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…
When Kawhi Leonard bid au revoir to Canada for Southern California last July, fans and media members thought the Toronto Raptors did the same to their chances of repeating as NBA champions. The math seems pretty simple: NBA superstars are essentially required to winning the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy. This prevailing thought led both Los…
Potentially, the most exciting part of any new season is the development of a team’s young players. Even top-tier title contenders such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers or LA Clippers must cultivate young talent through the NBA Draft and/or undrafted G-League pipeline in order to either create a homegrown young core (like the…
Caution: The following includes overall plus-minus and lineup analytics to color optimism about the upcoming season. Put this power into the wrong hands and those conclusions can be drawn incorrectly. An over-emphasis on lineup statistics and metrics can lead to seeing players as the sole reason their lineups performed poorly, which is never the case.…
The Toronto Raptors are one game away from toppling the injury-ravaged Golden State Warriors and winning their first NBA championship in franchise history. But regardless of whether Warriors star forward Kevin Durant returns at some point—he’s questionable ahead of Monday’s Game 5—no one should suggest the Raptors deserve an asterisk if they do win this…
