There are moments where I've watched this game and wondered how any other team will have a chance against the full-strength version of these two teams over the next five years. Definitely my heart talking, not my head. But still.

If you're going to talk this much about the players being motivated by the money, you may as well hang a bag a cash over center court. Lean all the way in.

Jokić is probably a bridge too far for Derik Queen comparisons. So let me throw out another one: Boris Diaw.

Congrats to the Mets for avoiding the second apron.

We polled 36 executives around the NBA, asking them to rank their top five front offices. Here are our findings: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

You often hear that tactics in sports are cyclical. Broadly, there's some truth to that. But dig deeper into stuff like this from @fredkatz.bsky.social, and you realize it's less that old tactics return and more that they get infused with new principles. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

After an "embarrassing" playoff loss, offseason convos with coaches and meetings with Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra decided to overhaul the Heat's offense. "We have to evolve," Spo said. Story w/ @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on an evolution which appears to be working: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Congratulations, soccer. You have four quarters now, not two halves. www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

I'm not sure we've fully comprehended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exceeding 20 points in 95 (!) straight games. When Wilt was doing this, he was playing the entire game. SGA's doing it in 70 percent of the minutes, give or take. There's no simple way to value the ability to never have an off game.

Seems like the USMNT got a relatively easy group based on the @theathletic.com simulator. www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

There are a lot of really horrific examples of “it can always get worse” in world history but I find Sepp Blatter to Gianni Infantino hits just the right note of bleak whimsy.

what it feels like watching the draw

My advice is to stop this shit and get on with it

Pay-LAY

In a crowded field, this is an all-time "This could've been an email" event.

It's a lot of money but if you think about it as percentage of the cap, it's not that large of a contract. And the cap is projected to go up 10% the next few years. Still, Netflix will have to worry about the 2nd apron.

Imagining the possibility of CP3 going to Charlotte to end his career as LaMelo Ball's mentor.

Alex Sarr plays so much bigger now than he did as a rookie. He's stronger, but also increasingly knows how to use his strength more effectively. Kristaps Porzingis wanted nothing to do with him tonight.

Oh yeah, the Pistons can just drop Jaden Ivey back into all this.

Jokic and Sengun are functionally point guards in these giant lineups.

Cade Cunningham is trying to wrap up Clutch Player of the Year in November.

Last night was concerning.

The NBA widened its own betting probe to ask for cell phones. Two Lakers close to LeBron — and to Damon Jones, who is charged — are among those who complied. @mikevorkunov.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social @danwoikesports.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

I like this version of Scottie Barnes, where he's more of a play finisher than a play starter.

I've thought about this for a long time, and I'm prepared to go out on a limb and say it. The Thunder might be good.

Fired Nico www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

If the Wizards were playing for anything, this loss would've made me quite mad.

I love watching Ron Holland play. Has he Wally Pipped Jaden Ivey?

The Kyshawn George secret is out.

There's traveling discourse out there so you know I had to weigh in www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

It's nearly 2026 and Steph's gravity is still unparalleled.

Two Heat thoughts: 1. I dunno what happened to Jaime Jaquez last year but he looks liberated in this new offense. 2. Very curious to see how Tyler Herro fits into this style of play when he's healthy. Can he be decisive off the dribble, or will he bog it down by calling for lots of pick-and-roll?

More Kyshawn, less CJ

More Kyshawn, less CJ.

Biggest FA signing of the season.

A deeper look at the NBA's memo about the FBI's gambling probe, and the issue of injury reporting, at @theathletic.com (including a look at the Luka Doncic example from last night) W/ @joevardon.bsky.social and @mikevorkunov.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

This is why it's so hard to beat Oklahoma City. They have such a consistent baseline of success with SGA and their defense that they can survive bad shooting nights and/or shaky spells of execution.

Ah what the hey.

It's opening day! Here's a catchup thread for all my preseason content: 🧵

We back.

Trae Young won’t sign an extension with the Hawks before the start of the regular season, league sources tell @joevardon.bsky.social and myself. Young is still eligible to sign an extension after the 2025-26 season begins. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

We talked to the guy who won that viral Knicks tic tac toe game the other night. www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Becky Hammon coached a hell of a game. Negated the Alyssa Thomas middle pick-and-roll with the zone and by having the guard reach into AT's dribble. That kept Dana Evans on the floor, and you saw the offensive benefits.

Jake LaRavia might be the only NBA player with a hobby where Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Luka Doncic can stink and where Ryan Rollins is a find! I ripped some packs this summer with the Lakers' new forward and wrote about his collecting www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Everybody Eats Episode 1: @mikepradanba.bsky.social joins the show to take a big picture look at the Wizards rebuild. Check it out! Apple: podcasts.apple.com/cl/podcast/s... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7AXv... Youtube: youtu.be/JlQCDohloNg

This is fascinating stuff. Really well done by @jaredweissnba.bsky.social

What if "muscle memory" is a myth? What if the very basis for how humans learn new skills is wrong? A growing number of coaches and athletes see a problem with the way we train. And they're solving it with a new method called CLA. Read @jaredweissnba.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

We've been busy....

Reed Sheppard SZN is upon us.