NBA: The Jump Fanpage

Final burger count: Kobayashi – 20, Bam – 1

The man is a machine. pic.twitter.com/WIkOJvS1Uq

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 18, 2019

Panel:

First Half

Rachel’s one-on-one conversation with Warriors superstar, Stephen Curry!

Highlights from the interview:

On being underdogs again:

“It’s weird. We’re still hungry, we’re still capable of winning a championship and it’s going to look different, but our culture and our DNA remains the same” – Curry

On his reaction to KD moving to Brooklyn:

“He made a decision for himself. You can’t argue that. We accomplished a lot together, but things have changed a little bit so we’re about to battle down the road so it should be a fun, new experience on that front too” – Curry

On his reaction to the KD article in the Wall Street Magazine:

“There’s so many narratives that go on, especially when you’re at the top of the league, but at the end of the day I think he knows what we were about as teammates, what we were about as friends on and off the court, whatever he needed to do to make that decision and how ever he wants to explain that, that’s what’s going to happen” – Curry

“I don’t even care what plays we ran, we won two championships” – Curry

On whether he’ll be on Team USA next summer for the Olympics:

“That is the plan for sure. I definitely want to go. I’ve never been on the Olympic team. Next year will hopefully be it” – Curry

On whether he’ll load manage himself during the season and possibly winning MVP:

“I want to be smart about what I’m doing. At the end of the day, winning an MVP would be special and it’s something that I’ve experienced before and would to experience again. I would love to push the envelope and push the limits a little bit” – Curry

Two words on what’s ahead for him:

“Exciting and fresh” – Curry

Steph Curry poised for an MVP-type season?

“I don’t see there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be the frontrunner. Everything in Golden State will run through him this season” – Pippen

“I can’t say he’s not MVP favorite. I do think he’s in store for a reenergized season” – McMenamin

Remember when Gilbert Arenas hooped in Dolce & Gabbana sneakers?

Never forget when Gilbert Arenas rocked $395 Dolce & Gabbana sneakers to hoop in. (2010) pic.twitter.com/gCGLblITok

— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) September 18, 2019

Is China ready for Lance?

Lance Stephenson ( @StephensonLance ) 31 points 8 assists 7 rebounds leads Liaoning over Philippines club TNT in their first exhibition game 🎼 @POPSMOKE10 – welcome to the party pic.twitter.com/AMu5AQUw6g

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) September 17, 2019

“They’re going to love him. When talking to some players who have played over there, as long as you embrace what they’re about, they’re going to embrace you right back. He’s going to give the fans a show and it’s going to be good for his career” – McMenamin

Should Tacko open up his own daycare?

.@tackofall99 makes a young fan's night during #WNBAPlayoffs action! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/f3huhNwZCy

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2019

Fun at Canobie Lake Park for foster kids from the @mspccboston and #Celtics rookies Tacko Fall, Grant Williams and Carsen Edwards. Started on the teacups and ended up drenched!!! pic.twitter.com/mLqMIVoh48

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) August 16, 2019

And here’s Tacko Fall going down a water ride. pic.twitter.com/DoBXLndMAu

— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) August 16, 2019

Are 360 layups the best layups (or 360 dunks)?

Flashback to Mario Mckinney Jr hitting the 360 in playoffs.. pic.twitter.com/0rMJNot5kj

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 15, 2019

Pippen: 360 dunks | McMenamin: 360 dunks

Moving on…

Think Gordon Hayward will be an All-Star this season?

Kanter on Hayward.JPG — Credit: Chris Forsberg/NBC Sports Boston

“I think he can. He’ll come back this season with more confidence and really be back to who he really was” – Pippen

“Enes is being a great teammate. That’s a great way to engine yourself to the new locker room and really give a guy a show of support. But you look at the pecking order: Kemba [Walker] is No. 1, [Jayson] Tatum is No. 2, [Jaylen] Brown or Hayward is probably No. 3 and so I don’t think he’ll get enough touches to put the numbers to be an All-Star” – McMenamin

Second Half

What do Sixers need from Embiid to take the next step?

Embiid on losing weight.JPG — Credit: Joel Embiid/Facebook

“It’s really just consistency. He is, at times, the most dominant player in the league. If he’s going to be load managing in the playoffs, it doesn’t give his team the best chance to win” – McMenamin

“He has to really keep the weight off. I think him being overweight has been his biggest issue in his career thus far because he’s been injured here and there, they’ve had to sit him and it’s all falling because of his weight. If he can stay in shape and stay healthy, the sky’s the limit for him and the Sixers. He has to show some maturity as a player by keeping that weight off” – Pippen

Agree Rockets should load manage Harden this season?

Morey quote.JPG — Credit: Howard Beck/Bleacher Report

“Based on his postseason performance, I haven’t seen him be able to go to the next gear. Holding him back a little bit, taking some minutes away from him will allow him to re energize himself come playoff time” – Pippen

“The catch 22 here is the best laid plans usually go awry. He’s 30 years old in the absolute prime of his career and were going to talk about limiting him? You get one NBA career” – McMenamin

Are Pelicans legitimate playoff contenders this season?

Holiday on David Griffin.JPG — Credit: Andrew Lopez/ESPN

“No. The West is so tough. It’s not any criticism of the Pelicans organization” – McMenamin

“Other than Jrue Holiday, they don’t really have that veteran and it’s going to be tough for them throughout the regular season. They’re going to be an exciting team and they’re going to be fun, but just the lack of experience and the strength of the teams out in the West is going to be very difficult for them” – Pippen

The 3 superstars who defined this decade (ESPN.com)