Slam dunk contest? Looks more like the slam *miss* contest..smh

These are the records that teams need to have to make the play-in or to achieve a top 6 seed with 90% confidence.

Anyway, you can preorder a Brody King ABOLISH ICE shirt here, all proceeds go to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee: edgemenstore.com/collections/...

(it is only $81 because I'm not exactly swimming in paid subscribers, considering hopping on!)

The great and wise @mayormgf.bsky.social just blew my mind by reminding me that apart from Grand Slam, AEW's upcoming shows are a string of high latin markets like Denver and El Paso...until they get to ST.PAUL FUCKING MINNESOTA. Good luck with the chants!

“If gaining optionality was their end goal, the Lakers have achieved it. But they must understand that with more choices also comes more chances to make a misstep.” Great stuff from @alexregla.bsky.social www.silverscreenandroll.com/lakers-analy...

. @blazersedge.bsky.social night is one of the coolest things anyone at SBN has ever done. If you have the means and can donate a ticket to help a kid see their first NBA game, you can do so here. Even just $20 can give a kid a lifelong memory: www.blazersedge.com/trail-blazer...

Wrote about the Lakers, Rob Pelinka and the critical summer ahead. www.silverscreenandroll.com/lakers-analy...

Wrote about the Lakers, Rob Pelinka and the critical summer ahead. www.silverscreenandroll.com/lakers-analy...

Post a banger that isn’t in English m.youtube.com/watch?v=DBtD...

From my 50-game check earlier today...data about how heavily the Lakers are leaning into zone defense. Over last 11 games they lead NBA by a wide margin at 16.8 zone possessions per game according to tracking data. For context, the Heat rank second at 7.3 zone possessions 👇

on benito, and america

The shooting obviously is helpful, but the gravity Luke Kennard demands, and how he takes advantage of it with drives and kicks, really popped. A welcome dimension for a team that lacked it.

Who knew the Lakers big trade deadline acquisition would be Maxi Kleber?

Me on the death of the Washington Post sports section. This isn't a day to be nostalgic. It's a day to be angry. www.theringer.com/2026/02/04/m...

Do think they eventually need to recoup their 2nds somehow. They’re completely out heading into the summer.

Luke Kennard is also shooting an incredible 1.56 points per spot up possession this season. That’s the best mark in the league.

Lakers on catch and shoot 3’s this season: 35.4% (24th in the NBA) Luke Kennard: 51.2%

The Bulls

Low expectations with the Lakers deadline today. Do hope they can somehow manage to grab a 2nd or two. As we’ve seen with a lot of moves made recently, they can be really useful.

Not saying most of the reporting out there isn’t accurate, but just shows how much teams still hold under wraps

The gap between what is reported/rumored and what actually happens trade wise in the NBA feels as wide ever before. Most of these deals have come out of nowhere.

Wow! What sounded like the entire AEW Dynamite audience in Las Vegas tonight chanted "Fuck ICE! Fuck ICE!" in unison before the main event

The Bulls

Jarrett Allen checks a lot of boxes and the Lakers can offer the cap/tax relief Cleveland is reported after. But probably unlikely they have enough on top of that to get a deal done now vs. in the summer.

One year ago, Luka Doncic was traded for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first. Since then - Luka Doncic was 13.6 wins above replacement - AD has 1.6 - Christie has 2.0

Easily the best wrestling coverage around. Tremendous value for the amount of content the guys provide.

Will be really curious if the Lakers try to trade for a big now vs in the summer when their options are limited and a bit complicated. I get into why below:

Will be really curious if the Lakers try to trade for a big now vs in the summer when their options are limited and a bit complicated. I get into why below:

Tiger Mask to Emerald Misawa is the basketball equivalent of Kobe going from 8 to 24.

What is the last trade Rob made that was heavily rumored about beforehand? Russ?

As someone who isn’t the biggest on Rui, I would not do that speculated trade. If a 3rd team were to be looped in and the Lakers could get something of value there too, then okay. But this feels like suboptimal value of Rui’s expiring money and just the player himself.

Deandre Ayton’s raw splits: In wins: 16 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 70% shooting. In losses: 9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks on 60.3% shooting. The Lakers have been pretty successful this season when they’ve get around average-ish production from him.

Losing Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner and Catherine O'Hara in quick succession is a pretty big blow for people who enjoy elementary things such as "laughter" and "joy"

Believe a 3rd team would have to be involved for it to be apron-friendly for all parties. But just looking at it from a Cavs/Lakers perspective, there’s a good argument that the Lakers are offering cap relief and the better player in that deal. That’s not ideal.

As someone who isn’t the biggest on Rui, I would not do that speculated trade. If a 3rd team were to be looped in and the Lakers could get something of value there too, then okay. But this feels like suboptimal value of Rui’s expiring money and just the player himself.

Although Deandre Ayton has outplayed his contract, he’s likely not the Lakers’ long-term answer at center. That may not be a surprise, but finding a clear upgrade may be easier said than done. My latest for @lakerssbn.bsky.social www.silverscreenandroll.com/lakers-analy...

The Lakers announce Austin Reaves will also miss tomorrow’s game against the Cavs.

This part of his quote is obviously and rightfully getting the headlines but the end of the clip is just as important: "Saying everything that's on my mind would have a cost that's too great for me right now...I know I'm a foreigner and I am concerned, for sure."

"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota Via DonHarris4/X

The trio of Doncic, James and Reaves have only played 296 possessions together this season. For comparison: Jokic, Murray, Gordon: 510 SGA, Chet, Williams: 718 Cade, Thompson, Duren: 1146 Durant, Thompson, Sengun: 1555

Games missed this season: Austin Reaves 22 LeBron James: 17 Rui Hachimura: 10 Marcus Smart: 9 Luka Doncic: 8 Jaxson Hayes: 8 And the Lakers are still 28-17. Can gripe about their netRTG (I have), their defense (I have) and playoff viability (I have), but it’s impressive they continue just to win.

Jake LaRavia plays and plays hard every game. Duh analysis but two things that are pretty damn important for this team.

I touch on several interesting free agents and why most may be unattainable despite the Lakers being projected to have a ton of cap space.