The season looks set to continue for 22 of the NBA’s 30 franchises, but competitive play is over for the eight that had zero chance of reaching the 2019-20 playoffs. Sure, not even receiving an invite to Orlando suggests that these teams’ end-of-season grades will be low, but for some, there is light at the…
George Floyd’s murder last month at the hand of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin appears to have jolted much of America’s collective conscience from an apathetic slumber. People of all ages, races and backgrounds have taken up their First Amendment rights of assembly to redress grievances—namely the extra-judicial killing of unarmed Black men by America’s…
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…
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) re-pick the 2015 NBA Draft lottery. Is Karl-Anthony Towns still the No. 1 overall selection? Who goes at No. 2, Kristaps Porzingis or Devin Booker? Do real-life top-five picks Jahlil Okafor (No. 3) and Mario Hezonja (No. 5) even stay in…
In this 10th episode of TBW’s Basketball by Association podcast, Arky Shea and Joel C. Cordes are joined by Bob Bajek to reminisce about their favorite paint patrollers of the 1990s. Inspired by Bob’s “The NBA I Grew Up Watching: When Centers Ruled the League”, they look back on why they loved (or hated) luminaries…
One of the most amazing things about today’s NBA is how many talented shooters there are. We’ve never seen so many prolific long-range threats in the league at one time. Most young gunslingers coming into the NBA have been practicing the three-ball their entire lives, and it shows. And those who haven’t been working on…
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a long history of being bad. They’ve made the playoffs just once since 2003-04. That was the only time in franchise history they had ever gotten out of the first round. Not coincidentally, they don’t have a very good track record of point guards following that same season when Sam Cassell…
Now seven years into his NBA career, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Robert Covington is stuck in a peculiar situation. After providing a glimmer of hope for the Philadelphia 76ers during the height of their rebuild, Covington was cast away in what was seen as the completion of ‘The Process.’ He was shipped off to the Timberwolves—another…
For as much as I love to talk about schemes and tactics of team offense and defense, the game really comes down to individuals making winning plays. Guys have to score the basketball, but the best teams and individual defenders find ways to take away strong suits of their opponents. The best scorers have counter…
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…
