Give Pop credit for consistency?
Pop gave BT donuts 😂 pic.twitter.com/8DU7CTZsp0
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 23, 2019
Panels:
First Half Only:
Second Half Only:
First Half
Kobe Bryant turns 41 | Will Kobe fans ever truly embrace LeBron?
Really? We’ll clean this up. @espn @BleacherReport @TheHerd @CBSSports @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/sDjIli8BlF
— Sportie LA (@sportiela) July 21, 2018
Happy birthday, GOAT!!!!! 🐐 @KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/NuHdapgm7P
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2019
“I don’t think that LeBron could ever truly get to that level of Kobe because the time is not going to be there for LeBron. Kobe’s got an entire career with one team, ingrained into the fabric of the franchise” – Young
Marks:
The Kobe stans and embracing LeBron as a Laker:
Wolves president: Wiggins has to be a “main contributor” for team to succeed
Gersson Rosas received a handful of pressing Andrew Wiggins questions today.@PhilMackey put it best — “is Wiggins unlockable?”
Rosas’ response: “We need him to be unlockable.”
I don’t think Rosas is giving AW any passes, but feels there is something there worth trying to tap
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) August 22, 2019
Trust Wiggins to step up for Wolves this season?
“To be perfectly honest, he’s been a disappointing player. He’s too inconsistent. One night he will look like that guy and then two nights he won’t. If the Wolves are going to begin to take the steps forward as a franchise around these young players that they have, Andrew Wiggins has got to be part of it” – Young
“He will be defined by his max salary. He’s owed $122M over the next 4 years. He’s an enigma. That contract is not really moveable. They’re going to need him” -Marks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: I’m not filling Westbrook’s shoes
What’s a successful season for Thunder?
“Building off a rookie year. He’s got a valuable mentor in Chris Paul. This is going to be a lottery team” – Marks
Young:
“The only option [for Chris Paul to get traded] is Miami down the road. But I think he’s going to be there for the season” – Marks
Kings & NBA end investigation of Luke Walton, cite insufficient basis for allegations
August 23, 2006 – Carmelo Anthony sets the USA National Team scoring record with 35 points!
Should Nik Stauskas be worried?
Things you learn at the @NBCSChicago office: Lauri Markkanen has his own line of dipping sauces in Finland. pic.twitter.com/X5ztZQr13D
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) August 21, 2019
If it’s as good as the one we got, you’ll need plenty more.
We’re nearly out and it feels like the cost of a trip from the UK to Finland will be worth it just to stock up! pic.twitter.com/8yiceyyxdb— Jimmy Zincke (@JimmyZincke) August 22, 2019
Zach LaVine poised for a big season?
“He’s quietly one of the best scorers in the NBA. To me, he’s Devin Booker east. He’s a great scorer on a bad team” – Young
“I see him as Most Improved Player” – Hubbarth
“I want them to play meaningful games after the All-Star break. That’s what defines Chicago” – Marks
More impressed by the elephant or the flip?
Does the NBA logo need an update?!
Is it just me, or does the NBA official logo need some updating? pic.twitter.com/QuBI8W0v5Y
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 22, 2019
“I like the Jordan” – Marks
Moving on…
Thoughts on end of Mikhail Prokhorov era for Nets?
Marks (A former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets):
What’s the Nets ceiling?
“For them to get to where they want to go [to become a true title contender], so much of that is tied to the health and the future of Kevin Durant. If he can get back to even let’s say 85 percent of the player that he is, they can be a team that can compete in the Eastern Conference” – Young
Second Half
Shelburne:
Do Clippers need a full rebrand?
Shelburne:
Marks:
“I feel like there’s a real power in kind of reforming the name. The Clippers are a franchise that are kind of seen as one of the model organizations in the NBA. There’s something to be said for taking that Clippers brand” – Young
How long is Clippers title window?
“Minimum 2 years. Max 5 years” – Marks
Woj: Lakers feel Dwight or Joakim could help team | Better fit for Lakers: Dwight or Joakim?
Speights has had his workout. Lakers will meet later on to discuss everything, and decide whether to move forward with any of these players. https://t.co/Y88Xjug0k3
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 23, 2019
“Nobody. Save that roster spot for Andre Iguodala” – Marks
“Joakim Noah because there’s less distraction and there would be a lot less drama in the locker room in comparison to Dwight Howard” – Young
ESPN forecast selects Zion as ROY
Safer bet for ROY: Zion or the field?
Shelburne: The field (JA Morant)
“He’s going to have a bigger role with the Grizzlies, he’s the guy there and is going to have the ball in his hands all the time”
Young: The field (JA Morant)
Marks: The field (RJ Barrett)
Hubbarth: The field (Rui Hachimura)
Who should win MVP next season?
Shelburne: LeBron James
“Revenge LeBron scares me”
Marks: Nikola Jokic
Young: Kawhi Leonard
“He’s the best player on the Clippers”
Hubbarth: Anthony Davis
“LeBron may want him to be MVP and people forget how dang good AD is. He’s going to show people that he may still be ahead of Giannis”
Prediction for DPOY next season?
Young: Kawhi Leonard
“He’s going to remind people what a great defender he is”
Marks: Draymond Green
“He is going to play with such an edge, that underdog mentality before Klay gets back”
Shelburne: Draymond Green
Broken Hart?
Josh Hart: Learned about AD trade via Twitter (Per “LightHarted Podcast”)
Captain Americas
Kemba, Mitchell Smart named Team USA captains
What should USA look to accomplish in next 2 exhibition games?
“Hopefully nobody gets hurt and figure out what your rotations are going to be if hasn’t been figured out already” – Marks
“It’d be nice for them to have a close game” – Young
Happy Born Day @kobebryant aka Black 🐍!!!! #Legend #Icon #Goat Laker Nation Stand Up 🙌🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2019