NBABase

The Thunder’s paint defense has been an absolute NIGHTMARE this season - Opponents averaging just 13.5 makes/game within 5ft (2nd best in NBA) - Opponents shooting a pathetic 32.9% from 20-24ft - Aday Mara averaging 1.9 BPG in Chet Holmgren’s absence OKC is currently +475 to win the NBA Title on @BetUS_NBA

Stephen A. Smith: "I hold LeBron James directly responsible for ruining the Slam Dunk Contest. Because it started with him that stars began not participating, because they follow LeBron's lead. He ruined the All-Star weekend Slam Dunk Contest, because he's never been a participant in it. Kobe, Vince, Tracy McGrady, everybody that was sky-walkers participated in the Slam Dunk Contest, but LeBron James."

Paul George’s fit in Boston has been seamless - 14+ 3PA per 100 possessions (career-high) - 44% 3PT shooting - Boston sitting top of the East with the #1 Net Rating

If SGA three-peats as MVP, he’s better than Jokic

Football media just got a little more interesting 👀

Brian Windhorst says the Cavs can't trade Jarrett Allen unless they get a center back because Evan Mobley hasn't proven he can be a full-time 5 "You can't trade Jarrett Allen unless you are getting a center back... because Evan Mobley has not proven he can be your starting center. He has not proven it… As your full-time center, the Cavs have tried this. He doesn't compete at the level that he needs to compete to be a star."

The Bucks are facing a potential catastrophe over the Gary Trent Jr. investigation, per @WindhorstESPN , @BobbyMarks42 , @BannedMacMahon "Everybody in the league expects a guilty finding." "If they are found guilty, there are going to be draft picks stripped and people suspended indefinitely." "It could be potentially the worst general manager opening in decades." "You call this the danger zone. I call this hell."

Followed by Boston Celtics 😭

Bill Simmons calls out Joel Embiid for exaggerating injuries "He’s milking an injury where it’s like you’re in first grade watching the kid who keeps pretending he’s hurt… went down like he’d been shot." "The falling down, the flopping, it’s just hard to support. This is somebody who’s one of the best 75 players of all time."

Bill Simmons tore into NBC for split-screening during Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s pregame interaction “They were in a split screen inexplicably. NBC had one job. They literally had one job during this game, which was to make sure when Tatum approaches Brown or Brown approaches Tatum right before the game starts, make sure you have a wide shot and you can capture what happens. They f***ed it up.”

Rich Paul on young NBA players "You're in the playoffs. The series is tied 2-2... 'I haven't watched any film. I've been to dinners, I've been shopping, I've been out on a boat.'… This is where AAU hurts. There's no IQ in AAU."

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JAYLEN BROWN REALLY ACTED LIKE TATUM WASN’T EVEN THERE 😭

Stephen A. Smith says the Lakers won’t win a championship because their top three players are white “I've never seen an NBA team with its top three players being white deliver a championship. It's never happened, and I'm here to tell you, I don't think it's gonna happen this year.”

There is "no truth" to reports that Jaylen Brown requested a trade from Boston, per @krisrhim1

Jaylen Brown was never informed by the Celtics before being traded to Philly, per @krisrhim1 Brown asked for input after learning Boston tried trading him for Giannis, but Brad Stevens sent him to the Sixers without a heads-up.

Pablo Torre on Steve Ballmer “He was telling via his various representatives that he was gonna sue me. For a year, this was being communicated all around the NBA.” “Intense wealth does not equate to intense competence... Sometimes they can be idiots.” (youtu.be/APxbpCVgHrI?si=CRH7…)

Jontay Porter reveals he contemplated suicide after NBA gambling ban "There was one incident where I—I don’t even think my wife knows this—but I held it to my head and I was just crying: ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ " (Via @NewYorker h/t @hoopshype)

Stephen A. Smith calls modern NBA players soft 😳 "Is the problem with the media, or is the problem with the fact that the modern-day athlete, getting paid more money than ever before, has gotten a bit softer mentally when it comes to absorbing constructive criticism?"

The Warriors can use Kristaps Porziņģis’ contract as a $25M trade exception to acquire another player, per @WindhorstESPN