor Cutters
From a young age, basketball players are taught not to get beat backdoor and give up layups, yet this still happens at the highest levels because the art of cutting is emphasized just as heavily. A few months ago, I published an article here regarding The Anatomy of a Backdoor Set, detailing all the necessary…
Andrew Wiggins Might Not Be a Lost Cause After All
As one of the few remaining residents on Andrew Wiggins Island, the value of my beachfront property is skyrocketing after the start of the 2019-20 season. Through 10 games, Wiggins is averaging career highs in points (25.5), field-goal percentage (47.3), assists (3.3), made three-pointers (2.2) and blocks (1.1), even though he’s playing only 0.2 minutes…